Lovely McDowell Mountain Park
A gorgeous regional park with 50 miles of trails in the mountains just ENE of Phoenix, AZ.
Link to campground here: McDowell Mountain Regional Park, AZ
Link to map location here: McDowell Mountain Regional Park, AZ
- Site Quality = 3.5/5
Decent to fabulous site quality here depending on which loop you’re in. All sites are hard gravel and have lovely “sitting areas” with picnic table, fire-pit and grill. Selection of back-in or pull-in with good separation, 50Amp/water hookups and generally lovely views all-around. For big-rigs however it does matter which loop you choose:
->North Loop (sites 3-40) – This seems to be an older loop and although sites are long and spacious enough, many have very step/uneven entrances with rather short, flat sections for parking. In our spot (#28) ~half the site was so strongly sloped that we would have been unable to level if Paul hadn’t been able to move the heavy concrete parking barriers in the back. Only a handful of sites comfortably flat and long enough for bigger rigs here (recommend sites 6, 11, 20, 23, 31, 35, 37).
-> South Loop (Sites 43-80) – This seems to be a newer loop and has simply gorgeous sites all-round. All are very large, flat and very spacious with simply oceans of space in-between. ANY site is lovely here. Definitely the spot to book for big-rigs! - Facilities = 3.5/5
Simple, but very nice facilities. Large, clean flush toilets and individual (very spacious) shower stalls with separate bench area. Only slight ding is regular showers have those annoying timer buttons and spray heads with no temperature control (Note/ the disabled shower has a detachable head & temp-control). On-site dump station. - Location = 5/5
A really gorgeous location here. You are right at the base of the McDowell Mountains with gorgeous views and access to ~50 miles of excellent hiking/biking trails including a competitive mountain biking circuit right on-site! Play-ground and picnic area, plus you are only a few miles from Fountain Hills for shopping needs. - Pet Friendliness = 5/5
Lovely pooch park. Plenty of space to hang out in camp, plus pooch is welcome on all the trails. DO be aware of coyotes however. Lots around in the park & area, and they’re not shy of walking through camp.
Overall Rating = 4.25
BONUS ALERT = Camp with sweeping mountain views and 50 miles of rocking trails!
Summary: This is a wonderful gem of a park located just ENE of Phoenix at the base of the McDowell Mountains. Sites are very nice with wonderful mountain views, lovely “sitting areas” and lots of space in between. The North Loop (#3-40) has rather slooped sites many of which would be too unlevel for “beast size”, but the South Loop (#43-80) has lovely, spacious (enormous), flat spots that would fit any size rig. This is a mountain bikers “hot-spot” and has over 50 miles of wonderful multi-use trails as well as a competitive track on-site. Beautiful sweeping desert and mountain views all-around with lots of nature (expect to hear packs of coyotes at night and maybe even see them by your campsite!). Nearby Fountain Hills provides basic shopping needs with ~30 min drive to Scottsdale or Phoenix. Park is very popular in winter so book ahead. Overall a very peaceful, natural park and a spot we’d definitely revisit.
Extra Info: Decent 3G Verizon signal with 1-3 bar signal variation. 64 total sites, all reservable on-line. $25/night with electric/water (50Amp). Park is popular so reservations are recommended, but there is an overflow parking lot if main sites are full. On-site dump station.
Typical site view in North Loop (#24). It’s hard to see in the pic, but this site has a downward front slope.
View of another very sloped North Loop site (#16)
View of our site (#28). Very private site, but we would not have been able to level if Paul hadn’t moved the heavy concrete parking blocks in the back.
View down North Loop (RV in site #10 on left, #8 behind)
One of the enormous sites in South Loop (#68 shown)
View of spacious pull-ins in South Loop (#44 on left, #43 on right)
Another view down spacious South loop (RV in site #54 on left, #52 behind)
Typical “sitting area”. #31 shown. The covered sites in background are the host sites.
View of facilities
View of covered playground between the 2 loops
