About seven miles from Phoenix, the park is not too far from the cities of Scottsdale and Chandler. Renting a camper is an easy way of getting around to check out these neighboring cities, and you’ll find a range of affordable motorhome rentals in Maricopa County for your enjoyment. Your RV rental will also come in handy to access diverse parts of this massive park that covers nearly 25 square miles of native desert vegetation. The park was initially known as Phoenix Mountain Park when it came into being in 1924, and the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed much of the park’s original infrastructure. Today, the park is one of Phoenix’s main outdoor recreation areas, attracting visitors from various parts of the state. 

Getting Outdoors

Camping at South Mountain Park is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. The park is known for its terrific hiking opportunities with over 50 miles of trails to explore. The trails differ in length and difficulty, ranging anywhere between one mile and 14 miles, from easy to moderate, and very difficult trails. For novice hikers, the Javelina Canyon Trail is among the easiest while Holbert Trail at five miles round trip is slightly difficult with a steady climb in parts. For stunning views of the park and interesting rock formations, make your way through the Hidden Valley via Mormon Trail; it’s considered a moderate hike that could get difficult in parts.

When you are RV camping at South Mountain Park, don’t miss out on scenic drives through the park. Keep in mind though that some parts of the park have steep, winding mountain roads that might challenge even the most skilled of drivers. Summit Road is a popular drive; it’s a five and a half-mile long drive that begins at the main park entrance. Remember, this road is closed to vehicular traffic on Sundays in adherence to Silent Sundays.

If you’d prefer exploring the park on horseback, it’s time to saddle up! Guided horseback tours are conducted in the park and follow trails that meander through desert areas and gorgeous scenery. Don’t miss the ancient petroglyphs along the way.  

Camping at South Mountain Park  

Whether you plan to rough it out in a tent or rent a camper near South Mountain Park, there are several camping options around the park that you can choose from. Drive to Royal Palm Mobile Home Park and RV Resort. It has over 120 sites with amenities like big rig access, full hookups, 20, 30, and 50 amp electric service, water, sewer, and limited cell phone coverage. There are restrooms, shower stalls, laundry facilities, a fitness center, RV storage, and a clubhouse. Recreation at the park includes a billiard room, library, bocce ball, horseshoes, and swimming. Pets are welcome and note that this is also a 55+ RV resort. 

When you’re looking for a place to camp in an RV near South Mountain Park, drive to Mesa to the Twin Parks RV Park. It’s a small RV park with 17 sites and has amenities like pull-thru sites, big rig access, full hookups, 20, 30, and 50 amp electric service, sewer, water, central water spigot, dump station, cable television, WiFi, and cell phone coverage. Campers have access to restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities. Bring your furry friends along with you to this pet-friendly RV Park. For recreation, you have several trails to explore around the park. 

Exploring the Area

Maricopa County campers are in a great location when it comes to accessing neighboring towns and cities. Once you’ve explored South Mountain Park and you’re ready to check out the surrounding attractions, you don’t have to go too far. Phoenix has plenty to see and experience and is just seven miles from the park. As the county seat of Maricopa County, the city is abuzz with museums, cafes, art centers, outdoor attractions, performing venues, and more.

Drive to the Desert Botanical Garden and lookup thousands of varieties of cacti, trees, and flowers from desert regions around the world. The garden has several trails that take you through different areas of the brightly colored gardens.

Music lovers could stop by at the Musical Instrument Museum, where you get to explore over 6000 musical instruments from all over the world. Time your visit to catch a musical performance at the museum.

Phoenix Zoo is one of the city’s main attractions. Kids will love spending time here amid 125 acres of land that’s home to a variety of animal species, including tigers, elephants, komodo dragons, and more. The zoo also has a 4D theater and offers safari train rides.

The Arizona Science Center is another interesting stop for kids with interactive exhibits covering various aspects of science; it makes for an informative visit.

Have your fill of southwest-infused food in Phoenix; from chimichangas and Apache trout to steakburgers and tortillas, food is fun in Phoenix, and there’s no dearth of choice when it comes to eating out.