Facilities

Club House

Laundry Room

Swimming Pool

Hot Tub

Fitness Center

Game Room

Rec Hall

Pavilion

Exercise Room

Restroom/Shower

Restroom Only

Shower Only

Restaurant

Groceries

RV Supplies

ATM Machine

WiFi

Dog Park

Cocktail Lounge

Dog Washing Station

Pit Toilet

Snack Bar

Play Ground

Sites

Water

20 Amp

30 Amp

50 Amp

Sewer

Cable TV

Services

Escort to Site

Self-Service RV Wash

Metered LP Gas

Firewood

Fishing Supplies

Pet Supplies

Onsite Rentals

Worship Services

Golf Carts

Fishing Guides

Onsite RV Service

Staffed RV Wash

Fishing Licenses

Complimentary Breakfast

Recreational activities in or near the park

Recreational Activities

Archery Range

ATV Riding

Biking

Boating

Body Of Water

Casino

Climbing

Dock

Driving Range

Fishing

Golf

Heated Pool

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Horseshoes

Kayaking

Lawn Bowling

Mini Golf

Paddle Boats

Pickle Ball

Putting Green

Ramp

Sauna

Shuffleboard

Snow Sports

Splash Pad

Swimming

Tennis

Wading Pool

Water Slide

Water Sports

Water Umbrella

Whitewater Rafting

Policies

RV Age Restrictions

Pets Welcome

Pet Restrictions

Pet Restriction on Quantity

Pet Restriction on Breed

Pet Restriction on Size

No Pets

Tent Camping Allowed

Folding Tent Campers Allowed

No Tents

No Overnight Guests

<h2>Overview</h2><p>McDowell Mountain Regional Park offers an expansive desert escape for travelers seeking a natural retreat near the Phoenix metropolitan area. Spanning over 21,000 acres, the park is defined by its rugged beauty and quiet atmosphere. Visitors can expect <strong>scenic Sonoran Desert landscapes</strong> that provide a sense of isolation while remaining within reach of modern conveniences. It is an ideal base for those who value peace, dark night skies, and direct access to expansive wilderness trails.</p><h2>Location & Surroundings</h2><p>Located in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains near Fort McDowell, AZ, this park serves as a gateway to the high desert. The surrounding terrain is characterized by rolling hills, ancient saguaros, and dramatic mountain views. Its <strong>elevated desert positioning</strong> offers cooler temperatures than the valley floor, making it a comfortable destination during the spring and fall seasons. You will find the environment serene, quiet, and perfectly situated for those wanting to avoid urban noise.</p><h2>Amenities & Park Features</h2><p>The park is well-equipped to host modern RVers with 76 spacious sites featuring <strong>full hookups</strong>, including 50-amp electrical service, water, and sewer connections. Each site is designed to accommodate large vehicles, ensuring a comfortable stay for big-rig owners. Additional amenities include clean restrooms, heated showers, and a convenient dump station. Travelers also have access to <strong>fire pits and picnic tables</strong>, which are perfect for enjoying the cool desert evenings under a canopy of bright stars.</p><h2>Nearby Attractions & Things to Do</h2><p>Outdoor enthusiasts will find endless opportunities for recreation directly from the campground. The park boasts over 50 miles of <strong>multi-use trails</strong> suitable for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, catering to all skill levels. Beyond the park gates, visitors can explore the vibrant culture and history of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation or visit the nearby Fountain Hills. These areas offer local shops, casual dining, and public parks that round out a well-rounded desert travel experience.</p><h2>Who This Park Is Best For</h2><p>This destination is perfectly suited for nature lovers, hikers, and mountain bikers who prioritize outdoor access over resort-style amenities. If you prefer <strong>tranquil desert camping</strong> with proximity to urban exploration in Scottsdale or Phoenix, this regional park fits your travel style well. It is an excellent choice for snowbirds and weekend adventurers looking for a well-maintained, scenic basecamp that honors the rugged spirit of the Arizona landscape.</p>



McDowell Mountain Regional Park is a 21,099-acre park located in the McDowell Mountains of Maricopa County, Arizona. The park is managed by the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department and is located approximately 25 miles northeast of Phoenix. The park offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including coyotes, bobcats, javelinas, mule deer, and a variety of birds. The park also features a variety of trails, ranging from easy to difficult, and a variety of scenic views. The park is open year-round and offers a variety of special events throughout the year.

McDowell Mountain Regional Park

Experience McDowell Mountain Regional Park in Fort McDowell, AZ. Enjoy full hookups, scenic hiking trails, and beautiful desert views for your next RV trip.

McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Fort McDowell, AZ

I love McDowell Park because there's not a lot of people during the week.   The scenery is amazing.  You can see the McDowell Mountain, Four Peaks, Weavers Needle,  the Superstitions, and Red Mountain to name a few.  The cactus ate blooming;  the poppies have already bloomed.  It's just a beautiful park perfect for my trail running and hiking.   I don't do much biking or horseback riding but those activities are popular too.

Our favorite Maricopa Regional Park for camping. Terrific mountain biking. Spacious camp sites at Rowland. Some noise from aircraft.

Such a beautiful, quiet, secluded park! We LOVE it here!! The last 16 years we've spent spring break around Phoenix at state and regional parks. This one holds a special place since this is where it all started when we had our 3 & 4yo daughters (now 19 &  20 🥹)... we've been here probably 10 of the 16 years!! It's hard to believe the city is 12 min away! The mountain bike trails right out of the park are endless with a super fun competitive track at the entrance of the park... a MUST VISIT for sure😍

Super fun mountain biking in a beautiful setting. Not too far from Phoenix but nothing but beautiful desert scenery as far as you can see. Campgrounds are awesome. I actually liked the Ironwood better. More secluded and peaceful.

Visited McDowell Mountain Regional Park while in Fort McDowell, AZ. The atmosphere was vast and rugged, and the overall experience felt impressive but spread out. The park is massive — it’s honestly a bit crazy — with nearly a 20-minute drive just to get from the entrance to the North Trail, which really puts the scale into perspective. Tried the North Trail — scenic and well maintained, but the sheer size makes it feel more like a destination than a quick outing. Overall, worth checking out once, but not a spot I’d go out of my way to revisit. Saluti

Rad sites. Some have water and power. Some have power. Some dry. Clean and open skies.
Mtb trail access from the camp.

The Campground was very clean. Everyone who worked at the party were nice. The sites are level and the views are beautiful. The trails are fun for hiking and biking.

This is a hidden gem for those who want to feel seclusion but still close enough to civilization. McDowell Mountain Regional Park offers beautiful views from just about every site. The sites are spacious and there’s plenty of room between your neighbors. The restrooms and showers are clean and well maintained. It’s definitely off the beaten path but well worth the visit.

Awesome park with great facilities and trails. $7 for a day pass to get in. I did see a few rattlesnakes so watch out for those!

Saw lots of walkers, runners, and bikers on the trails.

The Two Crazy Vegans have stayed at the EJ Rowland Campground here so many times we have stats on campspots. There is trails galore and the bathrooms are always clean.
Views can be breathtaking and its close to us so we come when we can.

We absolutely loved this campground!
It is amazingly gorgeous!
There are hiking trails glore! McDowell is a mountain biker's paradise. There are miles and miles of trails in the beautiful desert landscape.
We saw so many birds, desert wren, a cardinal, and harrison hawks sitting on the giant Sagauro cactus! Absolutely spectular!
The facilities are great too! The bathrooms and showers were very clean. There is water and power at your campsite with a dump station at the entrance/exit.
We highly recommend McDowell Mountain Regional Park!

We have stayed at this park many times over the last 20 years. It is one of the most beautiful best maintained parks in which we have stayed. The sites are large and nice with electricity and water. The views are outstanding. One thing I have always liked about this park is the privacy in some of the sites particularly the outer Westerly ring. Unfortunately, they have crammed in a bunch more sites so now there is no really private site. Every site that I saw has someone directly across. Still nice but unfortunate.

Fantastic desert camping area!!
Amazing kid friendly area to play. The views are outstanding.
Staff is friendly and helpful.
Only thing to note is their fire restrictions as they can change from one night to the next.

Reviews

McDowell Mountain Regional Park