CampgroundsDB

Desert Tortoise Campground

Its 74 sites are reservable through Maricopa County Parks online reservations, and camping costs $40/night developed, $25/night semi-developed (2026 rates), plus a $10 reservation fee. Desert Tortoise Campground is a County campground near Peoria, Arizona.

Reservable: Maricopa County Parks online reservations

County · Peoria, Arizona

Lake Pleasant, looking north toward the Bradshaw Mountains, in Lake Pleasant Regional ParkLake Pleasant, looking south toward Phoenix, in Lake Pleasant Regional ParkSandstone cliffs at Lake Pleasant Regional Park
Lake Pleasant, looking north toward the Bradshaw Mountains, in Lake Pleasant Regional ParkLake Pleasant, looking south toward Phoenix, in Lake Pleasant Regional ParkSandstone cliffs at Lake Pleasant Regional Park1 / 3

Lake Pleasant, looking north toward the Bradshaw Mountains, in Lake Pleasant Regional Park. Photo: Scotwriter21, CC BY-SA 4.0

Managed by
County
Hookups
Some sites

Getting a site

Managed by
County
Reservations
Maricopa County Parks online reservations Book a site
Fee
$40/night developed, $25/night semi-developed (2026 rates), plus a $10 reservation fee
Booking window
Up to 194 days ahead for Maricopa County residents, 180 days for others; 1 to 14 nights
Cancellations
Camping fee refunded less the reservation fee and a $10 cancellation fee; within 24 hours of arrival, call the park.

Source: maricopacountyparks.net, accessed 2026-09-29

Sites and hookups

Total sites
74
Tent sites
10
Hookups
Some sites
  • ✓ Toilets
  • ✓ Dump station
  • ✓ Fire rings
  • ✓ Pets allowed

On site: Toilets, dump station, fire rings, and pets allowed.

Source: maricopacountyparks.net, accessed 2026-09-29

Rules

Stay limit
14 nights on one campsite in any 28-day period
Quiet hours
10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Generators
Allowed outside quiet hours
Pets
Allowed

Source: maricopacountyparks.net, accessed 2026-09-29

Access and cell service

Elevation
1,750 ft

Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)

AT&T
4G LTE and 5G (35/3 Mbps)
T-Mobile
4G LTE and 5G (35/3 Mbps)
Verizon
4G LTE and 5G (35/3 Mbps)
Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection, data as of December 31, 2025

Outdoor coverage each carrier reports to the FCC at this campground's map point, and the nearest mapped coverage within about half a mile. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it. These are carrier predictions, not measurements, and can be wrong either way: real service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle is often weaker. 5G speeds are the FCC's 7/1 and 35/3 Mbps tiers. This product uses the FCC Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the FCC.

33.8607, -112.3029 in Maricopa. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Open in Google Maps Directions

Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Desert Tortoise Campground?
Sites at Desert Tortoise Campground are reserved through Maricopa County Parks online reservations (https://www.exploremaricopacountyparks.org/). Booking window: Up to 194 days ahead for Maricopa County residents, 180 days for others; 1 to 14 nights.
How much does it cost to camp at Desert Tortoise Campground?
Camping at Desert Tortoise Campground costs $40/night developed, $25/night semi-developed (2026 rates), plus a $10 reservation fee.
What happens if I cancel or don't show up at Desert Tortoise Campground?
Camping fee refunded less the reservation fee and a $10 cancellation fee; within 24 hours of arrival, call the park.
How many campsites does Desert Tortoise Campground have?
Desert Tortoise Campground has 74 campsites, including 10 tent sites.
Does Desert Tortoise Campground have RV hookups?
Some sites at Desert Tortoise Campground have hookups; others do not. There is a dump station.
Are dogs allowed at Desert Tortoise Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Desert Tortoise Campground.
How long can you stay at Desert Tortoise Campground?
The stay limit at Desert Tortoise Campground is 14 nights on one campsite in any 28-day period.
Are generators allowed at Desert Tortoise Campground?
Yes, outside quiet hours (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.).
Is there cell service at Desert Tortoise Campground?
Yes, outdoors: the FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows 4G LTE and 5G from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon at Desert Tortoise Campground. The map is carrier-reported and modeled for outdoors, so expect weaker service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle.
Who manages Desert Tortoise Campground?
Desert Tortoise Campground is managed by a county parks department.

Around Desert Tortoise Campground

fishypedia.com · 2.7 miles

The nearest lake with a fishing page is Lake Pleasant, whose mapped center point is 2.7 miles away in a straight line. Stocking record and species: Lake Pleasant fishing on fishypedia.com.

Hot springs nearby

swimholesmap.com · within 30 miles

The nearest hot spring to Desert Tortoise Campground, in a straight line: Castle Hot Springs (hot spring, 9.4 miles). Each has its own page on swimholesmap.com.

Reservable Roadrunner Campground Peoria · County Season Not on record Fee $40/night developed site (2026 rate), plus a $10 reservation fee

More campgrounds: camping near Peoria and campgrounds in Maricopa.

Sources

Photo credits

Reservable: Maricopa County Parks online reservations $40/night developed, $25/night semi-developed (2026 rates), plus a $10 reservation fee
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