You have your list of Arizona hiking trails down. But which camp sites are the most convenient kick-off points? Which would be perfect as pit stops? Choose from this list of 10, so you can decide early on what types of camping equipment you will need to bring along.

1. Lockett Meadow
Drive up to Lockett Meadow to begin your hike to the Inner Basin and Mount Humphreys, which, at 12,633ft, is the highest peak in Arizona. The camp site itself is a relaxing grass meadow the width of a football field. Aspen trees surround the area, making it a picturesque setting. The leaves are cool green in summer, but turn to warm gold and red hues in the fall, usually around the first two weeks of October.

2. Catalina State Park
If you plan to climb Mount Lemon, troop to the Catalina State Park and have cactus-lined hillsides as your backdrop. If luck has it, you might spot a big horned sheep or deer. Expect an assortment of bird species as well.

3. Bonita Canyon
With massive Rhyolite columns and balancing rocks, Bonita Canyon is a stunning location to visit during your Chiricahua hike. You can set up camp at its base. The designated RV sites are widely spaced apart, so you will get to have some quiet time to yourself. You can therefore also pack all the comfort items you need to unwind, from sleeping materials to camping furniture.

4. Pinery Canyon
Nestled in towering pines, Pinery Canyon offers hiking trails to the Ida Peak and Pinery Horsefall. Similar to Bonita Canyon, its camp grounds are located at the Chiricahua National Monument. But what makes it a relaxing alternative is that there will not be RVs crowding the spot.

5. Tortilla flats
Tortilla Flats is popular as an in-between campground. It stands at the center of the Four Peaks and Superstition Wilderness areas, and the Canyon and Apache Lakes. For watching wildlife, take the trail along the scenic Canyon Lake, where big horned sheep and mountain lions are sometimes spotted. Trek into the Superstition Wilderness at Fish Creek for a view of boulders immersed in sycamore and cottonwoods.

6. Granite Basin
Just outside the city of Prescott is the outdoor paradise of Granite Basin. At 5,600ft, the campground is a favorite spot among rock climbers and hikers who enjoy traversing the steep inclines of Granite Mountain.

7. Bright Angel Campground
The Bright Angel Campground showcases canyon walls that glow in deep shades of red. It is the go-to destination for outdoor enthusiasts who take the Bright Angel and Kaibab trails.

8. Picacho Peak State Park
Consider the Picacho Peak State Park if you are looking forward to a magnificent desert vista, especially during springtime. A blanket of gold, blue and yellow flowers brightens up the desert floor. There are also plenty of Saguaro cacti and green palo verde trees.

9. Lost Dutchman State Park
The Lost Dutchman State Park is a great entry point for the Superstition Mountains, which according to Arizona lore, has gold mine buried deep. There are loads of route should you decide to go on your own treasure hunt, including the Siphon Draw Trail to the top of the mountain range.

10. Madera Canyon
A wooded campground with sufficient shading, Madera Canyon is the haven for hiking enthusiasts who enjoy bird watching. Its lush landscape attracts a variety of species, from the vermilion flycatcher to the gray cardinal. Also brace for colorful butterflies after monsoon rains during late summer.

It is important to pick out a camp site that suits your needs and interests, so you get an encouraging start to your hiking adventure, or you get to cap it off in high spirits.

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