SP Campground Review – Lost Dutchman State Park, Apache Junction, AZ
A simply gorgeous State Park with stunning views of the Superstition Mountains just East of Phoenix, AZ.
Link to campground here: Lost Dutchman State Park, Apache Junction, AZ
Link to map location here: Lost Dutchman State Park, Apache Junction, AZ
- Site Quality = 4.5/5
Very nice sites here with just very few dings. There are 2 main camping areas:
Main Campground (sites 1-70) – These sites are all paved either back-in or pull-through with excellent separation and lovely “sitting areas” containing picnic table, fire-pit and grill. Only ~1/2 of sites have hook-ups (50amp/water) whereas the rest are non hook-up. All outer-sites are nicely large especially the enormous pull-throughs (many of which could easily fit 2 rigs) and most have excellent views of Superstition Mountain. Only ding is some of inner sites (esp. 1-15, 33-38) are smaller and best suited to smaller rigs while a *few* of the back-ins are a tad uneven.
Overflow Campground (sites 75-104) – This is a brand new addition to the park and all sites here are currently first-come-first-serve. All sites are cleared dirt with picnic tables and fire-pit. Although primitive they are nicely large with decent separation and good views of the mountain. It’s a simple loop, but easily one of the nicest overflow sites I’ve seen. - Facilities = 3.5/5
Good facilities. The bathrooms are large and kept nicely clean. Showers are individual rooms with separate bench area and very good water pressure and temperature. Only slight ding is they have those annoying spray heads. - Location = 5/5
This is an excellent location. You are right at the base of the Superstition Mountains with simply lovely views all-around and direct access to miles of hiking trails right from your campsite. Nearby Apache Junction has basic shopping needs and Mesa/Phoenix are only ~1/2 hour away. - Pet Friendliness = 5/5
Another fabulous pooch park. Lots of space to hang out in camp plus dog-friendly trails all around. Very little cholla too so a good camp for paws on the ground.
Overall Rating = 4.5
BONUS ALERT = Camp will full views of the gorgeous Superstition Mountains!
Summary: I fell in love with the Superstition Mountains last time we stayed in Pheonix and this park puts your right in the middle of the action. It’s a lovely State Park with large paved sites (pull-throughs are especially enormous), good separation, nice “sitting areas” and simply excellent views of Superstition Mountain all-around. Lots of hiking directly from your campsite plus direct access to the Apache Trail for lakes/sightseeing as well as short drive to shopping. Although you’re only ~1/2 hour from Phoenix it feels like a whole other world, and if you catch the desert blooms in spring you’ll be rewarded with quite the special show. A simply lovely park that may well be our fav in the area. No doubt we’ll be coming back!
Extra Info: Good Verizon signal (3-4 bars on both 3G & 4G). 72 reservable sites of which ~35 have 50Amp/water (remainder are non hook-up). Additional 30 first-come-first-serve primitive sites in overflow camping section (this is a recent addition!). Sites cost $30/night (Jan-Mar), $25/night (off-season) for electric/water, $17/night (Jan-Mar), $15/night (off-season) for primitive. On-site dump station.
I couldn’t agree with you more on this lovely State Park. I think it’ll become a regular stop for us. And we love the hiking here. Nice review 🙂
We’ve stopped there for the day (at the state park) and hiked around a bit. I would love to spend a few nights there sometime! It is a beautiful area!
We had some wonderful evenings and early morning walks. Just gorgeous!
Nina
so, when are you going to visit us??
We’re thinking of heading down 101 after we finish our summer jobs in Oregon. So looks like fall sometime would have us passing through the Bay Area.
Nina
Yet another Arizona State park to try…thanks for the review..
I think you’d definitely like this one!
Nina
Thanks for another great park review. You are so talented at finding great places.
Whilst in that area and visit the ghost town in the back part of Jerome. I think it cost $5 to get in but worth it.
You’re welcome! And cheers for the tip!
Nina
Interesting to hear you had good Verizon coverage there – we overnighted there a few weeks ago and had slow service on our Verizon aircard and no signal on our AT&T phone – which is a 1-2 “can’t stay here again” punch. Maybe we’ll try it again (MsBoyink is due for some surgery followup yet) and try to get close to the site you were in.
Hmmm…that is odd. We spent most of our time on 4G (on our Millenicom MiFi) and it was solidly stable the whole time we were there (we didn’t even bother hooking up our external antenna/amp). The 3G on our Straight Talk phone seemed stable, but we weren’t on it all of the time, so I guess I can’t be sure. Both our MiFi and our phone run on the Verizon network. It’s possible 4G is stronger than 3G there?
Nina
Wow, this looks like a high quality park. Will have to find our way there at some point – thanks for the great overview.
I hope you are backing up all of your photos. Storage is cheap.
Indeed I am. Always backing up.
Nina
Great review, Nina. I agree with your ratings. This is one of my favorite locations and one I visit several times a year (I live in nearby Mesa).
Cool! Glad you agree w/ the review. It’s always tough to do these reviews because everyone’s feeling of a place is somewhat subjective, but I try my best. We sure loved the park.
Nina
nina, thanks for the wealth of info. my wife and i were looking at southern AZ for tent camping xmas till new years, your new site helps!!! esp in finding those secluded BLM sites like Cienegas, Merci!
So very happy the reviews are helpful. You will loooove Las Cienegas!!
Nina
can’t wait, desert camping in winter is such a great way to see the country. is wheelingit on facebook? would love to like and share some of your reviews!