FIVE PARKS LIFE
Our black truck and Brinkley trailer at camp below cliffs glowing red at Lost Dutchman State Park, Arizona.
BEEN THERE · ARIZONA 1 YOGA CLASS FILMED HERE

Lost Dutchman State Park

2 NIGHTS, APRIL 2026
2
NIGHTS
APR 2026
WHEN WE CAMPED
ARIZONA
WHERE
STATE PARK
TYPE OF STOP
~$50/NIGHT
WHAT WE PAID

FILMED HERE

ABOUT THE PLACE

Lost Dutchman State Park, Arizona

We spent two nights here in April 2026, on our spring 2026 loop through Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. We were in site 94 and paid about $50 a night. Our full field report is still being written, so here is what to know about the place itself.

The short version

Lost Dutchman State Park sits in the Sonoran Desert at the base of the Superstition Mountains, on the Apache Trail (State Route 88) north of Apache Junction, about 40 miles east of Phoenix. Trails lead from the park into the Superstition Wilderness of Tonto National Forest.

A little history

  • The Bureau of Land Management developed the site as a day-use area in 1972. It was dedicated as Lost Dutchman State Park on December 5, 1977.
  • The name comes from the legend of the Lost Dutchman's Mine. In the 1870s Jacob Waltz, "the Dutchman" (actually a German), was said to have found it. He supposedly described its location to his neighbor Julia Thomas before he died, but no one has found it since.

Trails

  • Treasure Loop: 2.4 miles round trip, moderate, about 500 feet of elevation change.
  • Siphon Draw climbs into a canyon of the same name. The route on to the top of the Flatiron is not maintained all the way, is meant for experienced hikers, and needs at least five hours up and back.
  • Jacob's Crosscut runs easy along the base of the mountain, and the Native Plant Trail is an accessible walk with labeled plants.

Camping

  • 68 sites with water and 50, 30 and 20 amp electric, plus non-hookup sites for tents or RVs.
  • There are also camping cabins and group areas.
  • Showers and the dump station are for registered campers only.

Good to know

  • Reserve sites and cabins through Arizona State Parks. There is an entrance fee.
  • Summer often tops 100 degrees. Carry at least a gallon of water per person per day.

Facts checked October 2026. Things change, so check the official site before you go.

IN THE JOURNAL

Where we wrote about it

Field report coming soon.

we stayed here, we're still writing it up

Our Ford truck and Brinkley trailer parked at a campsite below rocky cliffs at Lost Dutchman State Park.
Campsite Under the Cliffs
The Brinkley trailer with its awning out, a camp chair and fire pit at our Lost Dutchman State Park site.
Awning Out at Lost Dutchman
Our e-bikes parked at the campsite with a shade ramada and desert behind at Lost Dutchman State Park.
E-Bikes Ready to Roll
Rindo inside the Brinkley trailer with the cliffs filling the big window at Lost Dutchman State Park.
A Room With a View
Rindo on her cot looking out at the desert and cliffs at Lost Dutchman State Park, Arizona.
Rindo Takes in the View
Jagged volcanic cliffs above saguaro and cholla cactus at Lost Dutchman State Park, Arizona.
Cliffs, Cholla and Saguaro
A tall saguaro and cholla in front of red rock cliffs at Lost Dutchman State Park.
Saguaro Against the Cliffs
The mountain glowing red above the desert at Lost Dutchman State Park, Arizona.
Red Light on the Mountain
Pink clouds over the mountain, saguaros and desert brush at Lost Dutchman State Park.
Pink Sky Over the Desert
Rock spires and cliffs under a pink evening sky at Lost Dutchman State Park, Arizona.
Rock Spires at Dusk
A saguaro silhouetted against an orange sunset sky at Lost Dutchman State Park.
Saguaro Silhouette at Sunset
Erin in a camp chair looking toward the cliffs from our campsite at Lost Dutchman State Park.
Erin Soaks In the View
Erin on her e-bike on the park road heading toward the cliffs at Lost Dutchman State Park.
Riding Toward the Cliffs
Matt and Erin in bike helmets with the cliffs behind them at Lost Dutchman State Park.
Helmet Selfie at Lost Dutchman
Erin walking Rindo down the park road with mountains ahead at Lost Dutchman State Park.
Morning Walk With Rindo
Matt and Erin smiling at camp with the trailer, bikes and an orange sunset at Lost Dutchman State Park.
Sunset Selfie at Camp
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