Go RVing Around Lost Dutchman State Park

The curious name of Lost Dutchman State Park might imply that it’s tricky to reach and explore the scenic treasure of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. That couldn’t be further from the truth, as the park is just 40 miles east of Phoenix via Highway 60. Not only is the route a cinch to navigate via RV, but the park also has its own large campground spaces for RVs. It’s logistically easy, too, if you pick up an RV rental in Phoenix before hitting the road.

This makes Lost Dutchman State Park an ideal road trip destination for novice RV campers, so you can plan a road trip there without fear of getting lost! With an excellent trail system and proximity to the Superstition Wilderness, the park has great appeal to the most intrepid of outdoor adventurers, too.

About Lost Dutchman State Park

Everyone planning to go RVing near Lost Dutchman State Park must wonder about the name and who this Dutchman might be. There are many variations of the local legend. During the 1840s the Peralta family of northern Mexico supposedly developed rich gold mine(s) in the Superstitions. Their last expedition to carry gold back to Mexico occurred in 1848. According to legend, the large party was ambushed by Apaches, and all were killed except for one or two Peralta family members who escaped into Mexico. This area is known today as the Massacre Grounds.

Then around 1870, a German man, named Jacob Waltz, nicknamed the Dutchman, became privy to the location of an abandoned Spanish gold mine. Waltz would venture into the Superstition Mountains and come out with satchels full of gold. He never revealed the mine’s location but left some cryptic clues. He died without revealing the mine’s location, and reportedly shot people who followed him as he returned to it for more gold. To this day, plucky prospectors try to follow in the Dutchman’s footsteps, but none have struck gold so far. Subsequent searchers have met with foul play or even death, contributing to the superstition and legend. Perhaps you could be the lucky one to find the mine?

It’s much easier to find the other treasures of Lost Dutchman State Park and the adjacent Superstition Mountains. The Park is a 320-acre state park located in northwestern Pinal County, Arizona on the Apache Trail State Route 88} north of Apache Junction, near the Superstition Mountains where Geronimo evaded cavalry soldiers for years. Superb desert and mountain vistas, a seasonally pleasant climate, and outstanding hiking trails all await. So does easy access to one of Arizona’s most spectacular scenic drives. The state park is close enough to Phoenix for a quick weekend trip that’s easy on gas. However, you could also include it at the start of an epic road trip across the west. 

When to Visit

Lost Dutchman State Park is open year-round, but the high season is October through April when the weather is the coolest. It’s a popular wintertime destination for “snowbirds” as well as spring break. Spring wildflowers are especially spectacular after heavy winter rains. 

Located in the Sonoran Desert at 2,000 feet, the park has an arid climate with sunny weather year-round. Summers are extremely hot, with highs over 100 degrees F throughout June, July, and August. Summer is also the monsoon season, so expect frequent afternoon thunderstorms and high winds and dust storms that create a mile high wall of dirt and sand that can last an hour or more, if you visit during that time. Prepare with adequate sun protection and always carry at least one gallon of drinking water per person per day while you’re out and about in summer. You can feel more comfortable during a summertime visit if you limit hikes and other outdoor activities to early morning or late evening hours. 

During the high-season, temperatures range from highs in the mid-60s to mid-80s, to lows in the 40s and 50s. Bring clothing, footwear, and bedding to cover a wide range of possible weather conditions during this season. If your road trip is going to include time at higher elevations nearby, expect considerably colder temperatures at night. 

First Stop: The Visitor Center

When you arrive at Lost Dutchman State Park, expect to pay entrance fees, whether it’s in an RV rental or another vehicle. The current cost is $7 per vehicle, or $10 if you’re visiting from October to May on Fridays through Sundays or public holidays. It’s a good idea to make your first stop at the visitor center. Here, you can learn about the park and its flora and fauna, get an overview of trails and activities, pick up maps, and consult a ranger about your plans. 

Check the events schedule for interesting tours or presentations offered during your visit. These might include history or ecology presentations, wine tasting, live music shows, guided bird walks, and full moon hikes. You might be able to hear a talk about superstitions from the local area or see live presentations of native species such as scorpions, snakes, and lizards. 

Hit the Trails

Hiking is the major activity in Lost Dutchman State Park, which features six trails ranging from flat and easy to moderate. You can consult a ranger or stop by the visitor center to ask about suitable routes for your fitness level and the season. In summer, take the heat seriously when hitting the trail. 

One of the easiest, most pleasant trails in the park is the Native Plant Trail. It’s just a quarter-mile, fully paved, and near the visitor center, with stunning desert plants alongside it. The Treasure Loop Trail is a good mid-level option at 2.4 miles round-trip. If you’re looking for something more challenging, you can set out along the scenic, 4-mile Siphon Draw Trail. This route winds up into a canyon and leads to the distinctive Flatiron rock formation. Some of the state park trails lead into the adjacent Tonto National Forest, which offers even more hiking options. 

Did you bring mountain bikes on the back of your RV rental? If so, be sure to enjoy a ride along the 4-mile mountain bike loop trail, a single track along the bottom of Superstition Mountain. All the lower hiking trails in the park are open to mountain bikes but do not ride above Jacobs Crosscut Trail.

Camping at the Lost Dutchman State Park 

There is a large campground within Lost Dutchman State Park where you can camp in your RV rental, with no restrictions on vehicle size. The campground has 135 sites, 68 of which have electric (50/30/20 amp) and water hookups for RVs; the rest are dry sites. Every site has a picnic table and fire pit with a grill grate. Amenities include a dump station and showers (available to overnight campers only). Pets are welcome but must be kept on a leash.

Reservations for state park campgrounds are available online or over the phone. There is a $5 reservation fee, plus $15 per night for any additional vehicles (unless towing a trailer). It’s a good idea to make reservations throughout the high season, especially if you want to camp on a weekend or holiday. 

Tonto National Forest Camping

Tonto National Forest sits next to Lost Dutchman State Park. This gives park visitors additional options for camping as well as recreation. Recreation passes are required for camping in the national forest. 

Tonto is the largest national forest in Arizona and one of the largest in the nation at 2.9 million acres. So, be sure to select a campground or dispersed camping area in the vicinity of Apache Junction (the closest city to the state park). These are:

• Tortilla Campground, a developed campground with RV sites open from October through March. Its 77 RV sites have sewage and water hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings available for vehicles up to 30 feet. The campground is in the historic Tortilla Flat area, which has a post office, restaurant, and gift shop. 
• The Bulldog Canyon Off-Highway Vehicle Areafor dispersed camping. The area is open year-round, but has no facilities. Camp in one of the pullout areas adjacent to designated routes. A Tonto Motorized Vehicle Use Permit is required and available on recreation.gov.

Other Nearby Campgrounds

The city of Apache Junction, just 6 miles southwest of Lost Dutchman State Park, offers plenty of additional RV campgrounds. They include:

• La Hacienda RV Resort: This RV resortoffers large, tree-shaded sites with full hookups. Amenities include a heated pool, two spas, laundry, complimentary internet, satellite TV, and a full activity schedule. 
• Sunrise RV Resort: Exclusively for ages 55 and older, this luxury RV resort has 147 RV sites for vehicles of all sizes. It offers full hookups and extensive facilities, including tennis and pickleball courts, a heated pool and hot tub, and a fitness center.
• Happy Days RV Park: This 55+ parkhas 180 level sites with full hookups, free WiFi, a heated pool, and daily activities. Large sites are available. 

There are even more places to stay while you cruise America in your RV rental in the nearby cities of Mesa, Fort McDowell, and Gold Canyon. 

Don’t Miss the Apache Trail Scenic Byway

One of the major attractions near Lost Dutchman State Park is the Apache Trail Scenic Byway. The route passes through Tonto National Forest along State Route 88. It follows an ancient Apache trade route, which later became a stagecoach road. Check with the forest service before setting out on the drive, as sections are sometimes closed. 

Some scenic attractions along the byway include the 327-foot Theodore Roosevelt Dam and Tonto National Monument. Here you can see well-preserved Puebloan cliff dwellings dating back to the 13th century. At Canyon Lake you can take a steamboat cruise or rent your own boat for a day on the water. 

Nearby Attractions

Learn more about the history and lore of the region at the Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum, just outside the state park. Highlights include an outdoor model railroad exhibit and gallery of Native American art. There are also movie memorabilia leftover from westerns filmed in the Superstition foothills. Plus, you can find out more about the Dutchman’s legendary lost mine. 

More history with an old-west theme awaits at Goldfield Ghost Town, an 1890s themed town with a historic gold mine onsite. You can pan for gold, ride on a narrow gauge train, stop in the saloon and even witness a real live “gunfight” on Main Street.  

Horseback riding excursions are available through the O.K. Corral Stables, located minutes from the state park. You might also go on a high-adrenaline zipline adventure at Superstition Zipline, also off Highway 88, just outside the park. 

PS – Your Wild West Adventure Starts with an RV Rental!

A wild-west-themed road trip to the Lost Dutchman State Park, a gem of the Sonoran Desert, starts when you book an RV rental from RVnGO.com. Whether you are looking for RV rentals near Phoenix or plan to go RVing from another start point, RVnGO has RVs and travel trailers available to meet every need. 

Camping with an RV rental can be very different than tent camping. Some campsites have certain regulations and rules for visitors traveling in an RV. If this is your first time taking a road trip in an RV rental, check out this First Time RV Camping Guide to gather some essential knowledge.

Are you ready to start planning your relaxing getaway road trip to cruise America and check out the Lost Dutchman State Park and the mysteries of the Superstition Mountains? Get in touch with RVnGO today so we can help you find the perfect RV rental for your adventure!