The Agua Fria River is part of the Agua Fria National Monument, a national park overseen by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Located about 40 miles north of Phoenix, Arizona, it is a rustic and uncivilized area, with few paved roads, crisscrossed by hiking trails and dotted with desert flora and historic cites. Camping is popular in the shade of the canyon near the river. More civilized RV and camping options are available in nearby towns if amenities such as running water and flush toilets are more to your liking.
This area is so rough and untouched that it's possible to cruise right past it as you drive from Black Canyon City in the south to Cordes Junction by the northwest corner. Few signs, manmade or natural, mark its borders. The river is the central landmark of the National Monument, snaking through a deep canyon that not only serves as an ideal shelter for camping, but also has helped preserve ancient ruins and artwork and provided a place for plants and animals to flourish.
If you use the rustic campgrounds run by the Bureau of Land Management, keep the rules and precautionary measures in mind. No fees or permits are required to enter Agua Fria National Monument, and camping is free but limited to a 14-day stay. No first aid, toilet or shower facilities are in place, and campers are urged to come equipped for all possibilities, especially for the desert. Bring extra water and portable shade. High-clearance vehicles with four-wheel drive are recommended for safely reaching the campgrounds on the shores of the Aqua Fria River. These areas are inaccessible to RVs.
Black Canyon City is just below Black Mesa in Black Canyon. Located south of Agua Fria Monument itself and close to the shores of the river, the city of Black Canyon has many camping options if the prospect of camping in the BLM lands is too intimidating. Most of the campgrounds are located next to the Agua Fria River and are equipped with amenities such as flush toilets, showers, RV hookups and convenience stores.
A small town on Highway 17 in north-central Arizona, Cordes was founded in the late 1880s and became a ghost town after the post office closed in the 1940s and the Black Canyon Freeway rolled into town. The area, now known as Cordes Junction, has been restored for history buffs and nature enthusiasts. Local campgrounds and RV parks note that the Agua Fria National Monument (including the river) is close by. Many campgrounds also offer panoramic views of the surrounding area. Cabins are available for rent if you don't have a tent or RV.
