Skip to main content
Formerly known as Sanidumps.
RVingLife.com

RV Parks In Clifton, Arizona

33.0509° N, 109.2962° W

Quick Overview

Clifton sits in a deep canyon carved by the San Francisco River in the far eastern corner of Arizona, right next to the giant Morenci copper mine and at the southern foot of the Coronado Trail. For RVers it is a genuinely useful stop: mild winters, full hookups in town, and one of the best scenic drives in the Southwest starting at the edge of the campground. Most people come through here to run the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway or to work the copper country, and Clifton gives you a comfortable full-hookup base to do it from without a long drive out to the parks.

The anchor is North Clifton RV Park, the town-operated park set right along the river. It runs 55 full-hookup sites with 50/30 amp electric, water, and sewer, plus a handful of partial electric-and-water sites and tent spaces, and it stays open year-round. You book it direct through the town office by phone or email, and Passport America members get 50 percent off their first six days. On site you get laundry, restrooms and showers, a clubhouse, and a dump station, which is about everything a traveling RVer needs. Rates are low, roughly $35 a night for a full-hookup site, with weekly and monthly discounts.

If you want lakeside camping or a resort feel, two more options sit about 45 minutes southwest near Safford. Roper Lake State Park is the public pick, an Arizona State Parks lake with three campgrounds: Hacienda and Cottonwood offer water and electric sites (Cottonwood goes to 50 amp with hot showers) and Gila has water-only sites near a dump station. It has a natural hot-spring-fed pool and good fishing, and you reserve through Arizona State Parks up to a year ahead. For a private full-hookup resort, Safford RV Resort has 90 sites with 30/50 amp service, pull-throughs, room for rigs to 50 feet, a pool, a hot tub, and wide level pads. Between the in-town public park and the lakeside and private options near Safford, Clifton covers full hookups, big rigs, and budget camping. Need to empty your tanks here? See our guide to RV dump stations in Clifton.

Top Rated Dump Stations in Clifton

No rated stations yet. Be the first to leave a review!

Traveling to Clifton by RV

Getting to Clifton with a big rig is easy from the right direction. Come in on US-70 and US-191 from Safford to the southwest; the route runs divided for the last few miles as it drops into the canyon along the San Francisco River, and it handles large motorhomes and fifth wheels without drama. Safford, about 40 miles out, is your practical hub for fuel, groceries, propane, and RV service, so top off there before the last leg. Tucson is roughly three and a half hours south if you are coming from farther afield.

Here is the one hard rule: do not tow the RV north of Clifton on US-191, the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway. That road climbs to 9,370 feet through about 460 curves, with tight hairpins, steep drop-offs, and long stretches without guardrails, and it is flatly not recommended for RVs or big rigs. Set up camp in Clifton and drive the byway in your tow vehicle or car, which is the way to actually enjoy it. Within town, North Clifton RV Park is an easy pull-in right off the highway on the river, and the mine overlook and historic downtown are minutes away.

Before You Go: RV Trip Essentials

Dump stations are only one piece of the trip puzzle. Before you set out for your trip to Clifton, Arizona, it's worth taking thirty minutes to check that the basics are in place — the four areas below are where unprepared RVers most often get stung.

Check your RV insurance coverage

A standard auto policy rarely covers a Class A, Class C, or travel trailer the way a dedicated RV insurance policy does. If you're financing a motorhome, lenders typically require comprehensive and collision; full-timers should additionally price in vacation liability and personal belongings coverage. Rates vary widely by state and travel pattern — compare quotes from multiple RV-focused carriers before each season.

Know your roadside assistance options

RV-specific roadside plans tow motorhomes and trailers that regular AAA coverage won't touch — flat beds, mobile mechanics, tire service for duallies, and even emergency lockouts at remote campgrounds. Good plans cover your spouse and trailer even if you're driving a separate vehicle, and some include trip interruption reimbursement if a breakdown costs you a reservation.

Decide about an extended warranty early

Original manufacturer warranties on new RVs typically run 12–24 months — shorter than most buyers realize. An extended service contract (essentially a mechanical breakdown policy) covers the appliances, slides, levelling systems, and drivetrain components that can run $3,000–$10,000 to replace. The time to price one is before the factory coverage expires, not after something breaks.

Set up a travel rewards card for fuel and fees

A no-annual-fee travel or gas rewards card pays for itself on a single month of RV travel. Expect to spend $400–$800 per week combined on fuel, campgrounds, and propane — 3–5% cash back on gas alone covers the next oil change. For bigger trips, a sign-up bonus can offset campground fees for the whole season.

RVingLife is supported by advertising. Third-party ads on this page may include insurance quotes, roadside plans, warranty coverage, or financial products relevant to the topics above. We don't endorse any specific provider — compare multiple offers before you commit. Privacy policy.

Dump Station Costs in Clifton

Clifton is an affordable place to camp, especially in town. North Clifton RV Park, the town-operated park, runs about $35 a night for a full-hookup site with 50/30 amp, water, and sewer, and roughly $33 for a partial electric-and-water site, with weekly rates near $160 and monthly rates around $450 that bring the effective nightly cost down for longer snowbird stays. Passport America members save 50 percent on their first six days, which is a real deal here. Roper Lake State Park near Safford charges standard Arizona State Parks nightly fees for its water-and-electric sites, a budget-to-moderate range, and its lakeside setting and hot-spring pool make it good value. Safford RV Resort, the private full-hookup resort, sits in the moderate range and you call for current rates. Overall you can camp cheaply with full hookups right in Clifton, or pay a bit more for a lake or a resort pool nearby, and stocking up in Safford keeps provisioning reasonable.

Free: 1 station (100%)
Paid: 0 stations (0%)

Contact station for pricing details.

Prices may vary. Always confirm with the station before visiting.

What RVers Are Saying About Clifton

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!

Best Time to Visit Clifton by RV

❄️

Winter

Nov - Feb

34F - 54F

Crowds: High

Mild, dry, and sunny; this is snowbird season and the full-hookup parks fill from November into March, so reserve ahead.

🌸

Spring

Mar - May

46F - 73F

Crowds: Medium

Warm and pleasant before summer heat; a fine time to camp in the canyon and drive the byway as it greens up.

☀️

Summer

Jun - Aug

68F - 91F

Crowds: Low

Hot down in the canyon; escape the heat by day-tripping up the Coronado Trail, where the high country stays cool.

🍂

Fall

Sep - Oct

48F - 75F

Crowds: Medium

Warm days and crisp nights make for excellent driving weather, with fall color arriving in the high country to the north.

Explore the Clifton Area

Here is how we would plan Clifton. Base at North Clifton RV Park for full hookups right in town on the river, then unhitch and drive the Coronado Trail in your tow vehicle, because that byway is no place for a motorhome. Give yourself much of a day for it: it climbs from the desert into cool White Mountain high country past the Blue Vista overlook and Hannagan Meadow, so pack layers even in summer. Stop at the Morenci mine overlook on the way out for a look at one of the largest copper operations in the country. Winter is the busy season here thanks to mild, dry days in the 50s, so book your full-hookup site ahead from November through March when snowbirds fill the parks. In summer the canyon runs hot, near 90 and up, so the high country makes a perfect cool day trip. If you want a lake and a soak, drive the 45 minutes to Roper Lake State Park near Safford for its hot-spring-fed pool and reserve early, and provision in Safford since Clifton itself is a small town.

National Parks Nearby

Frequently Asked Questions About Dump Stations in Clifton

What are the best RV parks in Clifton, Arizona?

The clear anchor is North Clifton RV Park, the town-operated park set right on the San Francisco River in the canyon. It runs 55 full-hookup sites with 50/30 amp electric, water, and sewer, plus partial sites and tent spaces, and it stays open all year with laundry, showers, a clubhouse, and a dump station. If you want a lake or a resort, drive about 45 minutes southwest toward Safford: Roper Lake State Park offers water and electric sites on the water with a hot-spring-fed pool, and Safford RV Resort is a private full-hookup resort with a pool and hot tub. Between the in-town public park and those two options, Clifton covers budget full hookups, lakeside camping, and resort comforts.

Does Clifton have full-hookup RV sites?

Yes. North Clifton RV Park, run by the town, has 55 full-hookup sites with 50/30 amp electric, water, and sewer right in town on the river, plus a handful of partial electric-and-water sites and tent spaces. That makes it easy to settle in for a night or a full snowbird month with everything connected at the pad. If you want full hookups in a resort setting, Safford RV Resort about 45 minutes away has 90 full-hookup sites with 30/50 amp service, pull-throughs, and room for rigs up to 50 feet. Roper Lake State Park nearby offers water and electric rather than full sewer at each site, with a dump station on the property, so choose based on whether you need sewer at the pad.

Can I drive the Coronado Trail in my RV?

No, and this is the most important thing to know about Clifton. The Coronado Trail Scenic Byway is US-191 heading north out of Clifton, and while it is one of the best drives in the Southwest, it is flatly not recommended for RVs or big rigs. It climbs to 9,370 feet through roughly 460 curves, with tight hairpin turns, steep drop-offs, and long stretches with no guardrails where speeds drop to 10 miles per hour. The smart move is to camp in Clifton at North Clifton RV Park, then drive the byway in your tow vehicle or car. That way you enjoy the Blue Vista overlook and the high country without wrestling a motorhome around the switchbacks.

How do big rigs get to Clifton?

Come in from the southwest on US-70 and US-191 from Safford. That route runs divided for the last few miles as it drops into the canyon along the San Francisco River, and it handles large motorhomes and fifth wheels comfortably. Safford, about 40 miles out, is your hub for fuel, groceries, propane, and RV service, so stock up there before the final leg. The one thing to avoid is towing north of Clifton on US-191, the Coronado Trail, which is narrow, steep, and unsuitable for big rigs. North Clifton RV Park sits right off the highway in town for an easy pull-in, so once you arrive from Safford the approach and setup are straightforward even in a long rig.

How much does RV camping cost in Clifton?

It is affordable, especially in town. North Clifton RV Park runs about $35 a night for a full-hookup site with 50/30 amp, water, and sewer, and roughly $33 for a partial electric-and-water site. Weekly rates land near $160 and monthly rates around $450, which lowers the effective nightly cost for longer snowbird stays, and Passport America members save 50 percent on their first six days. Roper Lake State Park near Safford charges standard Arizona State Parks nightly fees for its water-and-electric sites, a budget-to-moderate range. Safford RV Resort, the private full-hookup resort, sits in the moderate range and you call for current rates. Overall you can camp cheaply with full hookups right in Clifton or pay a bit more for a lake or resort nearby.

When is the best time to camp in Clifton?

Winter and the shoulder seasons are the sweet spots. Clifton sits at moderate elevation with mild, dry winters, highs in the low-to-mid 50s and lows near freezing, which makes November through March a comfortable snowbird season that fills the full-hookup parks. Spring and fall bring warm days into the 70s and 80s with cool nights, excellent for both camping in the canyon and driving the byway. Summer gets hot down in the canyon, near 90 and above, so if you camp then plan to escape the heat by day-tripping up the Coronado Trail into the cool high country. For the best mix of weather and scenery, target the cooler half of the year and reserve full-hookup sites ahead in winter.

Is there lakeside RV camping near Clifton?

Yes, at Roper Lake State Park, about 45 minutes southwest near Safford. This Arizona State Parks lake has three campgrounds: Hacienda with 20/30 amp water-and-electric sites, Cottonwood with 20/30/50 amp sites and hot showers, and Gila with water-only sites near a dump station. Most sites take rigs up to 45 feet, and you reserve through Arizona State Parks online or by phone up to 12 months ahead. The park has a natural hot-spring-fed pool, fishing, and easy lake access, which makes it a favorite regional stop. Clifton itself does not have a lake campground, so if lakeside camping is the goal, Roper Lake is the drive worth making from the Clifton area.

Are Clifton RV parks open year-round?

Yes. North Clifton RV Park, the town-operated park in the canyon, stays open all year, which suits both quick overnight stops and long snowbird stays through the mild winter. Safford RV Resort, the private full-hookup resort near Safford, is also open year-round, and Roper Lake State Park operates year-round as well. Because winter is the busy snowbird season here, thanks to dry days in the 50s, the full-hookup parks fill from November into March, so reserve ahead in the cooler months. In summer the parks stay open but the canyon runs hot, so you may have easier availability then even though the daytime heat pushes you toward the cooler high country for activities.

What is there to do around Clifton while camping?

Plenty for a small copper-country town. The headline is the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway, a National Scenic Byway you drive in your tow vehicle from Clifton up into the White Mountains high country past the Blue Vista overlook and Hannagan Meadow. Right in town you can visit the Morenci mine overlook for a look at one of the largest copper operations in the country, explore historic downtown Clifton with its stone buildings, murals, and Greenlee County Historical Society Museum, and read up on the towns mineral hot springs history. About 45 minutes away, Roper Lake State Park offers fishing, swimming, and a hot-spring-fed pool. Between the drive, the mine, the history, and the lake, there is more than enough for a multi-day stay.

Do Clifton RV parks accept Passport America?

Yes, at least at the town park. North Clifton RV Park honors Passport America and gives members 50 percent off their first six days, which is a strong discount on an already affordable full-hookup rate. That makes it an especially good value for members passing through or setting up a longer stay. Passport America policies vary by park and by season, so confirm the current terms and any night limits when you book directly with the town RV park office. For the other options near Safford, discount club participation can change, so check directly with Roper Lake State Park through Arizona State Parks and with Safford RV Resort when you call to reserve, rather than assuming a specific club is honored.

Can I camp in Clifton with a big rig?

Yes, with the right approach. North Clifton RV Park in town has full-hookup sites and sits right off the highway on the river for an easy pull-in, and Safford RV Resort near Safford is built for big rigs with 90 full-hookup sites, pull-throughs, and room for lengths up to 50 feet. The key is your route: arrive from the southwest on US-70 and US-191 from Safford, which runs divided into the canyon and handles large rigs comfortably. Never tow north of Clifton on the Coronado Trail, US-191, which is narrow, steep, and full of hairpins unsuitable for big rigs. Confirm your length when booking, arrive from the Safford side, and big-rig owners will find Clifton very manageable.

How do I reserve an RV site in Clifton?

For North Clifton RV Park, you book direct with the town: call the RV park office or send an email with your dates, since it is town-operated rather than on a national booking platform. The office keeps weekday hours and takes weekend requests, and Passport America members should mention their membership for the first-six-days discount. For Roper Lake State Park near Safford, reserve through Arizona State Parks online or by calling their reservations desk, up to 12 months in advance, which matters for the popular lakeside sites. For Safford RV Resort, call the resort directly for availability and rates. Because winter is snowbird season and the full-hookup parks fill from November into March, book several weeks ahead in the cooler months to be safe.

Is Clifton a good base for exploring eastern Arizona by RV?

It is a strong one, especially for the Coronado Trail. Clifton puts you at the southern trailhead of that National Scenic Byway, with a comfortable full-hookup town park to return to each night while you day-trip the high country in your tow vehicle. From here you can see the Morenci copper mine, explore the historic downtown and its hot springs heritage, and drive 45 minutes to Roper Lake State Park for a lake and a soak. Safford, 40 minutes out, covers full services and shopping, and the broader region opens up toward the White Mountains and Gila Valley. For RVers who want mild winters, real full hookups, and one of the Southwests great scenic drives on the doorstep, Clifton is an easy recommendation.

What are the best RV parks in Clifton, Arizona?

The clear anchor is North Clifton RV Park, the town-operated park set right on the San Francisco River in the canyon. It runs 55 full-hookup sites with 50/30 amp electric, water, and sewer, plus partial sites and tent spaces, and it stays open all year with laundry, showers, a clubhouse, and a dump station. If you want a lake or a resort, drive about 45 minutes southwest toward Safford: Roper Lake State Park offers water and electric sites on the water with a hot-spring-fed pool, and Safford RV Resort is a private full-hookup resort with a pool and hot tub. Between the in-town public park and those two options, Clifton covers budget full hookups, lakeside camping, and resort comforts.

Does Clifton have full-hookup RV sites?

Yes. North Clifton RV Park, run by the town, has 55 full-hookup sites with 50/30 amp electric, water, and sewer right in town on the river, plus a handful of partial electric-and-water sites and tent spaces. That makes it easy to settle in for a night or a full snowbird month with everything connected at the pad. If you want full hookups in a resort setting, Safford RV Resort about 45 minutes away has 90 full-hookup sites with 30/50 amp service, pull-throughs, and room for rigs up to 50 feet. Roper Lake State Park nearby offers water and electric rather than full sewer at each site, with a dump station on the property, so choose based on whether you need sewer at the pad.

Can I drive the Coronado Trail in my RV?

No, and this is the most important thing to know about Clifton. The Coronado Trail Scenic Byway is US-191 heading north out of Clifton, and while it is one of the best drives in the Southwest, it is flatly not recommended for RVs or big rigs. It climbs to 9,370 feet through roughly 460 curves, with tight hairpin turns, steep drop-offs, and long stretches with no guardrails where speeds drop to 10 miles per hour. The smart move is to camp in Clifton at North Clifton RV Park, then drive the byway in your tow vehicle or car. That way you enjoy the Blue Vista overlook and the high country without wrestling a motorhome around the switchbacks.

How do big rigs get to Clifton?

Come in from the southwest on US-70 and US-191 from Safford. That route runs divided for the last few miles as it drops into the canyon along the San Francisco River, and it handles large motorhomes and fifth wheels comfortably. Safford, about 40 miles out, is your hub for fuel, groceries, propane, and RV service, so stock up there before the final leg. The one thing to avoid is towing north of Clifton on US-191, the Coronado Trail, which is narrow, steep, and unsuitable for big rigs. North Clifton RV Park sits right off the highway in town for an easy pull-in, so once you arrive from Safford the approach and setup are straightforward even in a long rig.

How much does RV camping cost in Clifton?

It is affordable, especially in town. North Clifton RV Park runs about $35 a night for a full-hookup site with 50/30 amp, water, and sewer, and roughly $33 for a partial electric-and-water site. Weekly rates land near $160 and monthly rates around $450, which lowers the effective nightly cost for longer snowbird stays, and Passport America members save 50 percent on their first six days. Roper Lake State Park near Safford charges standard Arizona State Parks nightly fees for its water-and-electric sites, a budget-to-moderate range. Safford RV Resort, the private full-hookup resort, sits in the moderate range and you call for current rates. Overall you can camp cheaply with full hookups right in Clifton or pay a bit more for a lake or resort nearby.

When is the best time to camp in Clifton?

Winter and the shoulder seasons are the sweet spots. Clifton sits at moderate elevation with mild, dry winters, highs in the low-to-mid 50s and lows near freezing, which makes November through March a comfortable snowbird season that fills the full-hookup parks. Spring and fall bring warm days into the 70s and 80s with cool nights, excellent for both camping in the canyon and driving the byway. Summer gets hot down in the canyon, near 90 and above, so if you camp then plan to escape the heat by day-tripping up the Coronado Trail into the cool high country. For the best mix of weather and scenery, target the cooler half of the year and reserve full-hookup sites ahead in winter.

Is there lakeside RV camping near Clifton?

Yes, at Roper Lake State Park, about 45 minutes southwest near Safford. This Arizona State Parks lake has three campgrounds: Hacienda with 20/30 amp water-and-electric sites, Cottonwood with 20/30/50 amp sites and hot showers, and Gila with water-only sites near a dump station. Most sites take rigs up to 45 feet, and you reserve through Arizona State Parks online or by phone up to 12 months ahead. The park has a natural hot-spring-fed pool, fishing, and easy lake access, which makes it a favorite regional stop. Clifton itself does not have a lake campground, so if lakeside camping is the goal, Roper Lake is the drive worth making from the Clifton area.

Are Clifton RV parks open year-round?

Yes. North Clifton RV Park, the town-operated park in the canyon, stays open all year, which suits both quick overnight stops and long snowbird stays through the mild winter. Safford RV Resort, the private full-hookup resort near Safford, is also open year-round, and Roper Lake State Park operates year-round as well. Because winter is the busy snowbird season here, thanks to dry days in the 50s, the full-hookup parks fill from November into March, so reserve ahead in the cooler months. In summer the parks stay open but the canyon runs hot, so you may have easier availability then even though the daytime heat pushes you toward the cooler high country for activities.

What is there to do around Clifton while camping?

Plenty for a small copper-country town. The headline is the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway, a National Scenic Byway you drive in your tow vehicle from Clifton up into the White Mountains high country past the Blue Vista overlook and Hannagan Meadow. Right in town you can visit the Morenci mine overlook for a look at one of the largest copper operations in the country, explore historic downtown Clifton with its stone buildings, murals, and Greenlee County Historical Society Museum, and read up on the towns mineral hot springs history. About 45 minutes away, Roper Lake State Park offers fishing, swimming, and a hot-spring-fed pool. Between the drive, the mine, the history, and the lake, there is more than enough for a multi-day stay.

Do Clifton RV parks accept Passport America?

Yes, at least at the town park. North Clifton RV Park honors Passport America and gives members 50 percent off their first six days, which is a strong discount on an already affordable full-hookup rate. That makes it an especially good value for members passing through or setting up a longer stay. Passport America policies vary by park and by season, so confirm the current terms and any night limits when you book directly with the town RV park office. For the other options near Safford, discount club participation can change, so check directly with Roper Lake State Park through Arizona State Parks and with Safford RV Resort when you call to reserve, rather than assuming a specific club is honored.

Can I camp in Clifton with a big rig?

Yes, with the right approach. North Clifton RV Park in town has full-hookup sites and sits right off the highway on the river for an easy pull-in, and Safford RV Resort near Safford is built for big rigs with 90 full-hookup sites, pull-throughs, and room for lengths up to 50 feet. The key is your route: arrive from the southwest on US-70 and US-191 from Safford, which runs divided into the canyon and handles large rigs comfortably. Never tow north of Clifton on the Coronado Trail, US-191, which is narrow, steep, and full of hairpins unsuitable for big rigs. Confirm your length when booking, arrive from the Safford side, and big-rig owners will find Clifton very manageable.

How do I reserve an RV site in Clifton?

For North Clifton RV Park, you book direct with the town: call the RV park office or send an email with your dates, since it is town-operated rather than on a national booking platform. The office keeps weekday hours and takes weekend requests, and Passport America members should mention their membership for the first-six-days discount. For Roper Lake State Park near Safford, reserve through Arizona State Parks online or by calling their reservations desk, up to 12 months in advance, which matters for the popular lakeside sites. For Safford RV Resort, call the resort directly for availability and rates. Because winter is snowbird season and the full-hookup parks fill from November into March, book several weeks ahead in the cooler months to be safe.

Is Clifton a good base for exploring eastern Arizona by RV?

It is a strong one, especially for the Coronado Trail. Clifton puts you at the southern trailhead of that National Scenic Byway, with a comfortable full-hookup town park to return to each night while you day-trip the high country in your tow vehicle. From here you can see the Morenci copper mine, explore the historic downtown and its hot springs heritage, and drive 45 minutes to Roper Lake State Park for a lake and a soak. Safford, 40 minutes out, covers full services and shopping, and the broader region opens up toward the White Mountains and Gila Valley. For RVers who want mild winters, real full hookups, and one of the Southwests great scenic drives on the doorstep, Clifton is an easy recommendation.

Are there free dump stations in Clifton?

Yes — there are free RV waste disposal options available near Clifton.