Camping at Lost Dutchman State Park in Arizona

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In this video, I show you around the Lost Dutchman State Park near Phoenix Arizona. We camped there for a week in late January 2018. The weather was great, mostly sunny with highs in the 60s and 70's.
The highlights of the park are the fantastic views of the Superstition Mountains and the labyrinth of desert hiking trails beneath them to explore. We spent several peaceful evenings out hiking and photographing until sunset. You'll see a bit of footage from one in the video. Anne spent some time shooting with a fellow photographer who camped near us for a few days.
Also in the video, I take a walk with Angie, the beagle around the campground showing you many of the campsites and sections. In the upper left corner at the same time is some dashcam footage driving around the campground. The park is home to wildlife with a pack of quail and a cottontail bunny finding themselves in my camcorder lens.
The video finishes up with a slideshow of my best photos from the week. Hope you enjoy this look at Lost Dutchman. It's one of the most beautiful and well-kept state parks we've visited. Thumbs up. Cheers! Ray
For more from this season's Snowbird adventure check out the 2017/2018 Snowbird Travels video playlist - • Quick Look at Cannon B...
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[@jacksonmacd]

So jealous. We spent a week in March 2017. Did you hike to the top? We got as far as the falls Here's a trick we learned from the director of AZ state parks: drive up and spend a night in the overflow, then be at the check-in booth before 7:00 am to get first dibs on the sites as they empty in the morning. Worked for us.

[@LoveYourRV]

Good tip. no, we didn't do any long hikes, our beagle is too old to go now and I don't like to leave her too long in the rig. I'll add it to a future todo list. Cheers! Ray

[@jacksonmacd]

Love Your RV Oh yeah. I forgot about the joys of pet ownership. It's a loooooong way to the top.

[@LoveYourRV]

Yeah, tough to see them slow down. :(

[@jacksonmacd]

Bryce William we stayed about one week. Probably depends on the time of year, and whether any reserved are available. First come, first served. We were there about first of March.

[@alivc2458]

Born and raised in Arizona, just moved to Apache Junction, I get a breathtaking view of superstition mountain right outside my new home. Can't wait to take photos of the amazing sunset! ♡

[@robertjohnston2758]

as they say (Run Forest Run!) lmao lmao about the bunny!

[@richardobannon6301]

Pretty tasty !!

[@robertjohnston2758]

you truly do make some great videos John sir, it is truly the way you for real!! not making all kinda fancy and they are just YOU sir! truly sir i believe in time you will truly be a you-tube l;legend with Rick & Zeb too there is better to for real people then ones that over try sir!

[@janebray9392]

We stayed a week in Apache Junction at a Passport America stay...we def want to go back, so watching all your videos to better plan the next trip! Thx Ray!!!👍🇨🇦‼️hey, just adding: have you done a video about snowbirding, as in how long can you be inUS and best way to pay for stuff...

[@LoveYourRV]

No haven't done too much to do with Canadian snowbird logistical stuff as my Canadian audience is actually quite small, most that watch about 85% or so are Americans. Basically though I got myself a real US bank account with a US Visa card via the RBC Bank www.rbcbank.com/cross-border/us-bank-accounts.html#new and you can stay up to 182 days per year, if longer you need to apply for a tourist visa extension but it costs several hundred dollars non refundable to do so. Cheers, Ray

[@craigmorrison6498]

Awesome video Ray. Thanks for sharing. Got to go to this one. Safe travels.

[@LoveYourRV]

You bet. :)

[@odontomatix]

That "tourist trap" is a restored mining town called Goldfield. It's overly commercialized for my taste but worth a walk through. There is a dirt/gravel parking lot big enough for big RVs. A more interesting place for me was the Superstition Mountain Museum, which has indoor and outdoor exhibits. It's worth spending some time there. superstitionmountainmuseum.org/

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks for the recommendation on the museum. :) Cheers Ray

[@danothemano4129]

That's a gem of a cg! We were there several years ago and it was cocktail hr outside when a swarm of bees flew overhead and turned the sky dark! Once in a lifetime!

[@harleyd500]

We stayed at Lost Dutchman SP last year. Awesome park and you can take the pup on the trails.

[@martymeadows1334]

Very nice! My wife, our two kids, and I stayed there the last week of December, 2017. We stayed in site number 75 (with electric and water). Did you take AZ State Route 88 up to Roosevelt Dam? The views along that road are outstanding. We stopped at Tortilla Flats, and had lunch at Apache Lake Resort, which had great views of Apache Lake, before finally making our way to the dam. The views of the dam are quite impressive, both from below and above it. Yes, State Route 88 is a two lane dirt road for the eastern half of the way, but we had no problems driving it in our 2012 Ram Mega Cab dually. It was a wonderful way to spend a day.

[@suzyq3746]

Thanks Ray for a very thorough and informative video. I sure am enjoying your videos. Your hard work is appreciated.

[@LoveYourRV]

You're welcome Susie, thanks for watching!

[@hmork460]

We saw a javelina there and our first ever tarantula. We had just come from the Grand Canyon and I was way more awestruck by the Superstition Mountains. I couldn't take my eyes of them. Great trip down memory lane with your video.

[@weschilton]

Beautiful, if somewhat crowded and touristy place... But I think we still might give it a try. Good to know you have to plan way ahead to stay there. Too many people these days.

[@lloyddahlen1141]

Just beautiful it Ray and Ann.love it. I know how much work goes in to it. Thank you for the pictures guys

[@TomReichner]

I absolutely love the way you integrate maps into your videos. Other video makers try to do this, but you do it much more effectively than they do. Excellent work.

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks!

[@romans8385]

The filming of the vistas and photos are gorgeous...thank you both so much. I always smile when I hear Miss Angie's tags jingling on the walks... Godspeed.

[@jameslyons1624]

Yeah I live just the right off the bottom of the Superstition so I get to see it every morning what a beautiful place

[@LoveYourRV]

Sweet!

[@loborob5853]

So thankful for your posts! Love your off the path adventures. Very nice!

[@arturogonzalez7651]

Nice video, I wonder if I can use a drone in AZ. State parks, i got 2 drones that can take amazing pics and 4k video!

[@LoveYourRV]

I think all the AZ parks as far as I know are no drones unless you get a permit from them but I think that is for commercial projects and I imagine a fee is involved. Just my guess. Cheers, Ray

[@alpic1541]

Last year we visited lost Dutchman and loved it. Lots of great hiking ....beautiful place!

[@robbishop6450]

Another great video Ray. I like the park reviews and the boondocking areas. I'm actually in Langley BC and the past month it been above 4 and 5 degrees Celsius everyday. but so much rain I hate it.. lol. safe travels.

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks. Sorry to hear about the gloomy weather, I'll drag the sun up there with me in the spring. :)

[@fordfan3179]

A few years ago my wife and I rented a Harley in Tucson and rode out to tombstone. I could see those camp grounds out in what seemed to be the middle of nowhere. I wish I would have ridden out there just to see the campgrounds. Other than that, the Pima county air museum and mothball field seemed to be the only modern things out there. We did hit Old Tucson and did some riding in the desert. Beautiful at sunset.

[@ScotWalt858]

Very nice!

[@arizonatimelesstourist846]

That was quite the detour you took. I would have just went through phoenix. You passed a lot of great indian ruins along the way. Enjoyed the video.

[@foretravelman67]

One place we haven't been yet! Gotta put it on our list! Thanks for sharing!

[@PentaxLife]

WOW WOW !!!!!!! You had a great site

[@steveksfc]

Thanks Ray. Another great video. Wish wife seen this as her Aunt and Uncle don't live that far from there. Maybe this would get her more in the mood to visit LOL

[@normgibson1290]

Spent a few days there Oct. 2017 and a couple in Oct 2014 just love it there still a little warm in Oct so made sure we had elect.

[@shoedog8483]

So beautiful!!! Thanks Ray !!

[@dustykatz2744]

You have the best format on KZbin. Map of route, walk around campground and visit to local attractions. LOTS of valuable information. Thanks a million.

[@LoveYourRV]

You're welcome, glad you like the vids and thanks for the kind comment. Cheers! Ray

[@roydavis2242]

I will never go too far out of my way to avoid major cities. I will take outer belts, but I do time when I will be going through. I have driven through Chicago, Indianapolis, and KC just to mention a few. Between 10 AM and 2 PM ain't too bad, but after 10 PM is best. Loved all the Gambel's quail. The lost Dutchman State park is where we want to stay when visiting family in the Phoenix area.

[@sleim754]

We were in that area on the 22nd. I actually was looking for a blue ford pulling a cougar:)

[@LoveYourRV]

We rolled in on Sunday the 21st and left on the 28th. :)

[@jumblesticks]

Been there - an AWESOME park!!!

[@christopherbuckley94]

I've seen that park, very nice.

[@marshallpoe8087]

Surprised they haven't gotten the power and water to the large loops. We moved out of Phoenix back in 2004 and they were advertising the addition of power and water at that time. And I see the housing has spread out to the southern edge of the park. Also, next year you may want to also stay a few days in Usery Mountain Recreation Area. It is just west of Lost Dutchman a few miles and has a lot to offer as well.

[@vincepanico2223]

I'm grate full ray for checking out these places that and Freddy plan on going to thank you

[@garycampbell8663]

Ray that was one beautiful place,nice.thanks see ya

[@jackieroten4725]

I love Lost Dutchman State Park. We have stay there few times. I think you done a video on it before. That's how I found out about it. The cost to stay there gone up.

[@grammathia3018]

Outstanding job of recording this amazing place. I always tell you that every place you camp gets put on my bucket list, this one is no different. You do such a good job of telling the narration and the camera handling is superb. You make me say, "I'm going West next winter if I have to hitch hike". Thank you so much Ray for sharing.

[@frystephenw]

What a wonderful place. Probably not a summer camp ground though.

[@karenr67]

You just put Lost Dutchman on my bucket list. Wow loved it. Would love to ride my 3 wheel bike running my Yorkie (Big 15 inch yorkie) and pappilion, they love to run.

[@WannaBFree]

Nice shots of the mountains, thank you for sharing.

[@UncleBuckle50]

Ann has friends! That's terrific. Thanks for your wonderful vids

[@danielahall836]

Thanks for video. The Halls

[@DennisWintjes2]

Thanks

[@BritishColumbiaGhostMines]

I would love to spend my days waking up with a Bailey's and coffee to that view. #Goals!!!! Great video

[@Scrambler85]

Another great video thanks for posting

[@jasff69]

Ray..... Great Video. Thanks so much for the "Google Earth" part in the beginning. I really get a good grasp of your location and then your route of travel. Please continue this format. Be safe and be well...

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks, will do. Cheers! Ray

[@yc3613]

Love that park!

[@iraqbeentheredonthat]

Going East to West the only time the traffic is bad is from 6am-9am. Any other time it would have been fast, east, with smooth roads.

[@donnadoll9443]

Beautiful and inviting. Thanks for sharing. Be safe, Be blessed 😉☺❤🇺🇸💙

[@DnSAdventures]

Such a sweet area of the country. :) You document it very well and definitely looks appealing haha. Hopefully we can head out there sometime and enjoy it. Thanks for sharing Ray! - Shane

[@kevinagee4364]

good job!

[@garlandstyle5797]

I don't remember EVER seeing you parked among the MASSES like that. *LOL* Good for you. I bet you can't wait for the solitude once more. Michael

[@grammathia3018]

You need to watch a few of his winter videos. Oops, I mean his Summer videos.

[@arkansastraveler7698]

We had a site where there was nothing in view been us and the Mountain. The flowers where blooming on road up to Tortilla Flat.

[@sandityche]

I live in Apache Junction.. off Tomahawk. That's one hell of a detour...Turning a 40 min drive into a full day drive LOL

[@Tsiri09]

Can't wait to see it.

[@firemarshal17]

Lol you drove right past us on Tomahawk & Old West Hwy

[@cindyhaddock4087]

Is that google earth your using.

[@LoveYourRV]

Yes, the Chrome browser version - www.google.com/earth/

[@subagon]

FYI, Gambel's quail. Really enjoying the videos.

[@raybbj]

Hi Ray - Have you ever thought of doing a KZbin live Q&A session? I know a lot of your viewers would love to be able to chat with you. It would be fun!

[@LoveYourRV]

No, I haven't. Not sure how much bandwidth that would take, I'm not on an unlimited plan, we pay per megabyte and often our connections aren't ideal, maybe in the summer back in BC when I'm hooked to premium unlimited WiFi at our campground there or can mooch off my families high-speed cable, I'll give it a try. :) Cheers, Ray

[@raybbj]

Yes, Thunderbrid would work, or from a family's place with high speed. Cheers!

[@tanker9929]

Great video, too congested for me. Thanks for sharing, now I know where not to go, lol...

[@billyrange998]

I was getting excited beagle + rabbit = race

[@mistycreek6342]

Another great video. Of all the RV Vlogs going on out there, yours is the most informative and practical. Not to mention great photography, but I think I know who is helping you with that, and her name is not Angie. :)

[@johnwalters978]

So the park is probably always crowded being right out side Phoenix.

[@bingo4063]

nice video ! +1s you now !^^

[@cees1910]

As a dutch i wonder die they find the dutchmen?

[@LoveYourRV]

I think its the mine that's lost. :) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Dutchman%27s_Gold_Mine

[@projet2907]

Hello Ray, I asked before but so many notes,, what's the page at the beginning, Google earth or plain Google maps or else? I would like to do Saddle Mountain and Dutchman this year but don't like to reserve, March still possible? Cheers. Cold in Quebec meanwhile :-0)

[@LoveYourRV]

It's Google Maps website set to statillite mode and 3D turned on. March is good but can start to get hot some days.

[@projet2907]

@@LoveYourRV Thank you, Ray, for the quick response ;-0) I am taking good notes this time. I love hot but it is difficult for the cat. And some years seems to be cold everywhere like last year where I remained in Floride but saw everyone in snow in AZ 🥶

[@LoveYourRV]

@@projet2907 Accuweather is a good website to check. You can look at monthly weather and look back at previous year's temps and historical averages for a place. Here is Apache Junction March 2019 near Lost Dutchman - www.accuweather.com/en/us/apache-junction/85120/march-weather/331814?year=2019

[@projet2907]

@@LoveYourRV Thank you very. ☀️

[@DSRZONATYCHI]

I will be there over labor day

[@LoveYourRV]

Wow, I bet its toasty warm down there this time of year.

[@raybbj]

are you still using the folding bike?

[@LoveYourRV]

I use it where we spend the summer months with its access to lots of flat paved areas to ride it on. I left it back in storage for our snowbird trip as it's pretty useless in the boondocking areas we camp at, so not worth the hassle and extra weight/storage space. It would be ideal for a place like FLA. No hills there and plenty of paved paths, not so much for the southwest with dirt, gravel, and hills. Even a decent mountain bike can be difficult in soft sandy washes. The ideal bike would be a fat bike but they are pricey for a decent one - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatbike

[@grontek]

Dont mist Apache Trail and Tonto N.M. Regards

[@LoveYourRV]

We took a drive out highway 88 past Tortilla Flat and also over to Superior and visited the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. we are gonna come back next year and explore deeper, loved the scenery. Cheers, Ray

[@johnpurdum8126]

Where's the LOVE IT! button?

[@PhotoAlbert]

Definitely looks like a beautiful area Ray! I definitely agree with you about bypassing Phoenix, and actually as we begin our RV travels I'd prefer to avoid all major cities. Have you had any problems finding routes to bypass the big cities?

[@LoveYourRV]

Not too much, I'm pretty good at finding an easy but longer way. But it's not like I'm in rush, it's nice to see the rural country and pass through some of the little towns instead of freeways.

[@cherbear1996]

Right there with ya Al D..im going to try to avoid every busy hwy i posssibly can..

[@traveller9625]

Hi Ray this place looks great. When you are in a place like this for a week how do handle the dump and water resupply

[@LoveYourRV]

We can last a week without needed to dump or refill. 60 gallon fresh tanks and 120 gallons of waste tanks on our rig. Even easier when they have showers.

[@hankontheroad5960]

The go pro video in the corner didn't work for me Ray. Otherwise, very nice.

[@LoveYourRV]

It was dashcam footage from the truck of driving around the entire campground. Thought it may be useful to folks wanting to visit and get a sense of the campground, but didn't want to lengthen the video any further, so added it there as a PIP. Thanks for the feedback. Cheers, Ray

[@Tnapvrvideo]

Nice share. Are there rattle snakes? It looks like ideal habitat for rattlers. And, do you ever worry about leaving your portable solar panel outside when you're off on a lengthy hike?

[@LoveYourRV]

Yes, there are rattlesnakes pretty well everywhere in Arizona. But they generally are hibernating until the weather warms up in the spring. Depends on the location sometimes I just leave it other times I will slide it into the basement storage out of sight. I'm not overly concerned though as it's only worth about $130 bucks to replace. Cheers, Ray

[@Tnapvrvideo]

Thank you! My wife and I thoroughly enjoy your videos. We look forward to your future shares. Safe travels!

[@karenr67]

Where did you put Ann's turtle that you got at Holts?

[@LoveYourRV]

She puts it on the kitchen counter and then stows it away when we travel. :)

[@TheHomey13]

I mean this in a nice way. Look into Previcox for Angie. She looks like she is walking stiff and this medicine made walking much easier for my dog. When they start to show severe signs of arthritis it can be too late. The earlier you can get her started the better. At least ask a vet.

[@TheHomey13]

I love dogs and I love your videos. Thanks for sharing!

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks, she coming up on 15 now so has a few problems, a major one is called Lafora disease, a neurological disorder. That, unfortunately, will likely be her undoing as it's not curable and progressive. :( She was looked at by her vet just before we left he didn't see fit to prescribe anything drug wise as he didn't feel she had bad arthritis. Many of these drugs have side effects worse than what the solve. You have to be careful. So far she does well enough with a small dose of aspirin when needed.

[@jangoodwater9994]

Wow this looks like a great campground. What are the rates?

[@LoveYourRV]

$20 for dry camping and 30 for water and electric site.

[@DailyPayBootcamp]

4:43 - Start after map intro.

[@larsenran]

You mentioned $20 camping fees. is that pretty standard cost for all SW desert State Parks?

[@LoveYourRV]

Seems pretty standard for dry camping in AZ but in New Mexico, they only charge $8 for dry camping and $14 for hookups.

[@fastmovingwaters]

Nice video! Can I ask what camera gear your using?

[@LoveYourRV]

It's a Sony AX53 - www.loveyourrv.com/love-your-rv-gets-a-new-4k-camcorder-sony-fdr-ax53/ I'm planning a review soon now that I've had a chance to use it a few months. Cheers, Ray

[@charlesgreene9434]

Very nice and relaxing. How was the cellular. Did you have to used the booster?

[@LoveYourRV]

Signal as strong being so close to Apache Junction but it did slow in peak times manly around breakfast and supper. NO booster needed.

[@charlesgreene9434]

Love Your RV Thanks Ray. Always like to know how the internet will preform before heading out. BTW sure love that beagle😃

[@projet2907]

Is this Google earth?, I have never use it, just downloaded it, bur having difficulty to move around it like you do ! :-))

[@LoveYourRV]

Yes, but its the version that loads right in the Chrome browser. :)

[@projet2907]

How do I find that version ? Mine is on the hard disk and open its own window, Thank you :-))

[@projet2907]

ok,, I now have google earth on each page of chrome i open,, I'm getting there ,, thank you ,, lol

[@LoveYourRV]

www.google.com/earth/

[@projet2907]

Thank you very.

[@stanleyhall788]

Guess you went through Coolidge to get there. I was raised in Coolidge, burned in Florence. Did you ever stay in the BLM land between Florence and Florence junction?

[@LoveYourRV]

Yep, right down the main street. :) No, It looked like it is a hotbed for ATV and off-roaders at least judging by the parking areas I passed by.