Campground Camping

Campground Camping Areas

• Alpine Ranger District

  *NOTICE*

  Many trails and dispersed camping areas across the Alpine Ranger District have been affected by the Wallow Fire of June 2011. Most areas are currently open to public use and entry, HOWEVER - Many trails and dispersed areas may not be maintained for hazards associated with the fire.  Please keep in mind that any area affected by the wildfire can be prone to hazards such as falling trees, flooding and burned out stump holes. The environment you are entering is highly susceptible to rainstorms and wind events. Any time you enter the forest, you should be aware of your environment and changing weather conditions. You are responsible for your own safety! Always look up, look down, and look all around.

• Alpine Divide Campground
• Blue Crossing Campground
• East Fork Recreation Area

  The East Fork Black River Recreation Area stretches 8 miles along the East Fork Black River, from Diamond Rock Campground south to Buffalo Crossing Campground.

• Aspen Campground - East Fork Black River
• Buffalo Crossing Campground
• Deer Creek Campground
• Diamond Rock Campground
• Horse Springs Campground
• Raccoon Campground
• Hannagan Meadow Recreation Area

  Hannagan Meadow Recreation Area is a high-country four-season sporting paradise for a wide range of outdoor pursuits.

  • Historic Hannagan Meadow Lodge
  • Rustic campgrounds
  • Access to the Blue Range Primitive Area
  • Breathtaking views from the edge of the Mogollon Rim
  • Hunting, fishing, and winter trails

  Hannagan Meadow is currently the highest point in Arizona to be inhabited throughout the entire year.

  History of Hannagan Meadow

  The explorer Coronado and his expedition passed through the area in the 1540s on their way from Mexico to Zuni, but it is unknown whether they passed by this site, although some have speculated that they may have.

  Local legend

  The meadow was named after Robert Hannagan, a Nevada miner and cattle rancher. One local legend is that Hannagan was chained to a tree by the meadow until his debt of $1,200 was paid off. Fortunately, it was promptly paid by his son, but the name stuck.

  Another story suggests that Toles Cosper, a rancher from nearby Luna, New Mexico was riding with the young Hannagan when they came across the meadow during the 1870s. They flipped a coin to see which man they would name it after, and Hannagan won.

  Toles Cosper's son, DeWitt Cosper, built a lodge here in 1926.

  Winter trail highlights

  The groomed ski trails at Hannagan Meadow are narrower and generally more challenging than those at Williams Valley. However, all levels of skiers are likely to find suitable skiing from the 14 kilometers of groomed trails.

  Remote skiing

  For those in search of solitude, the back-country trails leading into upper elevations of Blue Range Primitive Area provide some of the best remote skiing in the Southwest. Skiers who possess advanced skiing abilities and snow camping experience should find this area very rewarding.

  It is recommended that skiers in this area obtain the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests’ visitor map from any Forest Service office.

  Trail grooming notes

  Please note that Hwy. 191 south of Alpine may not be plowed on evenings, weekends, holidays or during snowstorms. Trail grooming is likely to be delayed following winter storms.

• Hannagan Campground
• KP Cienega Campground
• Luna Lake Recreation Area

  Luna Lake Recreation Area is a pleasant, rustic, vacation neighborhood with open Ponderosa pine groves, lush meadows, a lake with great fishing, first rate mountain scenery and a non-motorized trail system open to horse, bicycle and pedestrian travel.

  The rustic campground is located in a relatively open stand of ponderosa pines within easy walking distance of Luna Lake. (see Luna Lake Campground page for reservations and fee information)

  The group campground features 2 double sites (up to 20 people) and 1 accessible group site, which holds up to 120 people. (see Luna Lake Group Campground page for reservations and fee information)

  The day use area features a boat launch, fishing pier, accessible trail, and picnic area.(there are no fees for the day use area)

  "Boats, Bait, and Beyond" is the Luna Lake marina and store, located adjacent to the day use area. They provide boat rentals, and bait, fishing tackle, snacks, and drinks for sale.

  At the Luna Lake Bicycle Trailhead you'll find two routes -the Long Loop and Short Loop - open to non-motorized use, including mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding.

• Luna Lake Campground
• Upper Blue Campground
• Black Mesa Ranger District

  Black Mesa Ranger District is the westernmost ranger district on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Located only 2 1/2 hours from the Phoenix Metro area, the district is a popular destination for residents of the valley looking to escape the summer heat.

  Guidelines for Target Shooting on The Black Mesa Ranger District

  You may NOT discharge a firearm or any other weapon (including paintball guns, air guns, archery, slingshots, etc):

  • Within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site, or occupied campsite
  • Across or on a Forest Developed Road, across a body of water or stream, or across a canyon
  • In any manner or place whereby any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result of such discharge (36CFR 261.10d)
  • With any tracer bullet or incendiary ammunition (36CFR 261.5b)

  Choose a remote area with an earthen backdrop. ALWAYS know where your bullets are going. Look at a map, know before you go.

  View shooting restrictions within the Black Mesa RD area including the Rim Lakes Recreation Area.

  View a map of Rim Lakes restricted shooting area

• Black Canyon Rim Campground
• Canyon Point Campground
• Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground
• Chevelon Crossing Campground
• Gentry Campground
• Promontory Pit Road Campground
• Sinkhole Campground
• Woods Canyon Lake Recreation Area

  Woods Canyon Lake is a beautiful, canyon bound, deep lake, with plenty of trout fishing opportunities. At an elevation of 7,510 feet, Woods Canyon offers 55 surface acres, and a maximum depth of 40 feet. This lake is stocked regularly with catchable rainbow trout. A few, large brown trout remain in the lake from stockings years ago.

  Visitors to Woods Canyon Lake can enjoy a  picnic area (fee), restrooms, and a boat ramp. The Woods Canyon Lake Store and Marina rents boats and sells licenses and fishing supplies. Campers can stay at one of four developed campgrounds (fee). Spillway Campground has 26 sites, each accommodating a trailer up to 16 feet long. Due to it’s proximity to the lake, Spillway fills quickly. Aspen Campground, also within walking distance to the lake, is much larger with 136 sites, and can accommodate trailers up to 32 feet long. Woods Canyon Group and Crook Campgrounds offer group camping by reservation. 

  The Black Mesa Ranger District is a “Pack it in-Pack it out” area. Please remove your garbage from the area when you leave.

• Aspen Campground
• Crook Campground
• Mogollon Campground
• Rim Campground
• Spillway Campground
• Woods Canyon Group Campground

  Woods Canyon Group Campground is located a short walking distance from Woods Canyon Lake. Woods Canyon Lake is a scenic 52 acre lake surrounded by Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and oak. Woods Canyon Lake offers boating (electric trolling motors only) and fishing opportunities. Interpretative nature trail at the north end of lake. The campground is situated in ponderosa pine, oak, aspen, and Douglas fir.

   

• Clifton Ranger District

  Clifton Ranger District

• Black Jack Campground
• Coal Creek Campground
• Granville Campground
• Honeymoon Campground
• Lower Juan Miller Campground
• Strayhorse Campground
• Upper Juan Miller Campground
• Lakeside Ranger District

  Lakeside Ranger District

• Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Campground
• Los Burros Campground
• Springerville Ranger District

  Springerville Ranger District

  *NOTICE*

  Many trails and dispersed camping areas across the Springerville Ranger District were affected by the Wallow Fire in June 2011. Most areas are currently open to public use and entry, HOWEVER - Many trails and dispersed areas may not be maintained for hazards associated with the fire.  Please keep in mind that any area affected by the wildfire can be prone to hazards such as falling trees, flooding and burned out stump holes. The environment you are entering is highly susceptible to rainstorms and wind events. Any time you enter the forest, you should be aware of your environment and changing weather conditions. You are responsible for your own safety! Always look up, look down, and look all around.

  At this time the South Fork Campground is open for day use only.

• Benny Creek Campground
• Big Lake Recreation Area

  If getting completely away from it all and experiencing the outdoors for all it has to offer is your camping ideal then plan your camping vacation in the Big Lake Recreation Area. Big Lake itself is 575 acres, and makes a convenient base for other local lakes like Crescent Lake, Lee Valley Lake and the East and West Forks of the Black River. Choose your site from one of nine campgrounds and experience exceptional hiking and mountain biking trails, wildlife viewing, and trout fishing. Campers have the convenience of paved roads, a dump station and showers, but no electric hookups. Apache Trout, the largest campground can accommodate RVs (max 45 feet) as well as in sections of Grayling Campground. Two campgrounds give tent campers the entire campground all to themselves. A visitor center and naturalist programs offer plenty of knowledge about the area.

• Apache Trout Campground
• Brookchar Campground
• Cutthroat Campground
• Grayling Campground
• Rainbow Campground
• Rolfe C. Hoyer Campground
• Winn Campground