Campground Camping

Campground Camping Areas

• Bradshaw Ranger District

  The Bradshaw Mountains, located south of Prescott, have long been known for being one of the most mineralized mountain ranges in the world. As early as the mid-1800's, mining first brought settlers to this part of Arizona. The Bradshaw Ranger District encompasses the Bradshaw Range and extends beyond it, surrounding the city of Prescott.
  The Bradshaws offer cool relief from the desert below, with numerous developed and dispersed recreation opportunities available. Mount Union, in the Bradshaws, is the highest elevation on the forest, at nearly 8,000 feet. From 7,000 to 8,000 foot elevation along the Bradshaw Range, the vegetation changes from pure forests of ponderosa pine to mixed conifer forests of Douglas-fir and white fir. The weather throughout the Bradshaw District is moderate, with daytime temperatures averaging 50 degrees in the winter and 70 degrees in summer. Recreation opportunities abound throughout all seasons.

  
  Granite Mountain Wilderness, the forest's only "urban" wilderness, is located just a few short miles from Prescott. Other scenic attractions include Thumb Butte, Lynx Lake and the Thumb Butte Loop, as well as drives to Palace Station and Crown King. For more information, please contact the Bradshaw Ranger District.

  Map sales, free motor vehicle use maps, recreation opportunity guides, wood cutting permits, and information.

• Crown King Area (Horsethief Basin)

  Horsethief Basin Recreation Area offers a variety of recreational opportunities including: hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, and OHV riding. Castle Creek Wilderness is located nearby, and Horsethief Cabin and Turney Gulch Group Campground are available by reservation. Day use sites and trails are open year-round; overnight accommodations are not available during the winter. Scroll down (below the recreation map) to learn more about these recreational opportunities.

  Horsethief Basin Brocure (12.8 MB PDF)

  Note: Until further notice, use of high-clearance vehicle is recommended for those who plan to visit recreation sites in Horsethief Basin.

  Fish Consumption Advisory: The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), in association with the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD), issued a fish consumption advisory for largemouth bass caught from Horsethief Basin Lake in Yavapai County and south of the community of Crown King. This advisory is based on recent analysis of fish tissue data that indicate elevated levels of mercury.

• Hazlett Hollow Campground
• Granite Basin Recreation Area

  Nestled among pines and boulders of Prescott's iconic Granite Mountain, Granite Basin Recreation Area offers a variety of recreational opportunities year-round including: hiking, backpacking, horse riding, non-motorized boating, rock climbing, fishing, camping, and picnicking. Scroll down (below the recreation map) to learn more about the excellent recreational opportunities in Granite Basin. 

   

  Granite Basin Recreation Area Brochure  (1.54 MB)

   

  Note: Some sites in this recreation area may close to prevent resource damage following especially heavy snow and when the roads are too icy.  If you plan to visit and want to make sure it is open, please contact the Bradshaw Ranger Station: 928-443-8000.

   

  Notice: Visitors are asked to be alert and stay on existing trails when recreating on Granite Mountain as the area recovers from the Doce Fire of 2013. Soil erosion has occurred on portions of the trails, thus exposing more rock, and cross-country travel increases the possibility of encountering rolling rocks, stump and root holes, falling trees, and loose soils from rains.  

• Yavapai Campground
• Groom Creek Area

  Located in the cool pines of central Arizona, Groom Creek offers a variety of recreational opportunities including: camping, picnicking, hiking, mountain biking, bouldering, and horseback riding.  Groom Creek area day use sites and trails are open year-round; campgrounds are open from May 1 to October 31 and closed during the winter.  Scroll down (below the recreation map) to learn more about these recreational opportunities.

• Lower Wolf Creek Campground
• Lynx Lake Recreation Area

  Located in the cool pines just outside of Prescott, AZ, Lynx Lake Recreation Area offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities including: hiking, mountain biking, camping, fishing, boating, and picnicking. Scroll down (below the recreation map) to learn more about the excellent recreational opportunities at Lynx Lake.

   

  Lynx Lake Recreation Area Brochure (1,020 KB) 

   

• Hilltop Campground
• Lynx Campground
• Prescott to Wickenberg via White Spar Road

  Heading south out of Prescott, White Spar Road (Hwy 89) is a winding, scenic drive ending in Wickenberg.  Various recreational opportunities can be reached via White Spar Road including: hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, and camping.  Remants of the Indian Fire, which burned south of Prescott in 2002, are evident just south of Prescott.

• White Spar Campground
• Verde Ranger District

  Located near the geographic center of Arizona, the Verde Ranger District is accessible to visitors from all over the state. Drop a fishing line into the Verde River at one of eight day-use access points or put your canoe in at White Bridge Recreation Area for a popular nine-mile float to Beasley Flat. Explore the site of an old salt mine near Camp Verde, re-create history by following part of General Crook’s military supply route, or book a stay at Sycamore Cabin, which once served as the ranger station for the old Bloody Basin Ranger District. ATV enthusiasts can enjoy off-road riding at Hayfield Draw.

  
  For relief from summer’s heat, follow the winding highway up to Mingus Mountain and camp in the pines at Potato Patch Campground or Mingus Recreation Area; groups of 20 to 100 can reserve Playground Group Campground. Many of the District’s hiking trails are located on Mingus, but it’s also a great place to relax and enjoy panoramic views of the Verde Valley. A bit lower on the mountain, near the cluster of homes known as Cherry, Powell Springs Campground stays open all year.

  
  To escape from the crowds, try a backpacking trip into Pine Mountain or Cedar Bench wildernesses, on the southeastern edge of the District. Bring your own water and be prepared for an abundance of wildlife such as bears, mountain lions, and javelina. For more information, please contact the Verde Ranger District.
   

  Information, permits, interpretive displays, LEED green building with solar panels and monitor, map sales, and free motor vehicle use maps for Prescott, Coconino, and Kaibab National Forests.

• Cherry Area

  Recreational opportunities in the Cherry area include: camping, hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, scenic driving, and OHV riding. Trail markers will be added to the map as time allows.  For now, please use the left-hand navigation bar to find more information about the trails in the area:

  • Ash Creek #9705
  • General Crook #64
  • Medlar Springs #9706
  • Sheep #532
  • Grapevine Gulch Trail #9708

   Thank you for your patience as we continue to improve this site.  

• Powell Springs Campground
• Mingus Mountain

  Located in the cool pines of central Arizona, Mingus Mountain offers a wide range of recreational opportunities including: picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, camping, fishing, hunting, hang gliding, and paragliding.  Scroll down (below the recreation map) to learn more about the excellent recreational opportunities on Mingus Mountain.

   

  Mingus Mountain Brochure (1.86 MB) NOTE- Brochure Correction: Mingus Mountain Campground and Picnic Site do not have electricity available at this time.

  Mingus Rim Trails Description and Map (563 KB PDF; 8.5” X 11”)

• Mingus Mountain Campground
• Potato Patch Campground