Upper Arcadia Group Site
When early settlers ventured up Mount Graham, the Arcadia area was usually as far as they got on the first day. A little later in the history of the Pinaleños, Arcadia was the site of one of several Civilian Conservation Corps camps established in the 1930s to provide jobs for workers idled by the Great Depression. Today, Arcadia Campground is the second campground visitors encounter on their way up Mount Graham by way of the Swift Trail (AZ 366), which was built by those Depression-era workers. Arcadia Campground is shaded by stands of tall ponderosa pine interspersed with Gambel oaks and Arizona walnuts. Such a diverse habitat makes this an excellent area for bird watching. You can access the lower trailhead of the Arcadia National Recreation Trail #328 at this campground.
Upper Arcadia Group Site Photo Gallery
Reservations
General Information
Download the Mount Graham Recreation Guide in English.
Note: Black bear area. Store and dispose of all food in bear-proof containers and trash bins, or keep it locked in your vehicle with windows all the way up.
Year-round
Check-in is at 2 p.m.; check-out is at noon
Total vehicle length must be less than 40 feet. Trailers are recommended to be less than 22 feet due to the narrow switchbacks of AZ 366.
Overnight Use:
Double Site: $40 per night
Group Site: $50 per night, plus $10 per vehicle
Pets must be on leash at developed recreation sites.
Address: 711 14th Avenue Suite D, Safford, AZ 85546
Phone: (928) 428-4150
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 32.64944444
Longitude: -109.8186111
Elevation
6,770 feet
Directions
From Safford drive south 8 miles on US 191 to AZ 366. Turn right (southwest) onto AZ 366 and drive 11.6 miles. Turn right on the road just past the entrance to Arcadia Campground entrance. Check local road conditions during winter months.
Parking
Maximum 75 people and 8 vehicles. There is a $5 per vehicle fee. Please pay by cash or check at the Fee Station upon arrival.
Facility and Amenity Information
Accessibility
Limited accessibility. Restrooms are accessible.
Restrooms
Vault toilet(s)Water
Potable water is available at this site.
Seasonally, water is available. It is turned off when the temperature drops, generally in October.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are available at this site.
Horse/Pack Animal Information
Horse/Pack animals are not allowed at this site.
Pack and saddle stock are not permitted in the Upper Arcadia Group Site or Arcadia Campground.
Nearby Trails
Recreation Groups
You will experience the ecological equivalent of driving from Mexico to Canada all in one leisurely afternoon on this sky-scraping, switchbacking mountain road.