Walnut Grove Campground

This first-come, first-served campground, tucked amid a grove of oak and juniper, sits along Rucker Creek just a short distance from the Camp Rucker Historic Site. The area is an excellent place to take photographs, do a little birdwatching, learn about the area history, or just relax. It was formally known as Camp Rucker Group Site, but was renovated in 2024 with 10 individual sites, each with a picnic table and fire pit with grill. Sites accommodate tents or trailers. 

Further up the canyon, along the dead-end FR 74E, are the trailheads for Turtle Mountain #219, Brushy Canyon #355, Raspberry Ridge #228, and Rucker #222. Be aware that many trails in the Rucker Basin are primitive routes, and some have been damaged by wildlife and floods. Be prepared for rugged conditions and difficult route finding. A map, compass, and GPS are highly recommended. 

IMPORTANT: 

• Be sure to check the forecast and radar apps before your visit. Distant storms upstream can cause flash floods in Rucker Canyon. 
• Low-water crossings along Rucker Canyon Rd. and FR 74 can be impassable after rain. 
• Do not drive along FR 74E north of Red Rock Canyon if rain is forecast. This section of road is not maintained and is prone to flooding. 

What happened to Rucker Lake? 

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built a rock dam in the 1930s to retain water from Rucker Creek. The AZ Game & Fish Department began stocking the 3-acre lake in the 1940s, and it became a popular fishing and recreation destination for decades. In 1994, the Rattlesnake Fire burned 28,000 acres of the National Forest. In the aftermath of the fire, slopes denuded of vegetation eroded and washed downhill, filling the lake with silt. Due to the unstable nature of the steep Rucker Watershed today, and the continued risk of flooding and sedimentation, it is neither safe nor sustainable to redevelop the lake. Remnants of the dam, as well as other recreation amenities built by the CCC, are visible along FR 74E.