Within Tonto National Forest, Bronco Trailhead operates as a dispersed camping area designed primarily for equestrian use. The US Forest Service maintains this large dirt lot equipped with six or seven small horse pens and an old wire corral. A vault toilet serves the area, though the water tender remains locked despite being labeled for drinking water.
The site works better for truck bed camping or RV setups than traditional tent camping due to its hard-packed surface. Off-road vehicle activity occurs during daylight hours but typically quiets by evening. Road noise from nearby routes affects the area periodically. Campers exploring places to camp near Carefree will find this location functions as a practical overnight stop for those traveling with horses or larger vehicles.
Description
Nature Trail, Picnic tables, pack it in pack it out, this site provides access to the Cave Creek trail system. Parking for 40 vehicles plus trailers. Stock water available. Six horse pens and manure bin.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Dispersed CampingBronco Trailhead is located in Arizona
Directions
From Carefree, take Cave Creek Road/Seven Springs Road/Forest Road (FR) 24 for 15 miles north to Bronco Trailhead. The last 3 miles of FR 24 is an all-weather gravel road. The gravel portion of the road is narrow with blind curves. Click here for map.
Coordinates
33.9348092 N
111.8207594 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Bronco Trailhead needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 1 min from Phoenix, AZ
- 1 hr 48 min from Prescott Valley, AZ
- 2 hrs 31 min from Flagstaff, AZ
- 2 hrs 36 min from Tucson, AZ
