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Established Camping

Brook Char Campground

6 Reviews

Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

Stage 2 fire restrictions are currently in effect that prohibit all fires. Generators and fires or stoves that use liquid petroleum (LPG) fuels are permitted, but must follow specific rules.

Brook Char Campground, near Big Lake, Arizona, is a cozy spot nestled in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, perfect for those who love tent camping. The campground offers a small number of sites, each with ample space for tents and easy access to the beautiful surroundings, including nearby trails and the lake.

Visitors often rave about the clean facilities, including restrooms with running water and a friendly camp host who’s always ready to help. Many campers appreciate the convenience of potable water available at several locations throughout the campground. As one happy camper noted, “The sites are large and have multiple great clearings for tents,” making it a comfortable choice for families and groups.

If you’re into fishing or boating, you’re in luck! The campground is just a short walk from the boat ramp and the shores of Big Lake, where you can cast a line or enjoy a leisurely paddle. Plus, the area is known for its stunning views and wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled for deer and elk wandering through.

While some campers have mentioned that the directions to the campground could be clearer, the scenic drive is worth it. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or a longer stay, Brook Char Campground offers a laid-back atmosphere and plenty of opportunities to connect with nature.

Description

US Forest Service

Apache National Forest

Overview

Brookchar Campground is tucked on the banks of Big Lake in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. The campground is a small, tent-only facility comprised entirely of walk-in sites. Of the lake's five campgrounds, Brookchar is nearest to the water. The stocked lake draws anglers, and boat rentals and a boat ramp make it easy for campers to enjoy the lake's blue waters.

Recreation

Big Lake is one of Arizona's top trout fishing lakes, with rainbow, cutthroat, brook and Apache trout being the most sought-after species. The recreation area is also popular for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, birding and wildlife viewing.

Facilities

The facility is small, with 12 tent-only, walk-to campsites. Campfire rings and restrooms are provided. A campground host resides on-site for visitor assistance. A dump station, store, firewood, gas, food and boat rentals are located a short, half-mile drive away, and showers are just 1 mile away.

Natural Features

The campground sits in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest at an elevation of 9,100 feet. The area is scenic, forested with ponderosa pine, fir, spruce and aspen, interspersed with high elevation meadows. Summer temperatures are pleasant and cool, a nice respite from the heat of lower deserts. Visitors should come prepared for afternoon thunderstorms and cool nighttime temperatures.

Nearby Attractions

Several other lakes can be found in the surrounding area. Visitors can also explore endless vistas and take part in many outdoor activities in the surrounding Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, which encompasses 2 million acres of magnificent mountain country in east-central Arizona and New Mexico.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.

Reservation Info

Make a reservation at Recreation.gov.

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Location

Brook Char Campground is located in Arizona

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Pinetop, Arizona, take Highway 260 east 25 miles to Highway 273 south. Follow Highway 273 south 19 miles to Forest Road 8115 (Big Lake Entrance). Turn right and travel 2 miles.

Address

APACHE-SITGREAVES
AZ

Coordinates

33.8755556 N
109.4130556 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Fair
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Available

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Cabins
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets

Drive Time

Reviews

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67%
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17%
17%

4.0

out of 5

6 Reviews

Carl L.
Reviewed Aug. 22, 2023

Bogus

Reserved site #13 on line for August 15th. On arriving this site has no flat areas and you must pass directly through site #12 to access. The entire campground was EMPTY except us. We decided to move to site #12 to get a flat area. I informed the host out of courtesy of our move to the empty adjoining site. He said NO! I had to pay him $20 to make the change. If I did it on-line, it would be zero fee. THERE IS NO CELL COVERAGE at this campground, so it is impossible to go online and make that useless change. Another caretaker drove by and said he didn't see a problem moving if it was his call. The dude at Brookchar would NOT budge...he wanted his $20 bucks ( I have a senior pass and at worst it would have been $8.00). Told him to stuff it and to contact his manager. He refused. The other caretaker guy drove away and and said he would discuss it with her. Bear in mind, the entire campground had zero reservations for that evening besides us. He returned later to inform me that the manger had "OK'ed" the change for no fee. It is zero fee to change a campsites....zero! Unbelievable,,,,Beware....

Site13/12
Month of VisitAugust
Taryn S.
Reviewed Jun. 2, 2021

Some of the best tent camping in AZ

We're frequent campers, and this is one of our favorite spots in AZ! 

The tent-only campground is small, but the sites are large and have multiple great clearings for tents. Lots of shade and easy paths for walking around the grounds, plus there's potable water at several sites. Central bathrooms with running water are kept very clean, plus there's trash service and a (very friendly) camp host if you need anything.

Directly across a small road from Big Lake and the boat ramp. There are several places to go right down to the shore, and it's only a 5-6 minute walk along the road to the general store and boat rental area, where there's also a fish cleaning station. Brookchar is just down the road from the giant Rainbow Lake, so you'll hear some RVs and ATVs on the road, but very minimal. 

We camped in site 12, which in our opinion is the best! Closest to the lake with water views, plus parking right outside your site for 2 vehicles (other sites, you park in a main lot). Bring your fishing gear and kayak/SUP (can also rent very reasonably)!

Over Memorial Day weekend, we saw highs close to 80 and lows in the high 30s/low 40s. Only sprinkled once!

It's also just an hour from Pinetop-Lakeside, so it's easy to make grocery stops or even grab a coffee (try Pinetop Coffee House + Roasters right on the highway!) on your way in/out.

Site12
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Brook Char Campground by Taryn S., June 2, 2021
  • Review photo of Brook Char Campground by Taryn S., June 2, 2021
  • Review photo of Brook Char Campground by Taryn S., June 2, 2021
  • (4) View All
Candy P.
Reviewed Nov. 30, 2020

Tent Camping with a view

This tent walk in site has been our family favorite for decades. The sites have plenty of room for 2 tents. There is a clean bathroom in the campsite as well as water. This sites are across the small road from the lake. This is our favorite place to camp with other family members since the sites are close together. Easy walk to the lake.

  • (4) View All
Hannah L.
Reviewed Aug. 24, 2020

Unclear Directions

The directions given on the site for how to find this campground were not very clear. We spent a lot of time double and triple checking where we were to make sure we were going the right way. We ended up giving up because it was getting dark only to find out later that we were very close to it. The drive to the campsite is incredibly beautiful, though. It is about 2 hours east of Show Low. I’m sure it would have been beautiful if it weren’t so hard to find and we had better directions.

K
Reviewed Aug. 9, 2018

beautiful!

spot 12 is the best for tent camping and closest to the water. bears frequent the area so you must lock up all food and trash in you car over night.

C
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2017

4 great days of camping!

Spent 4 days of solo camping at Brookchar. Located next to Big Lake, the campsite was in a great location. Firepit, picnic table and restroom facilities close by. The camp host Bob was very nice and had plenty of firewood for purchase. Elk, deer and plenty of skunks (who waddled thru the campsite but never raised their tails). Rained a couple of hours each night but it lulls you right to sleep. Definitely a return trip in the spring....

SiteSite 8
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Brook Char Campground by Cyndi S., August 31, 2017
  • Review photo of Brook Char Campground by Cyndi S., August 31, 2017
  • Review photo of Brook Char Campground by Cyndi S., August 31, 2017
  • (4) View All
Showing results 1-6 of 6 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there cell phone reception at Brook Char Campground?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is unknown, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is available.

How hard is it to get a campsite at Brook Char Campground?

Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Brook Char Campground. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Brook Char Campground, try setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts

Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Brook Char Campground?

There are 13 campsites at Brook Char Campground and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts

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