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Roosevelt Lake - Cholla Campground

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Tonto National Forest's Cholla Campground sits on the shore of Theodore Roosevelt Lake, central Arizona's largest lake, with open sightlines toward the Four Peaks Wilderness, Salome Canyon, and the Sierra Ancha mountain range. Managed by the US Forest Service, this large, solar-powered campground operates year-round and draws a mix of RV travelers, anglers, and paddlers who come specifically for lake access. The setting is forested with natural desert vegetation, including cactus and shrubs, giving perimeter sites a degree of separation that interior sites don't always share.

Campers consistently rate the facilities highly. Restrooms across the loops feature flush toilets and showers, and reviewers note the shower areas are cleaned daily. Each site has a covered picnic table ramada and a fire ring. Tara S. recalls spending a February night here and noted "saw lots of birds here: cactus wren, quail, finches, warblers, and road runners." Winter visits tend to be quieter, with weekends bringing more generator noise as the campground fills. Odd-numbered sites can be reserved in advance; even-numbered sites are first-come, first-served.

The campground includes a paved boat launch with a courtesy dock, making it a practical base for kayakers and anglers. Note that direct lake access from most campsites involves steep terrain, so the boat ramp is the most reliable route to the water. Swimming is not a designated activity here. A dump station is available, and the campground accommodates RVs up to 32 feet, though some sites are not accessible to larger rigs. Tenters who want waterfront proximity should look for walk-in sites near the lake. For pet-friendly camping near Tonto National Forest, Cholla is one of several options in the corridor, as leashed dogs are permitted throughout the campground.

Nearby alternatives include Cholla Bay to the south and Bachelor Cove, both on Roosevelt Lake. Campers who want a less developed experience can explore Bermuda Flat Recreation Site a short distance to the northwest. Spring and fall tend to draw larger crowds, particularly on weekends, so mid-week arrivals give campers a better shot at perimeter sites with lake views. Fees run $25 per night for a single unit and $50 for a double unit, with discounts available for America the Beautiful Senior and Access Pass holders.

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Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect

There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

Cholla Campground will be seasonally closed starting June 1. We will reopen this campground in October. Thank you for your understanding. Tonto National Forest, Tonto Basin Ranger District.

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.

RV Road Trip Guides

Map & DirectionsRoosevelt Lake is located in Arizona near Roosevelt

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

Cholla Campground is 5 miles north of Roosevelt Dam. From Mesa: Take State Hwy. 87/Beeline Highway north for about 60 miles to its junction with State Hwy. 188. Turn right and follow State Hwy. 188 south for 28 miles to the site. From the Globe area: Take State Hwy. 188 north for 30 miles to its junction with State Hwy. 188. Continue on State Hwy. 188 across the bridge for 6 miles to the site.

Address

28079 N. AZ HWY 188
Roosevelt, AZ 85545

Coordinates

33.73151 N
111.203798 W

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Connectivity

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    Possible Coverage
    Verified by 33 users
    Last on 7/19/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 37 users
    Last on 7/19/26
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    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 4 users
    Last on 7/19/26

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    Possible Coverage
    Verified by 33 users
    Last on 7/19/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 37 users
    Last on 7/19/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 4 users
    Last on 7/19/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Drive Time


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Reviews11 Camper Reviews - Roosevelt Lake

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

36%
46%
18%
0%
0%

4.0

out of 5

11 Reviews

Many visitors highlighted clean facilities, spacious sites with covered tables, and helpful camp hosts. Recurring comments addressed excellent lake views and family amenities like playgrounds. Some feedback indicated generator noise and limited site privacy may affect the experience.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Apr. 25, 2023

Great first trip to Roosevelt Lake

Originally planned to stay at a dispersed site on the opposite side of the highway, but opted for Cholla because I wanted water access. The shower areas are cleaned daily and decent. Pretty empty right now, but each site still seems like it'd be pretty private. Nice view of the lake and 4 peaks from my site. I'd stay here again.

Site18
Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Apr. 3, 2023

Beautiful place

We stayed March 28-April 1st. Beautiful time of year to visit! The camp sites are large and have beautiful natural vegetation between them. We were pretty secluded at our spot until the weekend. Things I liked 1.) hot shower 2.) playground for the kids 3.) paved trails. The one thing that would have tipped this site to a solid 10/10 rating would have been the ability to swim. It was obvious most folks were there to fish but we weren’t. We would have loved the opportunity to swim in huge Roosevelt lake!

Site50
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Roosevelt Lake - Cholla Campground by lindsey , April 3, 2023
  • Review photo of Roosevelt Lake - Cholla Campground by lindsey , April 3, 2023
  • Review photo of Roosevelt Lake - Cholla Campground by lindsey , April 3, 2023
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Feb. 22, 2023

Peaceful Spot in the Winter

We spent 3 nights here in February, and while it was chilly, the place was very quiet and the stars were amazing! There are no hookups here, but there are bathrooms with flush toilets (some have showers), and there are faucets with potable water. There's also a boat launch and a few playgrounds for the kids. 

There were mostly RVs here, but the waterfront tent sites are amazing if you don't mind walking in from the main parking area (it's not a far walk).

Each campsite has a picnic table with a shaded awning and a fire pit, but you have to bring in your own wood or gather it from the surrounding forest. Saw lots of birds here - cactus wren, quail, finches, warblers, and road runners.

SiteChristmas Loop 95
Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Roosevelt Lake - Cholla Campground by Tara S., February 22, 2023
  • Review photo of Roosevelt Lake - Cholla Campground by Tara S., February 22, 2023
  • Review photo of Roosevelt Lake - Cholla Campground by Tara S., February 22, 2023
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jan. 28, 2023

Would stay here again

Toilets and showers are clean. Campsites are well laid out with a covered picnic table ramada at every site. Beautiful views in every direction. The only concern is that some sites are close together, and people are running generators often.

Site167
Month of VisitJanuary
Reviewed Jun. 29, 2022

A fine experience if you overlook the water--- otherwise....

Try to get a campsite facing the lake.

Tenters beware-- This is heavy duty RV land

In Cholla loop we had great hosts & very clean pit toilets.

Our site was outstanding and had plenty of space. This is not necessarily the case for inside sites--- but seems to hold for the perimeter sites.

Showers were in an adjacent loop and very good.

Site167--Cane loop in Cholla
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Roosevelt Lake - Cholla Campground by LoneCamper C., June 29, 2022
  • Review photo of Roosevelt Lake - Cholla Campground by LoneCamper C., June 29, 2022
Reviewed Apr. 18, 2022

Quiet and beautiful views

We came here multiple times now and have loved it each time. Service is spotty in Loop Cane. There is multiple playgrounds for kids. Running water in the bathroom. Water Spigots throughout each loop to fill drinking water. You can only reserve the odd numbers online.

Site164
Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Roosevelt Lake - Cholla Campground by Melissa S., April 18, 2022
  • Review photo of Roosevelt Lake - Cholla Campground by Melissa S., April 18, 2022
  • Review photo of Roosevelt Lake - Cholla Campground by Melissa S., April 18, 2022
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Feb. 20, 2022

Private spots close to waterfront

Cholla Recreation Site is located on Theodore Roosevelt Lake, central Arizona’s largest lake. It offers expansive views of the Four Peaks Wilderness, Salome Canyon, and the Sierra Ancha mountain range. The campground contains an extensive selection of both RV and tent-only sites, and is one of the largest solar-powered campgrounds in the United States. Potable water, toilet buildings, showers, playgrounds, and a paved boat launch with a courtesy dock are available for campers. Cholla RV dump station, located across from Christmas Loop, is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm.

$25/site/night for individual camp unit; $50/site/night for double camp unit; America the Beautiful Interagency Senior or Access Pass holders receive 50% discount (persons over 62 or have a permanent disability) for single camp units only.

Campground fees must be paid for at the fee machine located at the campground. When we arrived the machine wasn’t working so we checked in with the camp host and flagged down a ranger to let them know.

  • Review photo of Roosevelt Lake - Cholla Campground by Kate  S., February 20, 2022
  • Review photo of Roosevelt Lake - Cholla Campground by Kate  S., February 20, 2022
  • Review photo of Roosevelt Lake - Cholla Campground by Kate  S., February 20, 2022
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Nov. 7, 2021

Stargazing

Great place to see the stars !!! Spent 3 nights with my 2 dogs and it was great!

SiteCholla
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Nov. 6, 2021

Great canpgroup

This was our first time camping here and we will most definitely be back. You can reserve all odd numbered campsites online. Even numbers are first come first serve. There is a boat ramp located at the front of the campground. Not ideal lake access for fishing or swimming because of steep hills down to lake. Potable water available. Dump station is currently open 24/7. Bathrooms have running water and flush toilets and also showers. Multiple playgrounds. Each spot has covered table and fire ring. Loose gravel pads. Most are fairly level. Some spots aren’t big rig accessible.

Site172
Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Roosevelt Lake - Cholla Campground by Melissa S., November 6, 2021
  • Review photo of Roosevelt Lake - Cholla Campground by Melissa S., November 6, 2021
  • Review photo of Roosevelt Lake - Cholla Campground by Melissa S., November 6, 2021
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Sep. 21, 2021

Bad timing

The idea of this solar powered campground enticed us. We went during the off season during covid. I wish their website had stated that all of the showers and restrooms were closed. We wouldn’t have paid to stay at a campground that didn’t have the things we needed. It could have been a great stay- they need to update their website for closures. Sites were nice and private with trees and bushes between.

Month of VisitDecember
Reviewed Mar. 28, 2021

Clean

Campsites and restroom are clean. Each loop has its own camp host. Boat launch within so many campers had boats in addition to RV/tent. Limited privacy as campsites are fairly close together.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities and hookups are available at Roosevelt Lake's Cholla Campground?

Cholla Campground offers clean restrooms with flush toilets and hot shower facilities that are cleaned daily. Each campsite features a covered picnic table ramada, and potable water is available from spigots throughout the camping loops. While there are no electrical hookups (this is a solar-powered campground), the sites are well-designed for both RVs and tents. The campground includes multiple playgrounds for children and paved trails. Some sites are close together, but many, especially perimeter sites, offer good space and privacy with natural vegetation between them.

How do I get to Roosevelt Lake and Cholla Campground?

Roosevelt Lake and Cholla Campground are located in central Arizona. The campground is situated directly on Theodore Roosevelt Lake, Arizona's largest lake. To reach the area, you'll need to drive to the Tonto Basin region. The campground is accessible via paved roads and features a boat ramp at the entrance. For specific directions, use GPS coordinates or follow signs from major highways leading to Roosevelt Lake. The location offers stunning views of Four Peaks Wilderness, Salome Canyon, and the Sierra Ancha mountain range.

What recreational activities are available at Roosevelt Lake?

Roosevelt Lake offers abundant recreational opportunities for visitors. Boating is extremely popular, with a convenient boat ramp located at the front of Cholla Campground. Fishing is available, though shoreline access can be limited due to steep hills around the campground. The area is perfect for stargazing, with minimal light pollution providing spectacular night sky views. Hiking opportunities exist on paved trails within the campground and in surrounding wilderness areas. The lake setting provides beautiful views of surrounding mountains and canyons. For families, there are multiple playgrounds within the campground to keep children entertained.

How do I make reservations at Cholla Campground on Roosevelt Lake?

At Cholla Campground, only odd-numbered campsites can be reserved online through the recreation.gov website. Even-numbered sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so you'll need to arrive early to secure these spots, especially during peak seasons. Each camping loop has its own host who can assist with questions upon arrival. For the best lakeside views, try to reserve a perimeter site facing the water. During off-season periods, the campground tends to be less crowded, making it easier to find available sites.