Potato Patch Campground, near Camp Verde, Arizona, is a welcoming retreat tucked within the Prescott National Forest. This campground offers a mix of tent and RV sites, with some equipped with electric hookups, making it a practical choice for various camping styles.

Visitors rave about the cleanliness of the facilities, including restrooms and picnic areas. One camper noted, “Not only was it a great location, but the host had the sites and bathrooms spotless.” The campground is surrounded by beautiful Ponderosa pines, providing a serene atmosphere and some much-appreciated shade.

For those eager to explore, the area boasts fantastic hiking trails, including the scenic Woodchute Trail, which offers breathtaking views. Just a short drive away, you’ll find Mingus Mountain Lake, perfect for a day of fishing or simply soaking in the natural beauty. Campers have mentioned the friendly vibe, with many enjoying the peacefulness of the site, especially after dark when the road noise fades away.

While some sites are closer together, the overall layout allows for a sense of privacy, especially in the tent areas. Whether you’re looking to unwind or embark on outdoor adventures, Potato Patch Campground is a great base for your next getaway.

## Overview

 Campers looking for some peace and quiet will find this relaxing campground offers cool summertime temperatures and easy access from scenic Hwy 89A in central Arizona. The campground is located at 7,200 ft. in elevation between Mingus Mountain and Woodchute Wilderness in a beautiful ponderosa pine forest. To make reservations click on the availability button to the right to book this site or call 1 (877) 444-6777. For general campground questions contact the Verde Ranger District at 1 (928) 567-4121. 
## Recreation

 Wildlife viewing, hiking, scenic driving and off-highway scenic driving are popular in the area. The wanderer in you will appreciate your close proximity to Yeager Canyon Trail #28 and Woodchute Trail #102, a rewarding hike into the 5,923 acre Woodchute Wilderness and view from the top of Woodchute Mountain. Access to a segment of The Great Western Trail is located adjacent to the campground. Mingus Lake is just across the highway and stocked for fishing. The Verde River in the valley below offers rafting, kayaking and bird watching. 
## Natural Features

 This mountain top campground offers a cool respite from hot Arizona summers -- a classic forest setting for a memorable camping adventure. Connect with your inner naturalist and observe the wildlife and wildflowers found in abundance around the campground. Interesting geology can be found in any direction with many significant rock formations, canyons and mountains within easy driving distance from Potato Patch. 
## Nearby Attractions

 The historic and eclectic mining town of Jerome is just down the steep, winding mountain road, with unique shopping and dining opportunities and Jerome State Historic Park. Tuzigoot National Monument, an ancient pueblo, and the lively historic towns of Clarkdale and Cottonwood with museums and basic services are just over 9 miles away. Hayfield Draw OHV Area is located on Highway 260 between Cottonwood and Camp Verde for a unique OHV recreational experience. The towns of Prescott Valley and Prescott are 20 miles away and provide a wide array of services, shopping and dining.

Potato Patch Campground

Searching for the best camping near Jerome, AZ? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Arizona camping has to offer. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Arizona camping adventure.

Jerome

The Best Camping Near Jerome, Arizona

The road goes for miles. You pass a few cattle crossings. Close gate after driving through. Some area big enough for large groups of about 5-7 cars!

fire rings!

Cattle running during day and coyotes at night. Beautiful.

Only 20 min down the hwy to Jerome

Dispersed camping

Two loops, A and B. Stayed in loop B, with electricity. Asphalt level pull-throughs,  pump  water by composting bathrooms. Sites close, but all had trees to shield table. Fire restrictions currently. Several hiking trails reasonably close, small fishing lake 2 mi. distance, ghost city of Jerome on one side of mountain, Prescott on other. Located at 7K elevation, on winding road. 

Quiet campground

It's unusual to find electric hookups at USFS campgrounds in Arizona. The spaces are close together where there is power. During the week, the campers were retired people, mostly from Prescott. In June, the weather got hot by 11 AM, so being able to run the AC was needed, even at almost 8000 elevation. On the weekend, several families came and the adults stayed inside their RVs and let their kids be extremely loud until 9 pm. Next time, I would stay in the lower loop where spots are much bigger and take a generator. There isn't much to do, so camping with some friends would be better. The road up to Potato Patch has many 6% grades and tight mountain curves.

Great during the week, super busy on weekends

At the right time of the year this is a great spot. Week days are better than weekends. It's a clean area but occasionally you will find remains from the "bad camper." If you find the right spot it can be very peaceful and quiet.

Away in the Pines

Campground is extremely clean, bathrooms were very nice. Family was able to escape the heat of Phoenix without traveling very far. It was nice to take a little trip into Jerome and see such a unique town built right into the mountain.

Beautiful campground 

It was a well run and quiet but beautiful area of prescott

Beautiful trees with cooler temps very clean.. Camp sites are a little too compact and close together for the price and for are liking.. The main road goes through the north end of camp so you get to hear the Street bikes, Harley’s and wannabe mountain racers throughout the night flying up and down the mountain!! The best camp sites are reserved but nobody ever showed at a first come first serve camp ground weird.. Made the best of it and had a great time in Jerome and at the Verde River 

Not are style 

Very large site, a bit off the highway and not well marked but once there it’s pretty great.
Fire rings and picnic tables as well as plenty of shady trees make this campground nice and easy. 

Good place in the mountains

September 19 - 22, 2019. Site 23. This campground was kept and clean, carrying around 28 sites (A-Loop, no hookups). It is a great place to beat the heat as you are up around 7,000 feet elevation surrounded by Ponderosa Pines. Each site has a fire pit, picnic table and a grill. Nearby is Jerome, an historic mining town that is definitely worth a visit if time permits. Some sites were pretty close together, but ours only had one neighbor, which happened to be our friends so we didn’t notice. At only an hour and 40 minute drive from Phoenix area, it is a very nice alternative to other elevated campsites by the Mogollon Rim.

Beat the Heat

This campsite is located just North of Jerome on Mingus Mountain and very few people seem to know about it. The first loop is for RV's only and provides very little shade.  The bottom loop has better shade and can accommodate tents and RV's. The best sites are close to the main road for tenting and there will be motorcycle noise anytime of day or night as the road is a very popular drive between Jerome and Prescott. 

Aside from that though the site is just lovely and very well maintained.  The toilets are composting to no smell and there are motion censor lights for nighttime.  No need to worry about bringing a lantern when using the bathroom at 2am.

If you need supplies, it's about 30 plus minutes as the old part of Jerome does not have a store and you have to drive all the way down to the valley floor for water or firewood.  Jermone is just close enough for a dinner out if you are tired of camp food. 

Lots of great hiking in the area with some amazing view of the entire Prescott and Sedona valleys. Woodchute Trail #102 is one of the best hikes I have done in the state though make sure to drive past the first parking area, I promise there is a second one closer to the start of the actual trail.  Otherwise will add on another 2 miles each way.

Hidden gem just outside Jerome

We stayed here over Labor Day weekend and wasn’t over crowded or loud in any way. We stayed in B3 which has electricity hookups. Water and bathroom was close by. Campground was well kept and very clean throughout. The lower loop had better shade and spots were still more spread out. Close to many hiking trails and beautiful Mountain View’s. 

Great campground

Not much to explore, but the bathrooms and sites were kept clean. The spaces were close together so there was no sense of privacy. 

Well kept but sites are close knit

We had an amazing relaxing stay, even though we were in a site close to the road. During the night we didn’t really hear any traffic. There are clean restrooms and water available. There were easy hiking trails and a lake about 2.5 miles that was more like a pond. The camp hosts were very nice!

Awesome Campground!

The sites are well shaded. There are composting toilets that generate no bad smell. The sites are spread out well enough. I don't like first come first serve aspect. I get very stressed without a plan. When I arrived I tried to pay with a credit card. I was unaware that cash or check was needed. A family member came to visit and brought the money. I went during the week and there was light usage at the campground making it an ideal spot to camp at. I have an RV Van and it fit well in the spot. The area with hookups was a bit unattractive. They lacked trees and space between spots. I chose to camp down in the no hook up area. I liked it much better in that area.

Enjoyed Potato Patch Campground a lot

This campground is a nice place to get away from it all. The campground is clean, has water and compost toilets. The toilets have a unique ventilation system leaving no unpleasant odors. There is a section for electric hookups. That area is cramped and lacks trees. The dry area has picnic tables, fire rings and are spaced nicely. You are a short drive and walk to trails and other recreational activities. If you choose a first come first served site, bring cash or check for the cash box. 

 Great escape

Camp ground was nice the camp host was nice.   There was no cell service if that matters to anyone 

Nice place 

Not Open! 4.10.22

Took my Nobo trailer to the B loop specifically B07 spot with electrical hookups. The B loop is basically a parking lot on top of a mountain. I was a little dismayed at first because of how close each spot was. Once we settled in and began exploring we started to acknowledge the wonders of this camping spot. The trails here are absolutely top notch. Amazing views on the Woodchute trail roughly 7300 ft elevation. Roughly 2 miles (10 min drive) is the Mingus Mountain lake which was absolutely beautiful and great spot for a little day fishing ($5 day use fee). The host was nice and has the campground running very smoothly. The A loop spots are much more spaced out and are mainly for tents but some if not most are capable of being used by travel trailers/campers/tear drops. These spots are much more spaced but do not have power hookups. The best way to explain this spot is if you want more privacy with less convenience go with the A loop. If you absolutely need power go with the B loop. There’s several hiking trails to get lost on and that seems to be the main attraction here. Absolutely stunning views of Jerome/Sedona/Prescott. The weather was phenomenal with daytime temperatures in May around 74F and nighttime at 55F. 

Exceptional Activities 

Nice camp. Sites are well separated. Quiet, but some road noise. Can hear cars passing, but very quiet after dark. Large 13x13 foot tent pads. Concrete table   Gravel in campsites no dust or mud. Forest service directions say road is steep and twisty. It is, but not more than most mountain roads. Just one 15mph hairpin turn. When coming from Prescott. Much curvier from Jerome. Friendly campers. 

Nice quiet wooded camp

Not only was it a great location, but the host had the sites and bathrooms spotless.  

Photos of Potato Patch Campground

Real photos from real campers