Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

If getting completely away from it all and experiencing the outdoors for all it has to offer is your camping ideal then plan your camping vacation in the Big Lake Recreation Area. Big Lake itself is 575 acres, and makes a convenient base for other local lakes like Crescent Lake, Lee Valley Lake and the East and West Forks of the Black River. Choose your site from one of nine campgrounds and experience exceptional hiking and mountain biking trails, wildlife viewing, and trout fishing. Campers have the convenience of paved roads, a dump station and showers, but no electric hookups. Apache Trout, the largest campground can accomodate RVs (max 45 feet) as well as in sections of Grayling Campground. Two campgrounds give tent campers the entire campground all to themselves. A visitor center and naturalist programs offer plenty of knowledge about the area. 

Big Lake Campground

## Overview

Cutthroat Campground lies at an elevation of 9,000 feet in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. It sits on the shoreline of Big Lake and affords visitors many recreational opportunities in a quiet, scenic setting. Popular activities include trout fishing and hiking.

## Recreation

Named after a species of trout, Cutthroat is adjacent to 450-acre Big Lake, one of Arizona's top fishing lakes. The lake is known for its trout fishing, with rainbow, cutthroat, brook and Apache being the most sought-after species. The recreation area is also popular for hiking, mountain biking, birding and wildlife viewing.

## Facilities

Sites for tent camping only are scattered throughout this small facility and spaced a good distance apart. Some are directly on the waterfront. The basic amenities of restrooms, picnic tables and drinking water are provided, and anglers and boaters have the convenience of a boat ramp. An RV dump station is one mile away.

## Natural Features

The campground is located in a very scenic area, forested with ponderosa pine, spruce, Douglas fir, and aspen trees, which provide ample shade. Summer temperatures are pleasant and cool, a nice respite from the heat of lower deserts. Visitors should come prepared for cool nighttime temperatures and occasional summer rain storms. 

## Nearby Attractions

Visitors can 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.

Cutthroat

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. 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. ADA Access: N

Brook Char Campground

Grayling Campground offers perhaps the most secluded sites in the Big Lake Recreation Area in eastern Arizona. It sits on the shoreline of the lake in a mixed conifer and aspen forest and affords visitors many recreational opportunities in a quiet, scenic setting. Popular activities include trout fishing and hiking. Recreation The campground is adjacent to 450-acre Big Lake, one of Arizona's top fishing lakes. The lake is known for its trout fishing, with rainbow, cutthroat, brook and Apache being the most sought-after species. The recreation area is also popular for hiking, mountain biking, birding and wildlife viewing. Curious campers can attend educational programs at the recreation area's visitor center. Facilities All 23 campsites in this small facility are located along one loop. Some sites have a view of the lake, though none are directly on the waterfront. Flush toilets are a comfort of home, and showers can be found one mile away. A dump station for RV campers is one mile away. A store is also nearby with gas, food, boat rentals and firewood for sale. Tent camping,Camping trailer,Picnic tables,Toilets,Drinking water Natural Features Grayling sits in the White Mountains at an elevation of 9,000 feet. It is a very scenic area, forested with ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, spruce and aspen trees, which provide ample shade. Summer temperatures are pleasant and cool, a nice respite from the heat of lower deserts. Visitors should come prepared for cool nighttime temperatures and occasional summer rain storms. Nearby Attractions Visitors can 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. Springerville, Arizona is the closest town to the campground. ADA Access: N

Grayling

## Overview

Apache Trout Campground is one of five campgrounds at the Big Lake Recreation Area in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, and is especially popular for group camping.   
  
With boating and fishing facilities and a variety of amenities, Apache Trout is a convenient and comfortable place to stay. Plenty of open space, shaded forests and mountain scenery make for a pleasant outdoor experience.

## Recreation

The Apache Trout facility is a short walk away from the 450-acre Big Lake, one of Arizona's top fishing lakes. Big Lake is known for its trout fishing, with rainbow, cutthroat, brook and Apache trout being the most sought-after species. The recreation area is also popular for hiking, mountain biking, bird watching and wildlife viewing.

## Facilities

The campground is especially convenient for small to medium sized groups. Campsites are diverse and offer a wide range of options. There are 22 double sites, one group site that can accommodate 50 people, another that can hold 100 and more than 20 individual sites.   
  
This is the only campground in the lake recreation area that has sites with full hookups. Flush toilets and showers offer additional convenience.

## Natural Features

The campground sits at an elevation of 9,100 ft. in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. It is a very scenic area, forested with ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, spruce and aspen interspersed with high elevation meadows.   
  
Some campsites have shade, while others are mostly sunny. Summer temperatures are pleasant and cool, a nice respite from the heat of lower deserts. 

## Nearby Attractions

Visitors can 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.

Apache Trout Campground

## Overview

Rainbow is the largest campground in the Big Lake Recreation Area in eastern Arizona. Because of its proximity to the lake, size and the many amenities it offers, Rainbow is a favorite for families. Popular activities include hiking, horseback riding and fishing.

## Recreation

The campground is adjacent to 450-acre Big Lake, one of Arizona's top fishing lakes. The lake is known for its trout fishing, with rainbow, cutthroat, brook and Apache being the most sought-after species.   
  
The recreation area is also popular for hiking, mountain biking, birding and wildlife viewing. Curious campers can attend educational programs at the recreation area's visitor center.

## Facilities

The facility boasts 165 campsites organized into six loops. Four double sites are available for up to 16 people each, which is convenient for larger families, and two single unit accessible sites are also available.   
  
A small store nearby sells gas, food, boat rentals and firewood. A campground host is available on-site for visitor assistance.

## Natural Features

Rainbow Campground sits at an elevation of 9,000 feet in the White Mountains. It is a very scenic area, forested with ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, spruce and aspen trees, which provide ample shade.   
  
Summer temperatures are pleasant and cool, a nice respite from the heat of the lower desert. Visitors should come prepared for cool nighttime temperatures and occasional summer thunderstorms. 

## Nearby Attractions

Visitors can 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. Springerville, Arizona is the closest town to the campground.

Rainbow (az)

Reservation Lake

Gabaldon Campground is situated amid spruce trees at the foot of the Mount Baldy Wilderness. The campground is named for Juan Gabaldon, who retired from the Forest Service after working on many of the trails in the area. The campground is a perfect spot to relax after a day's ride. This campground is limited to campers with horses or stock animals.

Gabaldon

Reservation Lake Apache Indian Res

***Unreachable due to snow conditions*** Campground access roads are not maintained for winter travel Horse Springs Campground includes new toilet facilities, a group ramada and a picnic area. Most of the campground is relatively accessible. The East Fork meanders through the forested valley shaded by tall ponderosa pines and bordered by grasses, alders, and streamside hardwoods. 3 Vault Toilet

Horse Springs Campground

## Overview

Winn Campground is situated near the Mt. Baldy trailheads and the East and West Forks of the Little Colorado River, making it an excellent choice for anglers and hikers. The facility offers many amenities and a variety of campsites, from group sites to tent-only and standard individual sites. It offers a peaceful and remote setting, as well as convenience to a host of outdoor activities and scenic areas.

## Recreation

Several nearby lakes invite anglers and boaters to fish for trout, including stocked Apache trout at Lee Valley Reservoir. With its proximity to the Mt. Baldy Wilderness, Winn Campground also attracts hikers. Mount Baldy tops out at 11,420 feet and is the tallest peak in Arizona's White Mountains.

## Facilities

The facility provides 63 campsites, including some that can accommodate RVs or tents, others are for tents only and two group sites can accommodate up to 50 people each. The group sites are especially popular with scout groups and family reunions.   
  
Due to water restrictions, RVs must arrive with their water tanks already filled. Water is available at Big Lake, just 10 miles away if needed. Limited drinking water is available at the campground. Firewood can be purchased on-site.

## Natural Features

Winn Campground is situated in a thick pine and aspen forest at an elevation of 8,500 feet near Lee Valley and Big Lake. Several smaller lakes are located within a short drive. From the campground, visitors can take in scenic views of the surrounding White Mountains. Some campsites border a large meadow where elk are often seen at twilight.   
  
Summer temperatures can be very pleasant because of the elevation. However, the rainy season often brings afternoon thunderstorms from late June through August. Visitors should come prepared for rain and cool nighttime temperatures. 

## Nearby Attractions

Visitors can 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. The nearest town is Springerville, Arizona.

Winn

USDA Forest Service

While I camped many times as a kid, my first adult camping was at Big Lake. What a great place to learn to camp. Beautiful scenery, quiet, a big lake, fishing, and all away from civilization. 

Best place to learn to camp

Like my title implies, this is where you go if you really want to “get away” from
It all! This gorgeous campground is remote, very remote. But oh so perfect for taking the time to unplug and enjoy some truly breathtaking nature. Many of the campsites are a quick walk away from the water. Speaking of water, there’s lots of opportunity to fish! There are vault toilets close to most sites, though some require a bit more of a walk. There is a “fishing store” and check in building where odds and ends including firewood can be purchased. Definitely worth the drive up from Tucson! 

Do you wana get away from it all?

Had the best time at Big Lake, AZ. First off though, reserve a camp site on-line. I didn’t but got lucky because we arrived on a Thursday. The scenery is beautiful. The weather was beautiful and the fishing was good. 

Big Lake Campground

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