Nestled among pines and boulders of Prescott's iconic Granite Mountain, Granite Basin Recreation Area offers a variety of recreational opportunities year-round including: hiking, backpacking, horse riding, non-motorized boating, rock climbing, fishing, camping, and picnicking. Scroll down (below the recreation map) to learn more about the excellent recreational opportunities in Granite Basin. Granite Basin Recreation Area Brochure (1.54 MB) Note: Some sites in this recreation area may close to prevent resource damage following especially heavy snow and when the roads are too icy. If you plan to visit and want to make sure it is open, please contact the Bradshaw Ranger Station: 928-443-8000. Notice: Visitors are asked to be alert and stay on existing trails when recreating on Granite Mountain as the area recovers from the Doce Fire of 2013. Soil erosion has occurred on portions of the trails, thus exposing more rock, and cross-country travel increases the possibility of encountering rolling rocks, stump and root holes, falling trees, and loose soils from rains.

Granite Basin Recreation Area

## Overview

Yavapai Campground is within the Granite Basin Recreation Area, at an elevation of 5,600 feet. The campground is located seven miles northwest of downtown Prescott. Main attractions are mild weather, cool ponderosa pine forest, and Granite Basin Lake. Activities include fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, and sunfish, canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and bird watching. Rising to the northwest is prominent Granite Mountain Wilderness Area. Several connector and loop trails reside in close proximity to the campground. Most trails allow for multiple modes of travel. 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 Bradshaw Ranger District at 1 (928) 443-8000.

## Recreation

Yavapai Campground is available year-round and is enjoyed by people of all age groups and diverse backgrounds. Campsites are designed for RV, trailer, or tent camping. Two sites allow for double occupancy. Most campsites are compact and each has a degree of privacy and solitude. Many popular outdoor activities abound in the Granite Basin Recreation Area.

## Facilities

Yavapai Campground has 19 single occupancy campsites and two double occupancy campsites. Campsites number 4, 16, and 21 are walk-in only and cannot be reserved. Each campsite has a picnic table, steel fire ring, and established tent pad(s). Four accessible campsites have small pedestal fire grills. All campsite driveways are back-in and have asphalt surfaces. Some campsite driveways allow a camp unit (RV or tow vehicle and trailer) and an extra vehicle quite easily, but others do not. Campsites number 3 and 4 are limited to a trailer length of 15 feet maximum or an RV length of 25 feet maximum. Campsite 9 has a 50 amp available. Campsite 10 can accommodate a trailer length of 10 feet maximum (i.e., pop-up) or a cab-over camper, or an RV that is a maximum length of 25 feet. Services include two composting restrooms, trash dumpsters, and water faucets. There is no dump station in the campground.

## Natural Features

Yavapai Campground was designed to be integrated within the natural setting of granite rock outcrops and a variety of ponderosa pine, limber pine, oak, manzanita, and a variety of shrubs and grasses. The facility is located within Granite Basin Recreation area. Access to Granite Mountain Wilderness and Granite Basin Lake can either be made by several interlocking hiking trails or by driving a short distance. 

## Nearby Attractions

Within a short distance of Yavapai Campground, in the Granite Basin Recreation Area, there are several day use areas and Granite Basin Lake. Visitors enjoy fishing, bird-watching, backpacking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, picnicking, camping, and just plain relaxing. Immediately rising north of Granite Basin Lake is Granite Mountain at 6,874 feet. The rugged topography and mixed vegetation it comprises is enveloped by the Granite Mountain Wilderness Area. Alto Pit OHV Campground and Day-Use Area is just a 15 minute drive to the southwest of the Granite Basin Recreation Area. Rising prominently to the south of the Granite Basin Recreation Area is Thumb Butte. At an elevation of 6,515 feet, Thumb Butte is one of the most popular destinations in the Prescott National Forest.

Yavapai Campground

## Overview

Alto Pit OHV Campground is located at the foot of Granite Mountain Wilderness Area, at an elevation of 6,200 feet. The off-highway trail system within the recreation area draws enthusiasts of all ages with degrees of skills that prove challenging and enjoyable for everyone alike. 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 Bradshaw Ranger District at 1 (928) 443-8000.

## Recreation

Once an active gravel pit, Alto Pit is now exclusively used for motorized off-road travel. Main Pit is the larger of two gravel pits within the recreation area. West Pit is located a short distance to the southwest of Main Pit. The 20-mile trail system offers challenging rides for advanced recreationists and thrilling rides for beginners. 

## Facilities

The campground has 10 single occupancy campsites and one double occupancy campsite. Each campsite has a picnic table, campfire ring, and space for a tent. Near the entrance to the facility is a large Ramada. This may be used for group gatherings of up to 50 people. Ten campsite driveways are pull-through, one campsite driveway is back-in, and all have gravel surfaces. Some campsite driveways allow a camp unit (RV or tow vehicle and trailer) and an extra vehicle quite easily, while others may be snug. Services include three vault restrooms and two trash dumpsters. There are no RV hook-ups or dump station in the campground. There is a $5 day-use fee for visitors not camping although day-use is free on Wednesdays.

## Natural Features

The rugged landscape that encompasses and surrounds Alto Pit OHV Campground is a nearly perfect setting for off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts. Granite rock in various stages of degradation is evident and is more pronounced when viewing craggy and rugged Granite Mountain rising abruptly to the north. Predominate vegetation include ponderosa pine, limber pine, oak, manzanita, and a variety of shrubs and grasses. 

## Nearby Attractions

Granite Basin Recreation Area is located northeast of the Alto Pit OHV Area and just a 15 minute drive away. Granite Basin contains Yavapai Campground, Granite Basin Lake and several day use areas. Visitors enjoy fishing, bird-watching, backpacking, hiking, horseback riding, biking, picnicking, camping, and just plain relaxing. Immediately rising north of Granite Basin Lake is rugged Granite Mountain with a highest point of 6,874 feet within Granite Mountain Wilderness Area. Thumb Butte, at 6,515 feet, rises prominently southeast of Alto Pit OHV Area and can be seen from most anywhere in the Prescott Basin. It is one of the most popular destinations in the Prescott National Forest.

Alto Pit Ohv Campground

Dispersed camping is camping outside of developed campgrounds. In contrast to camping in developed campsites, dispersed camping is more primitive, and generally has no amenities such as trash collection, water or toilets.


The Prescott Basin is an area immediately south and west of Prescott, Arizona and encompasses approximately 59,000 acres (about 4% of the Prescott National Forest).

Prescott Basin has a high percentage of wildland-urban interface, a mixture of undeveloped and developed land. The popularity of the Prescott Basin, has contributed to resource impacts such as accelerated soil erosion, damage or loss of vegetation, displaced wildlife, increased fire risk, and accumulation of trash and human waste.


 Camping and campfires are allowed only at Designated Campsites, and in developed campgrounds, within the Prescott Basin. During fire restrictions, campfires are not allowed in these designated dispersed camp sites.

Recreational camping is allowed in developed and designated dispersed campsites; however, residing on National Forest Lands is not allowed.
• Camping in designated dispersed campsites is allowed for 7 days in a 30 day period.
• Campfires in provided fire rings only in designated dispersed campsites.
• Do not put cans, bottles, or aluminum foil into fire rings.
• Use only dead and down wood for campfires.
• Be safe in the forest. Make sure your campfire is dead out!

C64 Copper Basin Road Dispersed Camping

This spot is located in the Prescott Basin.

The Prescott Basin is an area immediately south and west of Prescott, Arizona and encompasses approximately 59,000 acres (about 4% of the Prescott National Forest).

Dispersed camping is camping outside of developed campgrounds. In contrast to camping in developed campsites, dispersed camping is more primitive, and generally has no amenities such as trash collection, water or toilets.

A map of the area can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3797787.pdf

FDR 373 Thumb Butte Loop

This spot is located in the Prescott Basin.

The Prescott Basin is an area immediately south and west of Prescott, Arizona and encompasses approximately 59,000 acres (about 4% of the Prescott National Forest).

Dispersed camping is camping outside of developed campgrounds. In contrast to camping in developed campsites, dispersed camping is more primitive, and generally has no amenities such as trash collection, water or toilets.

FDR51 Potts Creek Road Dispersed Camping

Willow Lake RV Park

UCYC

Point of Rocks RV Park is a unique and picturesque RV Campground in Northern Arizona, nestled in Prescott's Granite Dells. Reservations are required before your arrival. We offer gravel/dirt RV campsites; 30amp or 50amp electric, water and sewer on each campsite. We have a laundry facility, secured restrooms with showers, and WiFi. Only a 10 minute walk from your campsite to Watson Lake Park. 5 miles from historic downtown Prescott. Visit porocks.com to book your favorite campsite online using an interactive campground map. Our website also includes campground rates, amenities, rules, park video, campsite photos, local event calendar and top attractions! We are Open All Year.



Point of Rocks RV Campground

Apple Creek Cottages

Watson Lake Park

USDA Forest Service

Great views of Granite Mountain and lake! Two parking sites, one with a boat launch and Yavapai campgrounds close by.

Granite Basin Recreation Area

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