Best Campgrounds near Alpine, AZ

I am on my 16 state trip for 6 months for my Outdoors Unsupervised channnel (the camp video comes out July 17th, 2025 on YT) The Apache Creek Campground is the best free campsite I been to and I visited 9 states so far. Very beautiful Campground and spaced out terrific. There is a small bathroom to boot. Fire rings at every campsite as well as picnic tables and tree trunks cut in half for tables/seatin' areas. Very scenic and as the title states ... TREEEES!!!! I hiked a trail nearby and relavl Ed arpund the fire at nighst and in the mornings. Nights were average if 55 and mornin' were around 30-40. Very quite and tranquil. Winds kick up a bit from 9AM til 8PM 12-15mph average and a lil dusty in April the locals in Reserve 11 miles away told me.
I drove there for a food challenge for my other channel Da Garbage Disposal at Smokey's Cafe and it was really good authentic Mexican food where I had the combination plate. (video comes out May 14th on YT).
They have a grocery store with fresh meat a butcher is generous with the portions as well as an automatic ice/water machine next to Smokey's cafe.
I definitely recommend Apache Creek Campgroind as a must stop if you are passing by the area.

Several RV and tent camping sites. Beautiful view of the mountains. The night sky is dark and the campground is quiet and peaceful.

Free. Tall trees. Campsites very spread out. Wildlife and petroglyphs hike nearby.

Camped in the clearing by the lake. Some traffic came through but not bothersome. No amenities, must be self-contained.

Don’t try to make it to the shared coordinates soon after a snow melt. Grateful for our GoTreads. Road is rocky and rutted in places but there are camp spots 2wd can access if one takes it slow.

Lovely area in western NM. Many spaces to set up and hunker down for a night or two. The general lack of amenities probably precludes a long term stay for most. Access to the rest of the forest and great hiking on a dirt road headed south. Lower elevation than other areas nearby so it stays snow free through the winter for the most part. 

The general store nearby is also a nice plus. No T-Mobile cell service anywhere in the area though.

Got here at night and found it quite easily. Not the most scenic as the lake is dried up and the highway is visible (and audible). Trash cans were overflowing with trash, and a few of the sites were trashed as well. I also think I saw human poop by the bushes. At around midnight some guy came by our tent asking if we knew where the portopotties went, and said the site we were at is where he usually stays…

Rainbow campground at big lake is magical! This is the place to beat the heat and make summer memories. Tucked into the pines and aspens this campsite is a quick drive or hike down to the lake. You can’t go wrong with any of the sites, including the first come first serve loops.

Your article made me want to pack my bags and go immediately! Thanks for sharing. Play game  planet clicker with me!

Nice couple of sites with a variety of trees not just Ponderosa Pine. Logging tucks noisy during the day. At 9200 ft elevation got cold at night in September.

Only a couple logging trucks on a very nice maintained road. All alone on a mountain top!! Me and my dog are living the life!

The location is wrong! This is the coordinates - 33.76672° N, 109.35443° W This was so much more beautiful before the Wallow Fire. Please put out your fires! I grew up not far from here and always enjoy coming. There are small trout in the river and Big Lake, Crescent Lake, Mexican Hat Lake, Reservation Lake, and Lee Valley Reservoir all close. There is picnic tables, potable water in tanks if needed, vault toilets, fire rings all in the campground. The marina store at Big Lake and Crescent Lake both have stores with firewood. At the time of the posting, the camp host at Diamond Rock campground had firewood for sale not far up the road. Watch the corners going in and out as the OHV guys drive pretty fast and the road is narrow in many places. Bear Wallow Cafe is in Alpine and I recommend the pie!

Apache Creek CG: Apache Creek store is right across the street. Up the road an eighth of a mile. Ice is available there.

(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)

Overall Rating: 5 for a one night stop over Security: no Usage during visit: light Site Spacing: Spread out campsites Pad surface: dirt Reservations: Looks to be first come first serve. Campground Noise: Quiet Outside Road Noise: no Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: no Sewer Hookup: no Dump Station: no Potable Water Available: I did not see any water spigots. Generators: allowed Bathroom: Vault toilet Showers: no Pull Throughs: yes Setting: in open Ponderosa Forest and deciduous trees. Solar: Sites look to have nice solar Rig Size: Large rigs Sites: All sites are pretty nice.

Easy parking for out 25' rv. Only one other family here, and we only saw them when hiking torwards them. Cool and in the trees!

This is not a campground, but a spot to pull off the road when logging trucks are coming up.

Nice quiet area. Small lake. Didn’t fish, so unsure. No amenities at all, which is fine. Road is a little rough going in, in places.