C
Calvin G.
Traveler
TravelerGabaldon
A nice quiet place
No one else was there when I went. Nice stalls for horses, though I had none. Right next to a nice little trail that crosses the creek. Quiet and peaceful
Equestrian Camping near Alpine, AZ
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Gabaldon Horse Campground offers 8 designated campsites specifically set up for horses in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest near Alpine, Arizona. The campground features individual horse stalls at each site that remain clean and odor-free according to visitors. Basic amenities include vault toilets, though these are described as somewhat run down with spider presence. Trash collection is available, but no drinking water, electricity, or shower facilities are provided. Fires are permitted in established rings, and the campground welcomes both tent and RV campers. Visitors should note that bears are active in this area, with documented encounters including bears investigating vehicles containing food, making proper food storage essential. The campground remains relatively quiet with limited usage.
The small primitive campground sits adjacent to a hiking trail that crosses a nearby creek, providing convenient riding access. Campers must follow pack-in, pack-out principles for most waste and supplies since amenities are minimal. The surrounding area features mixed forest of juniper, pine, ash, and scrub oak, with abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. During certain seasons, hunters frequent the area, especially during elk and deer seasons. Weather can be variable at this elevation, with visitors reporting snow as late as May in nearby campgrounds. Proper bear precautions are mandatory, including storing food in airtight containers away from sleeping areas and carrying bear spray when hiking or riding the trails. All sites are first-come, first-served with no reservation system in place.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Alpine (7)
1. Head Of The Ditch Campground
"Easy to locate right off the high way. Just needed easy access to campground and was amazed at this place. Clean areas easy to see even at 1030pm. Canon areas well spaced out for nice privacy."
"Lovely place and pretty quiet at night even though it's close to the hwy."
3. KP Cienega Campground
"This campsite is a repeat location for family. I almost didn’t even want to post a review so I could keep it hidden. Located right next to a large meadow, we almost always see elk or deer."
"Lovely little campground at the bottom of the road with plenty of fields nearby. We saw deer bounding across the field, and felt it to be perfectly situated amongst the trees."
4. Gabaldon
"Nice stalls for horses, though I had none. Right next to a nice little trail that crosses the creek. Quiet and peaceful"
"There are only a total of eight sites all of which are set up for horses. All the stalls pretty clean and didn’t smell and the outhouse was kinda run down a little. Loads of spiders."
5. Dispersed camping near FR117 near Greer
6. White Crossing Camping along the Black River
from $20 / night
7. Snow Lake
"We camped upstream of the lake in a shallow valley with a dirt road leading to the site/area. We could walk to the lake and across the dam to explore the creek behind it."
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 59 min from Flagstaff, AZ
- 3 hrs 18 min from Albuquerque, NM
- 3 hrs 40 min from Las Cruces, NM
- 4 hrs 13 min from Tucson, AZ
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Alpine, AZ
19 Reviews of 7 Alpine Campgrounds
Beth G.
LegendKP Cienega Campground
I love this little campground
This campsite is a repeat location for family. I almost didn’t even want to post a review so I could keep it hidden. Located right next to a large meadow, we almost always see elk or deer. There is also a nice trail next to a creek but the path was over grown when we tried to hike down it. The road down to the campsite is in good shape, but the sites are small. Perfect for 1-2 tents.
Vault toilet and no other amenities. Bring water.
This is a popular site for hunters during elk/deer season. We often find carcasses and bones around the site.
Matthew K.TravelerGabaldon
Beautiful site BUT be aware of bear
Had a great time last August. We started at this campsite as we found it online. When we arrive there was only one other person there but very limited camping. There are only a total of eight sites all of which are set up for horses. All the stalls pretty clean and didn’t smell and the outhouse was kinda run down a little. Loads of spiders. We were aware that this was bear country but didn’t think to much of it being from Colorado. We had everything in air tight containers in the back of the truck locked up a night. After the first night we woke up to bite and claw marks on the tailgate of my truck. Wow. Our tent was 20 yards from the truck so the bear left us alone because we didn’t have any food in the tent. So plan smart and bring BEAR SPRAY. Even the hiking trails say to. Still great experience and we will be back. Please remember if you pack it in to please pack it out. We all can do better.
- Kenny C.
ScoutHead Of The Ditch Campground
Right off the highway
Easy to locate right off the high way. Just needed easy access to campground and was amazed at this place. Clean areas easy to see even at 1030pm. Canon areas well spaced out for nice privacy. Will use this place again.
- LLayne L.
GuideGrayling
Recreation central
This campground is in the middle of a recreational enthusiasts dream. Many different opportunities to play and explore. The campgrounds are all clean and well kept. And within walking distance of Big Lake.
Laura P.GuideKP Cienega Campground
Snow in May!
Lovely little campground at the bottom of the road with plenty of fields nearby. We saw deer bounding across the field, and felt it to be perfectly situated amongst the trees. Vault toilet nearby, we enjoyed a campfire and went to bed. Woke up the next morning to SNOW!
Dennis P.GuideSnow Lake
Beautiful boondocking.
No facilities (it's boondocking) but beautiful! We camped upstream of the lake in a shallow valley with a dirt road leading to the site/area. We could walk to the lake and across the dam to explore the creek behind it. I slipped in the creek and dislocated my little finger on our second day, so that ended the trip for me. Had to drive to Reserve for medical help.
The area is open grassland with ponderosa pines scattered around in clumps. As you hike into the Wilderness Area (the first one designated as such) the forest gets thicker. Snow Lake is well-known for trout fishing, and people know this. We were there on Memorial Day and it was a bit crowded with fishermen.
There is an established campground there also (Dipping Vat) if you want a picnic table and grill, but we were all equipped for boondocking. High altitude means cold nights, so come prepared with all amenities self-contained, and all contingencies anticipated. (Like my dislocation!)
- DDallas F.Scout
Head Of The Ditch Campground
Beautiful and clean sites
Many available campsites, some with tables, and this campground. First come first served. I was there in mid October and there were only a few other campsites taken. Lovely place and pretty quiet at night even though it's close to the hwy.
- MMerrily J.Guide
Head Of The Ditch Campground
You would hardly know you were just off the highway
There are several great campsites at this free Forest Service park. Did not use the pit toilet. Most campsites had a fire pit or fire ring and several had picnic tables. Most are shaded at least part of the day. Crappy internet with TravlFi (Starlink might have better reception) and Verizon was 1-2 bars. The FS has been clearing underbrush and beetle killed pines leaving lots of firewood. The majority of campsites are on the other side of the San Francisco River (concreted ford) from the entrance. It was dry during our visit. There is one very large campsite , probably intended for group camping. Two extra long picnic tables there. We would have liked to camp in the area “across the ditch” but our 41’ 5th wheel would never have made it across. Also that area wasn’t as attractive as it might have been with one side of the canyon clear cut. We stayed a week. We found a deer or elk carcass about 200 yards from where we were, just on the left as you enter the park.
Guide to Alpine
Gabaldon Horse Campground offers 8 designated sites in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest designed specifically for equestrian camping. Located at 33.929° latitude and -109.487° longitude, this campground sits at approximately 8,000 feet elevation in a mixed conifer forest. The location provides direct access to numerous horse-friendly trails through alpine meadows and forested areas.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: Several trails lead directly from Gabaldon Horse Campground into the surrounding forest. A camper noted, "Right next to a nice little trail that crosses the creek. Quiet and peaceful."
Fishing access: The Black River watershed offers trout fishing within a short drive. At White Crossing Camping along the Black River, visitors report "Good fishing and lots of wildlife to see. We saw a bear 50 feet across the river on our first day."
Wildlife viewing: The meadows near horse campgrounds provide excellent opportunities for spotting deer and elk. At KP Cienega Campground, visitors enjoy "the beautiful meadow, with its wildflowers and wildlife" and "almost always see elk or deer."
What campers like
Secluded sites: Many equestrian campers appreciate the privacy and quiet atmosphere. One visitor to Gabaldon mentioned, "No one else was there when I went. Nice stalls for horses, though I had none."
Natural settings: The Alpine region offers diverse landscapes with mixed forests and open meadows. A KP Cienega visitor described it as "Great little campground! Only 5 sites, just one that you can get a small rv onto. Over looking a beautiful meadow."
Accessibility: Despite being remote, several horse campgrounds near Alpine have reasonable access roads. At Head Of The Ditch Campground, campers found "Easy parking for our 25' rv. Only one other family here, and we only saw them when hiking towards them."
What you should know
Bear precautions: Bears are active throughout the Alpine region. A Gabaldon camper warned, "After the first night we woke up to bite and claw marks on the tailgate of my truck. Our tent was 20 yards from the truck so the bear left us alone because we didn't have any food in the tent."
Weather variability: Alpine-area campgrounds experience significant seasonal changes. At KP Cienega, a camper reported, "Woke up the next morning to SNOW!" despite camping in May.
Limited facilities: Most horse campgrounds provide only basic amenities. At Head Of The Ditch, a visitor noted, "No other amenities, including no trash, so pack out what you bring in. I was able to snag one bar of cell service if I held my phone just right."
Tips for camping with families
Scout for flat sites: When camping with children, look for level areas that accommodate multiple tents. A visitor to KP Cienega mentioned the site is "Perfect for 1-2 tents" but noted limitations for larger groups.
Plan for wildlife encounters: Use family outings as educational opportunities. At Snow Lake, campers can explore diverse habitats: "The area is open grassland with ponderosa pines scattered around in clumps. As you hike into the Wilderness Area the forest gets thicker."
Prepare for temperature swings: The high elevation means significant day-to-night temperature variations. A Snow Lake camper advised, "High altitude means cold nights, so come prepared with all amenities self-contained, and all contingencies anticipated."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Most horse campgrounds near Alpine have limited space for larger rigs. At Grayling Campground, RVers find the sites "clean and well kept" but access can be challenging for big rigs at some of the more remote equestrian sites.
Boondocking preparation: Limited hookups mean self-sufficiency is essential. A visitor to Snow Lake advised, "No facilities (it's boondocking) but beautiful! We camped upstream of the lake in a shallow valley with a dirt road leading to the site/area."
Seasonal access: Many forest roads leading to horse campgrounds close seasonally. Grayling Campground operates from "May 13 to Oct 31," which is typical for higher elevation sites in the Alpine region where snow can persist into late spring.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Alpine, AZ?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Alpine, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Alpine, AZ is Head Of The Ditch Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 8 reviews.
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equestrian camping near
Alpine, AZ?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Alpine, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Alpine, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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