Are you planning a trip to Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest with your horse? We've got you covered. Finding a place to camp in Arizona with your horse is easier than ever. These scenic and easy-to-reach Arizona campsites are perfect for your horse camping excursion.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.
$26 - $34 / night
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.
$20 / night
At 9,000 feet, this is one of the highest campgrounds in Arizona. With that in mind, you might suspect that it's cool up here. Well you would be right, deliciously cool--when it's hot everywhere else. 5 single unit sites Trailers and motorhomes up to 16 foot No hookups Pets must be restrained or on a leash Lodge and restaurant at nearby Hannagan Meadow Tables Fire rings with cooking grills The KP Trailhead, directly adjacent to the campground, provides hiking and backpacking opportunites into the Blue Range Primitive Area via the KP Trail (# 70) with connections to many other trails within the area.
Million dollar sunsets on an ever changing bluff over a valley. Various wildlife, lots of scrub juniper and wildflowers. Very quiet. Beautiful start filled night skies.
Primitive camping. I'm just starting and getting water set up with outdoor showers by next season.
You must have a high clearance vehicle to access property. 4-wheel drive might be needed in rainy/snowy times.
I have a central fire pit. No fires at camp sites. Friday night s'mores depending on weather and campers interested. Well behaved Kids welcome with parent/guardian/ 15 years old or older well behaved sibling.
Holiday dinners and gatherings upon interested guests. Let me know and we can Cowboy it up.
$10 - $200 / night
This campground offers an easily accessible rustic streamside camping experience amongst tall pines Head of the Ditch Campground is located in a scenic valley approximately 1.5 miles west of historic Luna, New Mexico on US Highway 180. The campground is marked with a blue campground sign, not with a Forest Service campground sign. Water from the San Francisco River which runs through the campground is used for irrigation in Luna Valley. The campground is located at the head of the irrigation ditch which gives Head of the Ditch Campground its name. The campground has a large open area and shady campsites with pine, oak, cottonwood, and willow trees.
Timber Camp Recreation Area has one of the most popular family and group campgrounds in the Tonto National Forest offering both day-use sites and over-night areas.
Abundant recreation opportunities such as cross-country horseback riding, hiking, in-season hunting, exploring, off-highway vehicle use and wildlife viewing are in close proximity. In the spring, whitewater rafting trips on the Upper Salt River launch a mere 20-minute drive from the site. Brundrett 2 and the equestrian sites are excellent places to stage authorized outdoor group events (a separate permit may be required). While there are no dedicated equestrian trails, the surrounding terrain is ideal for cross-country horseback riding.
Located within the Timber Camp Mountains and surrounded by a ponderosa pine and juniper woodland, this area offers a cool get away from the hot summer months. Five miles east of the site, the area eventually meets the ledges and beautiful vistas of the Salt River Canyon and the Salt River Canyon Wilderness.
Approximately 10 miles north along Highway 60, on White Mountain Apache Tribal Lands, lies Seneca Lake and Falls, a popular recreation area for sightseeing and fishing (WMAT permit required). As you continue further north along Highway 60, the road cascades down into the Salt River Canyon where several overlooks allow you to capture the magnificent beauty of "Arizona's other Grand Canyon". Only 24 miles south from Timber Camp, the City of Globe offers an array of restaurants, as well as antique, grocery, and feed and tack stores.
$16 / night
Ranger
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!
Legend
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.
Scout
A peaceful place to think your thoughts, go on walks, listen to wildlife, look at wildflowers and read a book. Very serene. Magnificent sunsets and stars are bright at night. It can be very windy and fierce storms at times, especially in monsoon season.. Go prepared for any weather.
GuideGreat little campground! Only 5 sites, just one that you can get a small rv onto. Over looking a beautiful meadow. Couple miles in off 191, dirt road was in great shape. Very secluded and quiet.
ScoutEasy 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.
Ranger
Enjoyed three nights and generally had the place to ourselves excluding the host. The host was very nice. The fee station was out of order during our stay, so we paid via daily tickets at a place in Globe on our way out. The campground is right off the highway so there was a fair amount of traffic noise, but not unbearable. Little to do in the way of hikes within walking distance, but we enjoyed walking around the campground and into the woods to the north and east. Verizon service was great the entire time. Sites are well maintained and level. Vault toilets were clean. Each site has a steel fire ring and grate as well as a nice metal picnic table. There a a few group areas with full grills and communal tables. The campground appears fairly new.
Guide
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.
ScoutWe pulled into this site after a long day on motorcycles. Sites were easily accessible and our site had some flat ground and a fire ring. There were quite a few people there and we did not feel at all secluded in nature but, honestly, we didn’t mind the company and everyone was far enough away that it wasn’t too much of a bother (we could hear load music but we didn’t care.) the bathroom facilities were really nice and well maintained. Not bad place to stop at all.
Traveler
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.
ScoutGreat spot to relax after driving thru Salt Canyon. Very convenient, close to highway, with very little noise. ATT was full scale. We will return.
ScoutMany 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.
GuideLovely 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!
GuideThere is a self pay machine, but did not work. The campsites are nice and roomy. Says there is a host, but there is not. Overall nice place and has cell phone service.
Guide
This is great camping area with multiple unmarked sites available, first come basis. You do need a San Carlos Apache use permit which cost $20 per day per person over 12. Pack it all in and pack it all out. The river is close but no drinkable water on site with out filtration. Our family had 14 people camping out of 5 vehicle at our site alone. Good fishing and lots of wildlife to see. We saw a bear 50 feet across the river on out first day. Its not high in the pines, but is a good mix of Juniper, pine, ash, and Scrub Oak.
TravelerGreat weather
LegendThe name is a bit deceiving. The campground is designed for groups (there is a wide open group space and a loop with 12 spots that can be reserved for groups) BUT when the loop isn't reserved for a group you can stay in a single spot. Plus a day use area. Biggest downside it is RIGHT off the highway so expect road noise.
About the loop (single spaces called Brundrett 1): There are 12 spaces with co-ed bathrooms (toilet only). There are 2 large BBQs at the end of the loop, covered ramadas with picnic tables, and an oversized metal fire pit. Plenty of people were there in 5th wheels. Downside... The spaces are pretty close together.
About the group site (Brundrett 2): It's a large open space (there are some tree around the outer edges and on one side). There is a private bathroom and it's close to one of the loop bathrooms and it's close to the day use bathroom. Covered ramadas, picnic tables, BBQs, and an oversized metal fire pit. There is also a few scattered picnic tables, standing BBQs, and fire pits.
RangerWe reserved this spot for a large family gathering and it served our needs perfectly. The spot is in a great patch on Ponderosa Pines in the primarily pinyon juniper surroundings. It is a very large space and each family can spread out as much as they want - and still have space for wiffle ball! Hiking from camp was nice along a dry creek bed (in June). Overall great spot for big gatherings.
Horse camping near Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona offers a unique blend of scenic trails and well-equipped sites for equestrian enthusiasts. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse campers, you can enjoy the great outdoors while ensuring your horses are well taken care of.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is Grayling with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
