Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest campgrounds just for you. Find the best campgrounds near Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, AZ. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
"Quiet, large campground, easy access to lake, wildlife. Close to town but far enough that it feels like your way out."
"There are very few fire rings established so plan to build your own. It looks like they've done some logging or clearing in the area and there was plenty of down wood on the ground to use."
"Awesome summer retreat for cooler weather. Be aware that monsoon season is late June-August and that means rain almost every day. Campground is quiet and clean."
"Logging tucks noisy during the day. At 9200 ft elevation got cold at night in September."
LegendWe camped here when we had a permit to fish at nearby Christmas Tree Lake. Christmas Tree Lake is a beautiful little lake nestled in the White Mountains of Arizona on Apache land. It boasts some amazing fishing for the native trout species- the Apache trout. The fish are stocked, so it may not be a true experience for some but most of the access to the native fish in their native habitat is restricted or non existent to protect these beautiful creatures. The lake offers paid access on a day to day basis. A total of 25 permits per day are offered to keep fishing pressure in check. But these permits are non refundable so don't reserve too early.
Permits and information can be found on the website but customer service can be difficult. Camping is available on a first come basis at Hawley Lake which also offers great fishing and beautiful scenery. Be aware that I did experience some free range cattle snooping through the camp at 2am which was a bit unexpected. Also, being in the mountains, it was pretty cold at night.
The area we camped in was open and the roads were well marked. Campsites were situated near fire rings with only the occasional picnic table. There were four pretty well maintained portable toilets near our camp as well. Be sure to review the rules and regulations on the website as some areas are off limits and to make sure you have all the proper permits for fishing and/or camping.(State and local licenses required for fishing)
LegendThis is a great campsite that is full of amenities for FREE (donations accepted).
There are just a few spots and they are first come , first serve. We enjoyed chatting with the camp host and taking a walk along the hiking trails.
At over 9000 feet elevation, this is a great spot to beat the AZ summer heat. The sites are nestled away among the tree and feel very secluded considering how close together they actually are to each other.
Great for tent camping or a small camping trailer. Site have picnic tables, vault toilets, and drinking water
TravelerAlpine Divide is nestled in the Ponderosa Pines just outside of Alpine, AZ. It is pretty typical for a USFS site of its type. Perforated style picnic table, fire ring with grill attachment, vault toilet. The views are amazing, though! It is right off the highway so there is some road noise and half of the 12 sites are currently inaccessible (as of 2021).
RangerThe 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!
GuideWe booked the last site available so I think with some careful reviewing of site map and asking over the phone about specific needs this is a 5 star spot, but it isn’t particularly pop up friendly. There are primitive tent sites and an assortment of electric + sites. The grounds are gorgeous, lots of space around the lake, so so so very quiet and clean. We have a small pop up. Generally we chose more primitive or small electric only sites. No rigs like ours were in the tent area so not sure if that is an option. Almost ALL the spaces are side by side shared double lots in the cinnamon teal loop. At least 40% - amazing if you’re group camping, but I like my space and privacy. Quiet hours 8pm- 7am. Showers/toilets in each loop. No outlets in bathroom for hair drying etc. showers were cold after minute 2 and each unit was a full bath so also cold and wet. None of this would matter at a cheap site but a hook up is $65/night. Surrounding town is cute with amenities. Visit The House for a meal.
RangerEnjoyed 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.
RangerCamped here in October 2016. My all-time favorite campgrounds. We tent camped and it was freezing cold, poured rain. We had huge sleeping bags and a little propane heater, and still really enjoyed it. Lots of area to hike and tons to see.
LegendCute little Campground literally on the edge of town. If you look in one direction you'll see the apartment buildings about a quarter mile away (you can see it in the video). Each "Loop" has about 4 to 6 spots and a hauled water dispenser with a faucet. There is a men's and women's bathroom for each Loop and a set of bear boxes. The bathrooms have wooden barn looking doors and a 5 gallon bucket in the corner for trash. Each campsite has a picnic table, a standing Grill, and a metal fire pit with Grill. Less than a quarter-mile away there is a canyon so if you have little ones you may want to pick your spot accordingly. The plus side to the canyon is there were people parked near the boat dock that had hiked down it to fish. Some campsites are pull in and some are pull through. A lot had reserved tags but there were still plenty open. There is a lake probably half a mile walk to where you can fish. Otherwise you can drive to it and park fairly close to the dock.
TravelerProbably the most beautiful campground in Arizona. Just outside Show Low, in the eastern part of the state, you are nestled in the pine & juniper of the region. Despite being in the middle of a developed area, once in the park, you feel appropriately isolated. We were at a reserved tent site (Osprey 12). All tent sites overlook the lake & a couple of them even have creeks running through them after rain. Visited family on a full hookup site & while the pads are huge, it seemed like you were more exposed to your neighbors. The tent loops all have access to a vault toilet & the middle loop has showers as well (the other loops are still walking distance from showers). There are several day use areas & boat ramps to the lake. Saw (& heard) many different birds & animals. Can't wait to go back.
Tent camping near Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best tent camping spots in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest?
Apache-Sitgreaves offers diverse tent camping experiences across its vast forest. Cutthroat provides excellent tent sites with lake access, privacy, and designated parking (though you may need to hike a short distance to your site). For primitive camping, Brown Creek Campground offers secluded spots where you can build your own fire ring with plenty of down wood available. Other notable areas include Reservation Lake for summer retreats, Beehive Spring Camp for variety in tree coverage at 9200ft elevation, and the Upper Blue Campground for riverside sites. Most dispersed camping areas require high-clearance vehicles, so plan accordingly.
Do I need a permit for tent camping in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest?
Most developed campgrounds in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest don't require special permits beyond paying the standard camping fee. However, special regulations apply to certain areas. When camping at White Crossing along the Black River, you need a San Carlos Apache use permit ($20 per day per person over age 12). For dispersed camping in most areas of the national forest, no permits are required, but always check current fire restrictions during your visit. Remember that Hulsey Lake prohibits camping entirely, though dispersed camping is available nearby. Always check the official Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest website for the most current permit requirements.
What amenities are available at Apache-Sitgreaves tent campsites?
Amenities vary significantly across Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest campsites. At Reservation Lake, you'll find a clean, quiet campground with excellent fishing access. Blue Crossing Campground offers just three sites, two with lean-to structures, surrounded by trees for shade with nearby hiking trails and petroglyphs. Many campgrounds like Cutthroat provide vault toilets but no running water. Dispersed camping areas like Pratt Lake and Beehive Spring Camp offer no amenities - you'll need to pack in all supplies including water and pack out all waste. Most sites provide natural features rather than facilities: shade trees, proximity to lakes or rivers, and firewood availability from downed trees.
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