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Horsethief Basin Recreation Area offers a variety of recreational opportunities including: hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, and OHV riding. Castle Creek Wilderness is located nearby, and Horsethief Cabin and Turney Gulch Group Campground are available by reservation. Day use sites and trails are open year-round; overnight accomodations are not available during the winter. Scroll down (below the recreation map) to learn more about these recreational opportunities. Note: Until further notice, use of a high-clearance vehicle is recommended for those who plan to visit recreation sites in Horsethief Basin.
In 1908 the Arizona Power Company began construction of the Childs Power Plant. For more than 90 years, the water of Fossil Creek had been diverted by a system of pipes and flumes from its natural course to power the turbines of the Childs and Irving hydroelectric plants. During this time, Fossil Creek had been reduced to a mere trickle, compared with the normal one million gallons per hour flow once witnessed by early inhabitants of the region.
In 2004, APS, the current owner of the plants, agreed to decommission them and restore the creek to its natural flow. (From "Pine-Strawberry Archeological and Historical Society")
The area is now a very popular dispersed camping area. It sits below the remnants of the old power plant buildings on the edge of the Verde River. A short hike upstream and some wading will get you to the ruins of the Verde Hot Springs, a once famous resort.
Rattlesnake Cove provides direct access to Bartlett Reservoir. Rattlesnake Cove has a sloping beach suitable for use in many water recreation activities. This area boasts of beautiful vistas of the desert with mountains in the background. The beach at Rattlesnake Cove is generally gently sloping with gradual change in water depths. Enjoy this primitive area with your friends and family by bringing your own grill and gear.
The beach on the Verde River is generally rocky, but attracts many people during the hot summer months. The area is noted for its unusual rock formations. Nearby is a protected riparian area, the Mesquite Bosque. This popular water recreation area attracts many people trying to escape the Arizona summer heat. The rocky beach area is surrounded by beautiful towering rock formations. Near the recreation site is a fenced unique biological area, a stand of mesquite. Bald Eagles and Great Blue Herons are frequently seen in this vicinity.
Scout
This place is gorgeous the sites are spaced well . Unfortunately there's been a lot of homeless and left behind trash when we stay we always leave with bags and bags of trash. We can complain about the problem or be part of the solution.
Guide
Do not waste your time visiting this place. Do not get sucked in by the river because the RV park is the worst I have ever seen. Campers burning down because of bad wiring throughout the park. Long term tenants that refuse to clean up their sites, allow their kids to run wild and trash the place further, an owner that cares only about how much he can can you and suck as much money as he can out of you while providing less than adequate and most often less than safe services and an entire staff that is treated like something the owner stepped in and wiped off his shoes. There are way better places in the area!
Scout
Really cool place something for everybody if ur active an wanna see nature an good views or if you just want a nice relaxing place to get away but don’t gotta go to far.. you will not be disappointed 👍🏽☀️🏜️
Legend
Stayed here for the past 2 years overwinter. 6 months, $15 pass, 36 foot skoolie with zero issues. Close to everything you need as a boon docker/nomad.
Guide
We stayed at the Willow Campground for two nights while visiting family and friends in the Surprise area. Hiked the Waterfall and Black Loop Trail for a little exercise as well. Didn’t do any others as our dog had an encounter with a stray cholla ball. This would be the only concern for those traveling with pets. There are quite a few lose even along trails. Other than that the facilities are clean and well kept. Fresh water and showers are available.
Guide
Great dispersed camping spot close to Sedona!
Heads up we camped a little further down on Beaverhead Rd where there were more open spots and an easier dirt road to drive onto. Plenty of spots to choose from which was surprising on a holiday week (Christmas to New Years). The camping was a lot quieter than I expected even though there were a bunch of other campers. Everyone seemed to be able to find a spot far enough from another to have a secluded space.
The location is super convenient from Oak Village and downtown Sedona. There is even a back way on highway 89 if you find yourself in West Sedona and don't want to drive through traffic to get to highway 179.
Traveler
Spent a few days here last Spring and loved it. The sites were decent. I was lucky to have one with a view but overall the site was decent. There are quite a few campgrounds and a couple were up the mountain slightly. Def suggest checking those campgrounds out - not much shade in those areas. The Quail campground had ample shade. Nearby towns - Cottonwood, Jerome - have lots of shopping, dining options. Sedona is also not a far drive and beautiful. Definitely recommend staying in this area if not at Dead Horse.
Scout
Had a wonderful time white tail deer walking thru the campsite. Plenty of sites to choose from. The only problem we ran into were the wild pigs trying to open our tote (no food in the store ) board games and camp kitchen utensils.
Scout
Beautiful camping surrounded by ponderosa pines and boulders. Rich in wildlife.
We were pushing the envelope with a 30 ft camper. Would strongly suggest motorhomes and longer RV's not consider this location. Our family were the only campers during our stay. Lots of activity in and around Crown King. Gas and water available in town. Due to roads, add an hour to any estimated drive time if pulling a trailer.
Guide
From what i gather, some dimbasses were taking pit shots at the free roam cattle...I guess they thought they were not owned. Regardless, we had been there about a week when we were abruptly told to pack up and get out of here. So I did. Liked the spots though.
TravelerOutstanding one night stay at the DHR Cabins. The family had an awesome stay. Cabins right on the river, quiet and spread out enough. Walked and fished the river, so peaceful. Cleanest bathrooms I have ever been to at a campsite. Would suggest this to anyone, had a blast!
Guide
The road in is a little rough, but ok. Two week stay limit, but that's pretty standard for BLM properties. There's no facilities so be prepared. Good level land and plenty of room. Wild burros wander through occasionally, and coyotes make their presence known as well. Fantastic views and quiet atmosphere, so far. Been here two nights and plan to stay for at least another week.
ScoutCoordinates led to a cattle guard that is fenced closed. No access to the site. You could park next to the road though.
Ranger
This place is huge! Nestled in the red rock country of Arizona, this Thousand Trails campground offers a scenic and tranquil escape. The sites are well-spaced, and the amenities include a pool, hot tub, 2 dog parks, hiking trails, river access and clubhouse. Its proximity to Sedona, Jerome and local wineries makes it an excellent choice for those seeking relaxation and exploration.
Guide
This was not an easy place to find. We came through Jerome and took 89A S all the way through. If you get to Potatoe Patch campground you are very close, but make a left off 89A South to get to these spots instead of a right (where the fee site Potatoe Patch campground was closed)
Guide
At the start of the road there are a couple of large areas where there were multiple vans parked but we kept going further down until we found a spot on our own. It was flat and we had a nice quiet night.
ScoutMy dog was laying in cigarette butts. At least it's free
Guide
I really like the place, however, and this is a big however. The road in is 20 miles or so, and it's all unprepared, so for a smaller vehicle like mine, I had to be very careful. That 20 miles takes about an hour and a half. Remember everything you need before coming into child's. It's a long day if you have to run to the store Trust me, I spent 5 hours there and back. Hot springs are a mile from my campsite. River seems pretty nice. Gonna wet a worm see if the sucker's. biting although there are a couple protected species of suckers.
TravelerGreat spot 5G Verizon service quiet and alone can have fires.
TravelerEasy to find off Beaver Flats rd. The camp areas are pretty spread out which was nice. Decent shade from some Juniper trees and we could barely hear the road from our campsite. Some of the sites are pretty clase to the road though and are probably fairly noisy. I’m guessing there are about 7 sites total. It’s not the type of place for a big motor home or a big trailer.
Scout
I am a frequent camper at Hilltop. I tent camp so I camp on 16 which isn't as big a the other sites but fine for me. I came spring and fall and never summer. I just went at the end of Sept 2024. Weather was gorgeous 80 hi/ 50 low. This is earlier than I normally camp. I have camped late October and have sleep in my tent in 19° weather. A Mr Buddy heater helps but have a carbon monoxide alarm just in case. Quieter than Lynx Lake campground but a bit further out. Still it's beautiful. I am local so of I forget something I can go home and come back out. Host normally has firewood for sale. They are still working on the water lines so as of the end of Sept there was only the water you bring in yourself. Costco is down the road a ways and they fill propane tanks pretty cheap. Lots to do in the area if you want to go to town and enjoy dinner. Prescott and Prescott Valley have great restaurants.
Traveler
We left late from Phoenix on the Senator Highway from Meyer and we should’ve stopped while we were ahead. We ended up at the North end just outside of Prescott in the dispersed sites. Disgusting. Every single site looked like this one. We’ve got a RTT so thankfully it was a quick set up for the night and we’re outa here. If we’d have had adequate trash bags (a dumpster would’ve been ideal) we’d have spent the next few days cleaning up. If you pack it in pack it out. It’s real easy. That all being said- if you’ve got a large group with sxs and you enjoy the Senator, this is definitely the perfect spot.
Traveler
About like most Forest Service campgrounds. Quiet. Easy access. Some nice big sycamores for shade.
Guidebeautiful views! super duper underrated and conveniently close to sedona access: 3stars (for my car, yours will do way better lmao) easy to find on the map! not a difficult road (at first), but gravelly for sure. i drive a 1995 ford f150 2 wheel drive and found that after 2-3 miles in, the road up to the overlook becomes too steep and rocky for my truck to climb, but a 4x4 definitely can do it! if u have a car like mine take it nice and slow and you will do just fine :3 business/safety/people: 5stars! not a SINGLE other camper here and i arrived on a friday night! its like i have the whole desert to myself. all you hear are crickets and very very distant highway sounds. maybe its because i came in early september but this is by far the most quiet of blms ive ever been to sites: sites are easy to back in and most come with rock firepits! in the site im at, people left piles of firewood close to the pit which was an amazing help bc i arrived so late
the only con that i can think of is that there r a lot of bugs (ants and moths especially), which doesnt bother me at all but for some it could be a little annoying. if you have full cover (tent, rv, camper, van, etc) then do not worry at all, but i camp in the bed of my truck so its a lil different for me.
if u want solitude come check this place out !
Traveler
We liked it there. Nobody else on Friday night, plenty of space
The typical rumble strip dirt road to this point but easily doable.
Service: 1 bar Verizon
Scoutרקדניותחשפנותבתלאביב:ביןבידורלביקורתחברתיתתלאביב,המוכרתבכינוי"העירשלאנרדמת",מציעהמגווןרחבשלבידורלילי,אשרביניהםנמנותגםמועדוניחשפנות.התעשייההזו,אףעלפישנתפסתלעיתיםקרובותכחלקבלתינפרדמהבידורהמבוגרים,מעוררתגםויכוחיםעזיםוביקורתחברתית.מועדוניהחשפנותבתלאביבמציעיםשללהופעותומופעיםאשרמגווניםבהתאםלדרישותהקהל.המבקריםבמועדוניםאלומחפשיםבידורוהתרגשות,אךמאחוריהקלעיםעומדותסיפוריםשלרקדניותאשרלאתמידמרוצותמהמצבהנוכחי.המרחבהחברתיוהתרבותיבופועלתתעשייתהחשפנותבתלאביבמורכב.מחד,ישנםקולותהטועניםכיהתעשייהמאפשרתביטויעצמיואוטונומיהלנשיםהמופיעותבה.מאידך,קולותביקורתייםמדגישיםאתהצדדיםהפחותמועדפיםשלהעניין,כגוןהתייחסותמזלזלתואובייקטיביזציהשלהאישה.המאבקיםהמשפטייםוהחברתייםסביבנושאזהרביםומגוונים.בשניםהאחרונות,נערכוקרבותבבתיהמשפטעלשאלותשלזכויותוחופשעבודהמולהצורךלהגןעלכבודהאדםולמנועהפליהושימושלרעה.עדיין,קהלהמבקריםוהתומכיםבמועדוניםאלוממשיךלהיותרחבומגוון.עלרקעזה,עולההשאלהעלהתפקידשלהמדינהוהחברהבפיקוחובקביעתמדיניותבתחוםזה.האםישלחזקאתהפיקוחעלמועדוניהחשפנותלשםשמירהעלכבודהרקדניותוהקהלהרחב,אושמאישלאפשרחופשפעולהרחביותרתוךכדישמירהעלהזכויותהפרטיותוהעסקיותשלבעליהמועדונים?הוויכוחסביבתעשייתהחשפנותבתלאביבממחישאתהמתחביןחירותלביןזכויותאדם,ומדגיםאתהאתגריםהעכשווייםשלהחברההישראליתבטיפולבשאלותשלמוסר,תרבותוכלכלה.זהודיוןשמשקףגםאתהצורךלהתמודדעםתופעותחברתיותנוספות,כגוןשוויוןמגדריוהתמודדותעםדימוייגוףומיניות.בסופושלדבר,הדיוןעלרקדניותחשפנותבתלאביבמציעהזדמנותלחשובמחדשעלהדרכיםבהןחברהיכולהלקדםתרבותרחבהיותרשלכבוד,הוגנותושוויון,תוךכדישמירהעלעקרונותשלחופשפרטיוביטויעצמי.
Scout
House are really nice lots of big trees lotta pine trees. You’re kind of have privacy at your campsite which is nice.
Tent camping near Black Canyon City, Arizona, offers a variety of scenic locations and outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several options to explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Black Canyon City, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Black Canyon City, AZ is Crown King Area (Horsethief Basin lake) with a 4.7-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Black Canyon City, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 tent camping locations near Black Canyon City, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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