If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near Blue, look no further. Finding a place to camp in Arizona with your tent has never been easier. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Blue's most popular destinations.
Located near the riverside at 6200' elevation within the beautiful Blue River Valley, Blue Crossing Campground is a perfect choice for a peaceful, rustic camping experience in a beautiful setting well off the beaten path. It also provides a convenient base camp for anyone seeking to explore the Blue Range Primitive Area via the Tutt Creek Trailhead. 4 total campsites, 2 with Adirondack-style shelters. Trailer 16" max Access to Blue Range Primitive Area. 14 day stay limit.
NOTICE Fishing conditions, and Hulsey Lake itself, have been severely affected by the Wallow Fire of June 2011, and the Monoon rains that followed. Please contact the Alpine Ranger District regarding current conditions, and advice for alternative fishing opportunites close by to Hulsey Lake.
Cutthroat Campground lies at an elevation of 9,000 feet in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. It sits on the shoreline of Big Lake and affords visitors many recreational opportunities in a quiet, scenic setting. Popular activities include trout fishing and hiking.
Named after a species of trout, Cutthroat 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.
The campground is located in a very scenic area, forested with ponderosa pine, spruce, Douglas fir, 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.
For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.
$20 / night
Trailhead for Lanphier Trail (# 52), Largo Trail (# 51) as well as the lower end of the Foote Creek Trail (# 76).
$20 / night
Recreation on the Forest NOTICE The northwest portion of the Blue Range Primitive Area has been severely affected by the Wallow Fire of June 2011. The area is currently open to public use and entry, HOWEVER - trails may not yet been assessed or maintained for hazards associated with the fire. Please keep in mind that any area affected by the wildfire can be prone to hazards such as falling trees, flooding and burned out stump holes. The environment you are entering is highly susceptible to rainstorms and wind events. Any time you enter the forest, you should be aware of your environment and changing weather conditions. You are responsible for your own safety! Always look up, look down, and look all around. In 1540, the Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado was the first European to travel through the area, and his journal writer described it as a huge trackless wilderness. In 1825 Mountain man James Ohio Pattie visited the Blue Range trapping beaver and marveled at the number of clear running streams, the lush vegetation of the canyons, and the plentiful wildlife. In 1905 Forest Service Employee W.H.B. Kent described the Blue Range as “no discernible mountain range, but rather a chaotic mass of very precipitous hills”. In 1933 the Secretary of Agriculture proclaimed that the Blue Range should be managed for primitive uses to maintain the wildness of that area. In 1971, the President of the United States forwarded a recommendation for the Blue Range Wilderness in New Mexico and Arizona to Congress, who acted in 1980 on a portion of it, designating the Blue Range Wilderness in New Mexico. The Blue Range Primitive Area is the last designated primitive area in the National Forest System. The Blue Range and the presidential recommendation additions together total 199,505 acres and by law are managed the same as congressionally designated wilderness. Located on the edge of the Mogollon Rim and the breaks of the Blue River, this is a land of rugged mountains, steep canyons, and stark ridges that is at the same time remote and accessible through an extensive trail system. Elevations range from 4,500 feet in the southern portion to 9,100 feet along the rim. This rapid change in elevation results in interesting and unique ecological associations.
Willow Creek Campground provides a quiet, peaceful area in the pines. Willow Creek is located approximately 55 miles from the town of Reserve. Willow Creek is a very beautiful campground nestled in the canyon under tall pines. The camp sites run along both sides of the stream.
Scout
spot 12 is the best for tent camping and closest to the water. bears frequent the area so you must lock up all food and trash in you car over night.
Guide
Camped 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.
Legend
This 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
Guide
Primitive campground with 1 bathroom. 5 designated drive up spots for camping as well as more possible dispersed sites out in the meadow. Several fire rings hint at possible tenting sites. The wilderness that surrounds the site and lack of lights truly make the night sky magical. Check campground schedule for guided star gazing, they have telescope nights!
And it’s free! Watch out for cow poop.
Traveler
Small and spread out, only 3 sites. Minute walk to blue river. Lots of fun to play and climb/ hike
TravelerQuiet, beautiful, and clean. We even had visits from deer, a very bold skunk, chipmunks, squirrels, and blue jays. The camp hosts were delightful, too!
GuideThis is a great spot for tent, trailer or RV campers. There are a handful of trailer/RV spots in the actual camp ground loop with plenty of room for tents in the center. There is a vault toilet that is clean and stocked with toilet paper. If the actual campground is full there are plenty of camp sites in the surrounding areas.
LegendThis tent walk in site has been our family favorite for decades. The sites have plenty of room for 2 tents. There is a clean bathroom in the campsite as well as water. This sites are across the small road from the lake. This is our favorite place to camp with other family members since the sites are close together. Easy walk to the lake.
ScoutAbout 10 designated sites around a loop. The sites are set up as to where you pull/back your vehicle/camper into the site. There is a picnic table. The site itself is compacted gravel. There is an area at each site where you can set up tent(s) on dirt. Very little to no shade so suggest you bring a popup canopy. Each site has a fire ring, but be sure to check (and respect) the burn ban status. Two pit toilets. No water available at campground so be sure to pack in. There are also dispersed sites off the main loop. There are basically just where you set up a tent where you can find a nice spot. Most have a rock fire ring. The dispersed sites offer solitude away from other campers, but a longer walk to the latrines. There are 4 cement pads at the main campsite area to set telescopes. The stars are incredible. Great viewing of Milky Way (when on cosmic calendar). Constellations galore. Too many satellites to count.
Guide
Cyclone Lake (Basin?) is nestled in the Arizona mountains and offers a breathtaking escape into nature. The basin is surrounded by dense forests on all sides and provides a serene and picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts. The well-maintained facilities include spacious campsites with fire pits, picnic tables, and clean(ish) restrooms. Wildlife sightings are common, adding to the campsite's allure. Watch out for bears! The poster-child of peaceful ambiance, this hidden gem is a must-visit for those seeking a rejuvenating camping experience in Arizona.
GuideBeautiful little campground! Just 7 sites, walking distance from Hannigan Meadow, access for a nice trail to Aker Lake right in the campground. Some mild road noise from 191, but very peaceful stay. Every site will fit a small rv or tent.
Guide
About 15 miles from 3 Way on 78, a nice little CG w pit toilets and no water. Though next to the road, there isn’t much traffic and our night was peaceful. I would guess that there are a dozen sites, fairly flat and good for tenting.
Legend
This campsite is perfect for tent campers looking to be close to the lake. Sites are more private that brookchar (next site over) but only have vaulted toilets, no running water in bathrooms. There is designated parking for each spot, but you might have to hike a little ways to your site. Not all spots are level, but the views are great!
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.
Scout
Situated in NE Arizona, you get to experience cooler weather, fishing across the road and a local general store near by for those forgotten items. The camp grounds are clean and have ever amenity necessary without feeling like you're at a hotel. We like the spots in the back half of the grounds.
LegendI have stayed here multiple times and love it. Both times I drove past the telescope pads and went up the hill and slept in a tent. Only a few other campers each time I stayed. Awesome view of the stars and the Milky Way. Plenty of wood for a fire and multiple fire pits. I stayed in June of 2019 and July of 2020 and rain was a bit of an issue. I would stay here again
TravelerThis is a small campground on top of a hill, therefore great for stargazing! It is dispersed camping (yea, free!) and has two vault toilets. The bathrooms/toilets were well kept and not super stinky like in some places. There's gravel parking great for RVs, and plenty room beyond that for tents. However, there is NO shade, so beware the summer afternoon. Perhaps because of this there was hardly anyone there, but that's makes for a quiet, unintrusive stay. Also, there are some free range cows, so watch out for cow patties.
Scout
I wouldn't say this is an awe inspiring getaway, but it is a refreshing place to escape the heat of the Valley of the Sun in Phoenix. It is a very large campground near Woods Canyon Lake. Some spots are very shady, in the pines, and some spots are not so shady, near the meadow. The campground hosts are very friendly and host Movies in the Meadow and "Ranger" classes for the kids on the weekends. It is very, very common, to have Elk wander through your campsite daily. Good for either tents or trailers.
Traveler
My husband and I went with our 3 small children. The camp ground only has 3-5 camp sites but on the way in there’s places to put tents off the road. The road is long and goes through a few low water crossings which are so fun to play in. There isn’t much fish up there but there’s crawfish galore once you go upstream from the water crossings. We saw tons of animals and livestock. A few locals too but it was a perfect spot for us just a little far to drive.
Guide
A small campground overlooking the Gila River. Only about a half dozen sites but very lightly used and isolated. $5 fee. Closest stores are in Clifton, and the little station in Three Way. The road to the campground from US-191 is dirt, but easily passable by any vehicle that isn't a lowrider. Good condition.
Gravel tent pads, awnings, grills, firepits, and clean restrooms. No hook-ups or water/sewer. Decent T-Mobile service, nice BLM Ranger checked on us both mornings. Woke up to the mine blasting one of those mornings, but that wasn't entirely unexpected.
Overall a great place to stay, would recommend.
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.
GuideWe're frequent campers, and this is one of our favorite spots in AZ!
The tent-only campground is small, but the sites are large and have multiple great clearings for tents. Lots of shade and easy paths for walking around the grounds, plus there's potable water at several sites. Central bathrooms with running water are kept very clean, plus there's trash service and a (very friendly) camp host if you need anything.
Directly across a small road from Big Lake and the boat ramp. There are several places to go right down to the shore, and it's only a 5-6 minute walk along the road to the general store and boat rental area, where there's also a fish cleaning station. Brookchar is just down the road from the giant Rainbow Lake, so you'll hear some RVs and ATVs on the road, but very minimal.
We camped in site 12, which in our opinion is the best! Closest to the lake with water views, plus parking right outside your site for 2 vehicles (other sites, you park in a main lot). Bring your fishing gear and kayak/SUP (can also rent very reasonably)!
Over Memorial Day weekend, we saw highs close to 80 and lows in the high 30s/low 40s. Only sprinkled once!
It's also just an hour from Pinetop-Lakeside, so it's easy to make grocery stops or even grab a coffee (try Pinetop Coffee House + Roasters right on the highway!) on your way in/out.
Traveler
Hawley Lake is the perfect escape when you want to get out of the heat. Pristine views, cool weather during the summer and clean facilities almost make you feel like your not in Arizona anymore. Campsites are first come first serve and both times we went in August and there were plenty of spots to chose from. Be sure to get your fishing license and permits in town, it’s a long drive into town from the lake. Bring rope to protect your campsite from wild horses and wandering cows. Overall one of favorite places to camp!
Guide
I needed to find a spot for the Labor day weekend that wasn't over crowded. This campground is very isolated infact it's about an hour to an hour and a half of off road driving to get to. I was very impressed with the drinking water faucets located throughout the campsite, and the clean bathrooms. There are two sides of the campsite, on on side your in the woods with tall pine trees to shade your tent and campsite. The other side is open no trees, but it does overlook the lake so be sure to bring your canopy. It's a paid national forest campsite of $5/night. The forest trucks/rangers do stop in several times during the day to make sure everything is ok. Heard Elk in the morning, wolves and bats at night. This is a great location to get away from the busy hustle of city life
Scout
Apache trout campground is a family friendly campground with excellent amenities for both tent campers and RV/trailer campers. Our family has been coming here for years, we've used both the large group site and the smaller individual campsite. Most recently we had a family reunion at one of the larger group loops - trout loop. We loved having the large group Ramada available for group meals and activities. The restrooms and showers were great especially for the kids and "non-campers" in our family. The close proximity to the lake and Marina meant we had quick and easy access to fishing and boating among all the other fun activities. We also loved the fact that the campsite is dog friendly.
The only negative - the campground is very popular and therefore always full. The sites are fairly close together so you sometimes get a bit more from your neighbors than you would like (i.e. One year our camp neighbors had a giant disco ball and dance music, and they enjoyed themselves long into the night.
Our family has the Apach Trout Campground in our list of favorites.
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)
LegendCampground Review
I remember camping at Hawley Lake all the time as a kid and it was one of my favorite places to be. After this trip back as an adult I noticed things have changed quite a bit. Do not get me wrong… it’s a beautiful lake with plenty of camping in a pine tree forest. However, there were some areas for improvement.
For starters, the roads are not marked very well. For example, you do not know how to get to the general store until you are almost to the general store. Generally, this does not bother me because I just turn on Google Maps and find whatever I need but there is intermittent cell service at best (with Verizon). Once in a while I’d catch a bar of 4G but most of the time was on “analog” or had no service at all. Along these lines, the campsites are not designated at all. Basically, you can just park and setup wherever you want. I felt like we were a bit encroached upon because of this.
There are bathroom buildings but all the ones I saw were closed. They then would have a few port-a-pottys sitting out in front of the building. The port-a-pottys weren’t well kept and were rarely stocked with toilet paper. There was trash everywhere! We walked to the ramadas by the lake and the fire pits were full of plastics and other garbage. There were constantly beer bottles left next to the port-a-pottys and randomly around camp and the lake. There was a bunch of stray garbage (including a very sharp sheared off tent pole) left in our campsite before we arrived.
The icing on the cake was the attitude of the fellow campers. There were generators running almost all night, loud music, and like I said earlier there was some weird lack of boundaries between sites.
So now that I have told you what I didn’t like about Hawley Lake let me tell you what I did like. The lake is very large and very beautiful. Most of the shoreline is easily accessible for fishing or lounging lakeside. Words for the wise you can not swim in this lake. There is a little boathouse that offers boat rentals if you would like to venture out into the water.
The weather is a wonderful escape from the valley. There is rain almost every day (varying between light afternoon showers and heavy storms). The camping fees are paid by the car and are very affordable ($9/night/car). If you plan to purchase your camping permits at the lake be sure to bring cash. The General Store does offer some essential items and has a small café with hotdog/hamburger type foods. There are cabins available for rent lakeside as well.
Product Review
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. On this trip, I tested The ICEMULE Pro X-Large. The ICEMULE Pro X-Large was bigger than I had expected. It makes total sense once you think about it because it holds 24 cans and ice but it still surprised me. When I was filling the cooler or trying to get those last few precious cans out of the bottom I have to stick my entire arm in all the way in up to my armpit.
The cooler is made of a very thick and durable flexible plastic type material (kind of like an above ground pool siding). It has been super rugged and did not get scratched or torn up when we have used it on a pool deck, thrown it in the truck bed (with the scratchy spray in liner), or when being toted around camp and to the lake. The cooler has an adjustable bungee cord on the front. At first, I was not sure what we were going to use that for and the more we take out the cooler I find the possibilities are endless. We have been using it to carry our silicone cups, extra sunscreen, a spare hat, etc.
The cooler has a fold top design with a buckle. I do not have any other bags that close this way so it was a bit odd to get used to and is a bit harder to do when it was full. When properly closed the cooler will float. I was shocked to find that even full of cold beverages and ice the cooler floated when I pushed it into the lake. This is a great feature if you want to use it for boating, kayaking, or tubing.
We have been using the cooler quite a bit and in a few varied conditions. One of the examples I will share is that we used it for a poolside BBQ in Arizona. We filled it with 30 cans and bottles and about a bag of ice (which is far more stuff and less ice than suggested). Our beverages stayed perfectly chilled in 100+ degree weather even though we were in and out of it constantly and after 8 hours, there was still ice in the bottom.
We have also used it without ice. We put in 12 cold drinks to start with and even without ice they were cool 3-4 hours later.
The last example I will share is that we put 3 bags of ice and 6 cans in to it. After 48 hours there was about 75% of the ice still left in the cooler!
If you do use it to its full capacity, I suggest that you fill it on an elevated surface. With 24 cans and 3 bags of ice, you will be looking at around 40 lbs of weight and when I tried to pick ours up from the ground it threw me off balance a little. After that, I would fill it on a picnic table or counter top and it was so much easier to just turn around and pick it up from carrying height. The straps on the bag are very padded and very comfortable even when it is full. There is a chest strap but no hip strap. If I could offer a suggestion to ICEMULE for improvement, it would be to add a hip strap to help carry the weight.
Tent camping near Blue, Arizona offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, surrounded by stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
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