11 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Frazier Horse Campground in Tonto National Forest provides limited horse camping options near Cibecue, Arizona. The campground features picnic tables and is accessible via drive-in access, though it lacks dedicated horse corrals. Sites can be reserved, making advance planning essential during peak season. The campground layout accommodates horses and their owners but visitors should note the absence of drinking water, electric hookups, showers, and trash facilities. The highway proximity creates occasional traffic noise but allows for relatively easy access with horse trailers.
Located approximately 33 miles from Cibecue, the campground connects riders to the extensive trail system within Tonto National Forest. Forest roads provide additional riding options with varying terrain suitable for different experience levels. Visitors should bring all necessary water for themselves and their horses as no on-site water sources are available. Fire restrictions are common during summer months, often prohibiting campfires entirely. The sites are spacious enough for parking horse trailers, though the campground design prioritizes functionality over amenities. Some trails offer beautiful views overlooking canyons and provide opportunities to see local wildlife including deer and occasional wild horses roaming nearby areas. Most equestrians bring portable corrals or high-line systems as the campground does not provide permanent horse containment structures.
"Trailer was about 40 feet from the edge with unparalleled views. I'd stay away from the rim edge on windy days. No worries during our stay."
"And to see the view was just a 20 foot walk. Also we were right by a trailhead so we did have passerby’s but no worries. There is a host that comes around so that feel safe and welcoming."
"The campground is right off the highway so there was a fair amount of traffic noise, but not unbearable."
"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)."
from $16 - $150 / night
Check Availability"Active wildlife from deer to coyotes to wild horses. Perfect for families with kids as there are also lakes creeks and caves within driving distance."
"Big open spots with lots to do nearby. There are multiple places to pull of of this road and camp. This is a pack in/pack out site with trees and fresh air."
"For the distance it is away from Phoenix you can beat it ! 2hrs drive time!"
"Woods Canyon Lake is just a short drive away to enjoy hiking and you are within walking distance to the Rim."
from $18 / night
Check Availability"Free entry and a toilet near the entrance. Saw some deer while on a hike and seems like a great area for off-roading in an ATV or dirt bike."
"The sites are within a 1/4 mile of the highway (close enough to see the vehicle lights at night) but there is no highway noise."
"The woods were awesome and very little noise besides cars driving along the road. Thr road was a very easy drive. Only downside is the campsite was very close to the road."
"This is just a dirt road off of the highway."
"We wanted to get close to the water but that was not what we ended up doing. We had to drive to take our kayaks to the water. There was an old cost ramp there but is was completely unusable."
"A water spigot was nearby with great water. We were fortunate to have inherited a host named Larry who was there for a few months because Covid prevented him from traveling to Europe. "
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Unfortunately I was unable to stay at Lancelot campground due to a highway closure the night of my stay. The host stayed in contact as I figured out my next steps."
from $15 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $100 - $1000 / night
Check Availability"Round Valley Remuda has Electric, water and a Dump Station so you can enjoy your time on this beautiful farm, they even have a horse stall for rent if you want to bring the horses. "
from $45 / night
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GuideAMAZING campgrounds if you’re looking to escape the heat in the summer months. Spread out areas all up and down Young Road. Active wildlife from deer to coyotes to wild horses. Perfect for families with kids as there are also lakes creeks and caves within driving distance.
LegendJake from the Dyrt here! Round Valley Remuda has Electric, water and a Dump Station so you can enjoy your time on this beautiful farm, they even have a horse stall for rent if you want to bring the horses. Check them out and make sure to share some pictures of your stay on the Dyrt!
GuidePROS: Spacious campsites; some have phenomenal views overlooking a canyon. Free entry and a toilet near the entrance. Saw some deer while on a hike and seems like a great area for off-roading in an ATV or dirt bike. CONS: some of the campsites are close to the road and passing trucks can be loud. It was kind of crowded and noisy until late this Memorial Day weekend.
TravelerAwesome high elevation! Very cool for AZ summers! For the distance it is away from Phoenix you can beat it ! 2hrs drive time!
TravelerSpent a couple days on the rim side. Cabled my dog to stop her from following squirrels into the abyss. Trailer was about 40 feet from the edge with unparalleled views. I'd stay away from the rim edge on windy days. No worries during our stay.
LegendI’m sure that for some, this is their favorite camping area, someplace to return to each and every spring with the family. It has everything one needs to get away from the valley, and out onto the lake for some motorized boating.
The smallish spaced campsites are perfect for getting together with friends, yet large enough to accommodate big RV’s. As a plus, the noise of generators from every other campsite, means that if your group gets a little loud nobody will likely notice. Despite the area’s abundance of sunshine, making it perfect to run your camping rig on solar, this place takes the prize for the most generator impacted site that we’ve ever stayed in our lifetimes, which is saying something. If you like that sort of thing, or can’t hear, this is your place and these are your people. I went for a 45-minute walk around the campground, and counted 13 different generators all going at different frequencies. It was not unlike a walk in a pleasant park while the maintenance staff gather all the leaves with the power of multiple leaf blowers. Despite this trend to all things big and gas-powered, the area is indeed lovely.
We enjoyed a splendid paddle out on the water near sundown, after many power boats were already back up on their trailers. Across the road, lies the Tonto National Monument which shows off some terrific examples of early Puebloan cliff dwellings. The mountains surrounding the area are stunning, and there are some fantastic hiking trails in the area.
The closest stores can be found at the either ends of the lake, a gas station and Marina store/ restaurant. Their selection is low and inversely proportional to the prices. Within 30 minutes to the north and south, respectively, lie the towns of Payson, and Globe where you can find any kind of supplies you need without the price gouging.
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.
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.
TravelerThank you to the others that post reviews. My nephew and I went up and stayed 3 days 2 nights and it was great. We managed to grab a spot (#16)that didn’t have a view but we were thankful because it was full and didn’t seem that anyone was leaving any time soon. And to see the view was just a 20 foot walk. Also we were right by a trailhead so we did have passerby’s but no worries. There is a host that comes around so that feel safe and welcoming. No bathrooms or showers which is fine by me bc it means less people. This spot offers great views without having to go as off road at my fav spot in Flagstaff (The End of the World). No complaints at all. Oh and we did have cell service so that was a bonus for safety. Thanks friends for your posts.
Horse camping opportunities near Cibecue, Arizona can be found throughout Tonto National Forest, with elevations ranging from 4,000 to 7,000 feet providing relief from summer desert temperatures. The terrain transitions from desert scrub to pine forests as you travel north, creating diverse riding conditions for equestrians. Most horse campgrounds require self-sufficiency with portable corrals or high-lines.
Trail riding in Tonto National Forest: Explore the extensive trail network with varying difficulty levels suitable for different horse riding experiences. At Colcord Ridge Campground, riders encounter diverse landscapes. "Active wildlife from deer to coyotes to wild horses. Perfect for families with kids as there are also lakes creeks and caves within driving distance," notes Caitlin S.
Visit nearby lakes for fishing: Several lakes within driving distance offer fishing opportunities after your trail rides. Near Little Green Valley - NF405A Dispersed, you'll find water recreation options. "This place is dispersed, meaning no hook-ups. Pack out what you pack in, no trash services. Can get a little loud on the weekends with the side by sides zooming around," advises Jessalyn C.
Hiking with panoramic views: When taking a break from horseback riding, explore nearby hiking trails with impressive vistas. "It also has a 7 mile hike to a place called Hells gate that has a swimming hole at the end of the hike. Lotta weekenders come up and hike up there," shares Thomas S. about Little Green Valley.
Cooler temperatures at higher elevations: The higher altitude camping areas provide relief from summer heat. "AMAZING campgrounds if you're looking to escape the heat in the summer months. Spread out areas all up and down Young Road," writes Caitlin S. about Colcord Ridge Campground.
Spacious campsites for horse trailers: Many dispersed camping areas offer enough room for horse trailers and setup. At Larson Ridge Camping Area, campers appreciate the layout: "Spacious campsites; some have phenomenal views overlooking a canyon. Free entry and a toilet near the entrance," reports Rose C.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area provides chances to observe local wildlife during your stay. "Saw some deer while on a hike and seems like a great area for off-roading in an ATV or dirt bike," notes Rose C. about Larson Ridge, while Caitlin S. mentions the "active wildlife" at Colcord Ridge.
Fire restrictions are common: Summer fire restrictions often limit or prohibit campfires. "It is part of Tonto National forest so fire restrictions and usually in place through the summer," warns Jacob S. about Colcord Ridge Campground.
Road conditions vary: Access roads range from well-maintained to challenging. At Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds, Connor N. notes: "The campground is right off the highway so there was a fair amount of traffic noise, but not unbearable."
Pack all necessary supplies: Most horse camping areas have limited or no facilities. "No on-site water sources are available" is common across campgrounds. For Little Green Valley, Jessalyn C. reminds visitors: "This place is dispersed, meaning no hook-ups. Pack out what you pack in, no trash services."
Cell service is unpredictable: Coverage varies significantly throughout the region. At Timber Camp, Connor N. reports: "Verizon service was great the entire time."
Choose campgrounds with kid-friendly activities: Look for areas with accessible water features or wildlife viewing. At Mogollon Campground, Jessica C. shares: "The campsites are always clean with clean toilets and drinking water. The campsites are pretty spreadout from each other. Woods Canyon Lake is just a short drive away to enjoy hiking."
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds experience more noise than others. "On the weekend it is packed and right on a dirt road which is like a freeway on the weekend and creates a lot of dust and noise," warns Zachary C. about Mogollon Campground.
Plan for extreme temperature changes: Mountain elevations can bring significant temperature swings. "Very cool for AZ summers! For the distance it is away from Phoenix you can beat it! 2hrs drive time!" advises Jacob T. about Mogollon Campground.
Look for level sites: Find spots that won't require excessive leveling for trailers. At Lancelot desert camping, Ashley F. notes: "I love that this space can fit those extra large RV's or tents. With your own platform to picnic on or pitch your tent, and yard games to play, this is a cozy and cute spot to visit."
Check road conditions before bringing large trailers: Some access roads may be challenging for bigger rigs. Kevin H. warns about Lancelot: "The only issue is the road to get to the campground is almost 10 miles of a non maintained road, very bumpy."
Water and waste management: Plan for limited facilities. Most campgrounds near Cibecue lack full hookups, making water conservation important. "Nice campground and well thought out. The owner is a wonderful person and made sure we had everything we needed and has anything you need to enjoy the campground," reports Kevin H. about Lancelot desert camping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Cibecue, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Cibecue, AZ is Carr Lake Campground on Forest Road 9350 with a 4.7-star rating from 23 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Cibecue, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Cibecue, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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