Tent Camping near Clay Springs, AZ

Tent camping near Clay Springs, Arizona primarily occurs in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, ranging from 6,000 to 7,500 feet elevation. This region sits at the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau, characterized by pine forests transitioning to juniper woodlands. Road conditions vary seasonally, with most forest roads becoming impassable during winter months and following heavy summer monsoon rains.

What to do

Fishing at remote lakes: Chevelon Canyon Lake offers fishing opportunities requiring preparation. According to Beth G., "There isn't any potable water at this site or trash. Bring your own water. Pack it in, pack it out." Access to the lake requires significant hiking effort with "over a mile and 550 feet of elevation" change on the trail.

Wildlife viewing: Brown Creek Campground provides excellent opportunities for wildlife observation. Krista Z. notes, "This is a hunting area so we did see quite a few people hunting. Biggest thing with this is don't wear a brown fur coat and try to look like an elk." The secluded setting increases chances for elk, deer, and small mammal sightings.

Stargazing: Dark skies make Airplane Flat Campground ideal for astronomy. The campground provides "picnic tables and fire rings" according to Hannah M., making it comfortable for nighttime observation. Clear nights reveal exceptional Milky Way visibility with minimal light pollution interference.

What campers like

Spacious sites: Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground features generously sized camping areas. Beth G. reports, "The sites are large in the camp site area... We camped in site #1 which had 2 fire rings, a metal picnic table, and large trees to provide shaded areas throughout the day."

Temperature comfort: The higher elevation camping areas maintain moderate temperatures even during summer. Beth G. observed, "In mid-September, highs were mid 70 degrees Fahrenheit and lows were in the mid 50s. Our whole group commented on how nice the weather was on this trip."

Fishing access: Some campers appreciate proximity to angling opportunities despite challenging terrain. Hannah M. explains, "The campground is located at the top of a road that leads down about 0.8 miles to Lake Chevelon. The road from the campground to the lake is closed to motor vehicles, although we did see some small off road vehicles able to bypass the gate."

What you should know

Limited facilities: Most campgrounds offer minimal amenities. At Brown Creek Campground, Krista Z. found, "There are very few fire rings established so plan to build your own... There are no bathrooms so plan accordingly."

Difficult lake access: Reaching water requires serious effort at some sites. Beth G. warns about Chevelon Canyon Lake: "It is not an easy hike back up. It's almost all non stop elevation gain and extremely rocky." This makes equipment transport particularly challenging.

Road conditions: Access roads deteriorate seasonally. Beth mentions, "There was definitely some rough road the last .5 mile before you reach the camp on FR 169B. Some of it had washed out and there are a few step areas."

Campsite availability: Sites fill unpredictably even during off-peak periods. Beth G. observed, "We were there on a non-holiday weekend and it stayed busy. The sites are first come, first serve and free."

Tips for camping with families

Pack entertainment options: Limited developed recreation facilities means bringing your own activities. Jesse M. reported about their family trip to Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground: "But we cut our trip short because our kids were covered in dirt, hot, and exhausted."

Plan for hiking challenges: Trails near campgrounds can prove difficult for younger children. Layne L. advises, "Make sure you Pack lots of drinking water and some snacks to keep you going. Because it is a treck!"

Consider site spacing: Some campgrounds offer better separation between sites. Andy K. found Airplane Flat suitable for families: "Had a nice time here with the family. The spots are spaced out decently."

Prepare for darkness: Nighttime illumination is minimal in forested sites. Krista Z. shares, "We went on a moonless night and it PITCH BLACK. I know it was overcast but I have to imagine with the amount of tree coverage even a clear night wouldn't be very well lit on the ground."

Tips from RVers

Vehicle clearance requirements: Most tent camping areas near Clay Springs have rough access roads. While tent camping at Brown Creek, Krista Z. noted, "There were only a few spots where I think you could have parked more than 2 tents or anything larger than a pop up camper."

Site selection for larger vehicles: Airplane Flat Campground accommodates some RVs but size restrictions apply. Gerard R. mentions the site has "Vaulted toilets are available, picnic tables and fire rings" making it more suitable for RVs needing basic facilities.

Weather considerations: Forest roads become impassable during wet conditions. Several campgrounds close seasonally, with Bryce R. noting about Airplane Flat: "Great area los of room," but access depends entirely on current road conditions.