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Cosmic Campground is one of many sites on the Gila NF where night sky photography is at it's best. Late May - late October are the best times to see the Milky Way and get some premium photos.
Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary (CCIDSS) is the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary located on National Forest System lands and also in North America. It is also one of only 10 certified IDA Sanctuaries in the world. International Dark Sky Sanctuaries are lands possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights. For more information on dark skies or the International Dark Sky Association -http://www.darksky.org/. The CCIDSS offers a 360-degree, unobstructed view of the night sky, and often hosts “star parties” in cooperation with the partner group “Friends of the Cosmic Campground.” This site is situated where there nearest significant source of artificial light is more than 40 miles away, and across the state line in Arizona. . Night vision is necessary to enjoy the night sky. If you look at white light from either your flashlight or your cell phone you will not be able to enjoy the wonders of the natural night sky for 20-30 minutes. In order to respect your fellow star gazers the Forest Service recommends: No parking on the observation/telescope pads No camp fires on observation pads Use a red filter over your flashlight lens Try to arrive before dark so that your headlights won’t distort your night vision Quiet times (no generator use) between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. CCIDSS is a primitive campground with minimal site amenities including an information kiosk, a pit toilet, and four concrete telescope/observation pads. Currently, there is very minimal shade available however, future planning developments intend to erect a shade pavilion as well as improve individual campsite amenities as funding comes available.
The majority of campgrounds on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are primitive and offer dispersed camping. You may camp outside of recreational areas anywhere on the Forest at no charge. Potable water, toilets, and other amenities are not generally available. If you choose to camp outside recreational areas, be sure to bring adequate water or be prepared to purify any water source before drinking. Also, remember if you pack it in, then pack it out, don't leave your trash for others to clean up. No permits are required to camp in Wilderness areas.
$5 / night
This rockhound area makes a great day adventure for rock collectors. The principal attraction for rock collectors here is fire agate. Fire agate is a relatively new gemstone, only identified and formally recognized in the 1930s. It has the color play of precious opal with gem quality reds, greens, and blues. The desert regions of Arizona, southern California, and central Mexico are the only areas of the world where fire agate is known to occur. Although its origin is unknown, it is always associated with volcanic deposits. The site is open for digging by the public without fees or permits. Camping throughout the area is allowed for up to two weeks.
This is a well maintained and pleasant campground for overnight use, a picnic or wildlife viewing. There is plenty of shade located in this unique ecosystem of Arizona Cypress, Quaking aspen and Gambel oak trees.
Shaded by large Gambel oak and sycamore trees, this campground is lightly used. It also has some remnants of times gone past. What looks like an old, hand dug cistern well can be seen north of the campground.
Ranger
I have been full timing in my 22 ft travel Trailer for 2.5 years.. this easily is one of my fav spots. Camping is $3a day near the hot wells but outside the recreation area, is all BLM camping. Hot wells right next to our spot were amazing. I just wish they were working all 24 hours a day. The wells are pumped by a solar pump so cloud coverage or night mean the solar pumps aren’t pumping. But they fill up about an hour after sunrise and about an hour after sunset it drains. We were the only ones there for 4 days. It was awesome
ScoutThe paved road turns to dirt road about half a mile before the turn off. Pretty bumpy. Once we arrived we drove the loop and saw no pull off spots for our RV.
Ranger
The 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!
Ranger
Not much for camping area, but it’s right on the creek and secluded and quiet. No toilets. No trash. Verizon in and out. 4x4 needed to exit. Road is a couple miles, rough, and one shallow water crossing.
Legend
Cottonwood Campground: (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: Not an appealing campground except as a stop over.
Security: no
Usage during visit: light
Site Privacy: no
Pad surface: Dirt
Reservations: No
Outside Road Noise: This cg is right off the highway. Some sites back up towards the highway.
Through Traffic in campground: No
Setting: Under tree canopy.
Solar: solar looks to be pretty good in most sites.
Insects: Did not seem to be a problem during our brief April visit.
Host: No
Sites: Near highway. Site 1 backs up towards the highway.
Legend
International cosmic campground: Beautiful scenery. Beautiful views. No water availability. Concrete pads for telescopes. (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: 3 for camp site layout 5 for dispersed sites
Security: No
Usage during visit: very full during weekday
Site Privacy: No
Site Spacing: close
Pad surface: Gravel
Outside Road Noise: far from highway , no highway noise problem
Through Traffic in campground: No
Electric Hookup: No
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: no
Potable Water Available: i did not see available water.
Generators: yes
Bathroom: Pit toilet
Showers: no
Pull Throughs: All are back in.
Solar: Good in sites
Insects: not an issue during our Spril visit
Sites: sites in the campground are tight. Some dispersed camping nearby looks pretty nice. Some are close enough to use the bathroom.
Legend
Bighorn, NM: great for stopover., As it is right off the highway (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: 3 perfect for a stop over Security: no Usage during visit: light Site Privacy: no Site Spacing: OK Pad surface: dirt Outside Road Noise: some highway noise Through Traffic in campground: no Electric Hookup: no Sewer Hookup: no, Dump Station: no, Potable Water Available: no Generators: allowed Bathroom: pit toilet Showers: no Setting: parallel with creek, just off the highway. Solar: great Insects: none during our visit in April. Host: no Sites: along the creek bed, just off the highway.
Traveler
Not many spots. Had to squeeze in between a couple people. I’d say there are about 20-25 spots in total if you don’t mind being a little close. What amazing 360 views of the sky. You feel like you are in a globe.
TravelerAll the facilities are very clean. $3/night and you have two hot wells to soak in during the day. This is a recreational area for OHVs so expect to hear people having fun on the weekends.
Legend
Nothing beats the summer Arizona heat like escaping to the top of the Pinaleños.
At 8800 ft elevation, this corral and campsite offers amazing weather in the summer and gorgeous views off the edge of the mountains.
Be prepared to bring in anything you might need, including water. There are only about 3 campsites located near the vault toilets, but their are dispersed sites further down the forest road.
This forest road is gated off during the winter months and this area is not accessible.
Traveler
stayed here mostly to do some astrophotography as it’s almost 10k ft elevation and almost perfect bortle 1 skies made this a pretty ideal spot, i’d suggest bundling up as it gets pretty cold most nights of the year but was freezing when i went in october. definitely a wonderful and secluded campground.
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.
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
Ranger
Plan were for higher up the mountain but too dark. This was perfect went around the loop 3 times and found a spot for our off-road trailer. Great table and benches - they were even totally level. Bathroom were clean, not malodorous, cleaned o. The day we left by USFS staff leaving them smelling even cleaner. All sites are under tree. A deer came through. Good jump off point to go to Riggs Flat lake, use the kayak. Next time we’ll bring fishing rods
Guide
*I live nearby and chose to write a more accurate description for the community members. As I am under 55 yrs old I have not stayed here, although I've worked throughout this park for many years.*
This is a large, multiple-block Senior Citizen community. There are RV spots available with restrictions. this is in town and not a camper's ideal location for outdoor privacy.
RV rates are based on two adults, 55 years with NO PERSON UNDER 40 years of age.
Daily:$40.00
Weekly:$150.00
Monthly:$265.00(plus electric)
Year: Limited availability–$2,300.00(plus electric)
Here are just some of the wonderful features for our active seniors and winter visitors:
Warm winter days, cool winter nights Sunshine 340 days per year average
The backdrop of Mt. Graham stands nearly 11,000 feet high!
Municipal Golf Course and Country Club nearby
The best location for hunting and fishing, hiking, and dune buggies
A birder's paradise!
Blocks from Mt. Graham Community Hospital
Shopping and restaurants nearby(including Super Walmart and Home Depot)
In-season planned activities
A local airport right in Safford
Firing ranges, radio-controlled aircraft parks, and paintball courses
All with spectacular painted desert sunsets
ScoutWe came out here to enjoy NM for the weekend so we stopped here to enjoy the views and the night sky, I’m amazed how few people are out here! If you have this place on your bucket list of places to stop, do it! It’s beautiful.
ScoutIt’s dry camping only meeting no water and put toilet. There are 12 sites with tables, fire pit, and barbecue reasonably level. Why a good location, because it’s between catwalk national recreational trail and the ghost town called Magpllon town
Guide
Second time camping here. Great area to relax and enjoy the sunset. Far from other campers/camping sites. Loop is close to the main road. 4x4 is required to make the loop.
GuideThis is my second favorite campground. I'm a nomad and there is nonpotable water access and vault toilets. 1.50 a night with National Park Pass. It is SUPER windy most days so be prepared. Very secluded. One hour to town. Only three people in 7 days have driven by the campsite. The ranger and camphor were two of them.
Guide
This little gem was perfect. There is a couple different spots to post up in. Plenty of room for a tent, there was a couple of people there and it was very quite and peaceful. Fire rings, picnic tables, and a bathroom even if it was not the nicest. The trail to the camp site is pretty narrow though so big rigs would probably have a hard time. It was very creepy driving into the camp ground at night not being able to really see anything but it was perfect! So glad there was a nice spot open for us! We slept in the car because we got there so late but we enjoyed a nice walk before heading off that morning.
ALSO!!!! There is a small town not to far from here with a small coffee place called coffee on the corner. The couple that runs it is absolutely amazing and definitely worth checking out!
GuideOnly three spaces, 1 up front closer to Hwy 180, 2 in the back. Clean pit toilet, fire rings and picnic tables, no fee. Dry wash along side that looks to carry water sometimes. We were the only ones there on a Friday in July. Fair amount of road traffic but mostly stopped after 10pm. Nothing special but a fine place to stay the night.
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.
GuideGreat little campground! Only 5 sites, just one that you can get a small rv onto. Over looking a beautiful meadow. Couple miles in off 191, dirt road was in great shape. Very secluded and quiet.
Guide6/30/2022, 7:00 pm, completely empty. Nice little campground, high enough elevation that it was noticeably cooler than lower elevations. Heavily wooded, super quiet and secluded. I was able to easily get a 24' class C in and manuever around. Dirt road in from 191 was in great shape
Guide6/30/2022, 5:00 pm, completely empty. Nice little campground, high enough elevation that it was noticeably cooler than lower elevations. Heavily wooded, super quiet and secluded. I was able to easily get a 24' class C in and manuever around.
TravelerWe stopped for a quick, one night stay after a day trip to the Gila Catwalk with intentions to return. Very clean and quiet campground with amenities in great condition. We were not prepared for how little shade is available so it was quite warm once the storm passed. Next time we will be sure to plan for that.
Scout
This would be perfect if it wasn’t so close to the road. You get loud traffic noise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Clifton, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Clifton, AZ is Cosmic Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 25 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 47 dog-friendly camping locations near Clifton, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
