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Best Tent Camping near Eagar, AZ

250 Reviews

Tent campsites near Eagar, Arizona offer a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed options throughout the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Cutthroat Campground provides tent sites with lake access, while Reservation Lake Campground offers a more remote tent camping experience. Beehive Spring Camp and Pratt Lake provide dispersed camping options for those seeking more primitive tent sites with fewer amenities.

Most tent camping areas around Eagar have limited facilities. Cutthroat Campground features vault toilets but no running water in bathrooms, with designated parking that may require short hikes to reach tent sites. Reservation Lake provides drinking water and toilets, while dispersed areas like Beehive Spring Camp have no facilities whatsoever. Fire restrictions vary by location and season, with some areas prohibiting fires entirely. Campers should note that not all tent sites are level, and high-elevation locations can experience cold nights even in summer months. Several campgrounds, including Hulsey Lake, explicitly prohibit camping despite being listed as dispersed sites.

The tent camping experience near Eagar offers varying levels of seclusion and natural beauty. Shush Bezahze provides excellent access to lake activities with picnic tables and toilets available. Sites at Cutthroat offer views of Big Lake, though terrain can be hilly. According to one visitor, "Sites are more private than Brookchar but only have vaulted toilets, no running water in bathrooms." For backcountry tent camping, areas like Upper Blue Campground provide stream access and hiking opportunities with only three widely spaced sites. Pratt Lake dispersed camping area offers quiet surroundings, though one camper noted it's "more of a pond than a lake." Most tent sites in the region provide good shade coverage from ponderosa pines and mixed forest, with wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the area.

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Best Tent Sites Near Eagar, Arizona (35)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Eagar, AZ

8 Photos of 35 Eagar Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Eagar, AZ

250 Reviews of 35 Eagar Campgrounds

  • M
    Jun. 14, 2021

    Cosmic Campground

    Stars 5 Campsite 4

    About 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.

  • Hayley K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 17, 2020

    Hawley Lake Apache Indian Res

    Camping for Nearby Lake Access

    We 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)

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 15, 2024

    Apache Creek Campground

    Perfect for a Stopover

    Apache Creek CG: Apache Creek store is right across the street. Up the road an eighth of a mile. Ice is available there.

    (71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)

    Overall Rating: 5 for a one night stop over Security: no Usage during visit: light Site Spacing: Spread out campsites Pad surface: dirt Reservations: Looks to be first come first serve. Campground Noise: Quiet Outside Road Noise: no Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: no Sewer Hookup: no Dump Station: no Potable Water Available: I did not see any water spigots. Generators: allowed Bathroom: Vault toilet Showers: no Pull Throughs: yes Setting: in open Ponderosa Forest and deciduous trees. Solar: Sites look to have nice solar Rig Size: Large rigs Sites: All sites are pretty nice.

  • Beth G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2023

    Hannagan Campground - Apache Sitgreaves National Forests

    Lovely Little Campground

    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

  • Ashley A.
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Alpine Divide Campground

    Great Setting, Average Site

    Alpine Divide is nestled in the Ponderosa Pines just outside of Alpine, AZ. It is pretty typical for a USFS site of its type. Perforated style picnic table, fire ring with grill attachment, vault toilet. The views are amazing, though! It is right off the highway so there is some road noise and half of the 12 sites are currently inaccessible (as of 2021).

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2024

    Buffalo Crossing Campground

    Love this river and area

    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!

  • Tiffany B.
    May. 12, 2022

    Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Campground

    5 star if you pick the right sites

    We booked the last site available so I think with some careful reviewing of site map and asking over the phone about specific needs this is a 5 star spot, but it isn’t particularly pop up friendly. There are primitive tent sites and an assortment of electric + sites. The grounds are gorgeous, lots of space around the lake, so so so very quiet and clean. We have a small pop up. Generally we chose more primitive or small electric only sites. No rigs like ours were in the tent area so not sure if that is an option. Almost ALL the spaces are side by side shared double lots in the cinnamon teal loop. At least 40% - amazing if you’re group camping, but I like my space and privacy. Quiet hours 8pm- 7am. Showers/toilets in each loop. No outlets in bathroom for hair drying etc. showers were cold after minute 2 and each unit was a full bath so also cold and wet. None of this would matter at a cheap site but a hook up is $65/night. Surrounding town is cute with amenities. Visit The House for a meal.

  • Travis D.
    May. 22, 2017

    El Caso

    Worth Being Further From The Lake

    This is a pretty sweet spot. Great little meadows between camp areas under Ponderosa pines. There is a vault toilet and big camp fire rings but no picnic tables. I'm not sure if it's the lack of picnic tables or the distance from the lake but there were very few people here on a beautiful weekend in mid May. We hiked towards the lake right from camp and it was gorgeous - a little creek meandering through trees and meadows. Skip the developed campgrounds near the lake a stay here for a bit more peace.

  • Krista Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2017

    Show Low Lake Campground

    RIGHT on the edge of town.

    Cute little Campground literally on the edge of town. If you look in one direction you'll see the apartment buildings about a quarter mile away (you can see it in the video). Each "Loop" has about 4 to 6 spots and a hauled water dispenser with a faucet. There is a men's and women's bathroom for each Loop and a set of bear boxes. The bathrooms have wooden barn looking doors and a 5 gallon bucket in the corner for trash. Each campsite has a picnic table, a standing Grill, and a metal fire pit with Grill. Less than a quarter-mile away there is a canyon so if you have little ones you may want to pick your spot accordingly. The plus side to the canyon is there were people parked near the boat dock that had hiked down it to fish. Some campsites are pull in and some are pull through. A lot had reserved tags but there were still plenty open. There is a lake probably half a mile walk to where you can fish. Otherwise you can drive to it and park fairly close to the dock.

Guide to Eagar

Tent camping around Eagar, Arizona primarily occurs within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest at elevations between 8,000-9,500 feet. This high-altitude camping environment creates significant temperature fluctuations, with overnight temperatures often dropping 30-40 degrees below daytime highs even during summer months. Many camping areas close seasonally due to snow accumulation from October through May, with limited winter access even to dispersed sites.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Reservation Lake offers trout fishing in a peaceful setting. According to Ryan V., "Lake has some great fishing and excellent scenery" with the campground remaining "quiet and clean" throughout the season.

Wildlife viewing: Shush Bezahze Campground on the Apache Reservation provides excellent wildlife observation areas. Sharon F. describes it as "Boondocking at its finest! Quiet, large campground, easy access to lake, wildlife. Close to town but far enough that it feels like your way out."

Hiking nearby trails: Government Springs Trailhead serves as a base for accessing multiple trail systems. While the trailhead itself isn't a campground, numerous dispersed camping options exist within 1-2 miles along Forest Road 409.

What campers like

Cooler temperatures: Beehive Spring Camp sits at 9,200 feet elevation, providing relief from desert heat. Gerald P. notes, "Nice couple of sites with a variety of trees not just Ponderosa Pine... At 9200 ft elevation got cold at night in September."

Lake views: Cutthroat Campground offers excellent views of Big Lake from many sites. Dave R. recommends: "Spot 19 is really the best. Great views, shade, close to bathroom (pit toilets) and car accessible."

Solitude: Pratt Lake Dispersed area provides quiet camping with minimal crowds. Shane W. describes it as a "Nice quiet area. Small lake... No amenities at all, which is fine."

What you should know

Incorrect listings: Several areas marked as campgrounds are not actual camping areas. According to Shane W., Hulsey Lake Fishing Site has "NO CAMPING. I repeat, NO CAMPING. But plenty of dispersed to be found up the road further all the way to Terry Flat."

Road conditions: Access to many dispersed sites requires driving on unmaintained forest roads. Shane W. mentions that Pratt Lake has a "Road is a little rough going in, in places."

Site logistics: Many designated campsites require short hikes from parking areas. At Cutthroat Campground, Candy P. explains, "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!"

Tips for camping with families

Lake activities: Reservation Lake Campground provides child-friendly water access with basic facilities. Ryan V. advises, "Be aware that monsoon season is late June-August and that means rain almost every day."

Site selection: When tent camping at Cutthroat, choose lower-numbered sites for better lake access. Dave R. recommends, "All of the lower spots 3-8 good lake access."

Weather preparedness: Pack extra warm clothing for children even during summer months. Gerald P. cautions about Beehive Spring Camp, "Logging tucks noisy during the day. At 9200 ft elevation got cold at night in September."

Tips from RVers

Access limitations: Most tent camping areas near Eagar have limited RV accessibility. Shane W. notes that Elderberry Spring "is not a campground, but a spot to pull off the road when logging trucks are coming up."

Site leveling: Bring leveling blocks as most sites aren't naturally level. Candy P. warns about Cutthroat, "Not all spots are level, but the views are great!"

Local regulations: Always check current fire restrictions before arrival. Many campgrounds in the area, including Cutthroat and South Fork, periodically implement complete fire bans during dry periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Eagar, AZ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Eagar, AZ is Hulsey Lake Fishing Site with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Eagar, AZ?

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