Camping options around Mayer, Arizona range from developed sites to primitive locations across the Prescott National Forest. Located at an elevation of 4,415 feet, Mayer sits in a transition zone between desert and pine forest, creating diverse microclimates for campers. Summer temperatures typically reach 90-100°F during the day and drop to 60-70°F at night, while winter brings occasional snow at higher elevations above 5,000 feet.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: Hilltop Campground connects to several trail networks including the path to Lynx Lake. "The campground is big and really nice for riding your bike around. There is even connecting trails to go to/from Lynx Lake," notes a visitor to Hilltop Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Watson Lake offers bass and trout fishing just minutes from camp. A camper at Point of Rocks RV Campground reported, "It's next to Watson Lake where kayaking is fabulous," while another mentioned it's "close to Watson Lake for fishing and kayaking. Easy access to hiking trails."
Swimming holes: Several dispersed sites provide access to natural water features. A visitor to Lower Wolf Creek Campground shared, "There's an unmarked trail that leads down a rough dirt road for about 1 to 1.5 miles to a nice swimming hole with mini waterfall. That's a worthwhile trek on hot days."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers value separation from neighbors. At Bloody Basin Rd Dispersed Camping, "Sites are spread out by hundreds of yards" and "sites are nicely spaced though so it's not like some areas where everyone is in a big lot."
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse animal species. A visitor to Hilltop Campground shared, "Both mornings we had a band of 3 Javalinas come into our site looking for food," while another camper reported, "We dispersed camped nearby and it looked alright, the sites were very, very close together."
Proximity to towns: Despite natural settings, many sites offer quick access to amenities. A camper at White Spar Campground noted, "White Spar is the closest campground to downtown Prescott. It's located right off White Spar highway so there's a little highway noise but not much."
What you should know
Fire restrictions: During dry periods, campfires may be prohibited. A visitor to Senator Hwy Dispersed Camp Site mentioned, "We got lucky that we got to have a fire since Prescott has had a lot of fire problems."
Site availability: Reservations are essential for developed campgrounds during peak seasons. A camper at White Spar noted, "Most spots are reservable online 6 months ahead of time," while another stated, "Book early because campground is full most weekends."
Road conditions: Access to dispersed sites requires proper vehicles. At Bloody Basin Rd, "Dirt road is a bit washboard but very manageable by any vehicle," while at Senator Hwy, "The spots here are really nice but if you go camping in the winter season you definitely need four wheel drive."
Elevation changes: Temperature variations occur between camping areas. As one camper reported, "We came here to avoid the heat in Phoenix and it was still warm but nothing like the valley. And cooler at night which was wonderful."
Tips for camping with families
Lake activities: Multiple lakes provide recreation for children. At Dead Horse Ranch State Park, "They've recently improved the playground for young ones and offer horseback riding as well," and "The kids were able to splash and play there -- it was just perfect!"
Site selection: Choose campgrounds with appropriate amenities for kids. One parent reported, "Mother Daughter camping... I really liked the proximity to a store. But it was still far enough away where we were in the woods! A plus for parents. They had flushing toilets & a pump close by with drinking water."
Wildlife education: Many campsites offer opportunities for nature observation. A camper shared, "We went and followed the creek up as far as we could and got to see a bunch of fun stuff from frogs, lizards, ground squirrels and a bunch more critters in and out of the water."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: RV campers should check site specifications before booking. At Hilltop Campground, "When we arrived at our reserved campsite #17, we discovered that it was a 'park beside the road' site. Our slide-out would have been basically hanging in the road."
Hookup options: Developed campgrounds offer varying levels of service. At Point of Rocks RV Campground, "The RV sites are clean, spacious, and well-maintained," with "high quality hookups and extremely clean showers."
Dump station access: Plan ahead for waste disposal. One RVer noted, "No sewer unfortunately but if you camp there it's free to dump," while others appreciated campgrounds with "full hook up sites."
