Primitive tent campsites near McNary, Arizona range from 6,800 to 9,200 feet in elevation across White Mountain Apache lands and surrounding national forests. The region contains significant stands of ponderosa pine, aspen groves, and natural springs supporting diverse wildlife. Most unpaved access roads become impassable during winter months (November through April) due to heavy snowfall.
What to do
Fishing access: Shush Bezahze offers direct lake access for campers approximately 4 miles from McNary. One visitor noted, "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."
Stargazing opportunities: The remote location of most campsites around McNary provides exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. A camper at Brown Creek Campground described the darkness: "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."
Wildlife observation: Many tent camping areas near McNary serve as seasonal hunting grounds but provide wildlife viewing year-round. Visitors should maintain proper food storage and practice wildlife safety protocols, especially during spring and fall when animal activity increases.
What campers like
Complete seclusion: Many primitive tent campsites around McNary offer extraordinary privacy with limited facilities. According to a camper at Brown Creek Campground: "There are very few fire rings established so plan to build your own. It looks like they've done some logging or clearing in the area and there was plenty of down wood on the ground to use."
Higher elevation options: Beehive Spring Camp sits at approximately 9,200 feet, offering cooler temperatures during summer months. A camper observed, "Nice couple of sites with a variety of trees not just Ponderosa Pine. Logging trucks noisy during the day. At 9200 ft elevation got cold at night in September."
Non-reservation camping: Most tent sites near McNary operate on first-come, first-served basis with no advance booking system. This creates flexibility for spontaneous trips but requires early arrival during peak summer and fall weekends to secure preferred spots.
What you should know
Difficult navigation: Many campgrounds lack clear signage or established entrance points. A visitor to Diamond Creek Number Two Campground reported: "We followed directions via Dyrt map down Indian Rt 61. There were no signs. The road became primitive and once we reached the destination via map, still no signs."
Tribal permit requirements: Several tent campgrounds near McNary sit on White Mountain Apache tribal lands requiring special permits purchased in advance. Cooley Lake Campground explicitly limits access to "Tribe members only" according to recent visitor reports.
Primitive conditions: Most tent campsites lack amenities beyond the bare minimum. Even established sites typically provide no water sources, meaning visitors must pack in all required drinking and cooking water, estimating 1-2 gallons per person per day.
Tips for camping with families
Size limitations: Consider group composition when selecting campsites. Brown Creek Campground has space constraints as described by a visitor: "I wouldn't call this ideal for larger groups or units. 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."
Temperature preparation: Camp Tatiyee and surrounding high-elevation areas experience significant temperature drops after sunset, even during summer months. Pack additional warm layers for children, who lose body heat more quickly than adults.
Water availability: Most campgrounds require bringing all water supplies. Established campgrounds with drinking water include Shush-Be-Tou Lake and McCoys Bridge on the Apache Indian Reservation, though seasonal availability varies.
Tips from RVers
Access limitations: Most tent camping areas near McNary have rough access roads unsuitable for larger recreational vehicles. Standard clearance passenger vehicles can typically reach Brown Creek Campground as one visitor noted: "The roads on the way in from both Show Low and McNary were in decent shape."
Dispersed options: Bootlegger and surrounding areas offer tent camping with toilet facilities but no hookups or RV-specific amenities. Larger vehicles should avoid these areas particularly during monsoon season when road conditions deteriorate rapidly.
