Best Tent Camping near McNary, AZ
The Apache-White Mountain region surrounding McNary, Arizona offers several tent camping options on both tribal and public lands. Shush Bezahze campground on the Apache Reservation provides tent-only camping with lake access, basic amenities, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Brown Creek Campground, though minimally marked and developed, offers secluded tent campsites with abundant shade from ponderosa pines. Beehive Spring Camp provides primitive tent camping at higher elevations, while McCoys Bridge and Shush-Be-Tou Lake campgrounds offer additional tent camping options within the reservation boundaries.
Many tent campgrounds in the McNary area require special permits for non-tribal members, particularly those on Apache Reservation lands. Campers should verify permit requirements before arrival, as some areas like Cooley Lake are restricted to tribal members only. Primitive tent camping sites typically lack developed amenities, with campers reporting few established fire rings at locations like Brown Creek. Roads to most tent-only sites remain unpaved but are generally accessible with standard vehicles in dry conditions. Vault toilets are available at some established campgrounds, while dispersed backcountry tent sites require pack-in, pack-out practices for all waste and supplies.
The tent camping experience near McNary varies significantly with elevation and season. According to reviews, Brown Creek Campground offers exceptional seclusion, with one camper noting "if you didn't know it was here, you wouldn't ever guess there was a campground." Walk-in tent sites at some locations require carrying gear short distances from parking areas, but reward campers with better views and privacy. At Beehive Spring Camp, which sits at approximately 9,200 feet elevation, temperatures drop significantly at night even in September. Monsoon season from late June through August brings almost daily rainfall to the region, affecting tent camping conditions. Wildlife sightings, including bears, have been reported near some backcountry tent camping areas, requiring proper food storage practices.