Yarnell sits at approximately 4,780 feet elevation where the desert transitions to high country terrain. The climate offers cooler temperatures than lower desert regions with average summer highs around 95°F and winter lows near 30°F. Camping options range from primitive dispersed sites on BLM land to established equestrian facilities with dedicated horse accommodations throughout the area.
What to do
Explore mining history: Ghost Town Road BLM Camping offers access to historic mining sites in the Congress area. "There are some old mines in the area but be cautious, there are arsenic warning signs in some and it appears some mining is still going on," notes Dan N. The terrain features numerous hiking opportunities through abandoned mining operations.
Ride the trails: Crown King Area (Horsethief Basin lake) provides extensive trail networks for equestrian camping near Yarnell. "The trail system connects directly to the campground with multiple route options through well-shaded, sometimes hilly terrain," mentions a visitor. One camper added, "Amazing weather all year round, but extremely limited travel available while snow is on the ground."
Rock hunting: Several washes near camping areas offer opportunities for rock collecting. "We walked a dried river bed and found lots of cool rocks and smooth river glass," reports Toree M. about Ghost Town Road. These drainage areas contain minerals and interesting geological specimens washed down from the surrounding mountains.
What campers like
Dark night skies: The distance from major cities creates excellent stargazing conditions. "Peaceful, quiet, serene, and soothing all describe this area perfectly," says Justin M. about Crown King Area. Another camper mentioned, "The park sits down a hill from Highway 60, reducing road noise for a quieter camping experience."
Cell coverage: Many dispersed sites offer workable connectivity. "I had cell coverage Verizon 2-3 bars most times but sometimes in and out, especially in the evening," reports Ann Marie A. about Ghost Town Road BLM. Another camper noted, "Verizon had about 2 bars of service for texting and calling. Some internet browsing."
Wildlife viewing: The transition zone between desert and mountain environments creates diverse habitat. "Wildlife: birds, coyotes, reptiles, etc," mentions Ryan W. at White Tank Mountain Regional Park. The park features "iconic saguaros" alongside mountain terrain with various wildlife viewing opportunities.
What you should know
Weather patterns: The elevation changes significantly between Yarnell and surrounding camping areas. "This would be a 5 star plus if it wasn't for the amount of people and the price for a rv site in a county park," notes George K. about White Tank. Another visitor added, "This is a nice place to visit is the cooler months of the year due to no shade and low elevation."
Road conditions: Many sites require navigating unpaved roads. "About a 3 hr drive from Phoenix," says Jacob T. about Crown King. Another camper elaborated on the route: "This majestic spot is roughly ~26 miles (from Bumble Bee) of bumpy dirt roads, steep terrain, switchbacks, and the occasional one vehicle bridge."
Water availability: Sophie's Flat Trailhead and other dispersed sites require bringing all water. "Nice spot, pretty clean. Pretty easy to get to. There is a dirt road leading up to it," mentions Robert F. Potable water is generally unavailable at most primitive camping locations in the area.
Tips for camping with families
Desert exploration: White Tank Mountain offers educational experiences for children. "The park has an excellent nature center, great hiking, archaeology and good water/power hook-ups," says Marc about White Tank. Another camper mentioned the "library and nature center as well as many picnic areas."
Accessible trails: Several locations feature family-friendly hiking options. "There is a nice trail to Waterfall Canyon which is heavily used but worth it," notes Christine S. about White Tank Mountain. "There are a number of petroglyphs from the Hohokam culture that you can see."
Space between sites: The campgrounds provide good separation for family privacy. "Well separated level sites in a desert setting. Good views of the mountains and the Valley of the Sun," says Randall Z. Another camper noted, "Campsites are level, clean, and include a shade over a concrete table, fire ring, and hammock hooks for three."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Constellation Park offers practical amenities for RVers. "Nice sites, small campground. Most sites are not level. There are a few that can accomodate a class A," says HOLLY. "You can get water and dump at Fast Mart 76 about 9 miles away."
Parking considerations: Ghost Town Road BLM camping accommodates various RV sizes. "This area is hard sand, many winding roads with secluded spots to camp and lots of green in between so quite private," explains Ann Marie A. "There's maybe 20 sites depending on the type of vehicle you drive. There are definitely some high clearance vehicle only areas."
Hookup availability: Plan accordingly for limited services. "There are no services here, it is strictly dry camping," notes Dan N. about Ghost Town BLM. For those requiring more amenities, "Most sites have electric and water" at White Tank Mountain Regional Park according to Randall Z.
