Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Pine, AZ is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Pine and user-submitted reviews.
$22 - $170 / night
"And the closest site to Water Wheel which is about ten miles away and Arizona’s best kept secret."
"Nature's Playground: The campground's proximity to swimming holes, hiking trails, and the charming town of Payson provides endless opportunities for exploration and adventure."
"Lots of wildlife when we visited, we had a recurring group of curious cattle since we were right next to their water hole."
"If you can, you absolutely should keep going down the main entrance road until you come to the first left turn. Turn left onto a half loop shown on the map."
"Great place, laundry, pool and close to town. Each spot is level and very clean restrooms. We spent two months there while my husband received treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix."
"This is also right near the dog pin area.
You are off a major road so near by shopping is a breeze but you will not be forced to hear the traffic so no worries there."
$8 / night
"Beautiful forest and close to the cute towns of Pine and Strawberry. It's also close to Tonto Natural Bridge. May have to drive some rough roads to get there."
"Easy access to surrounding areas. Only problem is the proximity to the road with a lot of ATV/UTV and general traffic who seldom follow the speed restrictions."
"A ton of pull offs to choose from and far enough away from other campers. I had service there with AT&T. It gets cold- low of 30s and windy"
"The view was absolutely stunning and depending on where you stop you won’t be next to any campers but once you turn onto rim road it gets a little bumpy but doable with any car"
"Tall pines all around, lots of exploring room for kids. The camping areas are all pretty open and there are plenty of spots to park a trailer or RV."
"Thick tree coverage which hid us from the winds that day / night and the rim was a 200 foot walk away. Able to get there in my Chevy Trax which is front wheel drive only, without any problems."
"There are many spots off FR218 where you can pull off and back up basically to the edge of the rim with your car, or at most a 100 foot walk to the rim."
"Right off the highway. You can hear some of the traffic but it wasn’t a big deal to us. The dirt roads are decently kept and wasn’t too rough of a ride."
"Along a mountain side there are 3-4 sites in close proximity however still kinda private. Established fire pits. Great tall trees for hammocks, flat rock base in some areas."
"You have access to multiple lakes that you may fish out of and plenty of campsites."
"We arrived at 1 pm on Friday and had many choices of beautiful campsites next to the rim. "
"Worth the drive! Woods Canyon Lake is closest ‘store’ so come prepared. Lake, trails, views, and off-roading!"
"This lake was amazing! We camped a short distance (about a mile up the hill) away from the lake where we had a completely secluded campsite and the boys built an incredible rock campfire pit!"
TravelerTo many Motorcycles
ScoutI felt lucky to be mostly alone, one other within sight, but no issues with atvs or bikes. Nice and peaceful. Still warm, I got burnt, of course. No fires allowed at this point. All in all, a good time to reconnect.
GuideWe tried this site but it was full in both dides of 195. Not a site to be found. The roads off the main are VERY rough. In our Santa Cruz we had ti go very slow and careful. Better suited fir larger trucks with ample clearance. Cell services leaving Payson for ATT/Cricket was NONEXISTENT for most of the way, especially up in the dispersed areas. Use offline maps, don't rely on internet access if you have Cricket!
GuideWe tried finding some dispersed camping near Payson though all of the sites we visited were full. We ended up 35 miles south of Flagstaff off FS 135. After having to leave Payson we arrived very late at night. At the base of the campsite there were a lot ofvRVs set up. This was technically the FS 135 dispersed site. However we continued in for about 3 miles to the Mahan Ranch site. We got lucky and found an empty site off FS135 and FS135B. We spent a ptetty quiet week there at the base of Hutch Mountain. The next morning we found quite a bit of trash around the site. We cleaned it up and packed everything out when we headed out. There are quite a few cows in the area so watch where you step. OHV traffic wasn't too bad, much quieter than our stay at Badger Flats in Colorado. Folks were friendly and passing on the narrow roads was easy. The entire campsite was pretty quiet, a couple of generators off in the distance. Pretty much the loudest part of the stay was tge cows, lol.
Where we setup there were maybe 5 sites along the 3 mile stretch of 135B. Plenty of RV sites closer to the highway. After our week there may have been about 50 or more larger RVs setup in the msin area near Lake Mary Rd. Sedona, Flagstaff, Cottonwood were the major cities webused for water and food. Each within an hour drive. The FS roads were fairly smooth, our Hyundai Santa Cruz had no issues. But DO watch out for small stumos near the edge of the roads and for Deer and Elk. For us cell service with ATT/Cricket was NONEXISTENT. We had to get up to about mile marker 315 on Lake Mary Rd or into Mormon Lake. Service heading into Sedona and Cottonwood along Stoneman Lake Road was unavailable until we got within a mile of I17. Of course cell services was decent in Flagstaff, Sedona and Cottonwood. Spotty coming diwn 89A from Flagstaff into Oak Creek.
I gee up in the area in the 80s, much has changed, Sedona is quite a bit larger with a ton of traffuc, prices are also very high. Lunch at McDonald's ran us $35 for two people and shopping at Bashas in Sedona put a big dent in our food Budget. Water in Flag, Sedona Nd Cottonwood was around 50 cents a gallon at automated machines. We found the General Store in Mormon Lake to be the best place to refill at 20 cents a gallon. They even have laundry and bathrooms at the Lodge. No trash servuce though, they ask you to oack it out, the dumpster was reserved for the paid sites at the lodge. Though the Lake Mary recreation area about 5 miles north had a large dumpster to use.
ScoutNice place a lot of trees not much sunshine if you're on solar, host was nice, T-Mobile 5G non-existent
GuideLovely spot! Nice & shady with the trees on a hot summer day. Road from I-17 is quite bumpy but manageable (we were in a camper van)
ScoutBeautiful campground that is a little bit nicer than the one further up the mountain as it has showers and is further away from the road. Note that the water stations do not allow you to fill up your RV as there’s no hose adapter.
ScoutEntrance very rocky and then road was closed to vehicles. So no good.
TravelerJust about a mile off of Rte 87 along FR 751 are multiple and spacious dispersed camping areas. You can find spaces for groups or individuals and not be cramped at all. some off-road recreation is also available, but the highlight is about 2 miles further where there is a launch ramp for canoes and kayaks in to the Blue Ridge Reservoir. A beautiful, winding, and calm waterway that you will certainly enjoy. There are hours of lazy boating and fishing waiting for you there. There is a campground in between those 2 points, but go find yourself a real private space like this one to enjoy the true outdoors. This area fits 5th wheels, RTTs, tents, and motor homes. Easy to get to
Camping near Pine, Arizona, offers a mix of stunning views and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.
Camping near Pine, Arizona, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Pine, Arizona?
Pine, Arizona offers excellent camping options surrounded by beautiful Ponderosa pines. Pinegrove Campground is highly rated with spacious sites featuring level paved parking pads and tent pads. Located among the pines bordering a meadow, each site includes a fire pit and picnic table. For those seeking a more nostalgic camping experience, Upper Tonto Creek — Tonto National Forest captures the essence of Arizona's Rim Country with monolithic stone picnic tables and solid campfire rings. Both campgrounds offer clean facilities and are well-maintained, providing the perfect base for exploring the beautiful surroundings of Pine.
Are there any free or dispersed camping options near Pine, AZ?
Several free dispersed camping options exist near Pine, Arizona. Fr 171 Campground offers dispersed sites that are easy to access with plenty of space between each site, making it perfect for last-minute trips without reservations. For those willing to drive a bit further, Schnebly Hill Dispersed Camping provides beautiful dispersed camping at around 6,500 feet elevation among pine trees with cool nights. Access to Schnebly Hill from I-17 is easier than the extremely bumpy Sedona route. Additional dispersed camping can be found along FS 609 - Dispersed Camping, which offers free sites suitable for those seeking a more secluded experience.
What amenities are available at Pine, AZ campgrounds?
Campgrounds around Pine offer varying levels of amenities. Sitgreaves National Forest Canyon Point Campground provides large, well-spaced sites with tall pines offering shade during Arizona summers. The campground is beautifully maintained though it has limited organized activities. For those seeking more facilities, Houston Mesa Campground offers reservable sites with water, flush toilets, and is big-rig friendly. Many campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, while some offer additional comforts such as pay showers, weekend ranger talks, drinking water, and flush toilets. Amenities typically vary based on whether you're at a developed campground or a dispersed site.
What lakes or water features are available for camping near Pine, Arizona?
The Pine area offers several camping options near water features. Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort has Oak Creek running through it, providing a perfect spot to cool off during hot Arizona summers. The mature trees offer welcome shade at most sites, though mosquitoes can be an issue near the water. Pine Flat Campground West is situated in a heavily wooded forest next to Oak Creek, offering accessible drinking water and spacious camping areas. For lake options, Knoll Lake Campground provides boat-in access along with drive-in options, featuring water and toilet facilities. These water-adjacent campgrounds are particularly popular during Arizona's warmer months.
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