Dispersed camping near Pine, Arizona offers primitive sites on National Forest lands at elevations between 5,000 and 7,000 feet. The area features Ponderosa pine forests with dirt access roads that often require high-clearance vehicles in wet conditions. Temperatures during summer months can reach 90°F during days but drop to 50°F at night, making layers essential for tent campers.
What to do
Soak in hot springs: Visit Verde Hot Springs near Childs Camping Area for natural thermal pools. "The 1.5 mile hike from the campground to the hot springs is absolutely worth the effort. You will have to cross the river, so don't take anything that can't get wet," notes reviewer Amy R.
Fishing opportunities: Cast for trout at Tonto Creek near Lower Tonto Creek campground. "Great trout fishing and the hatchery is right up the road," reports Andy K. The Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery makes a worthwhile side trip to see rainbow trout in various growing stages.
Swimming spots: Cool off in natural water bodies during summer months. At Manzanita Campground, one camper mentioned "The nearby creek, which was perfect for unwinding and added a peaceful ambiance to the whole experience." Oak Creek provides refreshing swimming holes when temperatures climb.
What campers like
Stellar night skies: Molitor Spot Along Rim Road delivers exceptional stargazing. "The starry sky at night was one of the best we've see anywhere, just stunning," according to Bradley K. The elevated position along Mogollon Rim minimizes light pollution.
Scenic overlooks: Many campers value the dramatic viewpoints available from certain sites. "Easy 20 min drive on FR 300 off of route 87. SUV or above can handle it. Enough room for two cars. Fantastic views of the rim, and the sunrise was absolutely incredible," writes Julie S. about Molitor Spot.
Creek proximity: Bearhide Group Site offers access to Tonto Creek just two miles away. "Bearhide is a group site located on FS Rd 405A on the way to Bear Flat day use area... The site opens to a large area with 5-6 fire pits. There are plenty of pines throughout and lots of shade!" explains Nolan S.
What you should know
Road conditions: Forest roads can challenge passenger vehicles, especially after rain. When visiting Edge of the World (East Pocket), one camper warned: "We never made it to the campground. The rocky trail ended with a flat tire on our truck. We were looking forward to the views, but we were forced to turn back."
Wildlife encounters: Free-range cattle sometimes roam through camping areas. At Childs Camping Area, Jess G. advises to "Watch for bulls roaming the campground!" Bears, while uncommon, necessitate proper food storage.
Varying privacy levels: Weekend crowds change the camping experience at popular sites. At Edge of the World, Peter S. reported: "This place is incredibly busy and you end up with campsites every 20 yards so it's not secluded at all... The next night a bunch of kids ran through my campsite to get a better vantage point for pictures."
Seasonal considerations: Spring and fall provide more moderate temperatures than summer. During winter, snow is possible at higher elevations. At Manzanita, one camper cautioned: "Don't recommend going in the winter, there was an unexpected snowstorm and our tent collapsed, our mistake!"
Tips for camping with families
Safe exploration zones: FR95 Dispersed Camping area provides shade and water access for families. "We were a short drive from the Blue Ridge Reservoir and we all went for a swim in the water. There were definitely crawfish like creatures in the water that liked toes, but it was nice to rinse off the camp stink," mentions Beth G.
Child-friendly terrain: Some rim areas offer safer exploration than others. At Molitor Spot, Bradley K. found it "Felt very safe in the area for our 3 year old boy to explore with us, so if you expect any sheer cliffs or dangerous drop-offs, they aren't really there. There were gradual declines from the top, and they aren't immediately near where you'd park."
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some sites more than others. At Manzanita Campground, Kimberly D. notes: "The sites are close to each other and you will be right off Hwy 89A so expect traffic noise until late evening." Lower Tonto Creek has similar road noise issues.
Tips for RVers
High clearance requirements: Most dispersed tent camping areas near Pine present challenges for larger vehicles. At Forest Service Rd 81, Chuck N. observed: "Great area for dispersed camping! Plentiful large sites, and big rig friendly. Cell signal is sporadic, depending on the occupancy of the RV park down the road about 6 miles."
Tight turnaround spaces: Many camping areas lack sufficient space for larger vehicles to maneuver. Small trailers can access certain spots as one camper at Edge of the World mentioned: "We pulled a small 4x8 camper with a jeep wrangler and did okay."
Off-road traffic: Watch for recreational vehicles when camping in popular areas. At Forest Service Rd 81, "If this area has a drawback, it's that it has a lot of OHV use on weekends."
