Best Tent Camping near Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ
Tent camping opportunities around Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona include several established campgrounds in the surrounding Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest and Apache tribal lands. Brown Creek Campground offers secluded primitive tent camping in a heavily wooded area, while Shush Bezahze provides access to lakeside tent sites. Most campgrounds in this White Mountain region sit at elevations between 7,000-9,000 feet, providing cooler summer temperatures compared to lower desert areas.
Tent campers should note that facilities vary significantly between sites, with many offering minimal amenities. Shush Bezahze provides basic services including drinking water, toilets, picnic tables and trash collection. Other primitive tent campgrounds like Brown Creek and Cooley Lake have no facilities, requiring visitors to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Most sites lack drinking water, so campers must bring adequate supplies. Apache tribal lands require special permits for camping and fishing, which cost approximately $20 per day per person over age 12, according to visitor reports.
The area offers tent campers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and outdoor recreation. Many campsites provide access to fishing, with trout being common in the region's lakes and streams. Campers frequently report seeing diverse wildlife, including occasional bear sightings near water sources. The secluded nature of these tent sites appeals to those seeking quiet forest experiences. At Shush Bezahze, tent campers can enjoy "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." Elevation affects temperatures significantly, with September nights dropping to near freezing at higher sites, so tent campers should pack accordingly for temperature fluctuations.
