Best Tent Camping near Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ

We're frequent campers, and this is one of our favorite spots in AZ! 

The tent-only campground is small, but the sites are large and have multiple great clearings for tents. Lots of shade and easy paths for walking around the grounds, plus there's potable water at several sites. Central bathrooms with running water are kept very clean, plus there's trash service and a (very friendly) camp host if you need anything.

Directly across a small road from Big Lake and the boat ramp. There are several places to go right down to the shore, and it's only a 5-6 minute walk along the road to the general store and boat rental area, where there's also a fish cleaning station. Brookchar is just down the road from the giant Rainbow Lake, so you'll hear some RVs and ATVs on the road, but very minimal. 

We camped in site 12, which in our opinion is the best! Closest to the lake with water views, plus parking right outside your site for 2 vehicles (other sites, you park in a main lot). Bring your fishing gear and kayak/SUP (can also rent very reasonably)!

Over Memorial Day weekend, we saw highs close to 80 and lows in the high 30s/low 40s. Only sprinkled once!

It's also just an hour from Pinetop-Lakeside, so it's easy to make grocery stops or even grab a coffee (try Pinetop Coffee House + Roasters right on the highway!) on your way in/out.

We read one review on this campground and it stated the campground was dirt. We pulled up and were taken away by the beauty. So many trees and beautiful campsites. With only 16 campsites, you have your own piece of camping paradise. There is 2 vaulted toilets, very well maintain, and new. There is an easy trail that runs along the campground, maybe a mile and half, easy walk. You can use wood from the forrest or buy some from the host. We did tent camp and I wish we would of brought a rake to remove rocks from our tent site. Our tent is 11ft and fit wonderfully! Plenty of space to put up tent,bbq grill, stove, and have your vehicle along side of you. There are Rv sites there as well. In our spot you could of easily placed a pop up and move it in. There is water at the host area, no cost. Before you get to the campsite there is a general store that has many items if you forgot something. We did wonder down to go find the graces of Scott Stott and Wilson, but we were not able to. We followed the GPS and reviews and people stated it was close to the campground. We walked a good 30 minutes and found nothing. We believe it is in a canyon which we did not feel comfortable hiking down. We road out a crazy storm, and the canyons made the thunder sound like a really mad Greek God. If you enjoy some antiques and thrift stores Heber-Overgaard offer some unique and great stores. Black Canyon Lake is just a shirt trip down the road. beautiful to walk around and lots of room to fish. Lake was low when we went. This campground has made it to the list of favorites!

Probably the most beautiful campground in Arizona. Just outside Show Low, in the eastern part of the state, you are nestled in the pine & juniper of the region. Despite being in the middle of a developed area, once in the park, you feel appropriately isolated. We were at a reserved tent site (Osprey 12). All tent sites overlook the lake & a couple of them even have creeks running through them after rain. Visited family on a full hookup site & while the pads are huge, it seemed like you were more exposed to your neighbors. The tent loops all have access to a vault toilet & the middle loop has showers as well (the other loops are still walking distance from showers). There are several day use areas & boat ramps to the lake. Saw (& heard) many different birds & animals. Can't wait to go back.

Camped here in October 2016. My all-time favorite campgrounds. We tent camped and it was freezing cold, poured rain. We had huge sleeping bags and a little propane heater, and still really enjoyed it. Lots of area to hike and tons to see.

We love this campground. Place to get out of the AZ heat with full hookups, bathrooms, showers, tent sites. In the pines just a beautiful place. Plan ahead as they are booked most of the time. About 6 months to 1 yr ahead to plan this trip.

FHU available Spacious sites Wind does come up Lake is down and good fishing Clean restrooms and showers Has store well stocked (no tobacco or alcohol) Fish cleaning station Nice viewing of stars at night
Quiet, cabins, tent sites, FHU available, beach camping. Rangers on site along with hosts Black top roads Blacktop to park your rig. Some pull thru site Mostly back ins Large sites

Awesome scenery. But the camp ground can get very busy. The site are ok in size but some sites are very close together. There are showers and flush toilets if you are into that. To get to the lake from the tent sites you have to climb down a pretty steep rocky hill or drive to the day use area. We fish for catfish and have caught a few here but also got skunked a few times. I've stayed here June July and October. Dont really recommend fall really windy cold and rainy. But not not many campers that time of the year.

Located very close to Show Low and right on the Lake - this campground is big and amazing..! Also has a broad selection of campsites ranging from simple tent camping all the way up to large sites with full hook ups for RV's and travel trailers. The views are amazing at all the sites taking in the lake. Lots to do in the water here that's for sure..!

Campsite is clean and very easy to reserve ahead of time on the supported website which is very easy to use and see all the items open.

Extra bonus for this Campground, should you need to, you can cancel your reservation up to 1-2 days out.

Los Burros was a beautiful little spot, tucked away in the pines near Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ. There are at least two camping spots that include a fenced in area for your horses to stay. There is a trailhead right in the campground (Los Burros Trail) that is moderate/easy and perfect for an afternoon or morning hike. There was cattle in the fields just about 1/2 a mile up the trail, but they didn't seem to mind the hikers/mountain bikers. Free range horses were in the fields across from the campground when we stayed and they paid us a visit during breakfast - they seemed to be well acquainted with people and were not scared to come right up to our truck and our tent, but they were easily scared away by tossing a few small rocks around where they were. Each campsite is complete with a fire ring with a grill cover. Overnight the site was very quiet, which was surprising because the campground was full - it seemed like most people staying here were planning on staying more than 2 or 3 nights and were pro-campers.

We booked the last site available so I think with some careful reviewing of site map and asking over the phone about specific needs this is a 5 star spot, but it isn’t particularly pop up friendly. There are primitive tent sites and an assortment of electric + sites. The grounds are gorgeous, lots of space around the lake, so so so very quiet and clean. We have a small pop up. Generally we chose more primitive or small electric only sites. No rigs like ours were in the tent area so not sure if that is an option. Almost ALL the spaces are side by side shared double lots in the cinnamon teal loop. At least 40% - amazing if you’re group camping, but I like my space and privacy. Quiet hours 8pm- 7am. Showers/toilets in each loop. No outlets in bathroom for hair drying etc. showers were cold after minute 2 and each unit was a full bath so also cold and wet. None of this would matter at a cheap site but a hook up is $65/night. Surrounding town is cute with amenities. Visit The House for a meal.

Horseshoe cienega lake and campground is located off the 260 about 45 minutes east of Pinetop-Lakeside. First impressions: wow! The lake in and of itself is beautiful and very similar to the other small mountain lakes in this area. It is visible right off the road. Fishing and kayaking is available here but you have to buy a special fishing permit for the White Mountain Apache Tribe.

The campground is open between May and October. No reservations, first come first serve. We stayed in a large group over Fourth of July week and of course this place was packed. That said, the sites were still far enough away to have some privacy.

The campground sits between the lake on the north and a spectacular cliff with a river running at the bottom on the south end. This was an awesome view! The river is accessible and you can hike down to it.

This is just a simple campground, no hookups, with amazing views! I would love to go back again not on a holiday weekend!

Ashley here with The Dyrt. I love that this space can fit those extra large RV's or tents. With your own platform to picnic on or pitch your tent, and yard games to play, this is a cozy and cute spot to visit on your next adventure. The free firewood is a sweet touch. Come give them a try and leave them some love!

Clean, quiet, open campground, tents, trailers and cabins. Very happy with the week we spent here

This is one of the great RV Parks of northeast Arizona. Beautiful year round with well maintained sites. Highly recommend making a reservation to get a primer spot.

Don’t be fooled when you drive to this park though, you enter through a neighborhood.

Was here in late June and stayed in Mallard Loop #10 right across from the bathroom. Fantastic camping area with widely spaced sites, great views of the lake and excellent facilities. Stayed in an RV only area, but there were 20+ tent only sites in another camping area that looked as nice as the one I stayed in. I would definitely return if ever back in the area.

Had a great time last August. We started at this campsite as we found it online. When we arrive there was only one other person there but very limited camping. There are only a total of eight sites all of which are set up for horses. All the stalls pretty clean and didn’t smell and the outhouse was kinda run down a little. Loads of spiders. We were aware that this was bear country but didn’t think to much of it being from Colorado. We had everything in air tight containers in the back of the truck locked up a night. After the first night we woke up to bite and claw marks on the tailgate of my truck. Wow. Our tent was 20 yards from the truck so the bear left us alone because we didn’t have any food in the tent. So plan smart and bring BEAR SPRAY. Even the hiking trails say to. Still great experience and we will be back. Please remember if you pack it in to please pack it out. We all can do better.

Dense ponderosa pine forest with lots of space to explore. Sites have space for multiple vehicles (extra cost) and multiple tents/campers. Only one water source and bathroom near the entrance so plan on a long walk or drive to use facilities if you are on the far end of the campground.

This isn't a very large campground but it's fairly close to paved road. There is a men's and women's bathroom near the boat launch that are super primitive and stink like crazy (but they lock). Each campsite that i saw had a metal fire pit with a grill grate as well as a picnic table. Plenty of space for a pop up trailer or a tent. The lake is really low so very rocky. Made it hard to walk down the "shore" with gear, a dog, and a toddler.

My friend and I camped here in a tent overnight. Each space came with its own fireplace, picnic table, shade, and a gorgeous view of the lake. The bathroom was well-lit at night and very clean for a campsite bathroom. There are water spigots everywhere for free use. They even include doggy bag stands for you to clean up after your furry friends! Normally they would provide firewood too (according to their website), but there are no wood or charcoal fires allowed right now. Propane IS allowed, though. Great place. I can’t wait to go back!

If you are looking for a small, simple campground this is a GEM!  A very small amount of sites, and when I was there only 1/2 of the sites were full, so it was quiet and campers all felt pretty secluded from each other.  (This was a couple years backs it may have gotten busier and gained popularity.) When we were there it was about 1/2 tent campers and 1/2 RV campers. It was a bit louder during the days then at night, but that is to be expected since it it on a lake. 

The toilets, campfire rings, picnic tables, and other amenities were all nice. Nice flat area to set up a tent. The pines provide some shade during the day.

We were lucky enough to spot some wildlife while driving near the campground- a herd of wild horses! It was really cool to see horses in the wild- a new experience for me :) 

Only drawback was I struggled to get a strong signal for wifi, but is that really a drawback? haha :) 

Campground host was extremely friendly making it an inviting, nice place to stay a few nights :)  Lots of ideas for stuff to do and places to check out in the area.

We have camped at a lot of the Arizona State Parks and Fools Hollow was one of our favorites yet. Everything is very clean and well kept. We stayed in Mallard 8 which has full hook ups, great shade and views of the lake from your campsite. We were advised to go up the channel for fishing as during summer time they rent boats at the boat dock and that scares the fish up stream. We fished with both powerbait and catfish bait. Had success with catfish.

Show low is 2 miles away if you forget any essentials.