Prescott National Forest, AZ is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Prescott National Forest, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Arizona camping adventure.
$18 - $36 / night
"Just a little south of Prescott, this campground is located in Prescott National Forest among the pines. Campsites are decent sizes and far apart from each other."
"This was not necessarily true of the other loops that we heard in the distance."
$51 - $66 / night
"We stayed in spot 46A (it was right behind the main office so not a ton of privacy) their upper camping loop looks to have much better views and more private but it was the only spot they had that covered"
"The short walk to the stunning lake Watson makes this park a must visit."
$18 - $36 / night
"It was not to far from the lake, a short hike down the hill. The Hosts were great. They would check to see if we needed anything or just drive through & wave."
"Camp spots are good size, clean, and walking distance to both the lake and various hiking trails."
$18 - $36 / night
"Beautiful pine area with a quick hike to the Lynx Lake. Concrete tables and fire pits with grills. We stayed in #14 and it was several steps to the actual camp site."
"Roadside parking for most spots make easy drive through access for RV's and TT."
"Its kind of the perfect dispersed situation. It’s easy to get to, there’s around 20 spots in the area. Road is bumpy but passable by basically any car. Sites were super clean and well spaced out."
"It has some great views of Prescott and the surrounding area. I didn't get any pictures while on the hike itself, but I got some on Senator Highway."
"The spots here are really nice but if you go camping in the winter season you definitely need four wheel drive."
"I lucked out and got the last spot, unfortunately it was relatively close to the road and there was some traffic during the day. There are several roads to drive down and find a spot."
"This is probably the most unique lake in Arizona! Incredible views! Rock formations instead of shoreline make this a little less user friendly, but worth the effort."
"This park is such a beautiful place and escape the Arizona heat. You can't go in the water but they rent kayaks at the park and there's plenty of places you can stand with your feet in the water."
"Site 1 & 2 were easily accessible to any car I would say, from lot 3 and on it does get kind of bumpy and rocky but nothing you can’t maneuver if you really wanted too , we were going to and the driver"
"Fellow campers passing by were friendly and mindful of noise as they drove down the nearby road. I had Verizon signal, two bars."
$18 - $36 / night
"Driving distance or short walk to lake. No Verizon cell service."
"Quiet with nearby hiking and biking even a little lake."
"Stayed a night at #9 and it was a great time, quite with the sound of the creek running behind camp. Clean area and one of the two bathrooms was smell free."
"We stay at site 3 because it was right next to the creek. You could hear it flowing all night and it was amazing!"
GuideI rented a camper van for my desert road trip with my daughter, and read about this spot on Dyrt, the pictures look breathtaking and I really want to try and get here to see it for myself. I greatly underestimated how long it would take to get here as the road was terrible, mostly because it was severely washboard nearly all the way and there were several large “puddles” we needed to navigate around and some muddy spots that made me nervous because we didn’t have any service most of the way if we got stuck. I highly recommend taking a vehicle with good suspension and higher clearance just because it was very bumpy. We didn’t arrive until nearly 10pm, so what looked like an hour drive in my maps, took nearly 2.5hrs.
Hoping and praying the whole time that I didn’t make a bad decision, and that it would be worth all the trouble, we found the dispersed camping sites and after winding down and enjoying the amazing stars because the light pollution was nearly nonexistent, we went to bed.
I woke up just as the sun began to rise, and walked toward where I thought the cliff was, passed through some bushes and lo and behold.. a breathtaking view from atop a Canyon at “The Edge of the World” East Pocket, as the sun illuminated the Sedona valley below me… it was so worth “the trouble” 1000 times over! 🥹 The journey, the stars, the view, the canyon at nearly 8,000 ft.. this was my most memorable and favorite part of our road trip.
GuideI got here around 9pm on a Tuesday evening and it was somewhat full. Pulled into a "spot" and everything was good. I was surprised at how quiet it was. Not a creature was stirring except some crickets. This is just a circle of dirt with a couple of porta-potties. It's not very level, so try and find a level spot if you can. Some beautiful views. Great hiking opportunities. There were some dump trucks that came through the main road around 7 am and I'm sure that is what woke everyone up. There are a couple of trees around the site, but none in the site.
The only reason I gave 4 stars is because no campfires are allowed. Personally doesn't matter to me, but some people are big on campfires. The porta johns were clean. The entire campsite is trash free! No other services. Any car can access the site and there is space for large RVs.
Very conveniently located between Cottonwood and Sedona. Visit Belfry Brewing in Cottonwood and get the Ruben it's amazing!
GuideWas going to head deeper along the road but came across this spot a little hidden back among the trees. All the spots are close to the road but this was set back about 50 yards. You can get something as big as a "skoolie" if you finesse a bit. there is a couple of fire rings. So you could easily get a couple of vans back there.
GuideDrove up here from Jerome AZ, plenty of spaces and you are next to Beaver Creek Canyon.. If you are willing you can set up about 40 feet from the edge. If it has been raining the road can be a bit of a challenge but I made it in an SUV just fine. Not many there on a Sunday evening but you can easily get a trailer in, plenty of fire rings. Spotty cell coverage. Truly roughing it car camping.
TravelerPeaceful drive in, friendly staff, and everything you need for a great stay! Whether you're camping, fishing, or just enjoying family time, this spot has it all—including wild burros that aren’t shy about trying to steal your snacks! Rangers patrol daily and are super helpful. Firewood and ice are available at the gate, or head to Scorpion Bay for any extras. Can’t wait to come back!
ScoutJust looked like parking lots packed full with rvs and trucks. Not recommended if you are looking for somewhere scenic to relax with your family. We turned around and found some first come first served camping at Pine Flat
GuideEasy on and off. Road is well packed and in good condition with a few smaller ruts, but not bad. Nice views. There is some road noise from the interstate on the closer areas. Nice night sky.
GuideBLM site is only a mile off I-17. Great night sky! Typical dispersed type site. Road was actually pretty decent to drive on for my small SUV. A tiny bit of road noise, but not much (and I didn’t go far in).
RangerAbsolutely obsessed with this location. Yes, there is construction at the road but just keep following to the coordinates and you’ll find the most beautiful place. Wide open space, very little light pollution and level camping spots. The roads are a bit washed out but we managed just fine in our 4x4.
Camping near Prescott National Forest, Arizona, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin, there’s something for everyone in this stunning area.
Camping near Prescott National Forest, Arizona, is a great way to enjoy nature and create lasting memories. Whether you're hiking, fishing, or just relaxing, this area has something for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need permits for camping in Prescott National Forest?
For developed campgrounds in Prescott National Forest like Lynx Lake Campground and Yavapai Campground, you'll need to pay established camping fees, but no special permits are required beyond the standard payment. For dispersed camping in Prescott National Forest Dispersed areas, no permits are typically needed, though you must follow forest regulations: camp only in previously disturbed areas, stay at least 100 feet from water sources, and adhere to fire restrictions. During high fire danger periods, additional restrictions may apply. Always check with the Prescott National Forest ranger station for current regulations before your trip.
Where are the campgrounds located in Prescott National Forest?
Prescott National Forest offers diverse camping options spread throughout the forest. White Horse Lake Campground is located in a scenic area with excellent lake access. Mingus Mountain Campground sits at a higher elevation, offering spectacular views across Arizona. Other locations include Lynx Lake Campground near Prescott, Hilltop Campground in the forest's central region, and Lower Wolf Creek Campground. For those seeking a more rustic experience, numerous dispersed camping options are available throughout the forest, particularly along forest service roads like Thumb Butte Loop and Senator Highway.
What amenities are available at White Spar Campground in Prescott National Forest?
White Spar Campground offers several essential amenities for campers. The campground provides drinking water, well-maintained vault toilets that are cleaned three times weekly, and moderately sized campsites that offer good separation and privacy from neighboring sites. Each campsite includes a fire ring and picnic table. While the campground doesn't have showers or electrical hookups, it compensates with its beautiful setting among the pines. The campground can accommodate both tents and RVs, though some RV owners do run generators during morning and evening hours, which might impact the tent camping experience.
Keep Exploring
