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!"
TravelerGet here early, fills up fast. Ruts are present, may be muddy if wet. Right off 40. No amanities.
GuideThere were a few trailers/campers setup during the day, but for the most part everyone comes in at night. Good sunrise with hot air balloons. This one is closest to the highway. The others are about 5-15 mins drive up the road with similar setups.
GuideThis place is fabulous. The spots closer to the entrance are only about 100 yards apart but as you travel down the road they are further spread out. Some sites have fire pits and some don’t. The highway is close by but not to loud. There are some trees and looks like you can ride your ATV from these sites. It was quiet at night and the night sky was amazing. This is definitely a great spot for overnight or for a few days. The entrance is tight but we made it just fine with our trailer. Worth a visit if you are in the area.
ScoutQuiet, no neighbors, nice breeze, free.
TravelerWe drove our Chevy 2500 and a 28’ camping trailer. On the way in we came from the north from Iron Springs Rd. That was very tight but if you come from town on Thumb Butte Rd it’s a much easier drive in. The forest road was a little bumpy but not a concern. We saw a number of cars and vans without all or 4wd.
Great place. We drove up on Friday during the day, the first three campsites are nestled together and were taken.
Site 4 was large and backed up to a nice hiking trail and vista. We did get a few hikers here and there, as well as some cars passing by but it was secluded and we were able to disconnect and enjoy.
Passed site 4 there were numerous other sites include some on the peak with excellent views. However if you have an rv or camping trailer site 4 was ideal.
I would highly recommend this site to anyone looking for dispersed camping near Prescott.
GuideWe chose this RV park because of it's proximity to Whiskey Row and the road to Jerome. We brought our motorcycle specifically for that ride. Showed up after office hours (closed at 6pm). The road off the hwy is narrow and pot holed. Checked in with the camp host who had us follow his golf cart to our spot, which was a pull through. Spot was on the edge of the campground, next to a fence separating it from a mobile home park. Lots of full timers in the campground, one of whom kept coming over trying to talk to us any time we were outside, which was annoying. Trees and bushes all around, but not a lot of shade. Advertised picnic tables and fire rings. Some spots had movable tables, but not all. Ours had a table on the back of our trailer, but it was not movable, and a bush was growing over it. No fire rings. Wood fires a no go, but propane fires are allowed. Someone was yelling all night long our second night and again in the early morning, waking us up. Supposedly there's a trail to hike to the lake, but we didn't go. Staff very friendly when we checked in. Office has small convenience store. Didn't use bathrooms or laundry. Check out must have been 11am (they didn't say at check in) because the power shut off at 11:15am. We basically just needed a place to sleep 2 nights and we were gone all day on our motorcycle, so this campground filled our needs. Can see staying here again for the same purpose.
GuideGreat dispersed camping in the forest . There are beautiful meadows also. Great trail system for our side by side.
GuideLoved this campground, nice walking path, beautiful river view and friendly staff. Would definitely stay again
TravelerSuper easy access, shared big flat parking campsite, blue restrooms (cleaned). Excellent to crash at nights between Sedona hikes.
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.
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