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Camping near Prescott National Forest

1,255 Reviews

Prescott National Forest in central Arizona offers several established campgrounds and dispersed camping areas among Ponderosa pines at elevations of 5,000-7,000 feet. White Spar Campground, located just 2 miles from downtown Prescott, provides developed sites with fire rings and picnic tables but no hookups. The area includes both reservation-based options like Lynx Lake Campground and free dispersed camping opportunities along Senator Highway and near Thumb Butte. While most developed campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, Point of Rocks RV Campground specifically caters to RVs with full hookup services.

Seasonal considerations vary significantly across the region's camping areas. Most campgrounds in Prescott National Forest remain open year-round, including White Spar and Yavapai, while others like Lynx Lake and Lower Wolf Creek operate seasonally from April or May through October. "White Spar is the closest campground to downtown Prescott. There are a number of hiking and mountain biking trails that leave from the campground," noted one camper who appreciated the convenient location. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-90°F, with monsoon storms possible from July through September. Winter brings occasional snow, especially at higher elevations. Camping permits are not required for most areas, but fire restrictions are common during dry summer months.

Developed campgrounds in the Prescott area offer varying levels of amenities and privacy. White Spar receives consistent praise for its spacious sites and proximity to town. A visitor mentioned, "Sites were well maintained and we didn't feel like all the other guests were right on top of us, nor that our large group was bothering anybody." Some campgrounds provide drinking water and vault toilets but lack showers or hookups. Road noise can be noticeable at White Spar due to its proximity to Highway 89. For those seeking more solitude, dispersed camping areas offer primitive experiences without facilities but provide greater separation from other campers. Wildlife sightings, including javelinas, are occasionally reported near campgrounds, adding to the outdoor experience.

Map showing campgrounds near Prescott National Forest, ArizonaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Prescott National Forest (214)

    1. White Spar Campground

    42 Reviews
    Prescott, AZ
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $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."

    2. Point of Rocks RV Campground

    32 Reviews
    Prescott, AZ
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 445-9018

    $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."

    3. Lynx Lake Campground

    19 Reviews
    Prescott, AZ
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $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."

    4. Hilltop Campground

    10 Reviews
    Prescott, AZ
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $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."

    5. FDR 373 Thumb Butte Loop

    10 Reviews
    Prescott National Forest, AZ
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 443-8000

    "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."

    6. Senator Hwy Dispersed Camp Site

    10 Reviews
    Prescott National Forest, AZ
    5 miles
    Website

    "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."

    7. Watson Lake Park

    9 Reviews
    Prescott, AZ
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 222-1767

    "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."

    8. Prescott Basin - Ponderosa Park Road Dispersed Camping

    9 Reviews
    Prescott National Forest, AZ
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 443-8000

    "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."

    9. Yavapai Campground

    9 Reviews
    Prescott, AZ
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $18 - $36 / night

    "Driving distance or short walk to lake. No Verizon cell service."

    "Quiet with nearby hiking and biking even a little lake."

    10. Lower Wolf Creek Campground

    8 Reviews
    Prescott, AZ
    5 miles
    Website

    "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!"

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Recent Camping Photos near Prescott National Forest

317 Photos of 214 Prescott National Forest Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Prescott National Forest

1255 Reviews of 214 Prescott National Forest Campgrounds

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 3, 2025

    Bloody Basin Rd / Agua Fria NM Dispersed Camping

    Genuinely perfect

    Such a beautiful and scenic campground, the roads were extremely well maintained and my old mini van could navigate them without issue. So beautiful I’m tempted not to leave a review so nobody steals my spot lol. This was my first camping experience and it exceeded any and all expectations I had. Wow wow wow

  • Shirlee A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2025

    Maricopa County Park Lake Pleasant

    Beautiful desert views

    So calming and beautiful

    Cactus are amazing and so are the sweet wild donkeys roaming around.

  • Millena G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2025

    Nolan Tank Large Dispersed Area

    Good chill spot

    There was plenty of space for many different groups. You got a fair amount of privacy aswell. You cannot make a fire which was a bummer though. Weather was amazing just a little cold in the evening without the fire

  • J
    Oct. 29, 2025

    Beaver Flats Road Dispersed

    Free Dispersed Camping near Sedona

    This was a great desert campground that was outside of Sedona. A lot of camping around there was part of the national Forest and was no fires so we went further and found this beautiful spot. Nothing over the top in terms of amenities but it was perfect for our needs, and with a great home base for a Sedona trip. Maybe 20 minutes to the downtown. We went in October and the weather was fabulous. 70s during the day and stayed into the 60s at night.

  • J
    Oct. 29, 2025

    Edge of the World (East Pocket)

    One of A Kind - Incredible Views

    We found this location on the Dyrt and it did not disappoint. The road was definitely unpaved, but not as bad as I expected it to be. It took about 2 hours to get to this site from both Flagstaff and Sedona. So I would not recommend it as a home base for these locations, but to be camping in a gorgeous unique location, it is unparalleled. We went on a weekday and got there around 2:00 p.m. and had no problem finding a spot. We didn't go up the road to see how many there were total, but we did find one pretty easily. Worst case there seem to be a lot of little spots along the road that didn't have the same views. And about halfway up we realized we forgot to buy a firewood, but had no problem shopping enough fallen trees up there to get us through the night! It was definitely chilly at night, and windy in the morning. But the rest of the time was gorgeous weather.

  • G
    Oct. 28, 2025

    White Spar Campground

    Convenient and clean

    Great spot, easy to get to, clean and has the facilities I needed car camping. I'm here mid week.

  • Shirlee A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2025

    Forest Road 525 Camping Area

    Beautiful off grid

    We needed a place to stop for the night and happened to find this gem Such gorgeous Mountain View … quiet … a perfect and safe place to sleep .

  • Jeremy W.
    Oct. 26, 2025

    Forest Road 525 Camping Area

    Perfect spot to stop for the night!

    Easy to get to, quiet, about 8 other campers and a few tents. Exactly what we were looking for!

Guide to Prescott National Forest

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.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the many trails around the campgrounds. One visitor at Mingus Mountain Campground mentioned, "There are awesome views from the rim if you are able to get a site on the edge." Trails like the Woodchute Trail provide breathtaking views and great hiking experiences.
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds, like Potato Patch Campground, are close to lakes where you can fish. A reviewer noted, "The Mingus Mountain lake was absolutely beautiful and great spot for a little day fishing."
  • Wildlife Watching: Campers at White Spar Campground enjoyed spotting deer nearby, with one saying, "The campground was beautiful and there were many deer around if you hiked up just a couple of mins from the campsite."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground said, "Bathrooms are extremely clean with nice showers."
  • Friendly Hosts: Many campgrounds have welcoming staff. One camper at Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort mentioned, "The staff is outstanding," highlighting the positive interactions with campground personnel.
  • Scenic Views: Campers love the picturesque surroundings. A reviewer at Point of Rocks RV Campground shared, "Nestled in the Dells we had a spot that backed up to the rocks that we were able to easily climb up each night and watch the sunset."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby highways. A visitor at Rio Verde RV Park noted, "There is a bit of road noise but nothing some ear plugs can’t help with."
  • Site Privacy: Campers at Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort mentioned a lack of privacy between sites, with one saying, "The only downside was the lack of privacy between sites."
  • Connectivity Issues: If you need Wi-Fi, some campgrounds may not have reliable service. A camper at Verde Ranch RV Resort pointed out, "The lack of campsite wifi is too much to give this campground my approval."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with amenities for kids. One camper at Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground mentioned, "Great amenities. Bathhouse, playgrounds etc."
  • Plan Activities: Bring along games and outdoor gear. A visitor at Thousand Trails Verde Valley enjoyed the "off-leash dog park, pickleball court, and hot tub/pool."
  • Pack Snacks: Having food on hand can keep everyone happy. A camper at Lynx Lake Campground suggested, "It’s a decent size campground and neighbors are close but most everyone respects the rules of noise down after 10."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Point of Rocks RV Campground said, "The spots are private with lots of green in between."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Many RVers prefer sites with full hookups for convenience. A visitor at Verde Ranch RV Resort appreciated the "paved full hookup sites."
  • Be Prepared for Weather Changes: The weather can shift quickly in the mountains. A camper at Mingus Mountain Campground advised, "It gets chilly quick up there."

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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