Roosevelt, Arizona supports multiple camping options around Theodore Roosevelt Lake and the surrounding Tonto National Forest. Established facilities include Burnt Corral Campground on Apache Lake and Roosevelt Lake's Cholla Campground, which features solar power and paved boat ramps. Dispersed camping is permitted along several forest roads surrounding Lake Roosevelt, with sites ranging from lakefront locations to elevated positions offering scenic views. Both tent and RV accommodations are available throughout the area, with some campgrounds offering cabin rentals.
Road conditions vary significantly depending on location, with many dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles. Forest Road 83 provides access to some of the most accessible dispersed camping sites between the national monument and the town of Roosevelt. "One of our all-time favorite boondocking spots. There are many forests roads off 188 on the southern shore of Lake Roosevelt where dispersed camping is allowed," notes one visitor. The region experiences hot summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 100°F, while winter brings milder conditions ideal for camping. Most dispersed sites have a 14-day stay limit, and developed campgrounds like Cholla require fees ($25/night for individual sites).
Waterfront camping represents a key attraction in the Roosevelt area, with both developed facilities and primitive sites offering lake access. Campers frequently mention the contrast between busy lakefront areas and quieter forest sites. Several visitors highlight the wildlife viewing opportunities, including cattle grazing on open range land near dispersed sites. "We woke up many mornings to cattle rooting through our stuff and one morning to a real roundup with cowboys on horses. Amazing," shares one camper. The region's terrain features Sonoran Desert vegetation including saguaro and cholla cactus. Cell service can be limited or non-existent in remote areas, particularly along Highway 88. Nearby amenities are limited, with the closest substantial services located in Globe, approximately 40 minutes away.
$20 - $40 / night
"Just about 6.5 miles from Roosevelt Dam, along a seriously narrow, winding, and mountainous dirt road, lies a great camping oasis along Apache Lake in the middle of the Superstition Mts. "
"There still was plenty of room I was at campsite 64 still had a nice view of the lake and a short walk to it."
$35 - $99 / night
"It kind of poked off the main loop away from other neighbors which is why we picked it, very close to the mtb trail and easy access to the trail leading to siphon draw. Very little shade."
"One of my favorite trails in Arizona."
$25 - $50 / night
"Cholla Recreation Site is located on Theodore Roosevelt Lake, central Arizona’s largest lake."
"Things I liked 1.) hot shower 2.) playground for the kids 3.) paved trails. The one thing that would have tipped this site to a solid 10/10 rating would have been the ability to swim."
"There are many forests roads off 188 on the southern shore of Lake Roosevelt where dispersed camping is allowed. Some have spectacular views of the lake but are high up and difficult to get to."
"Kept driving and the road curved on back towards the mountains. Only found three sites that my 30' TT would fit in."
$25 - $50 / night
"We wanted to get close to the water but that was not what we ended up doing. We had to drive to take our kayaks to the water. There was an old cost ramp there but is was completely unusable."
"A water spigot was nearby with great water. We were fortunate to have inherited a host named Larry who was there for a few months because Covid prevented him from traveling to Europe. "
$20 - $40 / night
"Right on beautiful Theodore Roosevelt Lake. Nice sites, decently spaced (except 204 and 205 are pretty tight), beautiful 360* mountain views. Well kept. Nick, the host, is friendly and helpful."
"Awesome location. Quiet and not too busy. Close to the Tonto Cliff Dwellings. Lots of fun to hike around the lake. Sites all had tables and coverings as well as fire pits with bbq"
"Best camping at Roosevelt as long as the water isn’t too high"
"Free, dispersed camping is located across the highway down the dirt road Bar 3."
$20 / night
"Most of the way to Roosevelt Lake is a dirt road. All vehicles can drive this trail. Few different lookout points with picnic tables and restrooms."
"Rode the scenic Apache Trail Arizona route 88 looking for some BLM land. Couldn’t find a flat place to pull over. Grateful to find a campground near the end of 88."
"But all that aside, it was a beautiful, peaceful drive! Just don't do it in the dark."
"It's the kind of resort where you plan to spend all day on the lake and come back to a shower and a real bed. You can choose to camp in your tent/RV or start in the motel."
"Enjoyed our December visit to Lake Marina campsite 201. Will say campsites are close together. Awesome families close to us made it fun."
"So if you had sleepless because of noise and did not call for assistants shame.on you not canyon lake. The gentleman i checked in with would corrected the situation."
ScoutKinda cramped camping spots. Someone is camping right next to you, and they charge 72 for a tent camp sight for 1 night. It’s okay if you like fishing and don’t mind being right next to someone.
GuideGreat location (Mogollon Dispersed).. The views and surrounding forest are beautiful.. There is a men's & women's outhouse at the entrance to the area. Each site has a number assigned, camping 50 feet within the designated sign. There is no trash receptacles or amenities. There is a designated dump station 2 miles at the Woods Canyon Lake turnoff, fees are collected. $10 to dump waste and $5 to fill water tanks.. $7 per bag of trash.
GuideSpent 2 weeks at Bermuda Flat during Easter weekend. Very busy during Easter but thinned out nicely during the week.. weather was warm during the day mid to high 80's. Water was a bit chilly but refreshing. Would stay again but would avoid Easter weekend.
ScoutVery quiet, yet there's a good bit of people coming and going on a daily basis. It says free Wi-Fi but I've been at two separate places here and the Wi-Fi is horrible at both places. Unfortunately the pool isn't open yet but should be open soon. Plenty to do nearby, overall this is a very nice spot to be.
RangerWe checked out 3 campgrounds before settling on this one - Ponderosa, Christopher Creek & Sharp Creek. CG opened on April 1st, reservations start on the 15th. We arrived on the 7th so it was first come. Not crowded at this time. Stayed 5 nights including a weekend.
It's fairly high @ 6,000' which is exactly what we were looking for to avoid excessive heat. Road in & site pads paved. Water turned on. Hosts had just arrived and were nice but unfamiliar with the area. No firewood for sale here and no dump nearby in spite of some information indicating a dump at Ponderosa CG (it's not functional). Nearest supplies in Christopher Creek, a short distance from the CG. I know they have ice and some basic supplies. Maybe firewood? A couple restaurants/taverns there as well. There's a store @ Woods Canyon Lake on top of the Rim that opens this year later in April and there are some services including gas in Forest Lakes. Otherwise it's Payson or Heber.
The only downside that I would mention about the CG is highway noise. It's a fairly busy road and not far from the CG. Good cell service with Verizon.
GuideThis campground is quite stunning being in a mature Ponderosa forest with the creek fronting many of the camp spots. Like someone else has mentioned, the parking and many of the sites are tight/small. It appears that only 3 of the sites in loop A are non-reservable/first come first serve. We got one of those (36). Potable water and vault toilets.
GuideMuddy roads to make my way back to spot 26, but 100 percent worth it.
ScoutThis is the best place we have stay in the 6 years of full time RVing. We have travel to over 200 places during that time, still the best.
ScoutStayed at Site #1. Even with a quick "sunset to sunrise" trip, the views were great and the area was incredibly peaceful. Versatile: Plenty of space for everything from tents to large RVs and groups. Amenities: Lots of trees for hammocks and plenty of downed wood for foraging. Accessible: Sites are well-numbered and easy to find, even if you're arriving late.
Roosevelt Lake and the surrounding Tonto National Forest sit at elevations ranging from 2,100 to 2,900 feet, creating a transition zone between desert and mountain ecosystems. Summer temperatures frequently reach 95-105°F during the day while dropping to 70-80°F at night. During winter months, daytime temperatures average 65-75°F with nighttime lows occasionally dipping below freezing, making fall through spring the most popular camping seasons near Roosevelt, Arizona.
Explore ancient cliff dwellings: The Tonto National Monument showcases well-preserved Salado culture cliff dwellings dating back 700 years, located just minutes from Roosevelt Lake - Schoolhouse Campground. "There is a nice dock on the lake. Tonto National Monument is 5 miles up the road and really cool to see!" notes one visitor.
Paddle secluded canyons: Canyon Lake offers protected waterways perfect for kayak exploration beyond the main boating areas. "There is an amazing little canyon to explore. The only downside was the birds are very friendly, you can't leave food out," shares a camper at Canyon Lake Marina & Campground.
Stargaze without light pollution: The relative isolation of Roosevelt Lake creates ideal conditions for night sky viewing. A camper at Roosevelt Lake - Cholla Campground confirms: "Great place to see the stars!!! Spent 3 nights with my two dogs and it was great!"
Shoreline camping access: Several sites allow camping directly on the water's edge. At Bermuda Flat Recreation Site, one visitor notes: "Great place to have a small or large group of people. Camping right on the shore."
Desert wildlife encounters: The desert environment supports diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. A visitor to Tonto National Forest Dispersed Camping at Lake Roosevelt shares: "I heard coyotes in the middle of the night that woke me up, and was glad for a rooftop tent."
Year-round accessibility: The mild winter climate makes the area suitable for camping even during cooler months. "We stayed March 28-April 1st. Beautiful time of year to visit! The camp sites are large and have beautiful natural vegetation between them," reports a camper at Cholla Campground.
Road conditions vary dramatically: Access to some of the best places to camp near Roosevelt, Arizona requires careful planning. "The only road open is from Roosevelt side over the dam wall... I would have been nervous taking an SUV down that road!! We tried calling to ask about conditions and no one advised of road issues," warns a visitor to Burnt Corral Campground.
Reservation systems differ: Some campgrounds require advanced planning while others operate first-come, first-served. "The even camp sites are first come first serve, call beforehand to check how full it is," advises a Burnt Corral visitor.
Limited supplies and services: Pack accordingly as services are minimal. "Gas and food is not close, so bring what you need," notes a camper at Schoolhouse Campground.
Look for playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. A visitor to Cholla Campground reports: "We came here multiple times now and have loved it each time. There is multiple playgrounds for kids. Running water in the bathroom."
Consider tent site locations carefully: Some tent-only areas offer better family experiences than others. A camper at Lost Dutchman State Park Campground shares: "Gorgeous sunset, amazing view of moon rising over mountains. Heard some coyotes in the night, which was exciting. Enjoyed hiking the trails and exploring the landscape."
Monitor noise levels: Weekend crowds can impact family camping experiences. "Camped here with my family. The scenery was beautiful, but didn't love the fact that people were blaring their music here until 2AM in the morning," notes a Lost Dutchman visitor.
Assess site suitability before arrival: Not all sites accommodate larger rigs despite being classified as RV-friendly. "Highly recommend this park with spacious sites and great views of the Superstition Mountains and night lights of Phoenix. Carefully review the site you select to be sure it will accommodate your rig. Roads are narrow and there are unforgiving drop offs on the sides," advises a camper at Lost Dutchman State Park.
Generator etiquette varies by location: Different campgrounds have varying policies on generator use. A visitor to Windy Hill Campground observes: "Despite the area's abundance of sunshine, making it perfect to run your camping rig on solar, this place takes the prize for the most generator impacted site."
Solar power can be sufficient: The abundant sunshine makes solar setups viable for many campers. "No electric hookups, but we had all the 110 power we needed from our solar panels/inverter system," reports a Schoolhouse Campground visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds at Roosevelt Lake in Arizona?
Roosevelt Lake offers several excellent camping options. Roosevelt Lake - Cholla Campground is highly recommended for its expansive views of Four Peaks Wilderness and extensive selection of both RV and tent sites. For those seeking a more secluded experience, Bermuda Flat Recreation Site provides some of the best lakeside camping when water levels aren't too high. Dispersed camping enthusiasts will find numerous options along forest roads on the southern shore of the lake, with many spots offering spectacular lake views. Other notable options include Windy Hill Campground with its amenities and Tonto National Forest Dispersed Camping at Lake Roosevelt for those who prefer boondocking with lake access.
What hotels and lodging options are near Roosevelt Lake for non-campers?
Non-campers visiting Roosevelt Lake have limited but viable lodging options nearby. Apache Lake Marina & Resort offers cabin rentals and motel rooms with convenient lake access, making it a popular choice for those wanting comfortable accommodations. In the surrounding areas, you'll find small hotels and motels in Globe and Miami, about 30-45 minutes from the lake. For more upscale options, consider staying in Payson (approximately 45 minutes away) where various hotels, motels, and vacation rentals are available. The Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch near Tortilla Campground provides a rustic lodge experience within driving distance. For longer stays, vacation home rentals can be found in the communities surrounding Roosevelt Lake.
Are there RV hookups available at Roosevelt Lake camping areas?
Cholla Recreation Site accommodates RVs with designated sites, though full hookups are limited. The campground is one of the most developed around Roosevelt Lake, making it popular among RV campers. For those with larger rigs, Oxbow Estates RV Park near the lake provides more comprehensive RV facilities. Most areas around Roosevelt Lake are more primitive, with dispersed camping options offering no hookups but plenty of space. Access roads vary in quality - some are well-maintained while others might be challenging for larger RVs. Be prepared for self-contained camping at most locations, and call ahead to confirm current hookup availability at developed campgrounds.
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