Best Campgrounds near St. Johns, AZ
The St. Johns, Arizona area features several camping options spanning from established campgrounds to dispersed sites. Lyman Lake State Park Campground, located 11 miles south of St. Johns, provides developed facilities with electric and water hookups, accommodating tents, RVs, and cabins. Concho Lake, approximately 15 miles west, offers dispersed camping opportunities with more primitive conditions. The region's campgrounds primarily sit at elevations between 5,500-6,500 feet, creating a transition zone between desert landscapes and pine forests typical of Arizona's northeastern plateau.
Roads to most campgrounds remain accessible year-round, though seasonal considerations affect camping conditions. "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," noted one visitor describing nearby Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area. Weather patterns include afternoon thunderstorms during monsoon season (July-September) and potential snow at higher elevations from November through April. Cell service varies significantly throughout the area, with most developed campgrounds maintaining at least intermittent coverage. Many established campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer months when temperatures at lower elevations exceed 90°F, driving visitors to seek cooler conditions.
Campgrounds with water access receive particular attention from visitors. St. Johns RV Resort provides full hookups for RVs with 137 sites, while more primitive options exist at Concho Lake Recreation Area where basic facilities include vault toilets and trash service. Desert Falcon Ranch offers a more secluded camping experience with 10 sites and minimal amenities. According to one camper's review of a nearby state park, "Despite being in the middle of a developed area, once in the park, you feel appropriately isolated." Wildlife sightings are common throughout the region, with visitors reporting elk, deer, and various bird species. Winter camping remains available at several locations, though services may be limited and campers should prepare for nighttime temperatures frequently dropping below freezing.
