Best Glamping near St. Johns, AZ

Recent Glamping Reviews in St. Johns

48 Reviews of 6 St. Johns Campgrounds

• 

  Candy P.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 8, 2024

  Rainbow (AZ)

  Arizona’s best kept secret!

  Rainbow campground at big lake is magical! This is the place to beat the heat and make summer memories. Tucked into the pines and aspens this campsite is a quick drive or hike down to the lake. You can’t go wrong with any of the sites, including the first come first serve loops.

• 

  Rod D.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 25, 2024

  Rainbow (AZ)

  Still a great place to escape the desert heat

  It had been 28 years since we last camped at Rainbow. It is still a great place to escape the desert heat.  It was 115 when we left the big city. Five hours later we found ourselves camped at 9100 feet, enjoying the cool temps in the mid 60's and the passing rain showers.  Aspens, pines, and wildlife were all in abundance.  Big Lake is a good fishing lake too.  

  The sites have plenty of space, shade, and privacy.  Roads are paved and in good shape. The restrooms were constantly cleaned by the very friendly and capable staff from recreation resource management which operates the campground for the forest service.

  Firewood and ice are available (stage 2 fire restrictions were in effect so no campfires), water was convenient as was gray water disposal.  There is a centralized dump station, showers, and a small but educational visitor center.  Trash dumpsters are centralized and easy to access.  

  If you don't fish there is still hiking to Mount Baldy, and short scenic drives to the very small towns of Greer and Alpine.  We enjoyed exploring the miles of scenic forest roads, and wildlife viewing.  We saw 4 Mexican gray wolves which was very special.  

  This is a very popular campground that accommodates all types of rigs. They do have first come first serve sites available, but it is recommended to make reservations at least 4 days in advance.  Reservations can be made at recreation.gov.  It's always best practice to print a copy of your reservation.   There is no cell service in this area. 

  We look forward to camping again at Rainbow.

• S

  Simon P.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 19, 2024

  Desert skies Holbrook az

  No!

  Both host phone numbers disconnected.

  Campgrounds in disarray. Abandoned cars in lot. Animal skulls mounted on fence posts.

  We’re pretty much up for anything… but no, just no - went on to Holbrook and got a hotel with no worries for the same price.

  Zero stars if we could.

• 

  Brodie D.

  Guide

  

  Feb. 24, 2024

  Lyman Lake State Park Campground

  Great spot!

  We pulled in after hours and a ranger kindly helped us find our spot. She recommended a cool hiking trail to check out the next morning. Bathrooms and showers are super clean and well maintained. There is only one designated bathhouse building so if you park far, you’ll be walking a ways. Did I mention the views are gorgeous? The views alone are worth staying here.

• J

  Joshua W.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 28, 2023

  Lyman Lake State Park Campground

  Amazing

  The park was practically empty. The views are always amazing, and the weather was perfect. The wind picked up in the evenings to about 10 mph, but then was calm around 9pm. In the morning the lake was very calm, and taking the kayak out was so peaceful. I spoke with the ranger and ahead said next summer a vendor will have boat and jet ski rentals. Good and bad, but maybe that will help keep camping rates low. Highly recommend a trip here when you have a long weekend.

• 

  Carl L.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 22, 2023

  Brook Char Campground

  Bogus

  Reserved site #13 on line for August 15th. On arriving this site has no flat areas and you must pass directly through site #12 to access. The entire campground was EMPTY except us. We decided to move to site #12 to get a flat area. I informed the host out of courtesy of our move to the empty adjoining site. He said NO! I had to pay him $20 to make the change. If I did it on-line, it would be zero fee. THERE IS NO CELL COVERAGE at this campground, so it is impossible to go online and make that useless change. Another caretaker drove by and said he didn't see a problem moving if it was his call. The dude at Brookchar would NOT budge...he wanted his $20 bucks ( I have a senior pass and at worst it would have been $8.00). Told him to stuff it and to contact his manager. He refused. The other caretaker guy drove away and and said he would discuss it with her. Bear in mind, the entire campground had zero reservations for that evening besides us. He returned later to inform me that the manger had "OK'ed" the change for no fee. It is zero fee to change a campsites....zero! Unbelievable,,,,Beware....

• 

  Jason T.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 24, 2023

  Desert skies Holbrook az

  Beautiful amazing sunsets

  This is one of my favorite stops the site is always cleared and free of B's the owners are super helpful and very kind down to earth people . The star gazing is incredible, a astrologists dream truly heaven on earth people . This is a must stop and stay especially if you plan on seeing the petrified forest it's the very next exit . I would no doubt stay here every time I'm passing by.

• 

  Scout W.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 19, 2023

  Desert skies Holbrook az

  10/10 site

  Let me start off this review by saying Jason was an awesome site host! When we arrived there was some confusion as he was unaware of our booking and recommended booking through hip camp or air bnb as it’s cheaper but other than that the site was peaceful and clean. Also recommend being careful on the dirt/sand road, the morning we we’re leaving the site, our van got stuck in the sand on the road but Jason came to our rescue and pulled us out with a huge mad max style truck, Bassett hound by his side, no issue! Overall highly recommend this campsite just not booking through the dyrt.

• 

  Michael S.

  Traveler

  

  Mar. 30, 2023

  Lyman Lake State Park Campground

  Beautiful desert views

  Clean, quiet, open campground, tents, trailers and cabins. Very happy with the week we spent here

• 

  Ashley F.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 12, 2023

  Desert skies Holbrook az

  Spacious and Private

  Ashley here with The Dyrt! I'm happy to welcome Jason & Kim to our platform. This location is 15 minutes from the Petrified Forest. Level camping areas and lots of space. The road getting in is a bit bumpy, so take it slow. The payoff is worth it as you can pull up and camp anywhere. Fire-pit & grill available. Book your stay and leave your review here!

• D

  Dave N.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 8, 2022

  Lyman Lake State Park Campground

  Lyman Lake state park

  FHU available Spacious sites Wind does come up Lake is down and good fishing Clean restrooms and showers Has store well stocked (no tobacco or alcohol) Fish cleaning station Nice viewing of stars at night
  Quiet, cabins, tent sites, FHU available, beach camping. Rangers on site along with hosts Black top roads Blacktop to park your rig. Some pull thru site Mostly back ins Large sites

• W

  William W.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 6, 2022

  Lyman Lake State Park Campground

  Very interesting camp!

  Awesome cabins and the lake was great! The hiking and rock art was a cool addition !!

• m

  mark R.

  Traveler

  

  Mar. 4, 2022

  Lyman Lake State Park Campground

  Quiet place off the beaten path

  Nice campground out of the way. Very polite rangers. Sad the lake is so low ... climate change, but enjoyable 2 days. Petroglyphs were cool! Tip: best campsite would be #17 - trust me ;) Hottest, highest pressure (ie: exfoliating showers) I've ever had in a campground!

• D

  Dan N.

  Guide

  

  Jan. 16, 2022

  Lyman Lake State Park Campground

  Great views of the lake.

  Once again we are the only ones here! It got a little cold this morning, down to 15 but the sunrise was awesome. Lots of nice spots, you can get everything from a small cabin to a dry spot down by the beach. Some of the bathrooms are closed for the winter but there are a couple still open. 30 and 50 amp power. Water at the pull through sites but you need to disconnect at night to avoid freezing.

• 

  jaczxbox

  Guide

  

  Nov. 16, 2021

  Lyman Lake State Park Campground

  Amazing!

  Quiet and secluded with a huge lake!

• 

  Christine S.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 17, 2021

  Lyman Lake State Park Campground

  Peaceful Stay

  Clean and peaceful area. Camped here as a jump point to the Petrified Forest Park the next morning.

• 

  Rebecca W.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 5, 2021

  Rainbow (AZ)

  Beautiful Hiking, Serene Camping

  Camped here in October 2016. My all-time favorite campgrounds. We tent camped and it was freezing cold, poured rain. We had huge sleeping bags and a little propane heater, and still really enjoyed it. Lots of area to hike and tons to see.

• 

  Chris P.

  Ranger

  

  Sep. 4, 2021

  Lyman Lake State Park Campground

  Nice campground

  Spots are close to the lake which is really nice. The overall campground is nice and the spots were spaced out nicely.

• T

  Toshi

  Guide

  

  Aug. 17, 2021

  JoeStar Ranch Under Milky Way

  Cow Pasture, mudfest!

  Had a bit of difficulty finding this place and had to call Atlan a few times before we finally found it. In all honesty, this is really just a cow pasture near a big pile of abandoned tires(tv’s,vacuum,mattress etc.) and lots of freight trains w/ really loud horns. We arrived just in time for a huge amount of rain, hence the mudfest. Got bogged down and had a little difficulty getting out. If you’re really in need of a place to park for the night... and there’s nowhere else, this is a great spot. Lots of open sky. The host is very helpful and responsive. I wish I could leave a better review, as you can’t control the weather. It just wasn’t quite what we were looking for.

• 

  Sharron D.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 13, 2021

  Lyman Lake State Park Campground

  Lyman Lake

  Great lake view from all sites. Cabins and rv sites have easy access and parking. Nice bathrooms.

• W

  William C.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 7, 2021

  Lyman Lake State Park Campground

  Beautiful spot

  We stayed here for two days. There are some short trails with wonderful views of the lake and surrounding area, and there are petroglyphs to explore. Decent fishing, although the lake was flooded and murky while we were there, and we didn’t give it the best shot. It likely could be a really good fishing spot under ideal conditions. T-mobile service was awful, and the staff were super helpful and friendly. I’m sure we’ll be back.

• 

  Atlan J.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 14, 2021

  JoeStar Ranch Under Milky Way

  As the owner

  For accurate coordinates and booking visit Google maps and site on the link. As the owner and lover of nature I bring an off grid private campground. Upon arrival you find yourself on a prehistoric lakebed, just nature. Away from it all on the off beaten path to get there but hey 1.25 acres for camping and exploring Jojo! Centrally located and under the Milky Way🌌, each stay help towards planting trees, on the property and In the fossil creek woods after the fire/closure of 2021. Please call and txt reach out for inquiries-480-619-7143

• 

  Candy P.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 1, 2021

  Reservation Lake Apache Indian Res

  Cool spot, just not for us

  You’re really roughing it here. The dirt washboard road getting in (45 mins) was enough for me to not love this place (I’m traveling with an infant and toddler). But, once you’re there it really is a beautiful place. The lake itself is awesome and the camping is primitive but awesome views. The little shop is closed, not covid related, looks as though it’s been boarded up and closed for a while. Make sure you get the correcting passes for camping and fishing permits since you’re on the reservation.

• w

  warren

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 24, 2021

  Rainbow (AZ)

  Big Trees, clean air

  I have been coming up to the White Mountains since I was a kid. Rainbow campground has been our go-to spot for camping. There are 3 loops that are FCFS. The rest of the sites are reservations. The sites all have picnic tables and fire rings. There are full bathrooms throughout the area and pay showers when is not covid. Big lake is a short drive from the campground, where you can rent a boat, fish from shore and a small store with supplies. There is always wildlife around, especially skunks, so watch your pets. The sites are laid at where you don't feel like you are right on top of your neighbor. None of the sites in Rainbow have hook-ups, bit there is a dump station down the road. There is another campground for full hook-ups down the way.

• 

  Taryn S.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 2, 2021

  Brook Char Campground

  Some of the best tent camping in AZ

  We're frequent campers, and this is one of our favorite spots in AZ! 

  The tent-only campground is small, but the sites are large and have multiple great clearings for tents. Lots of shade and easy paths for walking around the grounds, plus there's potable water at several sites. Central bathrooms with running water are kept very clean, plus there's trash service and a (very friendly) camp host if you need anything.

  Directly across a small road from Big Lake and the boat ramp. There are several places to go right down to the shore, and it's only a 5-6 minute walk along the road to the general store and boat rental area, where there's also a fish cleaning station. Brookchar is just down the road from the giant Rainbow Lake, so you'll hear some RVs and ATVs on the road, but very minimal. 

  We camped in site 12, which in our opinion is the best! Closest to the lake with water views, plus parking right outside your site for 2 vehicles (other sites, you park in a main lot). Bring your fishing gear and kayak/SUP (can also rent very reasonably)!

  Over Memorial Day weekend, we saw highs close to 80 and lows in the high 30s/low 40s. Only sprinkled once!

  It's also just an hour from Pinetop-Lakeside, so it's easy to make grocery stops or even grab a coffee (try Pinetop Coffee House + Roasters right on the highway!) on your way in/out.

• 

  Candy P.

  Legend

  

  Nov. 30, 2020

  Brook Char Campground

  Tent Camping with a view

  This tent walk in site has been our family favorite for decades. The sites have plenty of room for 2 tents. There is a clean bathroom in the campsite as well as water. This sites are across the small road from the lake. This is our favorite place to camp with other family members since the sites are close together. Easy walk to the lake.

• R

  Renee H.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 22, 2020

  Rainbow (AZ)

  Absolutely beautiful

  Quiet, beautiful, and clean. We even had visits from deer, a very bold skunk, chipmunks, squirrels, and blue jays. The camp hosts were delightful, too!