Searching for the best camping near Springerville, AZ? Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Springerville. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Springerville, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
Upper Campground
$25 - $65 / night
If getting completely away from it all and experiencing the outdoors for all it has to offer is your camping ideal then plan your camping vacation in the Big Lake Recreation Area. Big Lake itself is 575 acres, and makes a convenient base for other local lakes like Crescent Lake, Lee Valley Lake and the East and West Forks of the Black River. Choose your site from one of nine campgrounds and experience exceptional hiking and mountain biking trails, wildlife viewing, and trout fishing. Campers have the convenience of paved roads, a dump station and showers, but no electric hookups. Apache Trout, the largest campground can accomodate RVs (max 45 feet) as well as in sections of Grayling Campground. Two campgrounds give tent campers the entire campground all to themselves. A visitor center and naturalist programs offer plenty of knowledge about the area.
Rainbow is the largest campground in the Big Lake Recreation Area in eastern Arizona. Because of its proximity to the lake, size and the many amenities it offers, Rainbow is a favorite for families. Popular activities include hiking, horseback riding and fishing.
The campground is adjacent to 450-acre Big Lake, one of Arizona's top fishing lakes. The lake is known for its trout fishing, with rainbow, cutthroat, brook and Apache being the most sought-after species. The recreation area is also popular for hiking, mountain biking, birding and wildlife viewing. Curious campers can attend educational programs at the recreation area's visitor center.
Rainbow Campground sits at an elevation of 9,000 feet in the White Mountains. It is a very scenic area, forested with ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, spruce and aspen trees, which provide ample shade. Summer temperatures are pleasant and cool, a nice respite from the heat of the lower desert. Visitors should come prepared for cool nighttime temperatures and occasional summer thunderstorms.
Visitors can explore endless vistas and take part in many outdoor activities in the surrounding Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, which encompasses 2 million acres of magnificent mountain country in east-central Arizona and New Mexico. Springerville, Arizona is the closest town to the campground.
$26 - $90 / night
Enjoy this gorgeous slice of Arizona's White Mountain region from your personal campsite! Listen as a gentle breeze blows through pine boughs, watch big, white, fluffy clouds careen through the sky, and feel the cool northern Arizona chill on your skin. Experience the magic of watching a herd of elk feeding lakeside, or the exhilaration of a fish on the end of your line. We'll provide the possibility of adventure, all you have to do is show up and make memories!
Non-hook-up (Tent Only) Sites 31 sites: Maximum of two vehicles and six adults per site, 10 people total. Concrete pads, fire ring and picnic table, restrooms and showers. RVs are not allowed in non-hook-up (tent only) sites.
Electric RV sites 92 sites: 30 Amp service (some 50 Amp available). Can accommodate up to 40-foot rigs. Water available at all sites. Mallard and Redhead Loops also have sewer available. Maximum of two vehicles and six adults each, 12 people total.
April 1 through Oct. 30, there is a two night minimum stay for weekend camping: you must reserve both Friday and Saturday night.
$25 - $70 / night
Brookchar Campground is tucked on the banks of Big Lake in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. The campground is a small, tent-only facility comprised entirely of walk-in sites. Of the lake's five campgrounds, Brookchar is nearest to the water. The stocked lake draws anglers, and boat rentals and a boat ramp make it easy for campers to enjoy the lake's blue waters.
Big Lake is one of Arizona's top trout fishing lakes, with rainbow, cutthroat, brook and Apache trout being the most sought-after species. The recreation area is also popular for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, birding and wildlife viewing.
The campground sits in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest at an elevation of 9,100 feet. The area is scenic, forested with ponderosa pine, fir, spruce and aspen, interspersed with high elevation meadows. Summer temperatures are pleasant and cool, a nice respite from the heat of lower deserts. Visitors should come prepared for afternoon thunderstorms and cool nighttime temperatures.
Several other lakes can be found in the surrounding area. Visitors can also explore endless vistas and take part in many outdoor activities in the surrounding Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, which encompasses 2 million acres of magnificent mountain country in east-central Arizona and New Mexico.
For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.
$20 - $32 / night
Winn Campground is situated near the Mt. Baldy trailheads and the East and West Forks of the Little Colorado River, making it an excellent choice for anglers and hikers. The facility offers many amenities and a variety of campsites, from group sites to tent-only and standard individual sites. It offers a peaceful and remote setting, as well as convenience to a host of outdoor activities and scenic areas.
Several nearby lakes invite anglers and boaters to fish for trout, including stocked Apache trout at Lee Valley Reservoir. With its proximity to the Mt. Baldy Wilderness, Winn Campground also attracts hikers. Mount Baldy tops out at 11,420 feet and is the tallest peak in Arizona's White Mountains.
Winn Campground is situated in a thick pine and aspen forest at an elevation of 8,500 feet near Lee Valley and Big Lake. Several smaller lakes are located within a short drive. From the campground, visitors can take in scenic views of the surrounding White Mountains. Some campsites border a large meadow where elk are often seen at twilight. Summer temperatures can be very pleasant because of the elevation. However, the rainy season often brings afternoon thunderstorms from late June through August. Visitors should come prepared for rain and cool nighttime temperatures.
Visitors can explore endless vistas and take part in many outdoor activities in the surrounding Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, which encompasses 2 million acres of magnificent mountain country in east-central Arizona and New Mexico. The nearest town is Springerville, Arizona.
For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.
$20 - $125 / night
Guide
We camped here in the off season so there wasn't a whole lot of activity around us, which was good. We were there at the end of October and the weather was great. We stayed in the Redhead Loop in site 9 and it was a really nice site. We had a lot of space and decent privacy. Site 10 would have been perfect since it sat right at the lake. The showers were clean and good pressure. They are very dog friendly and even have a little kiosk with some supplies for dogs that you can borrow as well as a jar of dog treats. We bought firewood and it was harvested from dead trees in the park. A little pricey but it burned longer than that gas station firewood does. Show Low is a nice town and has everything you need. It was near Halloween and they had some scary scarecrow competition going on. We did not have a cell signal for some odd reason. We have T Mobile and usually have good coverage. Not sure what was going on with it. The lake was very pretty but we didn't go out on it or anything. There is a nice trail to hike around the lake. Dogs are allowed on it. We didn't do a whole lot of activities while we were there. Just a relaxing long weekend.
Scout
Camping in the Juniper and Cedars is an amazing experience, especially under the sky full of stars. We were even able to visit @the4sbarn on-site family-friendly tap house and live music was great! We will be back for sure.
Guide
Lovely area in western NM. Many spaces to set up and hunker down for a night or two. The general lack of amenities probably precludes a long term stay for most. Access to the rest of the forest and great hiking on a dirt road headed south. Lower elevation than other areas nearby so it stays snow free through the winter for the most part.
The general store nearby is also a nice plus. No T-Mobile cell service anywhere in the area though.
TravelerThe entire Mallard loop has generous paved sites. There is a picnic table and nice fire pit. Plenty of paved space to set up. Pines surround each site and provide ample shade. Each site has easy access to the lake. The bathrooms have showers and were spotless.
Scout
Great fire pit and some flat spots for a tent. The highway got quieter in the middle of the night for a little while. We stayed right next to some ruins and all three of us had wild dreams about ghosts, ghost horses, and animals. The next morning we found we were only a few steps away from a mountain lion kill site! WOW! So many kinds of animals. Elk. Coyote. Cow. Sheep. You name it! It was an exciting way to spend the evening. Enjoy!
Scout
Got here at night and found it quite easily. Not the most scenic as the lake is dried up and the highway is visible (and audible). Trash cans were overflowing with trash, and a few of the sites were trashed as well. I also think I saw human poop by the bushes. At around midnight some guy came by our tent asking if we knew where the portopotties went, and said the site we were at is where he usually stays…
Legend
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.
Scout
Your article made me want to pack my bags and go immediately! Thanks for sharing. Play game planet clicker with me!
Traveler
Nice couple of sites with a variety of trees not just Ponderosa Pine. Logging tucks noisy during the day. At 9200 ft elevation got cold at night in September.
Ranger
Wonderful campground with flat sites, well spaced. Pit toilets and a shower. Dump on site! A bit expensive for dry camping but there in no dispersed camping in Greer and the neighboring apache res requires a $9 permit to dispersed camp. Three reservoirs nearby to hike to or fish at.
Ranger
Very large CG with full hookups, level sites, flush toilets and showers. Casino and its restaurants next door. Wild horses venture through the camp in the evening! Spots are pretty close together, it is very full and mostly full timer/long term campers. Staff was helpful and courteous. We did not have a reservation until that morning. It is very busy so advance reservations are the norm. casino offers first timers a players pass with $6 for food and $5 casino credit.
Scout
Only a couple logging trucks on a very nice maintained road. All alone on a mountain top!! Me and my dog are living the life!
Traveler
Park is looking great. Great location between Show Low and Pinetop with Highway access.
Ranger
Right along the highway on a big climb from both sides. Maybe when the b/w photo was taken it was cool with 10% of the traffic now? The road is crazy busy these days. I would not recommend this location.
Ranger
The location is wrong! This is the coordinates - 33.76672° N, 109.35443° W This was so much more beautiful before the Wallow Fire. Please put out your fires! I grew up not far from here and always enjoy coming. There are small trout in the river and Big Lake, Crescent Lake, Mexican Hat Lake, Reservation Lake, and Lee Valley Reservoir all close. There is picnic tables, potable water in tanks if needed, vault toilets, fire rings all in the campground. The marina store at Big Lake and Crescent Lake both have stores with firewood. At the time of the posting, the camp host at Diamond Rock campground had firewood for sale not far up the road. Watch the corners going in and out as the OHV guys drive pretty fast and the road is narrow in many places. Bear Wallow Cafe is in Alpine and I recommend the pie!
GuideEasy to get to, close to town, clearly marked trails and roadways. Hiking views were spectacular.
GuideIt 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.
LegendApache Creek CG: Apache Creek store is right across the street. Up the road an eighth of a mile. Ice is available there.
(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: 5 for a one night stop over Security: no Usage during visit: light Site Spacing: Spread out campsites Pad surface: dirt Reservations: Looks to be first come first serve. Campground Noise: Quiet Outside Road Noise: no Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: no Sewer Hookup: no Dump Station: no Potable Water Available: I did not see any water spigots. Generators: allowed Bathroom: Vault toilet Showers: no Pull Throughs: yes Setting: in open Ponderosa Forest and deciduous trees. Solar: Sites look to have nice solar Rig Size: Large rigs Sites: All sites are pretty nice.
Ranger
Easy parking for out 25' rv. Only one other family here, and we only saw them when hiking torwards them. Cool and in the trees!
RangerThis is not a campground, but a spot to pull off the road when logging trucks are coming up.
Ranger
Always great fishing here. There is NO camping here. I repeat, NO CAMPING. But plenty of dispersed to be found up the road further all the way to Terry Flat. There are trails up the road and some OHV and a Jeep trail. There is housing when coming off the highway. Be respectful and don’t drive 45 down the road. Take your time and take it in.
Ranger
Quiet place not far off a Forest Service Rd.
Ranger
Nice quiet area. Small lake. Didn’t fish, so unsure. No amenities at all, which is fine. Road is a little rough going in, in places.
Legend
El Casi CG in Rec Area: Past the lake with large campsites. This is the only campground open in the rec area during our April visit.
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: 4 for large sites. However, our site was trashy . Toilets are only moderately clean. Warnings are posted that no OHV allowed . A large group has camped at one end of the campground using Senegal sites. . Looks like it works out well. Price 2023: Free Security: None Usage during visit: 1/4 full Site Privacy: No Site Spacing: Large sites, well spaced. Pad surface: dirt SITE CLEANLINESS: most sites I noticed were trashy. We needed to pick up trash at our site upon arrival. Reservations: First come first serve Campground Noise: Quiet Outside Road Noise: Gravel access road along side of the campground. Some sites near this access road may get a little dusty, I suppose, during dryer times of the year Through Traffic in campground: no Electric Hookup: no Sewer Hookup: no Dump Station: At Pynon campground, which is not open until May. Charge for dog thing is going up for five dollars to $15 in. Potable Water Available: not at the campground. Generators: yes Bathroom: pit toilets. Not as clean as they should be. Supplied. Showers: no Pull Throughs: yes Cell Service (AT&T): no Setting: under scattered trees. Recent Weather: very cool nights Solar: yes Insects: no Host: no Rig Size: any size Sites: sites are not numbered
Legend
Cottonwood Campground: (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: Not an appealing campground except as a stop over.
Security: no
Usage during visit: light
Site Privacy: no
Pad surface: Dirt
Reservations: No
Outside Road Noise: This cg is right off the highway. Some sites back up towards the highway.
Through Traffic in campground: No
Setting: Under tree canopy.
Solar: solar looks to be pretty good in most sites.
Insects: Did not seem to be a problem during our brief April visit.
Host: No
Sites: Near highway. Site 1 backs up towards the highway.
RangerGreat, great free camping. ~20 sites, most official sites have concrete pads & trashcans but a few more primitive spots just have driveways & rock campfire rings. Great Verizon Service. WINDY. Pretty, too.
Guide
Pretty uneventful. They're still putting the place together but all hookups are ready to go. Great online reservation system. Even same day
Camping near Springerville, Arizona, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Springerville, Arizona, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some unforgettable memories!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Springerville, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Springerville, AZ offers a wide range of camping options, with 117 campgrounds and RV parks near Springerville, AZ and 11 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Springerville, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Springerville, AZ is Lyman Lake State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 18 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Springerville, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 free dispersed camping spots near Springerville, AZ.
What parks are near Springerville, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near Springerville, AZ that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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