The Springerville area sits at the eastern edge of Arizona's White Mountains with campgrounds spread across multiple elevations from 6,200 to 9,100 feet. Unlike the low desert regions of Arizona, this area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures typically 20-30 degrees cooler than Phoenix. Many campsites in this region offer access to fishing lakes and reservoirs with stocked trout being the primary catch.
What to do
Hiking to petroglyphs: At Lyman Lake State Park, follow well-maintained trails to ancient rock art. "There is a rock squeeze in the trail too," notes one visitor who rated the petroglyph trail system highly. The trail offers both historical and geological interest with sandstone formations.
Fishing different waters: Fish multiple lakes within a short drive radius. "The fishing was decent for catfish but you have to compete with the strong winds," reports a Lyman Lake camper. Big Lake offers another fishing experience, though conditions vary seasonally.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings provide the best wildlife spotting opportunities. "We saw 4 Mexican gray wolves which was very special," shares one camper at Rainbow Campground. Many campers also report seeing elk, deer, squirrels, and numerous bird species throughout the area.
What campers like
Higher elevation cooling: Summer visitors appreciate the dramatic temperature differences from lower Arizona. A camper at Big Lake Campground notes, "Had the best time at Big Lake, AZ. First off though, reserve a camp site on-line. I didn't but got lucky because we arrived on a Thursday."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. At Rainbow Campground, "The restrooms were constantly cleaned by the very friendly and capable staff from recreation resource management which operates the campground for the forest service."
Spacious sites: Campers consistently mention the generous spacing between sites. At Winn Campground, "This campground was beautiful and the sites were so big and spread out. We got 4 sites and ended up only using 2. We were right in the trees and our sites backed up into a meadow."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Most forest service campgrounds operate from May through October, closing for winter due to snow and freezing conditions. Higher elevation sites like Winn Campground, at approximately 9,000 feet, have shorter seasons than lower areas.
Reservation requirements: For the best places to camp near Springerville, Arizona during peak times, advance planning is essential. "It's always best practice to print a copy of your reservation. There is no cell service in this area," advises a Rainbow Campground visitor.
Weather patterns: At Benny Creek Campground, temperatures can fluctuate significantly between day and night. "There is a Creek that runs along good amount of campground, and a little lake/reservoir 10-15 minute hike away. Lake area was empty and serene as can be," reports one camper who found this less-busy option when other areas were full.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly wildlife opportunities: Children often enjoy the abundant wildlife viewing. At Big Lake Campground, one parent shared: "We saw blue jays, squirrels, chipmunks, as well as several elk who wandered through camp in the early evening. We will be going up to Big Lake again next year, if not sooner."
Protect food from animals: Keep all food secure, even during short absences. "The squirrels are voracious and chewed through my stuff sack with sealed food that I left on the picnic table when I went for a bike ride around the lake," warns one camper.
Space for group activities: When camping with multiple families, look for campgrounds with meadow access. At Springerville RV Park, "The Springville RV Park is well spread out very nice pull through down the middle and equally spacious back in on both sides of the pull through spots."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Full hookup sites are concentrated in specific campgrounds. "We stayed here in 2017. The spaces are well spaced & large. Lots of shady spots. Owners were very helpful and friendly, (this was our maiden voyage), & the park matched," notes a visitor to Bear Paw RV Park.
Varying cell service quality: Connectivity varies widely across campgrounds. "Verizon 5G is strong but slowish" at Springerville RV Park, while other campgrounds have no service at all.
Elevation considerations: RVers should be prepared for effects of high elevation. "After 36 hours, my ear lobes and face started bruising. Once the nausea set in, I knew I was not prepared to go 8500ft," reports one camper who experienced altitude sickness at a dispersed site near Rolfe C. Hoyer Campground.
Traveler
