130 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The White Mountains region surrounding Springerville, Arizona features diverse camping options at elevations between 6,000-9,000 feet, offering a stark contrast to Arizona's desert landscapes. Lyman Lake State Park, located 11 miles south of St. Johns, provides year-round camping with full hookup sites directly adjacent to the water. The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests contain several established campgrounds including Rolfe C. Hoyer, Benny Creek, and Rainbow, which operate seasonally from May through October. Big Lake Campground, situated about 30 miles southwest of Springerville, offers both tent and RV camping with boat access to one of the area's popular fishing lakes. For those seeking urban convenience, Springerville RV Park provides full hookups within city limits.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability in the Springerville area. Most forest service campgrounds close during winter months due to snow and freezing temperatures, while lower elevation sites like Lyman Lake remain accessible year-round. Summer brings afternoon thunderstorms, particularly during the July-August monsoon season. "The elevation of 6,200 feet makes for very pleasant weather most of the year," notes one camper about a nearby campground. "I have spent Thanksgiving at this location and loved that it got cold at night and a little warmer during the day." Fire restrictions frequently affect camping during dry periods, typically May through July. Cell service remains spotty throughout the region, with most forest campgrounds offering limited or no connectivity.
Wildlife viewing opportunities rank highly among camper experiences in the Springerville area. "The elk herds outnumber the cattle—a morning and evening spectacle!" reports one visitor to a nearby RV park. Many campgrounds near meadows provide regular sightings of elk, deer, and various bird species. Fishing access drives campground selection for many visitors, with Big Lake, Benny Creek, and Lyman Lake offering different fishing experiences. Campers consistently mention the cooler temperatures as a primary attraction during summer months. "Pristine views, cool weather during the summer and clean facilities almost make you feel like you're not in Arizona anymore," writes one reviewer. Tent campers particularly appreciate the pine forest settings that provide natural shade and privacy between sites, while RV campers value the full hookup options available at several locations.
"There are some short trails with wonderful views of the lake and surrounding area, and there are petroglyphs to explore."
"Spots are close to the lake which is really nice. The overall campground is nice and the spots were spaced out nicely."
from $25 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Only one wifi spot near office. Super nice folks. Verizon 5G is strong but slowish. Close to town. Right on the highway but it was quiet at night."
"But after talking to Don the camp host you could get a spot with one at checkin or one if one is available at a nearby spot move to your spot."
from $45 / night
Check Availability"Situated in NE Arizona, you get to experience cooler weather, fishing across the road and a local general store near by for those forgotten items."
"Lakes nearby within walking distance dogs had a blast!"
from $38 / night
Check Availability"Like my title implies, this is where you go if you really want to “get away” from It all! This gorgeous campground is remote, very remote."
"Great campsites within walk distance of the lake! Down fall is the campsites are big (enough room for all your camp friends) but you can only have two cars per site. Don’t let this keep you away!"
"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."
"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."
from $34 - $110 / night
Check Availability"12 per night, walking distance to Bunch Reservoir, decent spacing between each campsite. Easy access to the town that's only a short drive away."
"When all the other campgrounds in surrounding areas are packed, Benny Creek is it!
came here on a recent holiday weekend, when everything around show low and pinetop were packed."
from $60 - $80 / night
Check Availability"The only trash receptacle I saw was a dumpster at the entrance, a closer one (by the toilets) would have been nice to get rid of my dog waste bags."
"There was an outhouse near our site and it was kept pretty clean. We had 5 adults and 10 kids so we kept to ourselves the entire time we were there. I highly recommend this campground."
from $26 - $125 / night
Check Availability
GuideThis is one of the best campgrounds I’ve stayed in. Bathrooms and showers were very clean. Quiet. Host was very nice. Sites had enough space in between to make it feel private.
GuideBigger campground than I thought for a private campground. They do have showers and cell service on Verizon works. It seems the locals come into the campground to use the playground equipment. Nobody was at the entrance station to check in campers and I got here early.
GuideThere are several great campsites at this free Forest Service park. Did not use the pit toilet. Most campsites had a fire pit or fire ring and several had picnic tables. Most are shaded at least part of the day. Crappy internet with TravlFi (Starlink might have better reception) and Verizon was 1-2 bars. The FS has been clearing underbrush and beetle killed pines leaving lots of firewood. The majority of campsites are on the other side of the San Francisco River (concreted ford) from the entrance. It was dry during our visit. There is one very large campsite , probably intended for group camping. Two extra long picnic tables there. We would have liked to camp in the area “across the ditch” but our 41’ 5th wheel would never have made it across. Also that area wasn’t as attractive as it might have been with one side of the canyon clear cut. We stayed a week. We found a deer or elk carcass about 200 yards from where we were, just on the left as you enter the park.
GuideFound this initially on Boondockers Welcome and double checked on The Dyrt. Directions and map were clearer on The Dyrt. We missed a crucial turn and wandered around for an hour on narrow, rocky gravel roads before Lew could talk us through the route. I guess I’m not as good at reading a map or directions as I thought I was.
Lew has a gorgeous property with plenty of sites of all sizes but only two “developed.” We were told to feel free to find a spot that felt good and to clear rocks to make a fire pit if we wished. We decided to set up in “Site 2” which was extra roomy and easily accommodated our 41’ fifth wheel. Lew is in the process of clearing undergrowth and there’s lots of wood available for fires. However, it has been an extremely dry winter, so be judicious, as it does get windy up here on the ridge.
This is definitely off grid — no power, no water and no dump station. Verizon was 2 bars reliably and occasionally 3. WiFi was excellent.
ScoutIt’s small with fhu at each site. Reservations online but only regular size sites, only a few large 5th wheel/ motorhome sites. No showers but has small nice laundry room.
TravelerPassing through working. Always looking for a good dispersed campground. This is it. I can see 3 other campers from this spot although it is Saturday. Sweet standard spot. Cool place to party probably.
ScoutThere is no camping at the trailhead, but if you continue up the trails you will see sites just off the road. There were deep ruts and places where the gravel road was washed out which stopped us from going farther in. It was a wonderful uneventful stay.
TravelerNice secluded sites for dispersed camping. Pretty level.
TravelerIt was dark when I arrived so I parked near the entrance. Quiet, easy to find. Could see others already settled in.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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."
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the RV parks located in Springerville, AZ?
Springerville offers several RV park options in and around the area. Springerville RV Park is located directly in town, providing convenient access to local amenities. Bear Paw RV Park is situated nearby in Eagar, just minutes from Springerville. For those seeking a more adult-oriented experience, Coronado Trail RV Park 55+ in Alpine provides quiet, well-maintained sites with level gravel back-ins, making an excellent base camp for exploring the region.
What are the seasonal weather considerations for camping in Springerville?
Springerville's high elevation (approximately 7,000 feet) creates distinct seasonal camping conditions. Summer (June-August) offers pleasantly cool temperatures, typically ranging from 50-85°F, making it peak camping season. Fall brings spectacular foliage but cooler nights, with temperatures dropping significantly by October. Winter camping is challenging due to snow and freezing temperatures from November through March. Spring can be unpredictable with potential snowstorms in April and May. Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Campground and Big Lake Campground are popular year-round but experience seasonal closures during heavy winter conditions.
What camping options are available in Springerville for tent campers?
Rolfe C. Hoyer Campground is a popular choice for tent campers near Springerville, offering clean grounds with necessary amenities while maintaining a natural camping feel. The campground features nearby fishing and a local general store for forgotten supplies. For a tent-only experience, Brook Char Campground provides large sites with multiple tent clearings, ample shade, potable water, and central bathrooms. Dispersed camping is available at Timber Mesa Trailhead, with flat spots for tents and established fire rings.
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