The White Mountains around Springerville, Arizona offer camping options at elevations between 6,500 and 9,000 feet. Summer temperatures in this region typically range from 50°F at night to 80°F during the day, with afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August. The area features ponderosa pine forests alongside high desert terrain, creating diverse ecosystems for wildlife viewing and outdoor activities.
What to do
Fishing at multiple lakes: Big Lake Recreation Area provides excellent trout fishing with rentals available. "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," notes one Rainbow Campground visitor.
Explore petroglyphs: Lyman Lake State Park features ancient rock art accessible via maintained trails. "The petroglyphs were awesome with some nice hiking trails," reports a camper at Lyman Lake State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The White Mountains house diverse animal species in their forest habitats. A camper at Rainbow Campground observed: "The forest teamed with wildlife. There were squirrels and chipmunks everywhere. I spotted a group of elk cows and later mule deer bucks. I observed at least 5 species of birds."
What campers like
Large campsites with privacy: Many campgrounds feature spacious sites separated by natural vegetation. At Brook Char Campground, "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."
Clean facilities: Maintained bathroom facilities enhance the camping experience. "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," notes a visitor to Lyman Lake State Park.
Moderate temperatures: The high elevation provides relief from desert heat. One camper at Hawley Lake Apache Indian Res mentioned, "Hawley Lake is the perfect escape when you want to get out of the heat... cool weather during the summer and clean facilities almost make you feel like your not in Arizona anymore."
What you should know
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require travel on unpaved roads. A visitor to Reservation Lake Apache Indian Res reported, "The dirt washboard road getting in (45 mins) was enough for me to not love this place. But, once you're there it really is a beautiful place."
Wildlife precautions: Food storage is essential due to active wildlife. "Bears frequent the area so you must lock up all food and trash in your car over night," warns a Brook Char camper.
Weather patterns: Prepare for rapid weather changes and afternoon storms. "It was spring break and we drove through a blizzard to find ourselves under clear skies at Quemado Lake. The weather caught up to us and we had about four to five inches of snow fall on us overnight," shared a camper at El Caso.
Tips for camping with families
Choose accessible campsites: Some areas offer better facilities for families with young children. A camper at Reservation Lake noted, "You're really roughing it here... The lake itself is awesome and the camping is primitive but awesome views."
Pack for temperature swings: Nights can be significantly colder than days, even in summer. "80 degree days and 50 degree nights. Perfect for campfires under the blanket of millions of stars," reports a Hawley Lake visitor.
Consider cabin options: For families wanting upgraded glamping near Springerville, Arizona, cabins provide comfort with nature access. A visitor to Lyman Lake said, "Stayed at Elk Cabin for 2 nights. Cabins are very nice and clean. Campground is very well maintained and the staff is very friendly. There are multiple trails to explore and have a great time."
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles. "FHU available, spacious sites, wind does come up, clean restrooms and showers, has store well stocked, blacktop roads, blacktop to park your rig. Some pull thru sites, mostly back ins, large sites," reports an RVer at Lyman Lake State Park.
Prepare for limited services: Many campgrounds have minimal amenities. "[We had] no internet service and poor phone reception (T-Mobile) which was a little issue for us as we are traveling cross country and we need to confirm some of our upcoming RV stops," noted a Rainbow Campground visitor.
Consider weather impacts: Wind and precipitation affect RV camping comfort. One camper at Cottonwood mentioned it's "shaded, near road but little traffic," making it "a fine place to stay the night" despite being "nothing special."
