Best Campgrounds near Strawberry, AZ
The pine-covered landscapes surrounding Strawberry, Arizona provide a range of camping experiences from developed sites to remote dispersed options. Established campgrounds like Houston Mesa near Payson offer amenities including drinking water, electric hookups, and toilet facilities from February through November. For those seeking more primitive experiences, Forest Service roads like FR 609 and Milk Ranch Point Road provide free dispersed camping with fire rings but no facilities. Kehl Springs Campground, open year-round, strikes a middle ground with basic amenities like picnic tables and vault toilets in a forested setting. The area's proximity to the Mogollon Rim creates diverse camping environments within a relatively compact region, with elevations ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 feet.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the area, with many dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles. As one camper noted, "The road can be hard to find without GPS, no signage. A vehicle with clearance is a MUST for this road, especially if you plan to go farther than the first couple of sites." Summer temperatures typically remain moderate due to the elevation, though afternoon thunderstorms are common during monsoon season (July-September). Fire restrictions are frequently implemented during dry periods, particularly in late spring and early summer. Cell service is surprisingly strong near some sites, with one reviewer reporting "Strong 5G cellular signal on ATT" at a site just 5 miles from Strawberry, though coverage becomes spotty in more remote areas. Most dispersed camping follows the standard 14-day stay limit enforced by Forest Service rangers.
Campers consistently praise the region's pine forests and relative quiet compared to more popular destinations. The proximity to small towns is frequently mentioned as a benefit, with one visitor noting, "Beautiful forest and close to the cute towns of Pine and Strawberry. It's also close to Tonto Natural Bridge." Highway noise affects some sites, particularly those near Highway 87. Wildlife sightings are common, with cattle, elk, and various bird species frequently mentioned in reviews. Insect activity varies by season, with one camper reporting, "The bugs were super intense. We didn't have a screened-in porch and it was brutal. Maybe it was just the time of year, I don't know. But we came from 2 days in Strawberry and didn't have anywhere near the bug problem." Trash management remains an ongoing concern in some dispersed areas, with rangers actively monitoring for compliance with pack-it-in, pack-it-out principles.
