Camping near Strawberry, Arizona offers sites at various elevations with many dispersed locations accessible via forest roads. The region experiences average July temperatures around 85°F with overnight lows dropping to 55°F even in summer months. Thunderstorms typically peak between mid-July and late August, creating flash flood potential on forest roads.
What to do
Hiking to water features: Access trails near Houston Mesa Campground leading to creek access points. "Short drive to water," notes Carlos Q., adding the campground provides "very clean and quiet lots of hiking areas."
Visit historic sites: Explore local history just miles from camp. "2 miles East on Houston Mesa rd. Away you can drive to shofly Indian ruins," shares a camper at Houston Mesa Campground.
Canyon overlooks: Take Forest Road 609 for dramatic canyon views. "There was the most amazing canyon view perfect for watching the sunset," writes Corey M. about FS 609 - Dispersed Camping, adding "There were no other people there and it felt magical."
Wildlife watching: The region supports diverse wildlife populations including turkey, elk, and cattle. At Pivot Rock Canyon, one camper noted, "We had a recurring group of curious cattle since we were right next to their water hole. PLEASE PLEASE clean up after yourselves and be mindful of the wildlife that live here."
What campers like
Cellular connectivity: Many dispersed sites offer surprisingly good connectivity. "I have T-Mobile and had full bars of 5g," reports a camper at FS 609. Another visitor to Milk Ranch Point Road notes, "Decent cell service" among the benefits.
Road accessibility: Most forest roads remain accessible to standard vehicles with moderate clearance. "Able to get there in my Chevy Trax which is front wheel drive only, without any problems," states Nick V. about Milk Ranch Point Road.
Shaded campsites: Pine forest coverage provides natural cooling. "Thick tree coverage which hid us from the winds that day/night and the rim was a 200 foot walk away," writes a camper at Milk Ranch Point Road.
Proximity to small towns: Quick access to supplies remains convenient. "Conveniently located to Pine and Strawberry," notes Kenny R. from Kehl Springs Campground, while another camper adds it's "close to the cute towns of Pine and Strawberry. It's also close to Tonto Natural Bridge."
What you should know
High clearance requirements: Many dispersed sites require appropriate vehicles. "A vehicle with clearance is a MUST for this road, especially if you plan to go farther than the first couple of sites," explains a visitor to FS 609, while another advises "Big Chevy Silverado did great. No need for 4x4, but good tires are a must."
Seasonal bathroom conditions: Established campgrounds maintain clean facilities. The vault toilets at Kehl Springs were described as "the cleanest I've ever seen, anywhere," by one camper who added that "the campground was pretty quiet, despite being almost totally full."
Roadway dust: Some campgrounds experience traffic-related dust issues. "Only problem is the proximity to the road with a lot of ATV/UTV and general traffic who seldom follow the speed restrictions. This leads to a lot of dust and the potential for it being blown across your site," notes Andrew M. at Kehl Springs.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some locations. At Pine Dispersed, a camper reports "You can hear some of the traffic but it wasn't a big deal to us," while noting "We didn't see anyone for the three days we were there."
Tips for camping with families
Playground alternatives: Natural areas provide better play spaces than designated playgrounds. "Our kids adore playing in the dirt and exploring the trees," mentions one family staying at Houston Mesa Campground, who appreciated the "ample space at each campsite."
Swimming hole access: Multiple water access points exist within short drives. "My favorite day use river spot is 15 minutes away," shares Will W. about Houston Mesa, adding that amenities were "in great condition."
Fire safety preparations: Seasonal restrictions often limit campfires. "There are established fire rings here and there," notes a camper at Pine Dispersed, but adds, "We have a traverse and it did just fine. Lots of places to camp!"
Wildlife precautions: Animal encounters remain common throughout the area. "Had a few gun shots and elks during the night," reports David R., highlighting the importance of proper food storage and night awareness.
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: Site layouts vary significantly at established campgrounds. "Our hookups were in the very far back corner of the space so we needed to choose between a small sliver of shade provided by the solar cover or the reach of our dump hose," shares an RVer at Verde Ranch RV Resort.
Dump station availability: Facilities may have fees or limited availability. "Dump station was closed while we were here and it looks like they charge to use is when open," notes Chris P. about Houston Mesa Campground.
Road condition updates: Forest Service roads change seasonally. "They also do logging out here and as of July 26, they just leveled and packed gravel down so the road is accessible for non 4x4 cars," reports a recent visitor to Milk Ranch Point Road.
Site verification: Reservation systems may not reflect actual availability. Michael B. shares about Houston Mesa: "Recreation.gov app said there were no sites available on a recent Sunday, but a drive through found 3 of every 4 sites open. The web site was more accurate."
