The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Vernon. Vernon is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
Enjoy this gorgeous slice of Arizona's White Mountain region from your personal campsite! Listen as a gentle breeze blows through pine boughs, watch big, white, fluffy clouds careen through the sky, and feel the cool northern Arizona chill on your skin. Experience the magic of watching a herd of elk feeding lakeside, or the exhilaration of a fish on the end of your line. We'll provide the possibility of adventure, all you have to do is show up and make memories!
Non-hook-up (Tent Only) Sites 31 sites: Maximum of two vehicles and six adults per site, 10 people total. Concrete pads, fire ring and picnic table, restrooms and showers. RVs are not allowed in non-hook-up (tent only) sites.
Electric RV sites 92 sites: 30 Amp service (some 50 Amp available). Can accommodate up to 40-foot rigs. Water available at all sites. Mallard and Redhead Loops also have sewer available. Maximum of two vehicles and six adults each, 12 people total.
April 1 through Oct. 30, there is a two night minimum stay for weekend camping: you must reserve both Friday and Saturday night.
$25 - $70 / night
Upper Campground
$25 - $65 / night
Head to the heart of the White Mountains, Show Low Lake Campground! Nestled in the town of Show Low, Arizona, experience all the outdoor fun of camping in the woods with shopping and entertainment just minutes away.
At 6,500 feet elevation, Show Low Lake campground surrounds a stunning 100 acre lake. The tree studded grounds are open year round offering 75 camping sites, some with electric hook-ups, as well as dump station, restrooms, shower facilities (seasonal), day use picnic ramadas, and playground. A small convenience store (seasonal) offers up bait, tackle, boat rentals, drinks and snacks.
$18 - $150 / night
If getting completely away from it all and experiencing the outdoors for all it has to offer is your camping ideal then plan your camping vacation in the Big Lake Recreation Area. Big Lake itself is 575 acres, and makes a convenient base for other local lakes like Crescent Lake, Lee Valley Lake and the East and West Forks of the Black River. Choose your site from one of nine campgrounds and experience exceptional hiking and mountain biking trails, wildlife viewing, and trout fishing. Campers have the convenience of paved roads, a dump station and showers, but no electric hookups. Apache Trout, the largest campground can accomodate RVs (max 45 feet) as well as in sections of Grayling Campground. Two campgrounds give tent campers the entire campground all to themselves. A visitor center and naturalist programs offer plenty of knowledge about the area.
Rainbow is the largest campground in the Big Lake Recreation Area in eastern Arizona. Because of its proximity to the lake, size and the many amenities it offers, Rainbow is a favorite for families. Popular activities include hiking, horseback riding and fishing.
The campground is adjacent to 450-acre Big Lake, one of Arizona's top fishing lakes. The lake is known for its trout fishing, with rainbow, cutthroat, brook and Apache being the most sought-after species. The recreation area is also popular for hiking, mountain biking, birding and wildlife viewing. Curious campers can attend educational programs at the recreation area's visitor center.
The campground is adjacent to 450-acre Big Lake, one of Arizona's top fishing lakes. The lake is known for its trout fishing, with rainbow, cutthroat, brook and Apache being the most sought-after species. The recreation area is also popular for hiking, mountain biking, birding and wildlife viewing. Curious campers can attend educational programs at the recreation area's visitor center.
Rainbow Campground sits at an elevation of 9,000 feet in the White Mountains. It is a very scenic area, forested with ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, spruce and aspen trees, which provide ample shade. Summer temperatures are pleasant and cool, a nice respite from the heat of the lower desert. Visitors should come prepared for cool nighttime temperatures and occasional summer thunderstorms.
Visitors can explore endless vistas and take part in many outdoor activities in the surrounding Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, which encompasses 2 million acres of magnificent mountain country in east-central Arizona and New Mexico. Springerville, Arizona is the closest town to the campground.
$28 - $90 / night
We are an RV and tent property in the white mountains located in Vernon, AZ. We have plenty of bare land that we maintain to pick a spot and start camping on, we have a fast food restaurant/grocery store on property that offers drive in/outdoor movies on designated nights. The peaceful tranquil property is located at the foot of Cerro Montoso Volcano where the Antelopes roam. We have limited Free electricity due to solar power and are working extending this limited free electricity to sites. We are also in process of building a shower/outhouse across from the store.
$10 - $15 / night
Head to the heart of the White Mountains, Show Low Lake Campground! Nestled in the town of Show Low, Arizona, experience all the outdoor fun of camping in the woods with shopping and entertainment just minutes away.
At 6,500 feet elevation, Show Low Lake campground surrounds a stunning 100 acre lake. The tree studded grounds are open year round offering 75 camping sites, some with electric hook-ups, as well as dump station, restrooms, shower facilities (seasonal), day use picnic ramadas, and playground. A small convenience store (seasonal) offers up bait, tackle, boat rentals, drinks and snacks.
$18 - $150 / night
If getting completely away from it all and experiencing the outdoors for all it has to offer is your camping ideal then plan your camping vacation in the Big Lake Recreation Area. Big Lake itself is 575 acres, and makes a convenient base for other local lakes like Crescent Lake, Lee Valley Lake and the East and West Forks of the Black River. Choose your site from one of nine campgrounds and experience exceptional hiking and mountain biking trails, wildlife viewing, and trout fishing. Campers have the convenience of paved roads, a dump station and showers, but no electric hookups. Apache Trout, the largest campground can accomodate RVs (max 45 feet) as well as in sections of Grayling Campground. Two campgrounds give tent campers the entire campground all to themselves. A visitor center and naturalist programs offer plenty of knowledge about the area.
Traveler
The entire Mallard loop has generous paved sites. There is a picnic table and nice fire pit. Plenty of paved space to set up. Pines surround each site and provide ample shade. Each site has easy access to the lake. The bathrooms have showers and were spotless.
Scout
Great fire pit and some flat spots for a tent. The highway got quieter in the middle of the night for a little while. We stayed right next to some ruins and all three of us had wild dreams about ghosts, ghost horses, and animals. The next morning we found we were only a few steps away from a mountain lion kill site! WOW! So many kinds of animals. Elk. Coyote. Cow. Sheep. You name it! It was an exciting way to spend the evening. Enjoy!
Scout
Got here at night and found it quite easily. Not the most scenic as the lake is dried up and the highway is visible (and audible). Trash cans were overflowing with trash, and a few of the sites were trashed as well. I also think I saw human poop by the bushes. At around midnight some guy came by our tent asking if we knew where the portopotties went, and said the site we were at is where he usually stays…
Legend
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. You can’t go wrong with any of the sites, including the first come first serve loops.
Traveler
Great overnight stop after a visit through The Petrified Forest. Location awesome. We went to the area through the gate past the sheltered electric camp spots. There were cement pads as well in the fenced area. We positioned our trailer to block the light from the Crystal shop so we could photograph the milky way. Felt very safe.
The Crystal shop opens at 8am. Bought a few affordable crystals, friendly and knowledgable staff. A few photo opps with old cars weighed down with petrified rocks.
Scout
Your article made me want to pack my bags and go immediately! Thanks for sharing. Play game planet clicker with me!
Traveler
Nice couple of sites with a variety of trees not just Ponderosa Pine. Logging tucks noisy during the day. At 9200 ft elevation got cold at night in September.
Ranger
Wonderful campground with flat sites, well spaced. Pit toilets and a shower. Dump on site! A bit expensive for dry camping but there in no dispersed camping in Greer and the neighboring apache res requires a $9 permit to dispersed camp. Three reservoirs nearby to hike to or fish at.
Ranger
Very large CG with full hookups, level sites, flush toilets and showers. Casino and its restaurants next door. Wild horses venture through the camp in the evening! Spots are pretty close together, it is very full and mostly full timer/long term campers. Staff was helpful and courteous. We did not have a reservation until that morning. It is very busy so advance reservations are the norm. casino offers first timers a players pass with $6 for food and $5 casino credit.
Traveler
We had a great site near the rear of the park with many shade trees and plenty of room. In general the sites are quite close together, but the folks were friendly and very helpful.....
Scout
Only a couple logging trucks on a very nice maintained road. All alone on a mountain top!! Me and my dog are living the life!
Traveler
Park is looking great. Great location between Show Low and Pinetop with Highway access.
Ranger
Right along the highway on a big climb from both sides. Maybe when the b/w photo was taken it was cool with 10% of the traffic now? The road is crazy busy these days. I would not recommend this location.
Ranger
The location is wrong! This is the coordinates - 33.76672° N, 109.35443° W This was so much more beautiful before the Wallow Fire. Please put out your fires! I grew up not far from here and always enjoy coming. There are small trout in the river and Big Lake, Crescent Lake, Mexican Hat Lake, Reservation Lake, and Lee Valley Reservoir all close. There is picnic tables, potable water in tanks if needed, vault toilets, fire rings all in the campground. The marina store at Big Lake and Crescent Lake both have stores with firewood. At the time of the posting, the camp host at Diamond Rock campground had firewood for sale not far up the road. Watch the corners going in and out as the OHV guys drive pretty fast and the road is narrow in many places. Bear Wallow Cafe is in Alpine and I recommend the pie!
GuideEasy to get to, close to town, clearly marked trails and roadways. Hiking views were spectacular.
GuideIt had been 28 years since we last camped at Rainbow. It is still a great place to escape the desert heat. It was 115 when we left the big city. Five hours later we found ourselves camped at 9100 feet, enjoying the cool temps in the mid 60's and the passing rain showers. Aspens, pines, and wildlife were all in abundance. Big Lake is a good fishing lake too.
The sites have plenty of space, shade, and privacy. Roads are paved and in good shape. The restrooms were constantly cleaned by the very friendly and capable staff from recreation resource management which operates the campground for the forest service.
Firewood and ice are available (stage 2 fire restrictions were in effect so no campfires), water was convenient as was gray water disposal. There is a centralized dump station, showers, and a small but educational visitor center. Trash dumpsters are centralized and easy to access.
If you don't fish there is still hiking to Mount Baldy, and short scenic drives to the very small towns of Greer and Alpine. We enjoyed exploring the miles of scenic forest roads, and wildlife viewing. We saw 4 Mexican gray wolves which was very special.
This is a very popular campground that accommodates all types of rigs. They do have first come first serve sites available, but it is recommended to make reservations at least 4 days in advance. Reservations can be made at recreation.gov. It's always best practice to print a copy of your reservation. There is no cell service in this area.
We look forward to camping again at Rainbow.
TravelerNot much to it, just some picnic tables on slabs next to parking spots. But if u plan to go into the park in the morning it makes sense.
Ranger
This is not a campground, but a spot to pull off the road when logging trucks are coming up.
Ranger
Always great fishing here. There is NO camping here. I repeat, NO CAMPING. But plenty of dispersed to be found up the road further all the way to Terry Flat. There are trails up the road and some OHV and a Jeep trail. There is housing when coming off the highway. Be respectful and don’t drive 45 down the road. Take your time and take it in.
Ranger
Quiet place not far off a Forest Service Rd.
Ranger
Nice quiet area. Small lake. Didn’t fish, so unsure. No amenities at all, which is fine. Road is a little rough going in, in places.
RangerGreat, great free camping. ~20 sites, most official sites have concrete pads & trashcans but a few more primitive spots just have driveways & rock campfire rings. Great Verizon Service. WINDY. Pretty, too.
Guide
Pretty uneventful. They're still putting the place together but all hookups are ready to go. Great online reservation system. Even same day
Guide
Just an overnighter, very quiet, looks to very new. Good internet reception. Very level site, we didn't have to unhook.
Guide
We pulled in after hours and a ranger kindly helped us find our spot. She recommended a cool hiking trail to check out the next morning. 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. Did I mention the views are gorgeous? The views alone are worth staying here.
ScoutThey have a registered sex offender here that hits on you if you cross his path. Meth heads around and dirty spaces. I'd avoid the place. Way nicer parks around with nicer management. It's a gross place. The manager walks around with a gun and they have cameras everywhere due to high crime.
Scout
Easy to find and park, lots of campervans and RVs set up, slabs, picnic tables , seemed like 30 watt power outlets but didn't work when I tried to plug in (makes sense, it's free!) Store opens in the am with bathrooms, big dumpster, beautiful stars
Camping near Vernon, Arizona, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Vernon, Arizona, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some lasting memories!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Vernon, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Vernon, AZ offers a wide range of camping options, with 108 campgrounds and RV parks near Vernon, AZ and 14 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Vernon, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Vernon, AZ is Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 43 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Vernon, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 free dispersed camping spots near Vernon, AZ.
What parks are near Vernon, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near Vernon, AZ that allow camping, notably Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest and El Morro National Monument.
