Best Tent Camping near Vernon, AZ
Tent camping options near Vernon, Arizona include several established campgrounds and dispersed sites within the surrounding forest and Apache reservation lands. Brown Creek Campground offers secluded tent sites with minimal development and no formal amenities, making it suitable for campers seeking a primitive experience. Beehive Spring Camp provides dispersed camping at higher elevations (9,200 feet), while Shush Bezahze on the Apache Reservation offers more amenities including drinking water, picnic tables, and toilets.
Most tent sites in the Vernon area require campers to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Brown Creek Campground has few established fire rings, requiring campers to build their own when permitted, and no bathroom facilities exist on site. Sites typically feature dirt or forest floor surfaces with variable leveling. Seasonal considerations include cold nights at higher elevations even in September, and monsoon season from late June through August brings almost daily rainfall. Some areas require permits, particularly those on Apache Reservation land where a San Carlos Apache use permit costs $20 per day per person over 12 years old.
The camping experience varies significantly between locations. According to one visitor, Brown Creek Campground is "very secluded and not at all developed" with limited signage and few established sites. The dense tree coverage creates pitch-black conditions on moonless nights. Areas on the Apache Reservation provide different experiences, with one camper noting that Shush Bezahze offers "boondocking at its finest! Quiet, large campground, easy access to lake, wildlife." Many sites accommodate only small groups with limited parking for 2 tents or small campers. Wildlife sightings are common, including bears near water sources. Tent campers should be prepared for variable conditions, including logging truck noise during daytime hours at some locations like Beehive Spring Camp.
