Camping sites near Show Low, Arizona offer opportunities for outdoor recreation at an elevation of approximately 6,300 feet in the White Mountains region. The area features numerous dispersed camping locations alongside established campgrounds, creating diverse options for both tent campers and RV enthusiasts. Summer temperatures typically range from 50°F at night to 80°F during daytime, with monsoon season bringing afternoon thunderstorms from July through September.
What to do
Fishing at nearby lakes: Show Low Lake Campground provides easy access to trout fishing opportunities. According to one camper, "Short walk to the lake for swimming and/or fishing. They stock the lake and the creek behind it with trout."
Wildlife viewing: GreatSky CampRanch offers excellent stargazing and wildlife observation opportunities. A visitor notes, "Camping in the Juniper and Cedars is an amazing experience, especially under the sky full of stars."
Hiking local trails: Timber Mesa Trailhead provides access to mountain trails within minutes of town. As one reviewer describes, "Easy to get to, close to town, clearly marked trails and roadways. Hiking views were spectacular."
Bird watching: The lake areas attract numerous bird species. At Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area, one camper observed, "We went a little early in the season, late April. The nights were below freezing. The lake is beautiful and calm. There were turkey vultures galore. And there were goose parents with fluffy goslings!"
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Campground receives praise for its well-designed layout. One camper shared, "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."
Clean facilities: The maintained restrooms and facilities enhance the camping experience. According to a camper at Show Low Lake Campground, "For the cleanliness, this campground should get 5 stars. The people who work there clean the bathrooms throughout the day so they're always nice."
Lake proximity: Many campsites offer convenient water access. One reviewer at Show Low Lake Campground commented, "This is by far my favorite lake campground and one of my top 3 overall campgrounds. The camping spots are large and clean... We love to take our canoe and hang out on the lake."
Year-round accessibility: Several camping areas remain open throughout winter months. A visitor to Hon-Dah RV Park noted, "Excellent location near Pinetop-Lakeside and Show Low. Easy check-in. Wifi available. Clean bathrooms. Laundry available. Wonderful hosts. 24 hour security driving around."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. For Fool Hollow Lake, one camper advises, "This is one of our most favorite campgrounds of all. Highly advise making a reservation at least 6 months ahead of time."
Weather considerations: The mountain elevation creates variable conditions. A camper at Ponderosa RV Resort shared, "We spent 5-nights here (July 1-6, 2022). Ponderosa is a reasonably quiet RV park in the pines of Pinetop."
Site selection: Some campgrounds have specific restrictions on accommodation types. At Show Low Lake Campground, a camper noted, "The spots were clean, some with shade and some out in the open. We stayed across the road in the second camping loop and they only allow RV's in this side, no tents."
Weekend crowds: Hon-Dah RV Park and other sites can get busy during weekends and holidays. One visitor observed, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Campground selection: Family-friendly amenities vary between locations. A visitor to Show Low Lake Campground reported, "This campground was really nice and quiet on the weekdays. I left on Sat morning, and Friday night it was hopping and crowded (It was also Fathers day weekend)."
Activity planning: Recreation opportunities abound for children. According to a camper at Show Low Lake Campground, "We love to spend time on the biking/hiking trail around the lake. You can fish too. Plenty of bird and wildlife watching."
Safety considerations: Wildlife sightings require proper precautions. A camper at Timber Mesa Trailhead warned, "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."
Bathroom access: Facility availability varies between campgrounds. One camper noted about Show Low Lake Campground, "On the downside there was only 1 flush toilet bathroom for one side of the campground. There were more flush toilets and showers by the registration office, but they were locked in the evening/night."
Tips from RVers
Campsite navigation: Venture In RV Resort requires careful maneuvering for larger rigs. A reviewer explained, "The sites are pretty level, really wide, and fairly deep. There is a concrete patio with each site. Sites are covered in cinders which are a bit of a pain. They present a somewhat soft surface which is like walking in about 6 inches of soft sand."
Speed bump awareness: Hon-Dah RV Park requires caution when driving through. A camper warned, "The speed humps in this place are MONSTERS! We had to crab over them so that we didn't leave our plumbing with them."
Site selection strategies: Electric hookups are limited at some locations. At Show Low Lake Campground, a visitor noted, "30 amp service in some spots, no water or sewage but there is a dump station and water fill station on premises. Open all year and is plowed when it snows."
Connectivity limitations: Cell service varies throughout the area. At Venture In RV Resort, a camper reported, "Cell service is pretty bad here. We have Verizon cell phones which usually worked for phone service but sometimes cut out. We have Verizon and AT&T hotspots. AT&T worked the best but not fast enough to stream anything most of the time."
