Reef Townsite Group Area

Ventured up the narrow dirt/rock road to this fantastic site in the Huachuca Mins during spring bird migration. Campsites are among tall pines, nicely spaced. A short trail leads to the edge of a cliff overlooking the desert valley. Loop trail with interpretative signs tell the story of the area's short-lived mining operations. Across the road find the Old Sawmill Sprin4g Trail 3/4 mile up to a spring (on the left) before the intersection of Carr Peak Trail. The 5-mike road up was in good condition -- my Dodge Caravan handled it slow-but-sure. However, rain / snow could quickly change the road.

You could not ask for more beautiful or isolated place to camp in the Southeastern Arizona mountains. Amazing views, and wildlife that includes antelopes, bear, lions, and javelina. Campground itself is very clean and seems pretty pristine.

One of the reasons for that, doubtless, is the road up there, which is not for the faint of heart. It is unpaved dirt & rock, and one-lane with the occasional turnout. There are times when you are traveling within two or three feet of sheer drops off the mountain face for hundreds of feet. If your heart, your transmission, and your tires can stand it, it is an amazing and gorgeous drive. Those last four miles of road will take you approximately 45 minutes, as long as you don't meet too many cars coming down or up.

I had intended to stay there overnight, but knowing that I couldn't get down the hill quickly, with a friend telling me that the (human) coyotes can be problematic in that area, and finding that I had no cell service about the last mile of road, I decided that, as a woman traveling alone, discretion was the better part of valor. I'm going to see if I can get my friend to come up with me later this month, in which case I will amend this review. But I thoroughly enjoyed the drive up, a brief stay at the campground relaxing, and the drive down.

The only downside to this campground is the road up, I would definitely recommend a higher clearance vehicle. My small car made it, but it was rough and I do not recommend taking a low clearance car, it’s pretty rocky and steep at times! However, the campground itself was absolutely amazing, not a ton of sites but I don’t mind that. There are trails near by, one by the group area that has signs throughout explaining the landscape and the remains of the mining town. Other more interpretive trails lead out to the edge of the mountain, with a killer view and small climbing opportunities.