This is for SHEEPS Bridge BLM in Arizona
There is a different listing on The Dyrt for SHEEP Bridge BLM in Utah

VERY rugged road to get to this campground.   Please be advised if you have an RV or a low clearance vehicle. 

Sheeps Bridge BLM Area - Arizona

Mesquite Horseshoe Reservoir and Verde River are nearby. Opportunities abound for water activities such as fishing. This site is located along Verde River and is wooded with large mesquite shade trees. Bald eagles and great blue herons are frequently seen in this vicinity.

Mesquite Campground

N Seven Springs Road - Dispersed Site

## Overview

Cave Creek Group Site is located 20 miles north of Cave Creek and Carefree, Arizona. It is a historic campground constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). This site is a short drive from the blistering heat of Phoenix offering cooler temps, a clear running creek, and plentiful shade to relax and enjoy nature. With food prep areas, grills and covered picnic tables, you're all set for a weekend with your loved ones you'll never forget!

## Recreation

At this site you'll enjoy camping, hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, sightseeing, exploring, bird and wildlife viewing, and there is even a game area for volleyball and horseshoes.

## Facilities

There are 12 picnic tables, three central grills, a covered food prep area and one serving table. The tables are stoneware consisting of deep crimson jasper interspersed with common fieldstone. There are also two large covered ramadas, four benches, a game area, campfire area, vault toilets, and trash service.

## Natural Features

This group campsite is nestled in a narrow valley of juniper and sycamore trees providing abundant shade. Water flowing through seven springs is minimal and only several inches in depth. The area has one large open camping area and a nearby trailhead offering access to over 48 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Bring your camera during springtime to get photos of the desert wildflowers in bloom. 

## Nearby Attractions

Across the road, Cave Creek trailhead offers over 48 miles of hiking trails - great for overnight backpacking trips. Bronco Trailhead further south, offers parking for 40 vehicles plus trailers and six horse pens. Just seven miles south is Sears-Kay ruin. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, this site features the remains of an ancient Native American tribe's hilltop village. For spectacular scenic views take Forest Road 562 to Humboldt Mountain. Or, you can simply stay on site and observe nature and hunt for crawdads in the nearby creek.

Cave Creek Group Site

CCC Campground

Tonto National Forest Seven Springs Campground

Nature Trail, Picnic tables, pack it in pack it out, this site provides access to the Cave Creek trail system. Parking for 40 vehicles plus trailers. Stock water available. Six horse pens and manure bin.

Bronco Trailhead

Bartlett Flat Bartlett Reservoir and the Arizona Upland phase of the Sonoran Desert. This site offers beautiful vistas of the surrounding mountains. Bartlett Flat has primitive boat launch opportunities for small boats. River Access Point (RAP) for Verde River. There are no designated campsites at this shoreline area but camping along the shore is allowed. High water levels will limit the amount of available shoreline in this area.

Bartlett Flat

SB Cove Bartlett Reservoir and the Arizona Upland phase of the Sonoran Desert. This site offers beautiful vistas of the surrounding mountains. Beach front camping when water level permits. Near Yellow Cliffs boat launch.

SB Cove Shoreline Area

In 1908 the Arizona Power Company began construction of the Childs Power Plant. For more than 90 years, the water of Fossil Creek had been diverted by a system of pipes and flumes from its natural course to power the turbines of the Childs and Irving hydroelectric plants. During this time, Fossil Creek had been reduced to a mere trickle, compared with the normal one million gallons per hour flow once witnessed by early inhabitants of the region. In 2004, APS, the current owner of the plants, agreed to decommission them and restore the creek to its natural flow. (From "Pine-Strawberry Archeological and Historical Society") The area is now a very popular dispersed camping area. It sits below the remnants of the old power plant buildings on the edge of the Verde River. A short hike upstream and some wading will get you to the ruins of the Verde Hot Springs, a once famous resort. Photos & Multimedia

Childs Camping Area - CLOSED DUE TO FIRE

The Bartlett Reservoir area is noted for the spectacular vistas of the Desert Mountains and the Sonoran plant life. A fair portion of the west side of the reservoir is devoted to camping and picnicking. Bartlett has been a favorite with anglers since Bartlett Dam was constructed in 1939. Several state-record fish have been caught there. The 1977 Small-mouth Bass state record tipped the scales at seven pounds. The carp state record still stands at 37 lbs. 5 oz. Flathead Catfish lurk in the depths. “Fish City” near Bartlett Flat is a fish-habitat improvement project.

Bartlett Reservoir

Bureau of Land Management

Getting to this site may be difficult for someone with a regular car. The trails are much better suited for off-roading vehicles. The spot was perfect and the weather was just right. We only saw one other group of people as they were passing through the area. The stars were beautiful at night.

Way better than expected!

Clean good camping in February 2021. Lots of razrs on the trail. Took seven springs cave creek to bloody basin road into the site. Then bloody basin back to I17 on the way home. Both scenic good drives. BUMPY. kidney rockers on the way down to the water. Air down. 

Great camping 

As I usually do in places like this I will advise you should have an suv or truck and 4wd before even bothering with this area. 

It’s remote as can be and there isn’t a single thing out here including cell service

As far as the camp site well it’s about a 40mi trek through the empty desert to even get to the bridge and along the way there are numerous areas to get your rig pulled off to the side and camp it out however not every one is perfect so just do some hunting for the one that suits you

The bridge itself is pretty cool and apparently there are hot springs somewhere around here from what I’ve read but I didn’t search for them or see any signs. There are also some old structures but be respectful and keep ‘em protected

No water until the verde river so keep that in mind. Cell service is non existent as well. There is shade at spots due to the local fauna but for the most part it’s barren and you need to prepare for the trip out here wisely. Nearest entrance is off 17 as well as amenities so stock up and have fun!


Sheeps Bridge BLM Area - Arizona

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