Prescott National Forest manages Thumb Butte Loop Campsites as a numbered dispersed area set along the dirt road that climbs toward Thumb Butte, roughly eight miles from camping near Prescott. Sites are numbered, with at least 14 confirmed by visitors, and they sit close to the road itself, meaning some vehicle traffic passes through even on quieter nights. The last couple of miles in are rough enough that one reviewer noted the road as a drawback, though a standard sedan made it through without issue, and a 40-foot motorhome with a car hauler fit comfortably at site 4.
Trail access is the main draw here. Hikers and mountain bikers have roughly 100 miles of varied trails to work with, and a scenic overlook for sunsets sits less than half a mile from the campsites. "The best attribute of TB is the trails," notes Michael F., who also points out that spots above number 11 have decent mobile connectivity. Whiskey Row in downtown Prescott is about ten minutes away for resupply or an evening out.
Sites fill quickly on weekends, especially from April onward. Arriving Thursday or early Friday gives campers the best shot at a spot. Fires are permitted, pets are welcome, and alcohol is allowed. Some sites have multiple fire rings. Early morning noise from Forest Service crews has been reported at least once. Nearby, FDR51 Potts Creek Road Dispersed Camping and Copper Basin Road Campsites offer alternatives if this area is full when you arrive.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsThumb Butte Loop Campsites is located in Arizona near Prescott National Forest
Coordinates
34.51319328 N
112.5567182 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 7/30/26
Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/30/26
AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/25/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 7/30/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/30/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/25/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
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Drive Time
- 48 min from Prescott Valley, AZ
- 1 hr 49 min from Phoenix, AZ
- 1 hr 57 min from Flagstaff, AZ
- 3 hrs 36 min from Lake Havasu City, AZ
