It's a decent campground with the basic amenities (tables, firepit, bathrooms) but no water (bear boxes not needed).  effortless entry for tents and small rvs (or small groups; a larger group site is at "upper").  about 15 sites that range from nice to pretty nice (higher ratings if only considering the region) with the sites furthest from the road (all the way to the back left as you enter) the more desirable. There is a dusty dirt road that runs along the N side (the long axis of the CG) and during summer months can be both busy and go well into the night (OHVs). Gun shots can occasionally be heard in the distance further messing with your peace (but, welcome to AZ). There's an unmarked trail (out the back of the campground to the left) that leads down a rough dirt road (4x4 in places) for about 1 to 1.5 miles to a nice swimming hole with mini waterfall (just along the road). That's a worthwhile trek on hot days. Also, about 1/4 m before you get to the waterhole, there's a great rock formation hidden in the woods to the left about 200 m from the trail/road… worth seeing. Other hikes in the area include climbing to spruce mtn lookout, and loads of Mtn Bike trails all throughout. And, the several acre big Goldwater Lake (reservoir) for boating and safe (no heavy metals from mining) swimming although they try to discourage it (but the mellow patrol (if it exists) is likely hitched to their golfcarts and can't muster the energy to enforce… or, they are just as flummoxed as everyone else as to why we "shouldn't swim" there. (Prescott has very few swimming spots.) All told, it's a decent CG by national standards but a great one by local standards and, if you are in the area, definitely worth a look.

Crested Butte (wisely) decided to control the previously out-of-control dispersed camping situation around the region. This NFS region was heavily impacted with people cutting trees, trampling region, etc. etc. The NSF decided to take the bull by the horns and convert it into an official campground with 17 sites divided (geographically) into about 7 tent (only) and 10 RV (or tent) sites. The RV sites (#s 4 - 13) are just basically parking lot style in a big circular parking lot without trees near the only two toilets (clean) of the CG. I don't RV and those sites were super basic so i won't review them (they would earn a 2/5 * max if i were to review them… 2* because they are free and no hassle and no reservation… otherwise lame but an important conservation effort for the area).  The tent sites (#s 1,-3; 14-17) are also separated somewhat with sites 1-3 decidedly less impressive than the 14 - 17 ones.  

NOTE: the two tent sections have two distinct drive-ins.  The better sites (14 - 17) require you to enter at the second driveway off slate road and go through the RV section (past the toilets) to the back (creeksite).  

All sites(all) have a fire pit, and designated(although still confusing) parking area and nothing else(no table, bear boxes, no garbage, water, etc.). The creek rushes past(down a steep slope offering water(you can purify) and a great cold-water swimming hole. All have super easy access (simple drive into your spot… no issues). 

Okay, now for the best sites (tent sites 14 - 17). Of these, 17 and 16 are the best with 16 taking the prize by a longshot. Sites 14, 15, and 17 are bit cramped (designed based on previous uncontrolled usage patterns and still under active design and improvement).  15 and 17 are creekside and while 17 is big and you can spread out (room for several tents and tarps) it's firepit feels like you are on top of site 15. 15 is a smaller site with room for about 2 -3 tents… (creekside as well) and is nothing spectacular but, hey, it's free and easy access… and, i think still one of the best front-country options in this valley. 

Site 16 is a "walk-in" site (walking less than 15 seconds) to a wonderful private large knook within the crook of the rushing creek which surrounds the site on the back side. It's got great morning sun (earliest of all the tent sites) and space for many tents … and away from all the others. I wouldn't be surprised if they someday split it into two… but for now (with the CG just starting out)… it's the cream of the crop. 

Lastly, the CG is currently free as the main motivation is to mitigate uncontrolled camping impact rather than generate income. We loved the spot as it felt super rustic and was a quick easy 10 - 15 min to town and 3 - 5 minutes to Oh Be Joyful TH.

We were there late-mid July (2021) and there were a few spots available. However, during our three days there, the place was full (at night) and we had to lend out space to late-arriving folks (raining hard) as no other options existed on the slate-river road.

Oh Be Joyful is a nice campground with spectacular access to a meandering shallow creek great for very young kids (and others) and with instant access to the Oh Be Joyful hiking trails that lead up modestly for 0.5 miles to miles of more flat terrain and spectacular glaciated canyon views of beautiful peaks, aspen and conifer groves, mountain flowers, and a rushing creek with great waterfalls.  So, location (also within about 10 min of town center via a 2-wheel drive / bike friendly dirt road) is superb. The campground offers both decent to rather austere drive-in sites (some along creek) with bear boxes (only CG i know of in area with bear boxes) and tables / firepit (the basics). Some of the walk-in tent sites are pretty good but many are close to heavy foot traffic spots (but some appear to be creekside). (we did not explore all the sites.) There are some sites that rank among the lamest sites i have ever seen… i think walk-in site 6 (don't quote me) fits about 2 - 3 modest tents (no car) and is contiguous with a heavy-foot traffic (and even some vehicles) driveway. It's actually shocking that they call it a campsite … it's gravel is not even river (smoothened) gravel… it's super lame. But, that one (maybe more?) site aside, the CG is good enough (but does not invite first-come first-serve influx… but rather requires reservations.gov in advance) but it's location is excellent.  (The driveway to get from slate river road down to site is a bit rough for 2-wheel drive (doable but rough).)  I think the price (summer 2021) was $10/night.  Honestly, if you are looking for a more mellow (free) site, or don't have reservations, go one mile up the road to the CG called Musician's Camp (not yet listed on dyrt) which has sites 14 - 17… which are really nice tent spots.

There are 12 decent spots of a several mile dirt road suitable for 2 wheel drive in summer along the spectacular slate river valley that leads up to the 4x4 paradise divide. The sites begin about 5 miles from town and end at the hairpin turn that begins the 4x4 section. Mostly open and clearly marked, sites 6-9 were most attractive to us in that they offered some shade and a bit of distance from road. They were all taken when we arrived mid weekday in July so we stayed at the currently unlisted musicians camp NFS campground still in it's infancy as a solution to previously unmitigated dispersed camping mayhem that i will review in detail when dyrt lists it. The campground offered movers sites (#15-17) than were the dispersed camping options and were (as of July 2021) also free.

Did not stay here due to 30$ price tag but toured it. Small okay sites with not much to offer but clean and well administered. Road noise was ever present and creek just across the road. Like nearly all campgrounds along this creek, it was a long and narrow set of options. Site 22 (only site available) was quite pretty in young aspen with wooden fence at base of small cliffs. Table but no bear boxes. Toilets and water. The morning views of the red rock cliffs just across canyon must be wonderful. Host seemed nice and honest and straight. We ended up across the street at north bank for 18$… And camping inches from the creek.

The campgrounds is fine and clean and organized for those in big rvs who want cement pads and don't mind being surrounded by neighbors and generators etc. But for us who are more rustic tent campers, it was DOA. So, to be clear, my 2* review says more about us than the campground itself as it was great for others… Just not for us. If you prefer nature sounds and views, forests, quite, rustic conditions, this is not for you. If you prefer amenities, neighbors, easy in out, hookups, etc., This could be a great spot. Near creek like all campgrounds in this road but on other side of highway. (If it has its own creek, we didn't see it.) Nearly entirely reserved or taken when we passed through in mid July on a weekday about 3pm. Rustic folks, try north branch, one mile, lodgepole. All okay…(nothing is really rustic around here… Even the granite walk in sites are full on road noise… It is a question if degree.)

Decent campground with about a quarter of it's roughly 15 sites along the west side of the Taylor river. It is the only one of the several campgrounds along this stretch on the west side meaning the highway is on the other side of the river so you don't hear it as strongly. (But a lot of the traffic is big campers making big noise. The cars are mostly silent.) (Rosy campground is between the highway and river so it's also a quieter option.) Creekside sites are sloped but with some flat tent spots at the creek. There are also some attractive sites at the base of bouldered cliffs within the trees next to the doctor park trailhead. Fire pits and tables for each site but no bear boxes. Other non creek side sites are at base of beautiful reddish rock cliffs about 70 get tall to the west but with neighbors surrounding you. Mellow admin so far as we could tell with 18$ pricing. Mix of tent and small RV roughly spaced 50' apart at parking spot. We arrived around 4pm Monday in mid July and most every other site at most every other nearby campground was reserved(months ago we were told) even though we thought most of the other campgrounds were less attractive for camping (tent). Every campground along this creek is also near the road noise as the valley is quite narrow…a few hundred yards at most i guess). So being next to creek masks the sounds. Our site #6 was riverside and great… We comfortably slept inches from the creek believing the river flow, which is controlled by a dam and reservoir upstream, Would not rise. The vegetation reveals the river had not risen for years at least.

For us rustic campers, this was the nicest option (including the walk-in tent sites of granite) that we found along this stretch… And we visited them all.

Great campground pulling right off of rte 82 but with little to no road noise or visual. Best sites are along creek (3,4,6,7) with others ranging from 2.5 to 4 stars. Sites have table and fire pit and adult trees on soft dirt and flowers. Most of the 9 or 10 sites are large… The largest, listed above as creekside, are about 1/5 acre! The creek is wild and natural with bear and moose potential. Price is 25$ without senior discount… Self pay and daily checked. Two clean pit toilets and central pump for clean water. Outstanding front country spot… One of the best we know. We arrived noon on Monday miss July and pick of several of the best sites. IMPORTANT TIP. Site 7 shares parking spot with 6… So easily passed by even when empty. check closely as 7 is one of nicest spots… Often empty.

If you can't show a better campground nearby like lost man campground, this tiny option can work. Small Adjacent sites big enough for a car and tent and table but not much more. Visually nice as it is in the aspens but within meters of the busy road and on a hill so half the cats are climbing. and your neighbors are super cozy nextdoor. Good option if you are exhausted or everywhere else is taken, but sim for others if you can. We arrived around 10 on a weekday in July and found a few open spots.