Mesquite (AZ)

About this campsite

Overview

Mesquite Campground provides privacy and shade. Here you can relax under the shaded canopies of mesquite trees while listening to the sounds of water flowing from the Verde River just a short distance from your site. Designated camp sites have fire rings, grills and picnic tables where families can enjoy time together. There are hiking, fishing, swimming opportunities and more.

This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service. Camping passes can also be purchased at a Tonto Fee Machine Pass. $16 per site, per night. Nearest fee machine location is at the Cave Creek Ranger Station.

Recreation

Swimming
River and Stream Fishing
Non-Motorized Boating
Nearby Hiking Trails
Nearby OHV Routes

Facilities

12 campsites
First-come, First-serve only. No reservations.
Maximum occupancy per individual campsite is 10.
Maximum number of vehicles per individual camp unit is three. All vehicles must completely fit within the designated parking area.
Check-in time is 12:00 pm, and check-out time is 10:00 am.
14-day stay limit.
Portions of the Verde River are deep. Use of motorized watercraft on flowing portions of the Verde River is prohibited.
Road to campground is unpaved and unmaintained.
Recommend high clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Not reccommended for trailers.
Potable water is not available.
Quiet hours 10:00 pm to 6:00 am (running generators are not permitted during quiet hours).
THERE ARE NO TRASH SERVICES. PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT.

Natural Features

The Verde River is just a short distance from the campground, with swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating access. Large trees provide plenty of shade.

Nearby Attractions

Horsehoe Reservoir
Towns of Carefree and Cave Creek

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (480) 595-3300.

Location

Mesquite (AZ)•AZ

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Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

TODAY☀️

34° / 23°

💧 2%

TUE☀️

36° / 22°

💧 1%

WED☁️

35° / 24°

—

THU☀️

35° / 24°

—

FRI☀️

34° / 24°

💧 1%

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

1.2 km away

Horseshoe (AZ)

Overview Horseshoe Campground is farther up the road from Mesquite Campground. Offering more developed campground sites with picnic tables, fire pits and access to the Verde River at campsites 11 and 12. Gorgeous vistas of surrounding mountains and the Verde River are offered along the path for families to enjoy. Most campsites are less shaded than the favored 11 and 12 campsites, so please feel free to bring canopies and coolers to provide shade and stay hydrated during the day, but this campground does have some large mesquite trees providing shade. Bald eagles are frequently seen in this vicinity. This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service. Camping passes can also be purchased at a Tonto Fee Machine Pass. $16 per site, per night. Nearest fee machine location is at the Cave Creek Ranger Station. Recreation Swimming Fishing Boating (Non-Motorized on the Verde River and a 25 horsepower motor limit on Horseshoe Reservoir.) Birding Photography OHV Routes Facilities There are 12 camp sites First-Come, First-Serve only. No reservations. THERE ARE NO TRASH SERVICES. PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT. No potable water services available. 14-day stay limit. Maximum occupancy per individual campsite is 10 people. Maximum number of vehicles per individual camp unit is three. All vehicles must completely fit within the designated parking area. Check-in time is 12:00 pm, and check-out time is 10:00 am Quiet hours 10:00 pm to 6:00 am (running generators are not permitted during quiet hours.) Trailers under 16 feet. Use of motorized watercraft on flowing portions of the Verde River is prohibited. Glass containers prohibited. Road to campground is unpaved and unmaintained, recommend high clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles. Natural Features This campground provides some river access for activities like swimming and fishing and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Its proximity to Horseshoe Reservoir makes it a great basecamp for all your lake adventures! Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (480) 595-3300. Nearby Attractions Horseshoe Lake, Horseshoe Dam, Mesquite Campground, Catfish Point Day Use Site

13.6 km away

C C C (AZ) Tonto NF

Overview Civilian Conservation Corps Campground offers spread out camp sites with large sycamore trees providing shade. Picnic tables and firepits with cooking grates are available for families to enjoy while passing the time away together. Cave Creek Trailhead is nearby where you can follow along the Cave Creek Riparian Ecosystem. This spot is popular for bird watching! This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service. Camping passes can also be purchased at a Tonto Fee Machine Pass. $16 per site, per night. Nearest fee machine location is at the Cave Creek Ranger Station. Recreation Camping Hiking Creek Access OHV Routes Bird Watching Facilities 10 campsites Maximum occupancy per individual camp unit is 10 people. Maximum number of vehicles per individual camp unit is three. All vehicles must completely fit within the designated parking area. Check-in time is 12:00 pm, and check-out time is 10:00 am. 14 day stay limit. Not recommended for trailers over 16ft. Hikers and equestrians should park at the CCC trailhead to the north. No livestock allowed. Trash cans are available, please keep the campground tidy! No potable water service at campground. Natural Features Large sycamore trees provide plenty of shade and the Cave Creek Riparian Ecosystem is just steps away from your campsite. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (480) 595-3300. Nearby Attractions Towns of Carefree and Cave Creek

13.7 km away

CAVE CREEK GROUP 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.

18.6 km away

Riverside Campground (AZ)

Overview Riverside Campground offers more peace and tranquility than the busier recreation sites at Bartlett Lake. With the campground’s proximity to water, fisherman and avid water recreationalists enjoy this spot all year long. There are designated grills, fire rings and picnic tables where families can enjoy the day together along the river, not far from the dam. Keep a look out for fish jumping along the river! This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service. Camping passes can also be purchased at a Tonto Fee Machine Pass. $16 per site, per night. Nearest fee machine location is at the Cave Creek Ranger Station. Recreation Camping Fishing Non-Motorized Boating River Access Birding Facilities 12 Campsites First-Come, First Serve only. No reservations. 14 day stay limit. Maximum occupancy per individual campsite is 10 people. Maximum number of vehicles per individual camp unit is three. All vehicles must completely fit within the designated parking area. Check-in time is 12:00 pm, and check-out time is 10:00 am. No motor boats allowed. Trailers under 16 feet. Glass containers prohibted. No potable water services available. Quiet hours 10:00 pm to 6:00 am (running generators are not permitted during quiet hours). Natural Features Plenty of trees provide ample shade and the calming sound of the river flowing makes Riverside Campground a great place to relax and enjoy nature. Keep a lookout for wildlife!