Hilltop Campground (AZ)

Hilltop Campground (AZ)

About this campsite

Overview

Hilltop Campground is located in the Prescott Basin at 5,712 feet in elevation and just over three miles south of Hwy 69 and east of Walker Road. Campers will appreciate the mild weather and the cool ponderosa pine forest. The facility's attractive and convenient location allows opportunities for pursuing a variety of recreation activities that will satisfy anyone's interests. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking, mountain biking and bird watching. Connector and loop trails allows access to most of the Prescott Basin and most trails allow for multiple modes of travel. The Tri-City Community comprising Prescott, Chino Valley and Prescott Valley has events and attractions throughout the year, all within a few minutes' drive.To make reservations click on the availability button to the right to book this site or call 1 (877) 444-6777. For general campground questions contact the Bradshaw Ranger District at 1 (928) 443-8000.

Recreation

Hilltop Campground is available during the summer season and is enjoyed by people of all age groups and of diverse backgrounds. Campsites are designed for RV, trailer or tent camping. Many popular outdoor activities abound. Visitors may enjoy fishing, bird-watching, boating, backpacking, hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, mountain biking, picnicking, camping and just plain relaxing.

Facilities

Hilltop Campground has 34 single and three double occupancy campsites, with 23 single and three double campsites available for advanced reservations. Campsites generally allow a camp unit (RV, or tow vehicle and trailer). A limited quantity will allow for an extra vehicle. Each campsite has a picnic table, steel fire ring and an established tent pad. Universally accessible campsites are available. There are five pull-through, 16 back-in and 16 parallel parking asphalt-surfaced driveways in the campground. Services include five vault restrooms, five trash dumpsters and six water faucets. There are no RV hook-ups or dump station. SEE PHOTOS FOR A SITE MAP.

Natural Features

Similar to several recreation facilities in the Lynx Lake Recreation Area, Hilltop Campground is located in ponderosa pine, oak, manzanita and a variety of shrubs and grasses. The facility is near Lynx Lake, Thumb Butte, Granite Basin Recreation Area, Granite Mountain Wilderness Area and Granite Basin Lake. Access to these areas can either be made by several interlocking hiking trails or by driving a short distance.

Nearby Attractions

North of Hilltop Campground, within walking distance is Lynx Lake. This lake at 55 acres is an immensely popular attraction on the Prescott National Forest. It offers a variety of recreation opportunities for all age groups. Activities include fishing, boating and hiking among many. West of Hilltop Campground, across the Prescott Basin about 11 miles distant, is the Thumb Butte Recreation Area. Thumb Butte's 6,515 foot prominence is quite visible in the Prescott Basin. The Butte is very popular for its scenic vistas, jogging and hiking. Rock climbing is allowed, but only between July 16 and January 31. Climbing is prohibited during the peregrine falcon nesting period. Birdwatching is popular. Mountain bikes have access to trails from the parking area. To the Northwest, within 13 miles, is the Granite Basin Recreation Area. This recreation area has several day-use areas, Yavapai Campground and Granite Basin Lake (5 acres). The lake is known for channel catfish, large-mouth bass and sunfish. Rising prominently north of Granite Basin Lake is Granite Mountain at 6,874 feet. The Granite Mountain Wilderness Area is comprised of the mountain's rugged topography and mixed vegetation suite. Also to the northwest at fifteen miles, is Alto Pit Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Campground and Day-Use Area. OHV riders of all skill levels can ride the several miles of trails that meander through the area's c

Location

Hilltop Campground (AZ)•AZ

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Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

SUN🌧️

25° / 14°

💧 30%

MON🌧️

16° / 12°

💧 73%

TUE🌧️

15° / 11°

💧 71%

WED☁️

22° / 11°

💧 14%

THU☀️

26° / 14°

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Nearby Campsites

within 50km

500m away

EAGLE RIDGE GROUP CAMPGROUND

Overview Eagle Ridge Group Campground sits within a tall ponderosa pine forest of Prescott National Forest. The site lies in the Bradshaw Mountains along Lynx Lake and is convenient to the historic town of Prescott, Arizona. Summer visitors seeking relief from the hot weather in Phoenix frequent the recreation area to camp, fish, picnic, hike and mountain bike. To make reservations click on the availability button to the right to book this site or call 1 (877) 444-6777. For general campground questions contact the Bradshaw Ranger District at 1 (928) 443-8000. Recreation The Lynx Lake Recreation Area is a popular fishing spot, with crappie, trout, bluegill, bass and catfish available, and anglers have the convenience of a boat ramp (motor boats less than 10 horsepower allowed). Swimming and wading are not allowed, though campers can rent canoes, kayaks, paddle boats and electric row boats at the campground concessionaire. Trails in the area allow for a variety of uses, including hiking and mountain biking. An easy, family-friendly, two-mile trail loops around the lake. The Bradshaw Mountains are known for their history of mineral mining. Visitors can still pan for gold in Lynx Creek, and many historic mining sites lie in the area. Facilities Two group campsites, Osprey and Peregrine, are located adjacent to each other and provide plenty of space for church groups, family reunions and other social gatherings. Osprey holds 26 to 75 people, while Peregrine can accommodate 15 to 25. Access to Peregrine is via Osprey and one group may reserve both sites. The sites are equipped with campfire rings and picnic tables. Group facilities are accessible, and the lake recreation area can be easily access by car or foot. An on-site host is available to assist campers with visitor information and gates. A small store at the north end of the lake offers boat rentals, firewood and a restaurant. Natural Features At an elevation of 5,700 feet, Eagle Ridge offers visitors pleasant summer temperatures and cool breezes. It is surrounded by a dense ponderosa pine forest mixed with juniper and oak. Lynx Lake covers 55 acres and is just 0.25 mile. The area's animal residents include the osprey, coyote, deer, javelina, squirrel, fox, badger and mountain lion. Temperatures are pleasant during the camping season, though the area experiences a monsoon season from late June through mid-September that may result in afternoon thunderstorms.

1.3 km away

LYNX CAMPGROUND

Overview Lynx Campground is located in the Lynx Lake Recreation Area at 5,600 feet in elevation. Within 1/4 mile of the popular Lynx Lake, the campground is situated along the lake's west shoreline. The facility is about seven miles southeast of the city of Prescott, Arizona. To make reservations click on the availability button to the right to book on this site or call 1 (877) 444-6777. For general campground questions contact the Bradshaw Ranger District at 1 (928) 443-8000. Recreation Several trail systems trails are within the Lynx Lake Recreation Area. Most trails allow for multiple modes of travel. The exceptions are Lynx Creek Ruin Trail #301 and Loop Trail #311 that allows hiking only. Wildlife viewing is a grand event when a bald eagle, osprey, or great blue heron has been seen flying effortlessly above Lynx Lake or skimming the water surface. Recreational panning is allowed on the Prescott National Forest, as long as any natural feature is not harmed and no motorized or mechanical equipment or mining aids are used. Lynx Lake is one of the most popular recreation spots in central Arizona and attracts more than 90,000 visitors each year. The lake offers a boat ramp and allows for boats with 10 HP motors or less. Oar, paddle, or sail-powered boats are also permitted. Horseback riders, mountain bikers, and hikers can be found on most trails. Forest Service Day-Use Facilities in the Prescott Basin are accessible at no additional fee. See the Volunteer Host for a complimentary pass validated for your length of stay. Visiting a Day-Use facility requires a pass visibly displayed on the vehicle's dashboard, driver's side. Facilities Each of the 35 campsites in Lynx Campground has a picnic table, steel fire ring, and either an established tent pad or an area with room for one to two tents. Two campsites also have a lantern hanger. A steel ramada is present on select campsites. Campsite driveways are either parallel, pull-through, or back-in and all have asphalt surfacing. Some campsite driveways allow a camp unit and an extra vehicle quite easily while others may be snug. A few campsites are a short walk-in. Four vault toilets, two flush toilets, six trash dumpsters, and eight water faucets service the campground. There are no RV hook-ups or dump station in the campground. Campsites 10-19, 22-23, and 28-34 have steps. Campsites 20, 21, and 35 are fully accessible to persons with disabilities. Natural Features Lynx Campground offers visitors pleasant summer temperatures and cool breezes. The campground is situated in a ponderosa pine ecosystem mixed with alligator juniper, oak species, and a variety of forbs and native grasses. The 55-acre Lynx Lake skirts the campground's east boundary. Several species of colorful wildflowers bloom in the spring and during the summer monsoon seasons. Day-time and overnight temperatures are pleasant and afternoon thunderstorms are likely from late June through mid-September. The forest is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Visitors may see deer, osprey, great blue heron, bald eagle, mountain lion, bobcat, coyote, fox, skunk, rabbit, and several species of snakes, lizards, and birds. Nearby Attractions The Highlands Center for Natural History, in partnership with the Prescott National Forest, is only a few minutes from Lynx Campground. A learning center, trail system on 80 acres, and scheduled interpretive programs are but a few of the exciting activities the Center offers through the spring, summer, and fall. Lynx Lake Cafe near North Shore Day-Use Area offers a full service restaurant serving breakfast 8-11 and lunch 11-2 Thrusday through Sunday. Dinner is served Thursday thru Saturday 4-8 pm. The City of Prescott is a few minutes drive from Lynx Campground. Many activities including arts, crafts, and

6.4 km away

GROOM CREEK SCHOOLHOUSE

Overview Built in 1902, this historic schoolhouse and adjacent picnic area in Arizona's Prescott National Forest may be reserved for day use for groups of up to 60 people. The facility offers a picturesque, quiet setting with indoor and outdoor areas for weddings, reunions, luncheons and group meetings. The schoolhouse served about 10 to 15 children in the early 1900s. The building was an active school until 1952. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is used for administrative and training purposes. Recreation Groups enjoy gathering in the outdoor picnic area during nice weather or heading indoors into the the two-room schoolhouse if the weather turns. A leisurely walk through the forest on the accessible, paved Groom Creek Nature Trail provides a nice afternoon respite, and visitors can camp nearby if desired. Prescott National Forest has miles of hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails for visitors wishing to explore the area. Facilities The schoolhouse building has two rooms with new furniture(tables and chairs) for indoor use. The outdoor picnic area is accessible and equipped with 10 picnic tables, vault toilets, an amphitheater (limited access) and parking for 12 vehicles or two buses. No drinking water is available at this site; guests must bring their own. Natural Features The group area is set in a ponderosa pine ecosystem, an area dominated by pines and mixed with juniper trees, Gambel oaks and native grasses. A multitude of colorful wildflowers bloom in the spring and during the summer monsoon season. Afternoon thunderstorms are possible from late June through mid-September. The forest is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Visitors may spot deer, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, rabbits, lizards, snakes and birds. Nearby Attractions Upper Wolf Creek Campground is just around the corner if you want to camp overnight. Restaurants, shopping, historic sites and many amenities are nearby in the historic town of Prescott.

7.2 km away

GROOM CREEK HORSE CAMP

Overview Equestrian campers will find Groom Creek Horse Camp seven miles south of Prescott, Arizona at an elevation of 6,398 feet. The ponderosa pine setting, nearby trails and limited equestrian camping opportunities make this a popular destination. Each campsite has a steel corral enclosure and an overhead tether line that accommodates two to four horses. Two group picnic sites are also available for reservation for group gatherings within this campground. To make reservations click on the availability button to the right to book this site or call 1 (877) 444-6777. For general horse camp questions contact the Bradshaw Ranger District at 1 (928) 443-8000. Recreation Three trails are in close proximity to Groom Creek Horse Camp. Horse Camp Loop Trail 383 (2 miles) is accessed from Loop C, across from the group site or at the campground's entrance. Wolf Creek Loop Trail 384 (5 miles) is accessed from Horse Camp Loop Trail 383 and from Forest Service Road C101. Groom Creek Loop Trail 307 (9 miles) is accessed from the trailhead across from the entrance to Horse Camp. These trails are shared with other users including mountain bikers and hikers. Off-highway vehicle use occurs on designated roads and trails. Facilities Horse Camp has two reservable loops (Loops B and C) and one first-come, first-serve loop (Loop A). Each of the 30 campsites in Loop B and C have a picnic table, steel fire ring, 16'x16' steel corral, and an overhead tether line. Of the 30 campsites, 27 campsite driveways are pull-through, three driveways are back-in, and all have packed gravel surfacing. The internal access roads are also packed gravel. Four vault toilets, five trash dumpsters, and six water faucets service the campground. Nearly all water faucets are located at a vault toilet. Facilities are not accessible for persons with disabilities. Reservable group sites are located in Loop B and in Loop C. The group site in Loop B has six picnic tables, five pedestal fire grills, one group fire ring, and limited parking for a maximum of two vehicles. Trailers cannot be accommodated. The group site in Loop C has a steel ramada with six picnic tables, a steel ramada-covered cooking area with two triple cooking surface fire pedestal grills, water faucet, one large and one small steel fire ring, overhead tether line, a 16'x16' steel corral, and limited parking for a maximum of two vehicles. Groom Creek Horse Camp is intended for equestrian users only, campers without horses will be turned away, you can find more information at our Forest webpage or by calling the Bradshaw office at (928) 443-8000. Natural Features Horse Camp occupies an area dominated by ponderosa pine mixed with alligator juniper, oak species, and a variety of forbs and native grasses. Colorful wildflowers bloom in the spring, and during the summer monsoon seasons. Visitors may see a variety of wildlife including deer, mountain lion, bobcat, coyotes, fox, rabbits, lizards, snakes, and birds. Nearby Attractions Prescott is a 15 minute drive from Horse Camp. Many activities including arts, crafts and music festivals are scheduled throughout the summer. Goldwater Lake, located within minutes of Horse Camp, is managed by the City of Prescott. The City of Prescott's recreation pass and day-use fee should not be confused with the Prescott National Forest Day-Use Passes or day-use fee.