Into the wild!
Ah, the great outdoors! There’s nothing like them. Especially in these tough economic times. Yes, Vegas and Cancun seem like luxurious places to visit this summer, but unfortunately their hotel prices are still high. Not to mention the price of gas and airfare to get there. So take in to account what Arizona has to offer outdoors wise. Camping just may be the “it” vacation this summer.
Below is a guide to a few popular camping sites in upper state Arizona.
Aspen Campground at Woods Canyon Lake
Aspen Campground at Woods Canyon Lake was listed as the number one camping spot in Arizona by camparizona.com. And with due cause, because Aspen Campground has much to offer. Virtually every amenity is either available on site or within a few miles. The Aspen Campground is set just 1/2 mile back from the lake and has 136 campsites all nicely spaced so no one feels overcrowded. The campground is well shaded by ponderosa pine, oak, aspen and douglas firs. Aspen also offers a boat rental station for any fishing needs. Just don’t forget to purchase a fishing license.
Location – From Payson, travel east on U.S. 260 until you reach the top of the Mogollon Rim and turn left on F. R. 300 (Rim Road). Travel west on Rim Road 3.4 miles to the Rec. Area entrance. Turn right at the entrance and travel 1.5 miles to the campground on the left.
Christopher Creek Campground
Christopher Creek offers beautiful camping not too far a drive from the Valley. The campground is located below the Mogollon Rim just off of S.R. 260. Christopher Creek Campground has 43 units that are on both sides of the creek and group campsites hold 25 people and are by reservation only. The creek is stocked with rainbow trout early in the year, and three swimming holes offer a way to cool off when the temperatures start to get high.
Location – From Payson, travel east on S.R. 260 for 21 miles. Look for the sign on the newly built stretch of Highway 260. Turn south into the campground.
Rainbow Campground at Big Lake
Rainbow Campground is the largest campground in the Big Lake Recreation Area. It has 152 campsites and sits just above Big Lake and has plenty of the amenities. Just outside the entrance to the campground is a visitor’s center, a dump station and a shower facility that offers hot showers. Just around the corner from the campground is a country store that has a nice selection of camping needs, including boat rentals.
Location – From Springerville travel west 5 miles to the Big Lake turnoff (AZ261). Travel up the mountain 18 miles to FR 113 and turn left. Travel 2 miles to the Big Lake entrance (FR115) and turn right. The campground is 1 mile ahead.
Cave Springs Campground
Sedona has always been beautiful getaway from the Valley. Cave Springs Campground is located at the northern end of Sedona’s famous Oak Creek Canyon, 11 miles from the 89A turnoff in Sedona. Cave Springs is located just a few miles north of Slide Rock State Park, named one of Life Magazines top 10 swimming holes. It’s a great place to get wet and wild. Not to mention have a picnic and just enjoy the scenery. There are 78 campsites at Cave Springs Campground, of which 11 are located on Oak Creek.
Location – From Phoenix, take I-17 to Hwy 179, north to Sedona. Go north on Hwy 89A in Oak Creek Canyon 11 miles.
Bonito Campground
According to Coconino National Forest, “Bonito Campground is named for the Bonito Lava Flow which oozed across this high desert plain some 900 years ago. That river of liquid rock, now frozen forever, is just one of the many remnants of volcanic activity which lend an otherwordly appearance to this starkly beautiful place. Though the cinder cones, lava squeeze-ups, lava caves and petrified rock bubbles that dot the landscape became inactive over a century ago, they all look as if they could have been spurting and spouting just yesterday. This area of recent volcanic activity is so unique that much of it has been set aside as the Sunset Crater National Monument.” The 44 campsites are located beneath the ponderosa pines and besides the Sunset Crater National Monument, Bonito offers cultural resources, interpretive programs, hiking, sightseeing and wildlife viewing.
Location – 18 miles northeast of Flagstaff, near Sunset Crater/Wupatki National Monument.
Reach the reporter at theresa.dillon@asu.edu
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