Part of Things To Do, our guides to parks, lakes, trails, camping, museums and clubs in the White Mountains.
You can camp in a tent at Fool Hollow Lake (20 tent-only sites) and at most Forest Service campgrounds around Show Low, or camp free in the forest for up to 14 days in any 30; fires are allowed unless restricted, as of October 23, 2026.
Checked · Edited by Sam Ridley · Sources · How we check
Forest Service Campgrounds
These are the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest campgrounds we read on their own pages. Fees and seasons are the page figures, as of October 23, 2026, and can change. The Tents column says Yes only where the page says so; otherwise it says Not confirmed. Individual sites can be booked up to 6 months ahead and at least 4 days in advance, and group sites up to a year ahead, at Recreation.gov or 877-444-6777 (Forest Service camping list). Fees, seasons and rules can change, so check the linked page before you go.
| Campground | Area | Tents | Fee and facilities | Season | Coordinates | Recreation.gov |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rim | Heber/Rim | Yes (tents, pop-ups, trailers, motorhomes) | $18 single + $12 extra vehicle; 26 sites. Non-electric, no potable water | May 1 to Columbus Day (page also shows an April 29 start) | 34.30558889, -110.9082861 | Recreation.gov 256350 |
| Mogollon | Heber/Rim | Yes | $18 single + $12 extra vehicle; 26 sites in 2 loops. Non-electric | May 1 to Columbus Day | 34.32143056, -110.957175 | Recreation.gov 256350 |
| Aspen | Woods Canyon Lake | Not confirmed | $35 + $12 extra vehicle; 136 sites, 55 first-come. Potable water, 9 vault toilets | May 1 to Oct. 31 | 34.32659444, -110.9458111 | Not confirmed |
| Spillway | Woods Canyon Lake | Yes; trailers and small motorhomes up to 16 ft | $36 + $12 extra vehicle; day use $10. Non-electric | May 1 to Oct. 31, conditions permitting | 34.33198333, -110.9364167 | Recreation.gov 232203 |
| Crook (group-focused) | Woods Canyon Lake | Not confirmed | $25 single when not rented; group $330 (up to 110 people, 26 vehicles). Potable water, vault and pit toilets | May 1 to mid-October | 34.31772778, -110.9417333 | Not confirmed |
| Black Canyon Rim | Heber/Rim | Not confirmed | $20 (1 vehicle, up to 8 people) + $12 extra vehicle. Drinking water, vault toilets | May 1 to Columbus Day weekend | 34.30489444, -110.74335 | Recreation.gov 250040 |
| Gentry | Heber/Rim | Not confirmed | $18 single (5 family sites); group $90 (50 people, 6 vehicles). No potable water | May 1 to Columbus Day | 34.30153056, -110.7122222 | Not confirmed |
| Rainbow (Big Lake) | Big Lake | Not confirmed (an “EZ Camping” tent package is offered at $55 a night + $10 reservation fee) | $26 to $28 single; $90 double; $20 to $22 family. 165 sites; no electric, no potable water, dump station | Starts May 15; no end date given | 33.876275, -109.40385 | Recreation.gov 232200 |
| Grayling (Big Lake) | Big Lake | Not confirmed | $26 single; free mid-October to mid-May. No water; dump station about 1 mile | Closed in winter | 33.87291944, -109.4129278 | Not confirmed |
| Apache Trout (Big Lake) | Big Lake | Not confirmed | $30 single, $50 double; groups $200 (50 people) and $375 (100). Flush toilets and showers. Check-in 2 p.m., checkout 1 p.m. (electric rates and hookups: see What We Could Not Verify) | Dates not listed | 33.86893334, -109.41659167 | Recreation.gov 234708 |
| Winn | Near Big Lake | Not confirmed | $20 + $14 per vehicle; groups $125 (14 vehicles, 50 people) | Not listed | 33.96516111, -109.4842028 | Not confirmed |
| Luna Lake | Alpine | Not confirmed | $20 single; 50 single sites; trailers and motorhomes up to 32 ft; no hookups | Opens May 15; no end date | 33.83533611, -109.0821056 | Not confirmed |
| Alpine Divide | Alpine | Not confirmed (tables, fire rings) | $10 | May 15 to Oct. 31 | 33.89479444, -109.1526278 | Not confirmed |
| Deer Creek | Alpine/East Fork | Not confirmed | $14; 6 sites; water removed for the season (page note dated Oct. 15, 2024) | Not listed | 33.80566667, -109.3186056 | Not confirmed |
| Upper Blue | Alpine | Yes (page says tent-capable) | Free; 3 sites, 2 with Adirondack shelters; 14-day limit; quiet hours after 10 p.m.; vault toilet, no water | “Site Open” | 33.69347222, -109.0710583 | Not confirmed |
| Hannagan | Alpine | Not confirmed | No fee; donations accepted; 8 sites; trailers up to 16 ft | Starts May 15 | 33.63611111, -109.3287306 | Not confirmed |
| Rolfe C. Hoyer | Greer | Not confirmed | $24 | May through October | 34.03443611, -109.4542917 | Not confirmed |
| Chevelon Canyon Lake | About 15 mi west of Heber | Not confirmed | No fee; 14-day limit; fire rings, vault toilet, no water | Generally year-round; road not cleared in winter | 34.50939167, -110.8409389 | Not confirmed |
Closed: Benny Creek Campground and Southfork Day Use Area are closed (Order 03-01-25-06-004, since September 30, 2025, burned-area safety), and Scott Reservoir Recreation Site is closed (Order 03-01-07-26-001, since February 28, 2026, unsanitary camping without bathrooms), as of October 23, 2026. Do not plan trips to them. See the live alerts page.
Fool Hollow Lake Tent Sites
Dispersed Camping Rules
These rules cover free camping outside developed campgrounds in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, as of October 23, 2026.
- 14 days in 30. Forest Order 03-01-26-002, the 14 Day Camping Limit Order, bans camping more than 14 consecutive days in any 30-day period on all National Forest land here, from June 22, 2026 to June 22, 2028 unless rescinded. After 14 days, leave the Forest for at least 16 days. Holders of an exempting permit (FS-7700-48) and officers or firefighters on duty are exempt.
- Water. Stay at least 100 feet from any stream or water source. Dig cat holes 6 inches deep and 100 feet from water. No undeveloped water is safe to drink without treatment.
- Where. Use existing roads and sites, keep the site within 300 feet of a roadway, and do not drive on meadows. Dispersed camping is generally not allowed near developed campgrounds, picnic areas and trailheads; ask the district office for the exact distance.
- Fires. Allowed unless fire restrictions are in effect. Use a ring of rocks about 2 feet across, burn dead wood on the ground only, and drown, stir and feel the ashes. The Forest alerts page showed no fire restrictions since July 17, 2026 and low fire danger in all five districts; status changes, so check the live alerts page. Taking firewood home needs a permit from a district office.
- Groups. Groups over 75 need a free special use permit from a district office.
- Trash. Pack out all trash.
- Closures. Benny Creek and Scott Reservoir are closed (above).
Tribal Land Camping and Permits
Fort Apache Reservation land (Hon-Dah, Hawley, Sunrise and the reservation lakes) is not National Forest. The Tribe’s outdoor recreation page says a valid White Mountain Apache Tribal Permit is required and must be carried at all times while fishing, boating, camping and similar activities. Most reservation campgrounds have no electric hookups and are serviced Memorial Day to Labor Day; firearms and slingshots are banned in camp.
| Question | What the sources say | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Tribal camping permit price | One source: $15 a day per vehicle, $350 for 30 days (Tribe’s fishing report of May 21, 2026, read October 22, 2026). Another page: the online store still shows 2020 prices, with camping at $9. | Conflict. Both values shown; confirm with the Tribe |
| Where to buy | The Tribe’s home page (copyright 2017; regulation handbook 2018) says the online permit system is down and permits are sold at dealers, such as Hon-Dah Ski & Outdoor Sport, 787 Hwy 260, 928-369-7669. | Page looks old; confirm |
| Sunrise Park Resort | Sells its own permits: $15 tent and $35 RV, at the Sunrise General Store, the Lodge, or online. Tribal camping permits are not valid on Sunrise property. Hawley, Big Bear, Little Bear and Horseshoe lake permits are sold at the Sunrise General Store. | Sunrise page, Oct. 23, 2026 |
| Sunrise open or closed | The camping page says “now open”, while a banner on the same page says “CLOSED DUE TO ELK HUNT”. | Conflict. Both shown; call before driving |
For the permit details we keep on this site, see tribal permits, and lakes and parks for places to camp near. RV travelers should read the RV camping guide.
Map of Tent Campgrounds
What We Could Not Verify
- Apache Trout Campground: the page also lists “41 electric full hookup sites and 81 non-electric” and electric rates of $46 single and $84 double. The text is internally odd, so treat the hookup claim as not confirmed and ask the Springerville Ranger District.
- Tent rules for every campground marked Not confirmed: the page did not say. Tents are normally allowed in developed sites, but check before you drive.
- Rim campground start date (May 1 or April 29) and Mogollon coordinates (the directions section gives a slightly different longitude, -110.95667).
- Fee and season for sites where the page is silent, including end dates for Rainbow, Luna Lake, Hannagan and Deer Creek.
- The exact distance dispersed camps must keep from developed campgrounds: the guidelines page contradicts itself (it also mentions “within one mile of a campground”), so ask the district office.
- Current fire stage after the July 17, 2026 “no restrictions” alert; the Arizona State Parks fire restriction page was not read.
- The current tribal permit price and whether the online system works; see the table above.
- Show Low Lake Campground: fees, season and hookups; the city page returned only a title.
- Woods Canyon Lake campground itself, Canyon Point, Lewis Canyon, Black Canyon Lake, Crescent Lake, Big Cienega, Canyon Creek and Lakeview campgrounds: no official page read.
- Could not read (404): the Forest Service pages for Woods Canyon Lake campground, Woods Canyon Lake recreation area, Hannagan Meadow campground, Black Canyon Lake campground, Crescent Lake campground and the dispersed-camping page; two wmatoutdoor.org pages (pageid 4 and 9). Forest Service camping list pages 2 through 6 were not re-read.
More Guides
Questions People Ask
How long can I camp for free in the national forest?
Up to 14 consecutive days in any 30-day period under Forest Order 03-01-26-002, which runs from June 22, 2026 to June 22, 2028. After 14 days you must leave the Forest for at least 16 days.
Can I have a campfire when dispersed camping?
Yes, unless fire restrictions are in effect. As of October 23, 2026 the Forest alerts page showed no restrictions, but check it before you go.
Do I need a permit to camp on the White Mountain Apache reservation?
Yes. The Tribe says a valid tribal permit is required. Its sources disagree on the price ($15 a day per vehicle in one, $9 on an older store page), so confirm before you buy. Sunrise Park Resort sells its own permits.
Where can I camp in a tent in Show Low?
Fool Hollow Lake has 20 tent-only sites. Rim, Mogollon and Spillway campgrounds on the Mogollon Rim say tents are allowed; other Forest Service pages did not say, so check first. Fees can change.
Sources
- USDA Forest Service: Dispersed camping guidelines, Apache-Sitgreaves
- USDA Forest Service: 14 Day Camping Limit Order (03-01-26-002)
- USDA Forest Service: Apache-Sitgreaves alerts and closures
- USDA Forest Service: Camping and cabins list, Apache-Sitgreaves
- Arizona State Parks: Camping at Fool Hollow Lake
- Arizona State Parks: Lyman Lake RV and tent camping
- Sunrise Park Resort: Summer camping
- White Mountain Apache Tribe Outdoor Recreation
- USDA Forest Service: Rim Campground
- USDA Forest Service: Mogollon Campground
- USDA Forest Service: Aspen Campground
- USDA Forest Service: Spillway Campground
- USDA Forest Service: Crook Campground
- USDA Forest Service: Black Canyon Rim Campground
- USDA Forest Service: Gentry Campground
- USDA Forest Service: Rainbow Campground
- USDA Forest Service: Grayling Campground
- USDA Forest Service: Apache Trout Campground
- USDA Forest Service: Winn Campground
- USDA Forest Service: Luna Lake Campground
- USDA Forest Service: Alpine Divide Campground
- USDA Forest Service: Deer Creek Campground
- USDA Forest Service: Upper Blue Campground
- USDA Forest Service: Hannagan Campground
- USDA Forest Service: Rolfe C. Hoyer Campground
- USDA Forest Service: Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground
- Recreation.gov: campground 256350
- Recreation.gov: campground 250040
- Recreation.gov: campground 232203
- Recreation.gov: campground 232200
- Recreation.gov: campground 234708
Checked October 23, 2026 by It’s Show Low. Cite this page: It’s Show Low (itsshowlow.com), checked October 23, 2026. Free to quote with a link; tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.