Big Lake Multi-Family Campground

Closed — Closed for the season. The campground typically operates from mid-May through mid-September. Winter access roads (Arizona Highways 261 and 273) to the Big Lake area are seasonally closed by ADOT.

About

Apache Trout Campground, also known as Big Lake Multi-Family Campground, sits at 9,100 feet elevation in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona within Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. The campground is one of five in the Big Lake Recreation Area and is particularly popular for group camping. The scenic area is forested with ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, spruce, and aspen interspersed with high elevation meadows. The campground offers diverse site options to accommodate various camping needs: 22 double sites, over 20 individual sites, one group site for up to 50 people, and another for up to 100 people. There are 41 sites with electrical full hookups and 81 non-electrical sites, making this the only campground in the Big Lake Recreation Area with full hookup capability. Flush toilets and showers provide added convenience. The facility is a short walk from 450-acre Big Lake, one of Arizona's premier trout fishing destinations known for rainbow, cutthroat, brook, and Apache trout. Summer temperatures are pleasant and cool, offering a respite from lower desert heat. The recreation area is popular for hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, and wildlife viewing. Bears frequent the area, so proper food storage is required.

Directions

From Pinetop, Arizona, take Highway 260 east 60 miles to Highway 261 south. Follow Highway 261 south 20 miles to Forest Road 115 and turn south for 1 mile.

Nearby Campgrounds