Cholla Campground

About

Cholla Campground at Roosevelt Lake is a premier camping destination in the Tonto National Forest, situated at 2,168 feet elevation within a classic Sonoran Desert landscape. The campground offers 206 sites spread across multiple loops including Teddybear, Christmas, Buckhorn, and Cane. Each site features a shade ramada, firepit, grill, and picnic table. The facility is notable for being one of the largest solar-powered campgrounds in the United States. Recreation opportunities center around Roosevelt Lake, which boasts 112 miles of shoreline and up to 21,500 acres of surface water when full. Developed boat ramps with accessible boarding docks allow launching of bass boats, ski boats, pontoon boats, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. The area is rich with wildlife including mule deer, coyotes, javelina, geese, and occasional bald eagles. Nearby attractions include the Arizona Trail, Tonto National Monument cliff dwellings, and the Apache Trail and Spines to Pines Highway scenic byways. The campground operates year-round with both reservable (odd-numbered) and first-come-first-served (even-numbered) sites. Reservations are available November 1 through March 15. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, and RV air conditioners may struggle June through August. A 14-day stay limit applies within 30 consecutive days on the Tonto National Forest.

Directions

From Mesa: Take State Hwy. 87/Beeline Highway north for about 60 miles to its junction with State Hwy. 188. Turn right and follow State Hwy. 188 south for 28 miles to the site. From the Globe area: Take State Hwy. 188 north for 30 miles to its junction with State Hwy. 188. Continue on State Hwy. 188 across the bridge for 6 miles to the site. The campground is 5 miles north of Roosevelt Dam.