Groom Creek Horse Camp
Closed — Closed for the season. Open May 1 through October 31. Reservations available via Recreation.gov.
Fireworks, Explosives and Sparks Restrictions
To prevent fires and for public safety order 03-00-23-001 prohibits to 1) possess, discharge, or use any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic devices; 2) use explosives; or 3) operate an internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting devic
Motor Vehicle Order Road Restrictions
The purpose of this Order is for the protection of public health and safety and prohibits:
Pile Burning Work Continues on the Bradshaw RD (Prescott Basin)
Fire managers on the Prescott National Forest plan prescribed fire operations, primarily pile burning, in the Prescott Basin on the Bradshaw Ranger District. The hand piles are from recent hazardous fuels reduction and thinning projects.
Prescott National Forest Pile Burning Planned on the Bradshaw Ranger District
Fire Managers on the Bradshaw Ranger District plan to conduct a prescribed fire, primarily pile burning, on Big Bug Mesa – pending favorable conditions.
Prescott National Forest lifts Stage 1 fire restrictions and recreational shooting restrictions
The Prescott National Forest has lifted Stage 1 Fire Restrictions and the Emergency Recreational Shooting order effective Sept. 5, 2025, at 8 a.m. This decision follows careful monitoring of fuel moisture, weather patterns, and fire activity.
Orchard Fire
Prescott National Forest resources are actively engaged with the Orchard Fire, a potential lightning caused fire near the Town of Clarkdale; the incident is currently listed at 65 acres with 50% containment.
Prescott National Forest announces Stage 1 Fire Restrictions
PRESCOTT, Arizona, May 29, 2025 - Due to rapidly drying wildland fuels and above normal predicted fire potential for the month of June, the Prescott National Forest plans to enter Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, to include a recreational shooting prohibition, beginning Friday, May 30t
Towers Mountain Road (NFSR 52C) Temporary Closure
Temporary closure of NFS Road to protect the infrastructure, ensuring the continued operation of critical communication services and reduce vandalism of communication facilities, including towers and equipment shelters. This Order shall be in effect from April 25, 2025, at 07:00a.m.
Verde Ranger Station Closed to the Public
The Camp Verde Ranger Station will close to the public starting on Monday, April 28, 2025. The public can still access all products and services at the Red Rock Ranger Visitor Center, located at 8375 State Route 179, Sedona,
NFS Road 354 Closure Order #03-07-25-00
This Order prohibits travel on the NFS Road 354 and other roads in the area on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab Naitonal Forest and the Chino Valley Ranger District of the Prescott National Forest.
Lynx Lake Boat Launch Temporarily Unavailable due to Low Water
Lynx Lake boat launch temporarily unavailable due to low water
Hwy 260 Corridor Camping Restrictions
Camping prohibition along the Highway 260 corridor to mitigate natural resource degradation, including negative impacts to soil, water quality and riparian corridors, stemming from overuse of the Described Areas by the public, as well as to protect public health and safety from forest
Target Type Shooting Restriction
Prohibition on shooting specific target types. The purpose of Order #03-09-05-24-08 is to protect natural and cultural resources from sanitation impacts and protection of public health and safety.
Verde Wild & Scenic River Fire, Occupancy and Use, and Waste Prohibitions
The purpose of Order #03-09-05-23-25 is to protect natural resources and meet management standards established in the Verde Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive River Management Plan as required by the National Wild & Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. This Order shall be in effect from December
Prescott Basin Dispersed Camping Restrictions
Order #09-233 restricts camping in the Prescott Basin to designated dispersed sites.
14-Day Camping Limit
Order #09-225 prohibits camping on the Prescott National Forest for more than 14 days within a 30-day period.
About
Located seven miles south of Prescott at 6,400 feet elevation, Groom Creek Horse Camp is a specialized equestrian facility operated by the Prescott National Forest in partnership with Backcountry Horsemen of Arizona. The campground requires all campers to be accompanied by trail-riding livestock (horses and/or mules) under Forest Order #03-09-03-24-07. The facility offers 36 individual campsites plus two group picnic sites. Each campsite features a steel corral enclosure, overhead tether line accommodating two to four horses, picnic table, stand-up grill, and fire ring. Thirty of the sites include 16-foot by 16-foot corrals, while all sites have hitching racks and horse tethers. Amenities include vault toilets, drinking water, and garbage service. Three major trails are accessible from the campground: Horse Camp Loop Trail 383 (2 miles) accessible from Loop C and the entrance, Wolf Creek Loop Trail 384 (5 miles) accessible from Trail 383 and Forest Service Road C101, and Groom Creek Loop Trail 307 (9 miles) with its trailhead directly across Forest Road #52 from the campground entrance. These shared-use trails accommodate mountain bikers and hikers as well. The surrounding landscape features ponderosa pine mixed with alligator juniper, oak species, native grasses, and seasonal wildflowers.
Directions
From downtown Prescott, take Gurley Street east to Mt. Vernon Avenue. Take Mt. Vernon (Senator Highway, Forest Road #52) south for approximately 6.5 miles to Groom Creek. The Horse Camp is 0.7 miles south of the center of Groom Creek on the right. Groom Creek Loop Trailhead #307 is across Forest Road #52 from the campground.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $18 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | 24ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (877) 444-6777 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!