USA 250 Shirt →
Horsethief cabin
Open

Open for the 2026 season from May 1 through November 30. Reservations required via Recreation.gov at least one day in advance. The shower is currently out of order due to water issues. High-clearance vehicle recommended for the rough forest roads.

Flash Flood Warning issued July 21 at 7:15PM MST until July 21 at 10:15PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ

7:15 PM — 10:15 PM

FFWFGZ The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for... Yavapai County in west central Arizona... * Until 1015 PM MST. * At 715 PM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, normally dry washes, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Horse Thief Basin, Crown King, Bumble Bee and Castle Creek Wilderness. This includes the following recreation areas and campgrounds... Turney Gulch Group Campground and Hazlett Hollow Campground. This includes the following creeks, washes and rivers... Minnehaha Creek, French Creek, Tiger Creek, Humbug Creek, Antelope Creek, Turkey Creek, Black Canyon, Castle Creek, Sand Creek, Government Spring Wash, Sycamore Creek, Willow Creek, Tuscumbia Creek, Tussock Spring Creek, Crazy Basin Creek, Rock Creek, Boulder Creek, Jim Creek, North Fork Rock Creek, Bear Creek and Poland Creek.

Flash Flood Warning issued July 21 at 5:40PM MST until July 21 at 8:45PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ

5:40 PM — 8:45 PM

FFWFGZ The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for... Gila County in east central Arizona... Coconino County in north central Arizona... Yavapai County in west central Arizona... * Until 845 PM MST. * At 540 PM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, normally dry washes, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Strawberry, The Toilet Bowl, Fossil Creek Waterfall, Fossil Creek Day Use Area and Fossil Springs Wilderness. This includes the following highways... State Route 260 between mile markers 240 and 244...and between mile markers 246 and 251. State Route 87 between mile markers 269 and 279. This includes the following swimming holes... All swimming holes and waterfalls on Fossil Creek and Fossil Creek Dam "The Toilet Bowl". This includes the following creeks, washes and rivers... Fossil Creek, Corduroy Wash and West Clear Creek.

Flash Flood Warning issued July 21 at 4:55PM MST until July 21 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ

4:55 PM — 8:00 PM

FFWFGZ The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for... Yavapai County in west central Arizona... * Until 800 PM MST. * At 455 PM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, normally dry washes, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Camp Verde, Middle Verde, Cherry, Out of Africa Wildlife Park and Bignotti. This includes State Route 260 between mile markers 211 and 217. This includes the following recreation areas and campgrounds... Powell Springs Campground. This includes the following creeks, washes and rivers... Verde River, Oak Creek, Cherry Creek, Cienega Creek, Grief Hill Wash, Ash Creek and Gaddis Wash.

About

Horsethief Cabin offers a unique recreation opportunity in the Prescott National Forest, combining rustic mountain ambiance with modern amenities. Originally built in 1939 as quarters for Forest Service fire crews protecting the southern Bradshaw Mountains, the cabin fell into disuse by the 1980s before being restored as a rental facility. The historic structure sits in a clearing surrounded by Ponderosa pines at an elevation exceeding 6,000 feet. The cabin accommodates up to six guests with four beds: two twins, one queen, and a double futon. Amenities include running potable water, electricity, propane heating, cooling fans, and a full kitchen equipped with a propane stove/oven, refrigerator, toaster, coffee maker, sink, and dining table with chairs. The bathroom has a flush toilet, sink, and shower. Outdoor features include a fire ring, charcoal pedestal grill, and picnic tables. Guests must bring their own bedding, towels, dishes, cookware, and food. Anglers will appreciate the short hike to Horsethief Basin Lake, stocked with largemouth bass, channel catfish, and sunfish. Non-motorized boating is permitted. Hikers can explore trails leading to Horsethief Canyon, Twin Peaks, Castle Creek, and Jim Creek. OHV enthusiasts have access to Kentuck, Lane Mountain, and Tip Top routes. The nearby Castle Creek Wilderness offers rugged terrain ranging from lower-elevation saguaro desert to higher pinon-juniper woodlands, with abundant wildlife including mule deer, javelina, and various birds of prey.

Directions

From Phoenix: Take I-17 north to Bumble Bee Exit 248, continue north on the dirt road via Forest Road 259 to Crown King. From Crown King, take FR 259A south for 0.5 mile to the junction with FR 52. Take FR 52 southeast for about 5 miles to the Horse Thief Basin Recreation Area. The cabin sits adjacent to Horse Thief Lake Road. From Prescott: Travel south on State Route 69 for 31 miles to Spring Valley, turn right onto Spring Lane, continue 0.7 miles to Duffers Drive, turn right and continue 1.4 miles to the intersection with S. Antelope Creek Road, turn left and drive 23 miles to Crown King, then follow FR 259A and FR 52 as described above. The rough roads take over an hour from Highway 17.

Amenities

Water Yes
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station No
Wifi No
Pets Allowed Yes
Showers Yes
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store
Price $100

Vehicle

Max RV Length
Max Trailer Length
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Phone +1 (928) 443-8000

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

Availability

Photos

Horsethief cabin
wood chopping area
Kitchen
Horsethief reservoir
bedroom
Horsethief Cabin

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