Mesquite
The campground is currently closed for the summer season. Low-elevation desert campgrounds in this area typically close from mid-May through September or October due to extreme heat. Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect across Tonto National Forest.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued August 9 at 10:03PM MST until August 9 at 10:30PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
At 1003 PM MST, a severe thunderstorm was located near Palo Verde, or 7 miles southwest of Buckeye, moving west at 20 mph. HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and ping pong ball size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect considerable tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings. Locations impacted include... Buckeye, Tonopah, Palo Verde, Palo Verde Nuclear Generation Station, Wintersburg, Hassayampa, and Arlington. This includes the following highways... AZ Interstate 10 between mile markers 90 and 119. AZ Route 85 between mile markers 146 and 154.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued August 9 at 10:02PM MST until August 9 at 10:30PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
SVRPSR The National Weather Service in Phoenix has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Maricopa County in south central Arizona... * Until 1030 PM MST. * At 1002 PM MST, a severe thunderstorm was located 8 miles southwest of Estrella Mountain Ranch, or 10 miles southwest of Goodyear, moving west at 15 mph. HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and ping pong ball size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect considerable tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings. * Locations impacted include... Goodyear, Gila Bend, Painted Rock Dam, and Cotton Center. This includes the following highways... AZ Interstate 8 between mile markers 101 and 107. AZ Route 85 between mile markers 123 and 146.
Flash Flood Warning issued August 9 at 9:56PM MST until August 10 at 1:00AM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
FFWPSR The National Weather Service in Phoenix has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for... Maricopa County in south central Arizona... * Until 100 AM MST. * At 956 PM MST, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.75 and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.25 to 1 inch are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges. IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye, Litchfield Park, Perryville and Liberty. This includes the following highways... AZ Route 85 between mile markers 150 and 154. AZ Interstate 10 between mile markers 104 and 113. AZ Route 303 between mile markers 105 and 106. This includes the following streams and drainages... Beardsley Canal, Gila River, Agua Fria River, Jackrabbit Wash and Hassayampa River.
About
Mesquite Campground offers a secluded desert camping experience along the Verde River in Tonto National Forest, approximately 22 miles northeast of Carefree, Arizona. The campground features 12 designated sites shaded by large mesquite trees, each equipped with a fire ring, grill, and picnic table. The Verde River is a short walk away, providing opportunities for swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating. This is a primitive, first-come, first-served campground with vault toilets but no potable water or trash service. Campers must bring all water and pack out all trash. The access road (FR 205) is unpaved and unmaintained, making high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles strongly recommended. The campground is not suitable for trailers or RVs. Nearby attractions include Horseshoe Reservoir and the towns of Carefree and Cave Creek. Payment of $16 per night can be made via the Recreation.gov mobile app using Scan and Pay, or at the Digital Fee Machine located at the Cave Creek Ranger Station.
Directions
From Carefree, take Cave Creek Road to Bartlett Dam Road. Turn right and continue for 6 miles to the junction of FR 205 and FR 19. Continue on FR 205 which turns left and becomes an unmaintained, unpaved road to Horseshoe Reservoir. Continue approximately 9 miles more on FR 205, following the route to Horseshoe Reservoir. Watch for the sign marking the campground.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $16 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (480) 595-3300 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov | |
| Tonto National Forest Alerts |
Availability
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!