Rainbow
Closed for seasonal closure. Opens May 15, 2026 weather permitting. Reservations available through Recreation.gov; Loop F sites 130-152 are first-come, first-served only.
Red Flag Warning issued June 30 at 12:19PM MST until June 30 at 7:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
* WHAT...Critical fire weather conditions expected. Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph and relative humidity 7 to 18 percent. * WHERE...East and southeast of Flagstaff, stretching along the Mogollon Rim and White Mountains, as well as northward into the Little Colorado River Valley. This includes portions of the Apache-Sitgreaves and Coconino National Forests. * WHEN...Until 7 PM MST /8 PM MDT/ this evening. * IMPACTS...Rapid spread and growth of any new or existing fires. Fires will have the potential to exhibit extreme fire behavior. Elevated potential for new fire starts.
Red Flag Warning issued June 29 at 6:45PM MST until June 29 at 7:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM MST /11 AM MDT/ TO 7 PM MST /8 PM MDT/ TUESDAY... * WHAT...Critical Fire Weather conditions will subside this evening as winds speeds decrease. The Red Flag Warning for Monday will expire at 7 PM MST. These conditions redevelop by late Tuesday morning, with Critical Fire Weather conditions developing for much of Tuesday in the same area, Expect southwest winds 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, along with minimum relative humidity values from 6 to 20 percent. * WHERE...East and southeast of Flagstaff, stretching along the Mogollon Rim and White Mountains, as well as northward into the Little Colorado River Valley. This includes portions of the Apache-Sitgreaves and Coconino National Forests. * WHEN...From 10 AM MST /11 AM MDT/ to 7 PM MST /8 PM MDT/ Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Rapid spread and growth of any new or existing fires. Fires will have the potential to exhibit extreme fire behavior. Elevated potential for new fire starts.
About
Rainbow Campground sits at 9,000 feet in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona, making it a popular escape from desert heat. The 165-site campground is organized into six loops, including four double sites accommodating up to 16 people and two ADA-accessible sites. Loop F (sites 130-152) operates on a first-come, first-served basis while other sites are reservable through Recreation.gov. The campground is adjacent to 450-acre Big Lake, renowned for rainbow, cutthroat, brook, and Apache trout. Beyond fishing, visitors enjoy hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing. A small concessionaire store nearby sells gas, food, firewood, and boat rentals. Facilities include flush toilets, showers, and a dump station. Paved roads throughout make navigation easy. Summer temperatures are pleasant but nights are cool at this elevation; afternoon thunderstorms are common. Bears frequent the area, so proper food storage is required.
Directions
From Show Low, take Highway 260 east for 42 miles to Highway 273. Take Highway 273 south for 30 miles; Big Lake Recreation Area will be on the west side. From Eagar, go 5 miles west on State Route 260, turn south on State Route 261 for 29 miles to State Route 273, then west about 3 miles.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | Yes |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | Yes |
| Price | $34 - $110 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 180ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 180ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| camping@rrmofa.com | |
| Phone | +1 (928) 537-8888 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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