Turney Gulch Group
Closed — Closed for winter. Overnight accommodations are not available during winter months. Day use sites and trails in Horsethief Basin remain open year-round. Reservations available through Recreation.gov when open.
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
Turney Gulch Group Campground offers a remote, scenic location for large groups seeking a forest experience in Prescott National Forest. Situated at 6,000 feet elevation in the Bradshaw Mountains, the campground is surrounded by towering ponderosa pines and lies approximately one mile past Horsethief Lake, seven miles southeast of the historic town of Crown King. The facility accommodates groups of up to 100 people and 30 vehicles or less, with pricing at $75 per night for 1-50 people and $150 per night for 51-100 people. The centerpiece is a historic wooden pavilion with 15 tables and grills. Due to its remote location, campers must bring their own water. Vault toilets are available. Recreational opportunities abound in the area. Horsethief Lake permits fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, and sunfish, with only electric motors and oars allowed for boating. The nearby Castle Creek Wilderness provides numerous trails for hiking and exploration, while the surrounding national forest offers hunting, mountain biking, and OHV riding opportunities. Summer temperatures provide pleasant relief from desert heat, while winters are cool to cold with occasional snow. The remote setting is home to diverse wildlife including deer, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, and various bird species. High-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended for the unimproved dirt road access.
Directions
From Prescott, take Main St. through Mayer continuing east to the junction with Antelope Creek Road. Continue southeast approximately 9 miles to Cordes. At Cordes take Forest Road 259 to Crown King. From Crown King, take FR 259A south 0.5 miles to the junction with FR 52. Take FR 52 southeast approximately 6 miles to Horsethief Basin Recreation Area. Turney Gulch is approximately one mile past Horsethief Lake. High-clearance vehicles required; road is unimproved dirt.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $75 - $150 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 35ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 35ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (877) 444-6777 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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