Valentine Ridge Campground
Open year-round as a dispersed camping area. No fees required. 14-day stay limit. Four-wheel drive or chains may be advisable after heavy snows. Winter temperatures drop into the teens.
Flash Flood Warning issued July 21 at 7:24PM MST until July 21 at 9:15PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
FFWPSR The National Weather Service in Phoenix has extended the * Flash Flood Warning for... Gila County in east central Arizona... * Until 915 PM MST. * At 724 PM MST, gauge reports indicated earlier thunderstorms produced heavy rain over Pinal Creek and Pinto Creek. Floodwater continues to flow northward within both of these creeks, leading to measured 4-7 foot rises. Between 1 and 2.5 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding. SOURCE...Gauges reported. IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Roosevelt Estates and Wheatfields. This includes AZ Route 188 between mile markers 221 and 230.
Flash Flood Warning issued July 21 at 6:00PM MST until July 21 at 9:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
FFWPSR The National Weather Service in Phoenix has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for... Gila County in east central Arizona... * Until 900 PM MST. * At 600 PM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.5 inches are possible in 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, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Mainly rural areas of Gila County.
Flash Flood Warning issued July 21 at 5:40PM MST until July 21 at 8:45PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
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.
About
Valentine Ridge Dispersed Camping Area sits in the high country of Tonto National Forest near Canyon Creek, a stream known for its rainbow trout fishing. This is primitive dispersed camping with no developed amenities. Campers must bring their own water and pack out all trash. A 9-mile all-terrain bicycle loop trail begins at the camping area. The area is home to diverse wildlife including Abert squirrel, black bear, mountain lion, elk, turkey, and deer. Winter temperatures can drop into the teens, and four-wheel drive or chains may be needed after heavy snowfall. Bear-proofing of camps is mandatory. Trailers are limited to under 16 feet due to road conditions. Canyon Creek offers regulated fishing opportunities. Upstream of OW Bridge, a 4-trout limit applies with artificial fly or lure only using single barbless hooks. From OW Bridge to the Fort Apache Reservation boundary, catch-and-release only regulations are in effect.
Directions
From Payson, travel 33 miles east on State Hwy. 260. Turn right on unpaved Young Road/FR 512 and continue for approximately 5 miles to FR 188. Turn left on FR 188 and travel 2 miles to the site. Alternatively, from Young, take State Hwy. 288/FR 512 north for 20 miles to FR 188, turn right and follow for 2 miles.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | No |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | 16ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (928) 474-7900 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| USFS Valentine Ridge Dispersed Camping Area |
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