USDA Forest Service · Arizona
Mesquite (AZ)
USDA Forest Service · Arizona, United States
- Sites
- 4
- Hookups
- 1 no hookups
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 1,900 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 3
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- MESQUITE CAMP GROUND (NFSR 246) · native material · high clearance vehicles
- Lake
- Tonto National Forest
- Nearest town
- Scottsdale
- Address
- 40202 N Cave Creek Rd, Scottsdale, AZ, 85262
- Phone
- N/A
- Activities
- Camping, Canoeing, Fishing, Hiking, Kayaking, Off Road Vehicle Trails, Paddling, Photography, Water Access
Season dates aren't confirmed for this campground yet - opening and closing dates haven't been verified. Check the operator's page or call ahead before you plan a trip.
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - the site map below shows each with its facts and pictures.
Site map
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one on the imagery, with the operator's own facts and pictures for each site where it publishes them. Tap a site to rate it, keep a note and add your own photos; press and hold the map for a pin of your own. Your ratings, notes, pins and photos are kept with the campground on your Saved list, the same list the camping map and the drive page keep.
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About
Overview
Mesquite Campground provides privacy and shade. Here you can relax under the shaded canopies of mesquite trees while listening to the sounds of water flowing from the Verde River just a short distance from your site. Designated camp sites have fire rings, grills and picnic tables where families can enjoy time together. There are hiking, fishing, swimming opportunities and more.
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service. Camping passes can also be purchased at a Tonto Fee Machine Pass. $16 per site, per night. Nearest fee machine location is at the Cave Creek Ranger Station.
Recreation
Swimming
River and Stream Fishing
Non-Motorized Boating
Nearby Hiking Trails
Nearby OHV Routes
Facilities
12 campsites
First-come, First-serve only. No reservations.
Maximum occupancy per individual campsite is 10.
Maximum number of vehicles per individual camp unit is three. All vehicles must completely fit within the designated parking area.
Check-in time is 12:00 pm, and check-out time is 10:00 am.
14-day stay limit.
Portions of the Verde River are deep. Use of motorized watercraft on flowing portions of the Verde River is prohibited.
Road to campground is unpaved and unmaintained.
Recommend high clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Not reccommended for trailers.
Potable water is not available.
Quiet hours 10:00 pm to 6:00 am (running generators are not permitted during quiet hours).
THERE ARE NO TRASH SERVICES. PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT.
Natural Features
The Verde River is just a short distance from the campground, with swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating access. Large trees provide plenty of shade.
Nearby Attractions
Horsehoe Reservoir
Towns of Carefree and Cave Creek
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (480) 595-3300.
Fees
Campsites are $16 per night, per site. America the Beautiful Senior or Access Disability passholders are eligible for a 50% discount. Pass must be valid and present with passholder at time of stay.
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service. Camping passes can also be purchased at a Tonto Fee Machine Pass. $16 per site, per night. Nearest fee machine location is at the Cave Creek Ranger Station.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 65° | 39° | 28° | 79° | 3 of 11 |
| February | 66° | 41° | 27° | 82° | 4 of 11 |
| March | 71° | 46° | 33° | 99° | 0 of 11 |
| April | 81° | 53° | 41° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| May | 90° | 65° | 53° | 101° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 102° | 74° | 59° | 115° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 105° | 82° | 72° | 113° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 101° | 78° | 65° | 112° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 98° | 72° | 60° | 105° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 86° | 58° | 47° | 100° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 78° | 49° | 34° | 88° | 0 of 10 |
| December | 68° | 40° | 29° | 78° | 4 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Trails nearby
- Bronco Trailhead · 6.3 mi as the crow flies
Bronco 3.1 mi Hike · Drive there - SB Cove Shoreline Area · 8.9 mi as the crow flies · Drive there
All 190 trails in Tonto National Forest
Trailheads the Park Service and the Forest Service map, within 10 miles as the crow flies; each trail's page has its length, climbing and the Service's description.
Nearby campgrounds
- Horseshoe (AZ) · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 4 sites
- C C C (AZ) Tonto NF · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi · 4 sites
- Cave Creek Group Site · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi · 1 sites
- Riverside Campground (AZ) · USDA Forest Service · 12 mi · 4 sites
- Cave Creek Regional Park Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 18 mi · 55 sites
All public campgrounds in Arizona · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.