USDA Forest Service · Arizona
Riverside Campground (AZ)
USDA Forest Service · Arizona, United States
- Sites
- 4
- Hookups
- 1 no hookups
- Elevation
- 1,611 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 3
- Cell coverage
- AT&T weak · T-Mobile none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- RIVERSIDE CAMPGROUND (NFSR 162) · native material · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Tonto National Forest
- Phone
- N/A
- Activities
- Birding, Camping, Canoeing, Non-Motorized Boating, Photography, Wildlife Viewing
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
Riverside Campground offers more peace and tranquility than the busier recreation sites at Bartlett Lake. With the campground’s proximity to water, fisherman and avid water recreationalists enjoy this spot all year long. There are designated grills, fire rings and picnic tables where families can enjoy the day together along the river, not far from the dam. Keep a look out for fish jumping along the river!
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
Camping
Fishing
Non-Motorized Boating
River Access
Birding
Facilities
12 Campsites
First-Come, First Serve only. No reservations.
14 day stay limit.
Maximum occupancy per individual campsite is 10 people.
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.
No motor boats allowed.
Trailers under 16 feet.
Glass containers prohibted.
No potable water services available.
Quiet hours 10:00 pm to 6:00 am (running generators are not permitted during quiet hours).
Natural Features
Plenty of trees provide ample shade and the calming sound of the river flowing makes Riverside Campground a great place to relax and enjoy nature. Keep a lookout for wildlife!
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 | 66° | 40° | 29° | 80° | 3 of 11 |
| February | 67° | 42° | 27° | 84° | 2 of 11 |
| March | 73° | 47° | 33° | 100° | 0 of 11 |
| April | 83° | 55° | 43° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| May | 91° | 66° | 55° | 102° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 103° | 75° | 61° | 116° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 106° | 83° | 74° | 113° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 102° | 80° | 67° | 113° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 99° | 74° | 62° | 106° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 87° | 59° | 49° | 101° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 80° | 51° | 35° | 90° | 0 of 10 |
| December | 69° | 41° | 30° | 80° | 1 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
- SB Cove Shoreline Area · 4.4 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.
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- Mesquite (AZ) · USDA Forest Service · 12 mi · 4 sites
- Horseshoe (AZ) · USDA Forest Service · 12 mi · 4 sites
- Eagle View RV Resort · Tribal Lands · 16 mi · 150 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.