Tortilla Campground
Tortilla Campground is a winter campground just outside of the Phoenix metropolitan area. From October through April each year, urban dwellers take advantage of cooler temperatures and enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, rock climbing and scenic driving throughout the surrounding Tonto National Forest. Campers awake to a scenic backdrop of rugged bluffs, saguaro cactus and desert skies. The campground is located directly across from Tortilla Flat Restaruant and general store, which is just a short walk away.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Arizona · reservable in Arizona · pets allowed in Arizona
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 76 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 32 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
76 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Yes / Yes | 10 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 2 | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Yes / Yes | 10 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 3 | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Yes / Yes | 10 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 4 | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Yes / Yes | 10 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 5 | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Yes / Yes | 10 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 6 | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Yes / Yes | 10 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 7 | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Yes / Yes | 10 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 8 | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Yes / Yes | 10 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 9 | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Yes / Yes | 10 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 10 | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Yes / Yes | 10 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 10:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 32 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground is large yet compact, with campsites in close proximity of one another. Every campsite has a view of the surrounding desert, some with views of mountain peaks and cliffs. The facility accommodates RVs and has sewage hookups. Each campsite comes with a picnic table and a campfire ring with a cooking grate. Services at the end of Tortilla Flat include a post office, restaurant, gift shop and public cellular credit card phone (emergency 911). Canyon Lake and Marina is located two miles west and includes public boat launches and picnic/fishing sites, a restaurant, excursion boats and boat rentals.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | October 1 to March 31 |
| Forest | Tonto National Forest |
| Booking | Campsites 55 through 59 are earmarked for advanced reservation. Site reservations must be made at least 7 days prior to arrival and can be made up to 6 months in advance. |
| Fees | $20/site/night. America the Beautiful Interagency Senior or Access Pass holders receive a 50% discount on a single campsite. Passholders must be present. An automated fee machine at the entrance of the campground must be used to purchase permits for first-come, first-served sites. |
| Rules | 14-day stay limit. Maximum trailer length is 30 feet. Campsites must be occupied the first night. Camping equipment/personal property may not be left for more than 24 hours (without permission). All vehicles operating within the campground must be registered and street legal. Recreational OHV riding is not permitted within the campground. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Mesa, Arizona, take U.S. Highway 60 to the Idaho Road exit. Go north to State Route 88 (Apache Trail) and turn right. Continue for 18 miles on Route 88 to Tortilla Flat (the campground is two miles past Canyon Lake). Tortilla Campground is directly across from Tortilla Flat, on the left side of the road.
| Nearest town | Mesa, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 33.5299° N, 111.3984° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 6.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV Park Model Traders ↗ | 13.7 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Gold Dog Tents ↗ | 19.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Affordable Camping at Tortilla Campground, Tonto National Forest, AZ
Worth a stop
Fish Creek Vista Point is approx. 7 miles east on AZ-88, this area provides great views of the desert and an accessible interpretive trail great for learning about the history of the area.
- 10.6 miTonto National Forest Ohv Permit ↗OHV / range
Trails nearby
- 1.4 miBoulder ↗7.3 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.2 miSecond Water3.4 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 3.2 miCavalry3.2 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 3.5 miBlack Mesa3 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 4.4 miDutchmans ↗18.2 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 4.9 miBull Pass1.6 mi trail · hiking, horse
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Tonto National Forest.
- inTonto National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,966,417 acres
- 0.9 miSuperstition Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 160,164 acres
- 2.3 miFour Peaks Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 60,773 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Boulder Creek BridgeStructure · Tortilla Flat · 1.5 mi
- Mormon Flat BridgeStructure · Tortilla Flat · 2.7 mi
- Mormon Flat DamStructure · Phoenix · 3 mi
Natural features
The Superstition Wilderness Area is starkly beautiful and untamed. A series of dams has created numerous lakes along the Salt River. Blossoming plants bring the desert to life each spring with vibrant wildflowers. This area is a photographers dream with plenty of opportunities to capture Bighorn Sheep, Deer, and other desert widlife. The area can be harsh for travelers not equipped to meet nature on her own terms. Soaring temperatures and little water are typical conditions in the summer. In winter, temperatures are typically pleasant during the day but drop significantly at night. Visitors should come prepared for anything, even the occasional rain or snow.
Recreation
The area is rich with human history, scenery and outdoor recreation. The campground lies along the Canyon Lake Apache Trail Scenic Byway, a former Apache Tribal route turned stagecoach road. Visitors may hear stories of lost cowboys and gold mining. The drive to the campground provides ample scenery and a vista point perfect for photography and wildlife viewing. The campground is just down the road from Canyon Lake which provides a number of recreational opportunites such as kayaking, fishing, and boating. The Superstition Wilderness has a well-developed trail system, and the western end of the wilderness receives heavy use during the cooler times of the year. Use caution as trail conditions can be fair or poor, and several are unsuitable for horses. Also make sure to check out many of the developed recreation sites along Canyon lake for shoreline and fishing dock access, but keep in mind these sites require a day pass not included in the camping fees.
Guidebooks for Tonto National Forest and Arizona
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Tortilla Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Tortilla Campground?
$20/site/night. America the Beautiful Interagency Senior or Access Pass holders receive a 50% discount on a single campsite. Passholders must be present.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Tortilla Campground?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 10:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Tortilla Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season October 1 to March 31.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Tortilla Campground have?
76 sites, including 76 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Tortilla Campground?
The longest site here provides 32 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Tortilla Campground have hookups?
Yes, water and sewer hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Tortilla Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Tortilla Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Tortilla Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. 14-day stay limit.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Tortilla Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Tortilla Campground?
The area is rich with human history, scenery and outdoor recreation. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Tortilla Campground?
Mesa, Arizona. Fish Creek Vista Point is approx.
Source: Getting there