Larry Forbis Overnight Group Site
Tucked away amongst vibrant palo verde and iconic saguaro cactus on the banks of the Lower Salt River, the Larry Forbis Group Site offers a peaceful setting for groups and large gatherings throughout the year. October through March, this site is open to campers looking to take advantage of a unique opportunity to enjoy one of Arizona’s finest rivers under the stars. Campers can pitch a tent on the sandy shoreline and awaken to beautiful views of the surrounding Sonoran Desert. During summer months when the river is flowing and ambient temperatures are high, recreators can enjoy a day of kayaking, tubing, or fishing down the river before returning to their private ramada for a picnic.
More like this: reservable in Arizona · tent only in Arizona · group sites in Arizona · accessible sites in Arizona
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group sites | 3 |
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Fees | Fees: $75.00 per unit |
| Accessibility | All three units are available with accessible features, such as handicapped parking, concrete walkways and surfaces, and wheelchair-accessible picnic tables |
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Tonto National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations: Reservations must be made 7 days prior to arrival and units can be booked up to 6 months in advance. |
| Fees | Fees: $75.00 per unit |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Nearest town | Mesa, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 33.5510° N, 111.5727° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 8.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV Park Model Traders ↗ | 9.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Gold Dog Tents ↗ | 10.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
- 0.5 miTonto National Forest Ohv Permit ↗OHV / range
Trails nearby
- 2.3 miSalt River2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.6 miSaguaro Lake Vista0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.8 miButcher Jones3.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.7 miWater Users Day Use Area ↗Tonto National Forest · Season Year round
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
- 8 miFour Peaks Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 60,773 acres
- 10.9 miSuperstition Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 160,164 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
- Stewart Mountain DamStructure · Phoenix · 2.4 mi
- Mormon Flat BridgeStructure · Tortilla Flat · 7.5 mi
- Mormon Flat DamStructure · Phoenix · 7.5 mi
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 Larry Forbis Overnight Group Site?
Sites at Larry Forbis Overnight Group Site are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations: Reservations must be made 7 days prior to arrival and units can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Larry Forbis Overnight Group Site?
Fees: $75.00 per unit
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Larry Forbis Overnight Group Site open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Larry Forbis Overnight Group Site have?
3 sites, including 3 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Larry Forbis Overnight Group Site?
Larry Forbis Overnight Group Site is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Larry Forbis Overnight Group Site?
All three units are available with accessible features, such as handicapped parking, concrete walkways and surfaces, and wheelchair-accessible picnic tables.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Larry Forbis Overnight Group Site?
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 the nearest town to Larry Forbis Overnight Group Site?
Mesa, Arizona.
Source: Getting there
What if Larry Forbis Overnight Group Site is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Bagley Flat Campground and Boat Dock (5.3 mi, first-come), The Point Boat Dock, Campground and Picnic Area (9.4 mi, first-come), and Tortilla Campground (10.1 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby