U.S. Forest Service · Coconino National Forest Recreation · Arizona

Clear Creek Campground

This cozy group campground is tucked in the Lower Sonoran Desert along the banks of the fresh, chilly Clear Creek. Campers can wade in the creek, fish, or curl up with a book under the umbrella of cottonwood trees. Another popular pastime here is birdwatching, where you might just spot a hawk or bald eagle in flight. Clear Creek Campground is seven miles southeast of the small ranching town of Camp Verde. It's part of the Coconino National Forest, one of the most diverse forests in the country. Landscapes range from alpine tundra to desert valleys and red canyons.

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 · group sites in Arizona

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Picnic site.Site 8.EntranceClear Creek Campground Group Site featuring the shaded picnic area and camp space.
Photos courtesy of Conservation Legacy, Recreation Resource Management · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups13
Tent-only5
Group sites1
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served. For the first-come sites, arrive early on a weekday and take what is open. The booking page shows which of the reservable sites are open. The first-come playbook

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 24 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

19 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopTypeFits, ftSurfaceWater / sewerPeople / vehiclesFiresAccessible
01Clear CreekStandard20GravelNo / No8 / 2Yes
02Clear CreekStandard24GravelNo / No8 / 2Yes
03Clear CreekStandard24GravelNo / No8 / 2Yes
04Clear CreekStandard24GravelNo / No8 / 2Yes
05Clear CreekStandard24GravelNo / No8 / 2Yes
06Clear CreekTent onlyGravelNo / No8 / 2Yes
07Clear CreekTent onlyGravelNo / No8 / 2Yes
08Clear CreekTent onlyGravelNo / No8 / 2Yes
09Clear CreekTent onlyGravelNo / No8 / 2Yes
10Clear CreekTent onlyGravelNo / No8 / 2Yes

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
AccessibilitySite Group Site is listed accessible

Clear Creek Campground is grassy and flat, with some shade from surrounding cottonwoods. The group campsite holds 80 people with a maximum of 20 vehicles. The campsite is a popular destination, with its relaxed, open atmosphere, so be sure to book early for holiday weekends.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusOpen
ForestCoconino National Forest Recreation
BookingOnly the group site is reservable. All other campsites are first come first serve. Recreation.gov. Phone reservations 877-444-6777. TTY 877-833-6777. International 518-885-3639.
FeesCampsite: $24 per night. 2nd vehicle: $10 for second vehicle at single unit sites. Group Site (1-30 people): $95 per night, per group (max RV capacity 15-20, estimated for max 32ft RVs). Group Site (31-80 people): $160 per night, per group (max RV capacity 15-20, estimated for max 32ft RVs).
RulesNo radios or amplified devices allowed. Pets must always be restrained or on a leash. No horses allowed in the campground. Motorbikes may only be used for entering or leaving campsite. 7 day stay limit. Quiet hours 10:00 pm to 6:00 am (running generators not permitted during quiet hours). No overflow parking available.

Coconino National Forest Recreation recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Clear Creek Campground40°50°60°70°80°90°January: 1.36 inches of precipitationFebruary: 1.28 inches of precipitationMarch: 1.15 inches of precipitationApril: 0.49 inches of precipitationMay: 0.40 inches of precipitationJune: 0.19 inches of precipitationJuly: 1.52 inches of precipitationAugust: 2.13 inches of precipitationSeptember: 1.49 inches of precipitationOctober: 0.95 inches of precipitationNovember: 0.71 inches of precipitationDecember: 1.50 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 43.2°F averageFebruary: 47.1°F averageMarch: 53.4°F averageApril: 59.5°F averageMay: 67.5°F averageJune: 76.2°F averageJuly: 82.4°F averageAugust: 80.7°F averageSeptember: 74.0°F averageOctober: 62.5°F averageNovember: 50.4°F averageDecember: 41.8°F average0 in0.5 in1 in1.5 in2 in2.5 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Montezuma Castle NM, 8 miles from the campground at 3,180 feet, station USC00025635 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 13 inches a year.

Getting there

From Interstate 17, take Exit 287 for AZ-260 toward Cottonwood/Payson/89-A. Turn right onto AZ-260 and follow for approximately 8 miles to the campsite.

Coordinates34.5156° N, 111.7644° W · Directions ↗

Good to know

  • This facility also has 18 standard family sites available, 5 of which are first-come, first-served/13 are reservable on Recreation.gov.

Fire nearby

  • Prescribed
    Newman Piles Rx

    35 mi from the campground · 751 acres

  • Prescribed
    Newman 2 Piles Rx

    35 mi from the campground · 723 acres

  • Prescribed
    D2 Vincent Rx

    46 mi from the campground · 2,258 acres

  • Prescribed
    D2 Dye Rx

    49 mi from the campground · 5,246 acres

Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗21.9 mi
Outdoor gearThe Hike House ↗23.9 mi
RV sales & serviceLittle Dealer Little Prices ↗31.5 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Clear Creek Campground/Camp Verde, Arizona

Worth a stop

A must-do day trip is the Montezuma Castle National Monument, where you can marvel at a well-preserved Native American cliff dwelling that dates back 1,000 years. Near the dwelling is the Montezuma Well, which is a naturally-formed well that collects over a million gallons of fresh water a day. Hot-air ballooning and horseback riding are also fun outings near the campsite.

  • 0.2 mi
    General George Crook ↗
    51.7 mi trail · national_scenic_or_historic
  • 3.8 mi
  • 4.2 mi
    Blodgett Basin
    2.4 mi trail
  • 4.6 mi
    Sycamore Spring
    2.3 mi trail
  • 4.7 mi
    Ladders
    0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike

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

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Coconino National Forest.

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.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

Clear Creek sits in the Verde Valley at 3,200 feet elevation. It's part of the Sonoran desert near the base of Cactus Mountain, and the climate is arid with hot summer days and mild winters.

Recreation

The campground is part of an oasis that attracts a variety of wildlife. Colorful songbirds and raptors are common birdwatching finds, and cool water species such as smallmouth bass and green sunfish make for enjoyable fishing. Wildlife watching includes black bears, elk, turkey, deer, and bison.

Guidebooks for Arizona

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Camping Arizona
    Bruce Grubbs, 2021
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Best Tent Camping: Arizona
    Kirstin Olmon Phillips and Kelly Phillips, 2019
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Best Backpacking Trips in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico
    Mike White and Douglas Lorain, 2016
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Clear Creek 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 Clear Creek Campground?

Campsite: $24 per night. 2nd vehicle: $10 for second vehicle at single unit sites. Group Site (1-30 people): $95 per night, per group (max RV capacity 15-20, estimated for max 32ft RVs).

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Clear Creek Campground?

Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Clear Creek Campground open right now?

Open as of Oct 16, 2026.

Source: Forest Service status

How many sites does Clear Creek Campground have?

19 sites, including 13 standard sites without power, 5 tent-only sites, and 1 group site.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I bring an RV to Clear Creek Campground?

Clear Creek Campground is listed for tents only.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Clear Creek Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Clear Creek Campground. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Clear Creek Campground?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. No radios or amplified devices allowed.

Source: Fire nearby

Are there accessible sites at Clear Creek Campground?

Site Group Site is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Clear Creek Campground?

The campground is part of an oasis that attracts a variety of wildlife. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What if Clear Creek Campground is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Powell Springs Campground (17.8 mi, first-come), Chavez Crossing (22.7 mi), and Mingus Mountain Campground And Group Site (23.7 mi).

Source: Campgrounds nearby