Grayling
Grayling Campground offers perhaps the most secluded sites in the Big Lake Recreation Area in eastern Arizona. It sits on the shoreline of the lake in a mixed conifer and aspen forest and affords visitors many recreational opportunities in a quiet, scenic setting. Popular activities include trout fishing and hiking.
More like this: reservable in Arizona · big rigs in Arizona · pets allowed in Arizona
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 21 |
| Host/management | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
21 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 |
| 003 | Pull-through | 45 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 |
| 004 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 |
| 005 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 |
| 006 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 |
| 007 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 |
| 008 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 |
| 009 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 |
| 010 | Pull-through | 20 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 |
| 011 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 45 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
All 23 campsites in this small facility are located along one loop. Some sites have a view of the lake, though none are directly on the waterfront. Flush toilets are a comfort of home, and showers can be found one mile away. A dump station for RV campers is one mile away. A store is also nearby with gas, food, boat rentals and firewood for sale.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest |
| Fees | Per vehicle per night $20.00 Additional Camp Unit fees collected at the campground. *Additional Camp Unit $20.00 Interagency/Senior Discount $10.00 |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Pinetop, Arizona, take Highway 260 east 25 miles to Highway 273 south. Follow Highway 273 south 19 miles to Forest Road 8115 (Big Lake Entrance). Turn right and travel 2 miles. Grayling is on the left.
| Coordinates | 33.8731° N, 109.4131° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedD6 Wallow West Unit 6 Rx
5 mi from the campground · 7,605 acres
- PrescribedD6 - Heifer Rx
9 mi from the campground · 3,116 acres
- PrescribedD6 - Luna Rx
20 mi from the campground · 2,156 acres
- PrescribedFta Hawley Lake Rx
20 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sportsman's Warehouse ↗ | 42.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Grayling Campground - Big Lake Recreation Area, AZ
Worth a stop
Visitors can explore endless vistas and take part in many outdoor activities in the surrounding Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, which encompasses 2 million acres of magnificent mountain country in east-central Arizona and New Mexico. Springerville, Arizona is the closest town to the campground.
- 0.1 miBig Lake Marina Boating Site ↗Boat launch
- 1.1 mi
- 1.1 miRailroad Cove Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 1.2 miBig Lake Dam Parking Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
- 1.4 miWest Fork Of Black River Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 2.8 miCrescent Lake Point Area Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
Show all 7Hide
- 11.8 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.5 miBig Lake Nature0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miIndian Springs ↗7.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miRainbow Connector0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.1 miSunrise Snowmobile ↗14.3 mi trail · ATV, e-bike, snowshoe, ski
- 1.1 miSunrise Snowmobile 249 ↗8.4 mi trail · ATV, e-bike, snowshoe, ski
- 1.1 miBig Lake Lookout0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.1 miRailroad Cove Trailhead ↗Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
- 1.4 miWest Fork Of Black River Trailhead ↗Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
- 1.9 miCrescent Lake Trailhead ↗Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
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 Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.
- inApache-Sitgreaves National Forests ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,110,688 acres
- 6.2 miMount Baldy Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 6,819 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
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Ps Knoll Lookout ComplexStructure · Maverick · 8.2 mi
- Butterfly LodgeBuilding · Greer · 10.3 mi
- Water Canyon Administrative SiteBuilding · Springerville · 15 mi
Natural features
Grayling sits in the White Mountains at an elevation of 9,000 feet. It is a very scenic area, forested with ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, spruce and aspen trees, which provide ample shade. Summer temperatures are pleasant and cool, a nice respite from the heat of lower deserts. Visitors should come prepared for cool nighttime temperatures and occasional summer rain storms.
Recreation
The campground is adjacent to 450-acre Big Lake, one of Arizona's top fishing lakes. The lake is known for its trout fishing, with rainbow, cutthroat, brook and Apache being the most sought-after species. The recreation area is also popular for hiking, mountain biking, birding and wildlife viewing. Curious campers can attend educational programs at the recreation area's visitor center.
Guidebooks for Arizona
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Best Backpacking Trips in Utah, Arizona, and New MexicoMike White and Douglas Lorain, 2016Find 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 Grayling?
Sites at Grayling are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Grayling?
Per vehicle per night $20.00 Additional Camp Unit fees collected at the campground. *Additional Camp Unit $20.00 Interagency/Senior Discount $10.00
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Grayling?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Grayling open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Grayling have?
24 sites, including 21 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Grayling?
The longest site here provides 45 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
Are there showers or a dump station at Grayling?
Flush toilets are a comfort of home, and showers can be found one mile away.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Grayling?
Yes, pets are allowed at Grayling. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Grayling?
The campground is adjacent to 450-acre Big Lake, one of Arizona's top fishing lakes. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Grayling is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Brookchar (0.2 mi), Cutthroat (0.3 mi), and Apache Trout Campground (0.4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby