Playground Group
Close to historic western towns and centrally located in Arizona, Playground Group Campground is a great place for groups of up to 75 people to enjoy a secluded mountain getaway. The 7,500 ft. elevation of the site, puts it near the summit of Mingus Mountain in Prescott National Forest. Spectacular views of the surrounding desert valleys as well as the nearby towns of Sedona, Jerome and Prescott Valley await campers on the winding drive to and from the site.
More like this: reservable in Arizona · big rigs in Arizona · pets allowed in Arizona · group sites in Arizona
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group sites | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Play1 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | 100 / 30 | Yes |
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 12:00 PM.
The site record lists 100 people. The campground description says up to 75 people.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The site has a large group gathering place with picnic tables, grills, a large fire pit and vault toilet and is adjacent to a family picnic area. There is no drinking water available. The nearby towns of Prescott Valley and Cottonwood have grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, shopping and other conveniences.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Forest | Prescott National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations must be made at least 3 days in advance and can be made up to 12 months in advance at Recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. |
| Fees | $75 for 1-25 people. $100 for 26-50 people. $125 for 51-75 people. $150 for 76-100 people |
| Rules | Check in is after 2 PM, and check out is by 12 PM. Quiet hours between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Campfires in developed fire pits only. Fireworks are prohibited. Dogs must be on leash (6' maximum). OHV/ATV use prohibited in the campground. Maximum length of stay: 14 days in 30-day period on the Prescott National Forest including stays at dispersed recreation sites. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Take State Highway 89A (seven miles southwest of Jerome or 13 miles east of Prescott Valley) to Forest Road 104. Travel on Forest Road 104 for two miles to Playground Group Campground.
| Nearest town | Camp Verde, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 34.6983° N, 112.1361° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedNewman Piles Rx
35 mi from the campground · 751 acres
- PrescribedNewman 2 Piles Rx
35 mi from the campground · 723 acres
- PrescribedWalker Hill 2 Piles Rx
42 mi from the campground · 356 acres
- PrescribedCy26 Wrd-Northside Piles Rx
43 mi from the campground · 165 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 7.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | Little Dealer Little Prices ↗ | 12.8 mi |
| Outdoor gear | REI ↗ | 20.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
A short drive away is the colorful town of Jerome, an abandoned mining town that has been transformed into an artist and tourist community. Tuzigoot National Monument, an ancient ruin of the Sinaguan culture, and Dead Horse Ranch State Park, which has mountain biking, canoeing and fishing along the Verde River, are also close by. Tuzigoot National Monument Dead Horse Ranch State Park
- 1.3 miWoodchute Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 10 mi
- 12.8 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miMingus View0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miWest Rim1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miButterfly1.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miMiddle0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miGaddes2.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miGaddes 22.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.3 miWoodchute Trailhead ↗Prescott National Forest · Season May 1 to October 31
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
Woodchute Wilderness begins about 3 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 3 miWoodchute Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 5,887 acres
- 4.4 miCoconino National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,000,952 acres
- 6 miPrescott National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,411,550 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
- Mingus Lookout ComplexStructure · Mingus · 0.6 mi
- Master Mechanic's HouseBuilding · Cottonwood · 6.7 mi
- Superintendent's ResidenceBuilding · Cottonwood · 6.7 mi
Natural features
The campground is in a secluded site in the tall ponderosa pine trees. Pleasant daytime temperatures and cool mountain breezes make it a nice respite from the summer heat of nearby deserts.
Recreation
The surrounding forest offers many hiking trails of various levels of intensity, from easy short-distance walks to more challenging elevated climbs. Campers who need a break from hiking can relax around the campground, take in the views and listen to the sound of the wind in the pines.
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 Playground Group?
Sites at Playground Group are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations must be made at least 3 days in advance and can be made up to 12 months in advance at Recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Playground Group?
$75 for 1-25 people. $100 for 26-50 people. $125 for 51-75 people.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Playground Group?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Playground Group have?
1 site, including 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Playground Group?
The longest site here provides 40 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 pets allowed at Playground Group?
Yes, pets are allowed at Playground Group. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Playground Group?
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. Check in is after 2 PM, and check out is by 12 PM.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Playground Group?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Playground Group?
The surrounding forest offers many hiking trails of various levels of intensity, from easy short-distance walks to more challenging elevated climbs. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Playground Group?
Camp Verde, Arizona. A short drive away is the colorful town of Jerome, an abandoned mining town that has been transformed into an artist and tourist community.
Source: Getting there
What if Playground Group is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Mingus Mountain Campground And Group Site (1 mi), Potato Patch Campground (1.3 mi), and Powell Springs Campground (9.2 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby