Upper Arcadia
Upper Arcadia sits along Swift Trail in southeastern Arizona, providing an escape from desert heat and a pleasant place to take in the high desert scenery in spring and fall. Visitors enjoy hiking, camping, birding and picnicking.
More like this: reservable in Arizona · big rigs in Arizona · tent only in Arizona · pets allowed in Arizona · group sites in Arizona
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 1 |
| group standard area nonelectric | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Arcadia | Partial | 75 / 8 | 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.
Amenities & rules
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | This site has a $25 per night fee and a $5 per vehicle per night fee. Your check-out through recreation.gov will only include the Nightly/Daily rate. You must pay the per vehicle fee by cash or check upon arrival at the designated Fee Station. |
The group camping area can accommodate up to 75 people. Amenities include drinking water (available seasonally), vault toilets, picnic tables, and campfire rings with grills. Bear-proof food lockers and trash cans are provided to keep visitors and wildlife safe. Dead-and-down firewood may be collected in and around the campsite. Several first-come, first-served sites are located nearby (must pay separately).
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | Year-round |
| Forest | Coronado National Forest |
| Fees | Double site: $30. Group site: $25 plus $5 per vehicle. Payable with cash or check. |
| Rules | Pack and saddle stock are not permitted in campground. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Safford, Arizona: Take State Route 191 south for 6 miles. Turn right onto State Route 366/Swift Trail and travel 11.5 miles to the Arcadia Campground entrance (MM 125.5), taking the next right turn to access Upper Arcadia. From Tucson, Arizona: Take I-10 East for 90 miles. Take exit 352 for State Route 191, and turn left toward Safford.
| Nearest town | Safford, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 32.6494° N, 109.8186° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Gila Outdoor ↗ | 14.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | Trek RV ↗ | 14.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miArcadia ↗5.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miRound the Mountain ↗15 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miNoon Creek Ridge2.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.2 miTurkey Flat0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.7 miHeliograph0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.7 miLadybug ↗5.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.9 miLadybug Trailhead ↗Coronado 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.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Heliograph Lookout ComplexStructure · Old Columbine · 1.8 mi
- Columbine Work StationBuilding · Safford · 6.7 mi
- Webb Peak Lookout TowerStructure · Old Columbine · 7.4 mi
Natural features
The shady campground is in a thick forest of tall ponderosa pines interspersed with Gambel oaks and Arizona walnuts, at an elevation of 6,700 feet. The Coronado National Forest covers 1.78 million acres of southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. Elevations range from 3,000 to 10,720 feet in 12 widely scattered mountain ranges, or "sky islands," that rise dramatically from the desert floor, supporting biologically diverse plant communities.
Recreation
The campground lies along the Swift Trail Scenic Drive, which takes visitors from the Sonoran Desert at 2,900 feet to alpine meadows and forest on the 9,000+ foot ridges of the Pinaleño Range. Because of its diverse habitat, the area is well-known for birding and wildlife watching. The Swift Trail provides access to a number of hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking trails, along with several other campgrounds that invite you for an afternoon picnic. A trip up to Riggs Lake, stocked with trout by Arizona Game & Fish, or to the Columbine Visitors Center could make a worth-while day trip as well. The Arcadia Trail #328 starts at the Upper Arcadia Campground and leads up the mountain to Shannon Campground. A 1-mile spur off this trail leads to the top of Heliograph Peak, one of the highest mountains in southeastern Arizona.
Nearby
The Mount Graham Wilderness Study Area, which includes the 10,720-foot Mount Graham, the tallest mountain in southern Arizona. Columbine Visitor Center, Riggs Lake, and a variety of trails can be accessed along the Swift Trail Scenic Drive. The town of Safford is approximately a 30 minute drive from the Upper Arcadia campground, heading north on SR 191. Safford is home to our Ranger Station, where you can go to find information about trails, camping, hunting and fishing, and other questions you may have about our district (open Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm).
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 Upper Arcadia?
Sites at Upper Arcadia 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 Upper Arcadia?
This site has a $25 per night fee and a $5 per vehicle per night fee. Your check-out through recreation.gov will only include the Nightly/Daily rate. You must pay the per vehicle fee by cash or check upon arrival at the designated Fee Station.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Upper Arcadia?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Upper Arcadia open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Year-round.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Upper Arcadia have?
2 sites, including 1 standard site without power and 1 group standard area nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Upper Arcadia?
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 Upper Arcadia?
Yes, pets are allowed at Upper Arcadia. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Upper Arcadia?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Pack and saddle stock are not permitted in campground.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Upper Arcadia?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE and T-Mobile 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Upper Arcadia?
The campground lies along the Swift Trail Scenic Drive, which takes visitors from the Sonoran Desert at 2,900 feet to alpine meadows and forest on the 9,000+ foot ridges of the Pinaleño Range. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Upper Arcadia?
Safford, Arizona. The Mount Graham Wilderness Study Area, which includes the 10,720-foot Mount Graham, the tallest mountain in southern Arizona.
Source: Getting there
What if Upper Arcadia is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Lower Twilight Group Site (0.5 mi), Upper Twilight Group Site (0.5 mi), and Shannon Campground (2.3 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby