Apache Trout Campground
Apache Trout Campground is one of five campgrounds at the Big Lake Recreation Area in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, and is especially popular for group camping. With boating and fishing facilities and a variety of amenities, Apache Trout is a convenient and comfortable place to stay. Plenty of open space, shaded forests and mountain scenery make for a pleasant outdoor experience.
More like this: electric hookups in Arizona · full hookups in Arizona · reservable in Arizona · big rigs in Arizona · pets allowed in Arizona · group sites in Arizona
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard with electric | 21 |
| Standard, no hookups | 17 |
| group standard area nonelectric | 16 |
| group standard electric | 10 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 80 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
64 sites in 4 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Aspen Loop (Sites 1-63) | Standard | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | No | 8 / 1 | Yes | Preferred | ||
| 8 | Aspen Loop (Sites 1-63) | Standard | Back-in | 70 | Gravel | Partial | No | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes | Preferred | |
| 11 | Aspen Loop (Sites 1-63) | Standard | Back-in | 55 | Gravel | Partial | No | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes | Preferred | |
| 12 | Aspen Loop (Sites 1-63) | Standard | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | No | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes | Preferred | |
| 15 | Aspen Loop (Sites 1-63) | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | No | 8 / 1 | Yes | Preferred | ||
| 16 | Aspen Loop (Sites 1-63) | Standard | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | No | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes | Preferred | |
| 17 | Aspen Loop (Sites 1-63) | Standard | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | No | 8 / 1 | Yes | Preferred | ||
| 20 | Aspen Loop (Sites 1-63) | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | No | 8 / 1 | Yes | Preferred | ||
| 23 | Aspen Loop (Sites 1-63) | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | No | 8 / 1 | Yes | Preferred | ||
| 28 | Aspen Loop (Sites 1-63) | Standard | Back-in | 48 | Gravel | Partial | No | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes | Preferred |
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 | Electric, water, sewer |
| Max vehicle length | 80 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 8, 11, 12, 16 and 17 more are listed accessible |
The campground is especially convenient for small to medium sized groups. Campsites are diverse and offer a wide range of options. There are 22 double sites, one group site that can accommodate 50 people, another that can hold 100 and more than 20 individual sites. This is the only campground in the lake recreation area that has sites with full hookups. Flush toilets and showers offer additional convenience.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest |
| Booking | All reservations must be made at least four days ahead of arrival. |
| Fees | Standard, non-electric and electric sites: $26 Standard Full-Hook Up $42.00 Group Sites are not eligible for Interagency/Senior Pass Discounts Group electric site: $84 Group non-electric site: $50-375 |
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 3 miles.
| Nearest town | Springerville, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 33.8689° N, 109.4167° 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 ↗ | 0.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sportsman's Warehouse ↗ | 42.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Apache Trout 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.
- 0.5 miBig Lake Marina Boating Site ↗Boat launch
- 1.1 miWest Fork Of Black River Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 1.2 miRailroad Cove Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 1.3 mi
- 1.5 miBig Lake Dam Parking Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
- 3 miCrescent Lake Point Area Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
Show all 7Hide
- 12.1 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.8 miBig Lake Nature0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.9 miIndian Springs ↗7.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.9 miRainbow Connector0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.1 miIndian Springs Connector0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.1 miWest Fork (br)2.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.2 miBig Lake Lookout0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.1 miWest Fork Of Black River Trailhead ↗Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
- 1.2 miRailroad Cove Trailhead ↗Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
- 2.2 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 mi
- Butterfly LodgeBuilding · Greer · 10.5 mi
Natural features
The campground sits at an elevation of 9,100 ft. in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. It is a very scenic area, forested with ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, spruce and aspen interspersed with high elevation meadows. Some campsites have shade, while others are mostly sunny. Summer temperatures are pleasant and cool, a nice respite from the heat of lower deserts.
Recreation
The Apache Trout facility is a short walk away from the 450-acre Big Lake, one of Arizona's top fishing lakes. Big Lake is known for its trout fishing, with rainbow, cutthroat, brook and Apache trout being the most sought-after species. The recreation area is also popular for hiking, mountain biking, bird watching and wildlife viewing.
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 Apache Trout Campground?
Sites at Apache Trout Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. All reservations must be made at least four days ahead of arrival. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Apache Trout Campground?
Standard, non-electric and electric sites: $26 Standard Full-Hook Up $42.00 Group Sites are not eligible for Interagency/Senior Pass Discounts Group electric site: $84 Group non-electric site: $50-375
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Apache Trout Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Apache Trout Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Apache Trout Campground have?
64 sites, including 21 standard sites with power, 17 standard sites without power, 16 group standard area nonelectric, and 10 group standard electric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Apache Trout Campground?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Apache Trout Campground have hookups?
Yes, electric, water, and sewer hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Apache Trout Campground?
Flush toilets and showers offer additional convenience.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Apache Trout Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Apache Trout Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Apache Trout 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.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Apache Trout Campground?
Sites 8, 11, 12, and 16 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 21 sites in all. 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 Apache Trout Campground?
The Apache Trout facility is a short walk away from the 450-acre Big Lake, one of Arizona's top fishing lakes. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation