U.S. Forest Service · Prescott National Forest · Prescott, AZ

Lynx Campground

Lynx Campground is located in the Lynx Lake Recreation Area at 5,600 feet in elevation. Within 1/4 mile of the popular Lynx Lake, the campground is situated along the lake's west shoreline. The facility is about seven miles southeast of the city of Prescott, Arizona.

More like this: reservable in Arizona · pets allowed in Arizona

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Lynx CampgroundLynx CampgroundLynx CampgroundLynx Campground Loop F Site 25
Photos courtesy of J. Rowe, US Forest Service, USFS, Conservation Legacy · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups35
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

35 sites in 8 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadePeople / vehiclesFiresAccessibleRating
01APull-through38PavedPartial5 / 2YesStandard
02ABack-in30PavedPartial5 / 2YesPreferred
03ABack-in30PavedPartial5 / 2YesPreferred
04BPull-through35Paved5 / 2YesPrime
05BBack-in35PavedPartial10 / 4YesPreferred
06BBack-in26PavedPartial5 / 2YesStandard
07B30PavedPartial5 / 2YesStandard
08B22PavedPartial5 / 2YesStandard
09BBack-in30PavedPartial10 / 4YesPrime
10C24PavedPartial5 / 2YesPreferred

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

HookupsNone
Max vehicle length35 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
Tent padsYes
FeesSingle Site: First Vehicle Free, Second Vehicle Fee is $5 Double Site: First and Second Vehicle Free, Third Vehicle - $5, Fourth Vehicle - $5
AccessibilitySites 20, 21, 35 are listed accessible

Each of the 35 campsites in Lynx Campground has a picnic table, steel fire ring, and either an established tent pad or an area with room for one to two tents. Two campsites also have a lantern hanger. A steel ramada is present on select campsites. Campsite driveways are either parallel, pull-through, or back-in and all have asphalt surfacing. Some campsite driveways allow a camp unit and an extra vehicle quite easily while others may be snug. A few campsites are a short walk-in. Four vault toilets, two flush toilets, six trash dumpsters, and eight water faucets service the campground. There are no RV hook-ups or dump station in the campground. Campsites 10-19, 22-23, and 28-34 have steps. Campsites 20, 21, and 35 are fully accessible to persons with disabilities.

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

Season & status

SeasonApril 1 - Oct 31
ForestPrescott National Forest
BookingAll sites may be reserved on the day of arrival or up to six months in advance through Recreation.gov or call 1 (877) 444-6777
Fees$18 for campsite. $36 for double campsite. $5 for extra vehicle
RulesCheck-in after 2:00 p.m./Check-out by 12:00 noon. • Quiet hours between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. • Campfires in developed fire pits only • The gathering of dead wood is allowed for campground use 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…

Prescott National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Lynx Campground30°40°50°60°70°80°January: 1.52 inches of precipitation, 1.9 inches of snowFebruary: 1.78 inches of precipitation, 3.1 inches of snowMarch: 1.46 inches of precipitation, 2.5 inches of snowApril: 0.57 inches of precipitation, 0.4 inches of snowMay: 0.51 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJune: 0.23 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 2.69 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 2.78 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 1.64 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 0.96 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowNovember: 0.87 inches of precipitation, 0.9 inches of snowDecember: 1.45 inches of precipitation, 1.4 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 38.2°F averageFebruary: 40.8°F averageMarch: 46.4°F averageApril: 52.5°F averageMay: 60.6°F averageJune: 70.3°F averageJuly: 75.3°F averageAugust: 73.5°F averageSeptember: 67.3°F averageOctober: 56.5°F averageNovember: 45.7°F averageDecember: 37.7°F average0 in1 in2 in3 in4 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Prescott, 4 miles from the campground at 5,205 feet, station USC00026796 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 16 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 10 inches a year on the same inches scale. The shaded span is the published season, April 1 to October 31.

Getting there

From Phoenix, Arizona: Traveling Northbound on I-17 take Exit 262 onto Hwy 69 North to Prescott and cointnue on Hwy 69 for 30 miles to S Walker Rd. Turn left and proceed South on S. Walker Rd. (by Costco, Petsmart, and AM/PM gas station). Drive about 3 miles and then turn East (left) into Lynx Campground.

Nearest townPrescott, Arizona
Coordinates34.5175° N, 112.3903° W · Directions ↗

Good to know

  • Recreational panning is allowed on the Prescott National Forest, as long as any natural feature is not harmed and no motorized or mechanical equipment or mining aids are used.

Supplies & services

Outdoor gearREI ↗3.4 mi
RV sales & serviceLittle Dealer Little Prices ↗6.4 mi
Dump stationDump station ↗26.6 mi

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

Explore

Video

Lynx Lake Campground

Worth a stop

The Highlands Center for Natural History, in partnership with the Prescott National Forest, is only a few minutes from Lynx Campground. A learning center, trail system on 80 acres, and scheduled interpretive programs are but a few of the exciting activities the Center offers through the spring, summer, and fall. Lynx Lake Cafe near North Shore Day-Use Area offers a full service restaurant serving breakfast 8-11 and lunch 11-2 Thrusday through Sunday. Dinner is served Thursday thru Saturday 4-8 pm. The City of Prescott is a few minutes drive from Lynx Campground. Many activities including arts, crafts, and music festivals are scheduled throughout the summer. Watson Lake, islocated within a 20-minute drive from Lynx Campground, is managed by the City of Prescott. The City of Prescott recreation pass and day-use fee should not be confused with the Prescott National Forest Day-use Passes or Day-Use fee. Fain Lake, in Prescott Valley, is a private enterprise and a short 20-minute drive from Lynx Campground. Fishing and picnicking can be found there.

  • 0.1 mi
    Lynx Lake Loop F
    0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.1 mi
    Lynx Lake Loop E
    0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.1 mi
    Lynx Lake Loop G
    0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.2 mi
    Lynx Lake Loop C
    0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.2 mi
    Northshore ↗
    0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.3 mi
    Lynx Lake Loop D
    0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike

Trailheads within three miles

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 Prescott 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

Lynx Campground offers visitors pleasant summer temperatures and cool breezes. The campground is situated in a ponderosa pine ecosystem mixed with alligator juniper, oak species, and a variety of forbs and native grasses. The 55-acre Lynx Lake skirts the campground's east boundary. Several species of colorful wildflowers bloom in the spring and during the summer monsoon seasons. Day-time and overnight temperatures are pleasant and afternoon thunderstorms are likely from late June through mid-September. The forest is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Visitors may see deer, osprey, great blue heron, bald eagle, mountain lion, bobcat, coyote, fox, skunk, rabbit, and several species of snakes, lizards, and birds.

Recreation

Several trail systems trails are within the Lynx Lake Recreation Area. Most trails allow for multiple modes of travel. The exceptions are Lynx Creek Ruin Trail #301 and Loop Trail #311 that allows hiking only. Wildlife viewing is a grand event when a bald eagle, osprey, or great blue heron has been seen flying effortlessly above Lynx Lake or skimming the water surface. Lynx Lake is one of the most popular recreation spots in central Arizona and attracts more than 90,000 visitors each year. The lake offers a boat ramp and allows for boats with 10 HP motors or less. Oar, paddle, or sail-powered boats are also permitted. Horseback riders, mountain bikers, and hikers can be found on most trails. Forest Service Day-Use Facilities in the Prescott Basin are accessible at no additional fee. See the Volunteer Host for a complimentary pass validated for your length of stay. Visiting a Day-Use facility requires a pass visibly displayed on the vehicle's dashboard, driver's side.

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 Lynx Campground?

Sites at Lynx Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. All sites may be reserved on the day of arrival or up to six months in advance through Recreation.gov or call 1 (877) 444-6777 Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Lynx Campground?

Single Site: First Vehicle Free, Second Vehicle Fee is $5 Double Site: First and Second Vehicle Free, Third Vehicle - $5, Fourth Vehicle - $5

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Lynx Campground?

Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Lynx Campground have?

35 sites, including 35 standard sites without power.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Lynx Campground?

The longest site here provides 35 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 Lynx Campground?

Four vault toilets, two flush toilets, six trash dumpsters, and eight water faucets service the campground.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Lynx Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Lynx Campground. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Lynx Campground?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Check-in after 2:00 p.m./Check-out by 12:00 noon.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there accessible sites at Lynx Campground?

Sites 20, 21, and 35 are 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

Is there cell service at Lynx Campground?

FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 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 Lynx Campground?

Several trail systems trails are within the Lynx Lake Recreation Area. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Lynx Campground?

Prescott, Arizona. The Highlands Center for Natural History, in partnership with the Prescott National Forest, is only a few minutes from Lynx Campground.

Source: Getting there