Buffalo Crossing Campground
At the southern end of the East Fork canyon is Buffalo Crossing Campground, an old Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) era site which actually boasts the largest campsites along the river. The East Fork meanders through the forested valley shaded by tall ponderosa pines and bordered by grasses, alders, and cottonwoods. Campsites are located a few steps from the stream to protect the Black River's unique riparian zone, but access to the river is easy as the undergrowth serves more to enhance the river's picturesque nature than to obstruct easy passage.
More like this: first-come in Arizona
Season & status
| Status | Temporarily closed |
| Forest | Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest |
| Booking | No reservations. |
| Fees | Per Camp Unit per night $14.00. *Additional Camp Unit $14.00. Interagency/Senior Discount $7.00 |
Weather by month
Getting there
Directions from Alpine: Drive two miles north on US Highway 191 to Forest Road 249. Turn west and follow this wide, graveled forest road 5 miles to Forest Road 276. Turn south and follow Forest Road 276 for six miles to the East Fork Recreation Area.
| Coordinates | 33.7910° N, 109.3580° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedD6 - Heifer Rx
3 mi from the campground · 3,116 acres
- PrescribedD6 Wallow West Unit 6 Rx
5 mi from the campground · 7,605 acres
- PrescribedD6 - Luna Rx
17 mi from the campground · 2,156 acres
- PrescribedD3 Hagen Rx
23 mi from the campground · 5,757 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 ↗ | 6.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sportsman's Warehouse ↗ | 48 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Buffalo Crossing RV Park, Gateway to Yellowstone National Park
Worth a stop
- 5.8 miWest Fork Of Black River Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 6.5 miBig Lake Marina Boating Site ↗Boat launch
- 7.5 mi
- 7.6 miRailroad Cove Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 7.6 miBig Lake Dam Parking Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
- 9.2 miCrescent Lake Point Area Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
Trails nearby
- 2.1 miBlack River ↗17.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.8 miThree Forks ↗4.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.7 miBear Creek0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
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
- 11.8 miBear Wallow Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 11,235 acres
- 12.3 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 · 3.4 mi
- Alpine Elementary SchoolBuilding · Alpine · 13 mi
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 Buffalo Crossing Campground?
No. Buffalo Crossing Campground is first-come, first-served. No reservations. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.
Source: Forest Service
How much does it cost to camp at Buffalo Crossing Campground?
Per Camp Unit per night $14.00. *Additional Camp Unit $14.00. Interagency/Senior Discount $7.00
Source: Forest Service
Is Buffalo Crossing Campground open right now?
Temporarily closed as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
What if Buffalo Crossing Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Horse Springs Campground (0.8 mi, first-come), Horse Springs Group Ramada/Campground (0.8 mi, first-come), and Raccoon Campground (1.7 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby