Cholla Campground
Cholla Campground at Roosevelt Lake, is one of several campgrounds on the shores of the largest lake/reservoir located entirely in the State of Arizona. It is situated within a lush sonoran desert landscape at an elevation of 2168'. Each of its 206 campsites have shade ramadas, firepits, grills, and picnic tables. Playgrounds, showers and toilet facilites are scattered throughout the campground. The area around Cholla Campground is often alive with abundant wildlife such as mule deer, coyotes, geese, fox, javalina, and the occasional bald eagle.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Arizona · reservable in Arizona · big rigs in Arizona · pets allowed in Arizona
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 133 |
| Host/management | 34 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 32 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
133 sites in 4 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | BUCKHORN | 32 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 10 / 3 | Yes | Standard | |
| 35 | BUCKHORN | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 10 / 3 | Yes | Standard |
| 36 | BUCKHORN | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 10 / 3 | Yes | Standard |
| 37 | BUCKHORN | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 20 / 6 | Yes | Standard |
| 38 | BUCKHORN | 32 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 10 / 3 | Yes | Standard | |
| 39 | BUCKHORN | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 10 / 3 | Yes | Standard |
| 40 | BUCKHORN | Pull-through | 32 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 10 / 3 | Yes | Standard |
| 41 | BUCKHORN | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 20 / 6 | Yes | Standard |
| 42 | BUCKHORN | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 10 / 3 | Yes | Standard |
| 43 | BUCKHORN | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 20 / 6 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 10:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 55 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Cholla Campground has 206 campsites. Each site has shade ramadas, firepits, grills, and picnic tables. Scattered throughout the campground are playgrounds, showers and toilet facilites. Highly developed boat ramps with accessible boat boarding ramps are also available within the Campground.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | Year Round |
| Forest | Tonto National Forest |
| Fees | $25/site/night for individual camp unit; $50/site/night for double camp unit; America the Beautiful Interagency Senior or Access Pass holders receive 50% discount (persons over 62 or have a permanent disability) for single camp units only. |
| Rules | Stay limit 14 days, trailers under 32'. Rules and regulations are posted on bulletin board. Please read and observe. Please use trash receptacles, or pack it in pack it out. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Cholla Campground is 5 miles north of Roosevelt Dam. From Mesa: Take State Hwy. 87/Beeline Highway north for about 60 miles to its junction with State Hwy. 188. Turn right and follow State Hwy. 188 south for 28 miles to the site. From the Globe area: Take State Hwy. 188 north for 30 miles to its junction with State Hwy. 188. Continue on State Hwy.
| Nearest town | Roosevelt, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 33.7315° N, 111.2038° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedD2 Sinkhole Rx
44 mi from the campground · 875 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 ↗ | 24.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV Park Model Traders ↗ | 31.3 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Gold Dog Tents ↗ | 34.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
A Photographic Tour of Cholla Recreation Site on Roosevelt Lake in Arizona
Trails nearby
- 4.3 miVineyard ↗6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_scenic_or_historic
- 4.5 miLost Goldmine0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.7 miFour Peaks ↗12.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_scenic_or_historic
- 4.8 miJug3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.9 miChillicut2.8 mi trail · hiking, horse
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 Tonto National Forest.
- inTonto National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,966,417 acres
- 5.7 miFour Peaks Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 60,773 acres
- 7.8 miSalome Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 18,534 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
On the National Register nearby
- Alchesay Canyon BridgeStructure · Roosevelt · 5.1 mi
- Tonto National Monument Visitor CenterBuilding · Gila · 7.8 mi
- Tonto National Monument, Lower Ruin (AZ U:8:047a Asm)Site · Roosevelt · 7.8 mi
Natural features
Roosevelt Lake was dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1911 and boasts 112 miles of shoreline and peaceful coves. When full, the lake provides 21,500 acres of surface water for your recreating pleasure. Cholla Campground is situated within a Sonoran Desert Landscape along the lakes shorelines. Views of the blue water and sunsets against the Sierra Ancha, Salome, and Superstition Wilderness' are a sight that keep many visitors coming back year after year.
Recreation
Recreation opportunities abound at Cholla Campground. Launch your bass boat, ski boat, or pontoon boat from the developed boat ramps within the recreation site and play on the water all day long. If motorsports aren't your thing, there's an abundance of places to explore from your kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. While you're visiting, you can also hike a portion of the Arizona Trail, visit the Tonto National Monument cliff dwellings, explore endless miles of jeep trails or drive a portion of the Apache Trail or Spines to Pines Highway. If if you're looking for a day in town, consider the easy 45 minute drive Globe or Payson where you can shop for antiques, buy ice cream and learn about Arizona's rich mining and timber history. Roosevelt Lake is a landscape photograhers dream so don't forget your camera (and sunscreen).
Nearby
Two National Scenic Byways (AZ Hwy 88 Apache Trail and AZ Hwy 288 Spines to Pines Highway). Roosevelt Dam, Tonto National Monument, the Arizona Trail, endless miles of jeep trails, Towns of Payson and Globe, Superstition, Sierra Ancha, and Four Peaks Wilderness'. Don't forget to stop by the Tonto Basin Environmental Center learn about the history of the area.
Guidebooks for Tonto National Forest and Arizona
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Cholla Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Cholla Campground?
$25/site/night for individual camp unit; $50/site/night for double camp unit; America the Beautiful Interagency Senior or Access Pass holders receive 50% discount (persons over 62 or have a permanent disability) for single camp units only.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Cholla Campground?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 10:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Cholla Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Year Round.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Cholla Campground have?
167 sites, including 133 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Cholla Campground?
The longest site here provides 55 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 Cholla Campground?
Scattered throughout the campground are playgrounds, showers and toilet facilites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Cholla Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cholla Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Cholla Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Stay limit 14 days, trailers under 32'.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Cholla 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 Cholla Campground?
Recreation opportunities abound at Cholla Campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Cholla Campground?
Roosevelt, Arizona. Two National Scenic Byways (AZ Hwy 88 Apache Trail and AZ Hwy 288 Spines to Pines Highway).
Source: Getting there