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

White Spar Campground

White Spar Campground at 5,641 feet in elevation is a short drive of 2.7 miles south of downtown Prescott and east of Hwy 89. Campers will appreciate the mild weather and the cool ponderosa pine forest the campground is nestled in. The campground's convenient location allows for many opportunities for pursuing camping, hiking, mountain biking and bird watching. Several loop trails in the area allow for multiple modes of travel. The Tri-City Community comprising Prescott, Chino Valley, and Prescott Valley has events, functions, benefits, and attractions throughout the year are all within a few minutes' drive.

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

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
White Spar Campsite on a Misty MorningWhite Spar Campground Restroom and Water SpigotWhite Spar Campsite with table and fire ring on raised rock walled platformWhite Spar Campground Paved Road
Photos courtesy of Conservation Legacy, US Forest Service · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups41
Host/management15
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 91 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

41 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadePeople / vehiclesFiresAccessibleRating
01Back-in40PavedPartial5 / 2YesYesStandard
02Back-in45PavedPartial5 / 2YesYesStandard
03Back-in39Paved5 / 1YesYesStandard
04Pull-through45PavedPartial5 / 2YesYesPreferred
05Back-in45PavedPartial5 / 2YesStandard
06Pull-through45Paved5 / 2YesYesStandard
07Back-in45PavedPartial5 / 2YesStandard
08Back-in42PavedPartial5 / 2YesPreferred
09Back-in32PavedPartial5 / 1YesPreferred
10Back-in44PavedPartial5 / 1YesYesStandard

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 length91 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
Tent padsYes
AccessibilitySites 01, 02, 03, 04 and 13 more are listed accessible

White Spar Campground has 52 single and four double occupancy campsites. Some campsite driveways allow a camp unit (RV, or tow vehicle and trailer) and an extra vehicle, while many limit parking to only the camp unit. Each campsite has a picnic table, steel fire ring and/or concrete block grill, and either an established tent pad or an area for a tent. Accessible campsites are available. There are five pull-through, 34 back-in, and 17 parallel parking asphalt-surfaced driveways. Services include four vault restrooms, four trash dumpsters and nine water hydrants. There are no RV hook-ups or dump station in the campground. The facility may be closed during snow events.

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

Season & status

SeasonYear-round
ForestPrescott National Forest
BookingReservations can be made on the day of arrival or up to six months in advance.
FeesCampsites range in price from $10 - 28. See Recreation.gov for details.
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 stays…

Prescott National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near White Spar 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, 5 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.

Getting there

From Phoenix, Arizona: Traveling Northbound on I-17 take Exit 262 onto Hwy 69 North to Prescott, cointnue on Hwy 69 for 41 miles until you arrive in downtown Prescott. Turn left on Montezuma Street (Highway 89) south for 2.7 miles. White Spar Campground is located on the left (east side of Hwy 89).

Nearest townPrescott, Arizona
Coordinates34.5062° N, 112.4777° W · Directions ↗

Good to know

  • Water is not available in the non-peak season.

Supplies & services

Outdoor gearManzanita's Outdoors ↗2.9 mi
RV sales & serviceLittle Dealer Little Prices ↗10.8 mi
Dump stationDump station ↗31.1 mi

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

Explore

Video

White Spar Campground Tour | Prescott National Forest | Arizona | Site by Site

Worth a stop

Northwest of White Spar Campground, within ten miles, is the Granite Basin Recreation Area. Granite Basin Recreation Area has several day-use areas, and Granite Basin Lake (five acres), which is known for channel catfish, large-mouth bass, and sunfish. Rising prominently north of Granite Basin Lake is Granite Mountain at 6,874 feet. The Granite Mountain Wilderness Area is comprised of the mountain's rugged topography and mixed vegetation suite. Also, within ten miles, is Alto Pit Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Campground and Day-Use Area. OHV riders of all skill levels can ride the several miles of trails that meander through the area's challenging terrain and vegetative cover. Southeast of downtown Prescott and within eight miles of White Spar Campground is Lynx Lake Recreation Area. Lynx Lake (55 acres) is an popular attraction in the Prescott National Forest that offers a variety of recreation opportunities for all age groups. Activities include fishing, boating, and hiking. West and within four miles, is the Thumb Butte Recreation Area. At 6,515-feet Thumb Butte is quite visible in the Prescott Basin. The Butte is popular for its scenic vistas, jogging and hiking.

  • under 0.1 mi
    Ponderosa
    1.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle
  • under 0.1 mi
    Schoolhouse Gulch
    2.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
  • 0.1 mi
    Goldwater Lakes ↗
    4.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.1 mi
    Wolverton Mountain ↗
    5.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.1 mi
    Twist & Shout
    0.6 mi trail · hiking, bike
  • 0.2 mi
    Camp 28
    0.2 mi trail · hiking, 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

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

White Spar Campground is surrounded by a forest of ponderosa pine, oak, manzanita, and a variety of shrubs and grasses. In the Prescott Basin, the campground is near Granite Basin Recreation Area, Granite Mountain Wilderness Area, Granite Basin Lake, Lynx Lake Recreation Area, and Thumb Butte. Access to these areas can either be made by several interlocking hiking trails or by driving a short distance.

Recreation

White Spar Campground is available year-round, but campsites are limited during the winter season. Campsites are designed for RV, trailer or tent camping. Many popular outdoor activities abound in the area. Visitors may enjoy fishing, bird-watching, boating, backpacking, hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, mountain biking, picnicking and just plain relaxing.

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 White Spar Campground?

Sites at White Spar Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations can be made on the day of arrival or up to six months in advance. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at White Spar Campground?

Campsites range in price from $10 - 28. See Recreation.gov for details.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at White Spar Campground?

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

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does White Spar Campground have?

56 sites, including 41 standard sites without power.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at White Spar 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

Are there showers or a dump station at White Spar Campground?

There are no RV hook-ups or dump station in the campground.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at White Spar Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at White Spar Campground. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at White Spar 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 White Spar Campground?

Sites 01, 02, 03, and 04 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 17 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

Is there cell service at White Spar Campground?

FCC coverage maps show 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 White Spar Campground?

White Spar Campground is available year-round, but campsites are limited during the winter season. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to White Spar Campground?

Prescott, Arizona. Northwest of White Spar Campground, within ten miles, is the Granite Basin Recreation Area.

Source: Getting there