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

Hilltop Campground

Hilltop Campground is located in the Prescott Basin at 5,712 feet in elevation and just over three miles south of Hwy 69 and east of Walker Road. Campers will appreciate the mild weather and the cool ponderosa pine forest. The facility's attractive and convenient location allows opportunities for pursuing a variety of recreation activities that will satisfy anyone's interests. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking, mountain biking and bird watching. Connector and loop trails allows access to most of the Prescott Basin and most trails allow for multiple modes of travel.

Sites 12 to 38 take reservations. Sites 1 to 11 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 ↗
Hilltop Campground Entrance SignHilltop Campground: trail head 3Hilltop Campground: Site 27 Loop CHilltop Campground Loop C Entrance to 21-38 On The Right, Site 20 Paved Spur Straight Ahead Surrounded By Trees
Photos courtesy of Z. Staley, Prescott National Forest, Conservation Legacy, US Forest Service · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups26
Host/management11
Sites 12 to 38 take reservations. Sites 1 to 11 are first-come, first-served. For the first-come sites, arrive early on a weekday and take what is open. The booking page shows which of the reservable sites are open. The first-come playbook

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

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

SiteEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadePeople / vehiclesFiresAccessibleRating
12Pull-through40PavedPartial5 / 2YesPrime
1337PavedPartial5 / 2YesPreferred
1435PavedPartial5 / 2YesPrime
15Back-in29PavedPartial5 / 1YesYesPrime
1638PavedPartial5 / 2YesBasic
1730PavedPartial5 / 1YesPrime
1838Paved5 / 2YesStandard
1938PavedPartial5 / 2YesStandard
2040PavedPartial5 / 1YesStandard
21Back-in26Paved5 / 1YesBasic

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.

Campground map of Hilltop Campground
Campground map 1 published by U.S. Forest Service on Recreation.gov, credited to US Forest Service. Open the image for full size.
Campground map of Hilltop Campground
Campground map 2 published by U.S. Forest Service on Recreation.gov, credited to US Forest Service. Open the image for full size.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
Max vehicle length40 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
Tent padsYes
AccessibilitySites 09, 10, 15, 29 and 1 more are listed accessible

Hilltop Campground has 34 single and three double occupancy campsites, with 23 single and three double campsites available for advanced reservations. Campsites generally allow a camp unit (RV, or tow vehicle and trailer). A limited quantity will allow for an extra vehicle. Each campsite has a picnic table, steel fire ring and an established tent pad. Universally accessible campsites are available. There are five pull-through, 16 back-in and 16 parallel parking asphalt-surfaced driveways in the campground. Services include five vault restrooms, five trash dumpsters and six water faucets. There are no RV hook-ups or dump station. See photos for A site map.

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

Season & status

SeasonApril 1 - Oct 31
ForestPrescott National Forest
BookingSites 12 - 38 may be reserved on the day of arrival or up to six months in advance through recreation.gov, or by calling 877-444-6777.
Fees$18 for campsite. $36 for double campsite. $5 for extra vehicle
Rules• Check-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 Hilltop 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. 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 3.8 miles and then turn East (left) into Hill Top Campground.

Nearest townPrescott, Arizona
Coordinates34.5080° N, 112.3826° W · Directions ↗

Supplies & services

Outdoor gearREI ↗4.2 mi
RV sales & serviceLittle Dealer Little Prices ↗6.6 mi
Dump stationDump station ↗26.7 mi

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

Explore

Video

CampgroundViews.com - Hilltop Campground Prescott Arizona AZ US Forest Service

Worth a stop

North of Hilltop Campground, within walking distance is Lynx Lake. This lake at 55 acres is an immensely popular attraction on the Prescott National Forest. It offers a variety of recreation opportunities for all age groups. Activities include fishing, boating and hiking among many. West of Hilltop Campground, across the Prescott Basin about 11 miles distant, is the Thumb Butte Recreation Area. Thumb Butte's 6,515 foot prominence is quite visible in the Prescott Basin. The Butte is very popular for its scenic vistas, jogging and hiking. Rock climbing is allowed, but only between July 16 and January 31. Climbing is prohibited during the peregrine falcon nesting period. Birdwatching is popular. Mountain bikes have access to trails from the parking area. To the Northwest, within 13 miles, is the Granite Basin Recreation Area. This recreation area has several day-use areas, Yavapai Campground and Granite Basin Lake (5 acres). The lake is known for channel catfish, large-mouth bass and sunfish. Rising prominently north of Granite Basin Lake is Granite Mountain at 6,874 feet.

  • 0.1 mi
    Hilltop-Obrians
    0.3 mi trail · hiking
  • 0.2 mi
    Boat Ramp/Hilltop
    0.2 mi trail · hiking
  • 0.4 mi
    Lynx Recreation ↗
    2.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.4 mi
    Lynx Lake Loop D
    0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.6 mi
    Lynx Lake Loop C
    0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.7 mi
    Lynx Lake Loop E
    0.1 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

Similar to several recreation facilities in the Lynx Lake Recreation Area, Hilltop Campground is located in ponderosa pine, oak, manzanita and a variety of shrubs and grasses. The facility is near Lynx Lake, Thumb Butte, Granite Basin Recreation Area, Granite Mountain Wilderness Area and Granite Basin Lake. Access to these areas can either be made by several interlocking hiking trails or by driving a short distance.

Recreation

Hilltop Campground is available during the summer season and is enjoyed by people of all age groups and of diverse backgrounds. Campsites are designed for RV, trailer or tent camping. Many popular outdoor activities abound. Visitors may enjoy fishing, bird-watching, boating, backpacking, hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, mountain biking, picnicking, camping 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 Hilltop Campground?

For some sites. Sites 12 to 38 take reservations. Sites 1 to 11 are first-come, first-served.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Hilltop Campground?

$18 for campsite. $36 for double campsite. $5 for extra vehicle

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Hilltop Campground?

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

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Hilltop Campground have?

37 sites, including 26 standard sites without power.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Hilltop Campground?

The longest site here provides 40 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 Hilltop Campground?

There are no RV hook-ups or dump station.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Hilltop Campground?

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

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Hilltop Campground?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. • Check-in after 2:00 p.m./Check-out by 12:00 noon Quiet hours between 10 p.m.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there accessible sites at Hilltop Campground?

Sites 09, 10, 15, and 29 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 5 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 Hilltop 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 Hilltop Campground?

Hilltop Campground is available during the summer season and is enjoyed by people of all age groups and of diverse backgrounds. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Hilltop Campground?

Prescott, Arizona. North of Hilltop Campground, within walking distance is Lynx Lake.

Source: Getting there