Coal Creek Campground
This small campground, set under large ponderosa pine and oak trees, is conveniently located near the Arizona/New Mexico state line. It is a popular rest stop for travelers on AZ Hwy 78. Coal Creek flows nearby seasonally.
More like this: first-come in Arizona · free in Arizona · tent only in Arizona
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Fees | There is no fee to camp. |
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest |
| Fees | There is no fee to camp. |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 33.1032° N, 109.0614° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedD3 Bear Rx
31 mi from the campground · 5,072 acres
- PrescribedD3 Hagen Rx
32 mi from the campground · 5,757 acres
- PrescribedRx Wagon Wheel West Piles Fy27
48 mi from the campground · 33 acres
- PrescribedRx Wagon Wheel North Piles Fy27
48 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | Trek RV ↗ | 41.6 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Gila Outdoor ↗ | 44.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video of Coal Creek Campground, AZ from Alisa P.
Worth a stop
- 1.8 mi
- 3.2 mi
- 8.7 miFrisco Camp Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 13.3 mi
Trails nearby
- 3.2 miBlack Jack3.4 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
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests begins about 0.4 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 0.4 miApache-Sitgreaves National Forests ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,110,688 acres
- 2 miGila National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,389,394 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
- Clifton Casa Grande BuildingBuilding · Clifton · 14.1 mi
- Park Avenue BridgeStructure · Clifton · 14.1 mi
- Dell Potter Ranch HouseBuilding · Clifton · 14.1 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 Coal Creek Campground?
No. Coal Creek Campground is first-come, first-served. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.
Source: Forest Service
How much does it cost to camp at Coal Creek Campground?
Nothing. Coal Creek Campground is listed as free. There is no fee to camp.
Source: Forest Service
Is Coal Creek Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
Can I bring an RV to Coal Creek Campground?
Coal Creek Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Forest Service
What if Coal Creek Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Black Jack Group Campground (3.1 mi, first-come), Owl Creek Campground (17.1 mi, first-come), and Bighorn Campground (18.4 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby