Pictures courtesy of the Coconino National Forest -Dairy Springs Campground.
Campground Overview:
Dairy Springs Campground, and the adjacent to Double Springs Campground, are a cozy campgrounds tucked away in a scenic area of the Coconino National Forest. Its main attraction is the seasonal Mormon Lake which, when filled with water, draws visitors for fishing, windsurfing and wildlife watching. The campgrounds sits in a picturesque forest of old Ponderosa pine and oak trees with a grassy understory. The campground is at an elevation of 7,100 ft. and has summers that are characteristically sunny, warm and dry, with the occasional afternoon thunderstorm.
Wildlife and bird watching are popular activities in this area as they visit the spring. Some of the birds you may see are hawks, northern harriers, an occasional bald eagle and a variety of song birds. The area also boasts a healthy population of elk and mule deer.
Campsites:
The moderate-sized campground has 30 single unit campsites with tables and cooking grills, in addition to two group sites that can each hold 40 people and may be reserved at the same time for a group of up to 80 campers. Campsites are nicely spaced with plenty of room and shade. Visitors can walk along a self-guided nature trail or attend a campfire program at the facility’s amphitheater.
Drive south from Flagstaff 20 miles on Forest Highway 3 (Lake Mary Road) to the intersection of Forest Road 90. Turn west on FR 90 and drive 3.5 miles to Dairy Springs Campground.
Campground at a Glance
Level: |
Developed |
Season: |
May – October |
Nearby City: |
Flagstaff |
Fishing: |
Mormon Lake |
Campground Website: |
Dairy Springs Campground |
Campground Map: |
Click Here |
Reservations: |
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Location: |
Nearby Attractions and Activities:
Mormon Lake is the largest natural lake in Arizona… sometimes. During droughts it’s frequently not so large, and not so much a lake. Occasionally it’s even bone dry. Wet or not, this has an excellent overlook where you can often see wildlife and birds across the lake’s landscape. There is also a picturesque little resort on the lake’s western shore where you can rent recreational equipment such as mountain bikes, horses to ride, snowmobiles and cross-country skis in season. Or you can drop in at the Mormon Lake Lodge, a famous cowboy steak house where the brands of local ranches are burned into the log walls.
Dairy Springs Trail winds through a forest of ponderosa pines interspersed with white firs and junipers that spreads across the lower slopes of 8,449 foot Mormon Mountain. Interpretive stations along the route enable hikers equipped with trail guides to learn more about the complex ecosystem that makes up the northern Arizona forest. They’ll help you learn the names of all those trees, too. Trail guides are available, in season, from the campground host. (Click Here for Trail Map)
Pictures courtesy of the Coconino National Forest -Mormon Lake.
Mormon Mountain Trail begins at the rear of the group campground of Dairy Springs Campground and takes hikers to the top of the 8,449 foot Mormon Mountain. For a short distance after leaving the trailhead, the trail shares the path with the self-guided nature trail that skirts the campground. The mountain trail then branches off on its own to complete the 1,500 foot climb. As the trail nears the top of Mormon Mountain it joins a primitive road (FR 648) which leads to the summit and good views of Mormon Lake and the San Francisco Peaks. (Click Here for Trail Map)
Lakeview Trail climbs gradually, through a stand of ponderosa pines, to the top of a rugged rock outcrop that stands high above the surrounding countryside. This rocky promontory offers panoramic views of lake and meadow, forests and mountains. (Click Here for Trail Map)
Wildlife watching is also a popular activity in this area. It’s a very good place to see hawks, including northern harriers and ospreys. The area boasts a healthy population of elk and mule deer, too. The scenic little mountain resort village of Mormon Lake is conveniently close to the camp, offering horseback rides, mountain bike rentals. You’ll also find a country store, service station, and a picturesque cowboy steak house there.
Nearby Campgrounds:
Campground full or want to see what’s around? Try one of these campgrounds located nearby
