Cholla Campground
- Cholla Campground
Cholla Campground Overview
Cholla Campground is the largest all-solar powered campground in the United States, thoughtfully developed by the U.S. Forest Service in partnership with the Bureau of Reclamation. Located on the scenic shores of Theodore Roosevelt Lake—central Arizona’s largest reservoir—this campground offers modern amenities, expansive space, and a prime setting for both relaxation and adventure.
Roosevelt Lake was created in 1911 with the construction of Roosevelt Dam, which was, at the time, the tallest masonry dam in the world, standing approximately 280 feet tall. Upon its completion, the lake held the title of the largest man-made lake in the world, making this area not just recreationally appealing but historically significant.
Campsites & Amenities
Cholla Campground features 206 well-maintained campsites, including:
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Tent-only sites, single, and double campsites
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Shade ramadas
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Fire rings with grills
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Picnic tables
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Water available throughout the campground
Additional campground features include:
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Clean toilets and showers
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Playgrounds conveniently located throughout the loops
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Cholla RV dump station, open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 AM to 2 PM (across from Christmas Loop)
With ample space, essential facilities, and a family-friendly layout, Cholla Campground makes an excellent base camp for exploring Roosevelt Lake and the surrounding Tonto National Forest.
Campground at a Glance
Level: |
Developed w/ Shower |
Season: |
Year-Round |
Nearby City: |
Globe |
Fishing: |
Roosevelt Lake |
Campground Website: |
Cholla Campground |
Campground Map: |
Roosevelt Lake Recreation Area Map |
Reservations: |
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Location: |
Nearby Attractions and Activities:
Theodore Roosevelt Lake was formed by the construction of the Theodore Roosevelt Dam on the Salt River in 1911, making it the oldest artificial reservoir in Arizona. Although not as popular as other lakes located near Phoenix, the reservoir and surrounding area is now a major center for fishing, boating, camping, hiking, and general vacationing.
The recreation area is apart of the Tonto National Forest- Tonto Basin Ranger District and encompasses over 500,000 acres and includes numerous recreational opportunities located along the shores of Roosevelt Lake. Bermuda Flat Shoreline Area contains miles of sandy shoreline accessible to most vehicles including RVs, and is one of the main locations for primitive camping. Cholla Campground is the largest official site, with paved roads and full hookups, and it benefits from a scenic setting on a low mesa, projecting out into the lake. Vineyard Canyon, a day use area, has picnic facilities and short trails to the lakeshore, here lined by stony slopes rather than sandy beaches. A pull-out just west of Theodore Roosevelt Dam is the start point for the Vineyard Trail, the only maintained hiking path along the lake, climbing the cactus-covered hills for fine views over the Salt River Valley and the Apache Trail.
East of the dam are various facilities including the Roosevelt Lake Visitors Center, day use areas, and Roosevelt Lake Marina. The visitor center is worth a stop; exhibits display many interesting artifacts from the early 1900’s. Across the street, the Cemetery Trail takes visitors to the Roosevelt Cemetery, the final resting place of some of the local settlers and also workers who built the Theodore Roosevelt Dam. Further southeast, the highway moves away from the shoreline though the side roads lead to more lakeside recreation areas: Windy Hill, Grapevine Point, and Schoolhouse Campground.
Tonto National Monument protects two well-preserved prehistoric cliff dwellings and diverse artifacts. Located within the Tonto Basin of the Upper Sonoran Desert, this National Park Service site provides opportunities to experience a thriving culture deeply rooted in its natural setting, while encouraging our own connections to our environment. For nearly 10 millennia, the Tonto Basin has provided, and continues to provide, a home to many diverse people. Archaeological evidence suggests that Ancient peoples traveled extensively throughout this and aurrounding areas. Several American Indian tribes such as White Mountain, Chiricauhua, and Tonto Apaches, Yavapais, Pima-Maricopas and more call this area home today. Many of these tribes feel strong spiritual ties to the cliff dwellings, deeming them to be an ancestral home.
Nearby Campgrounds:
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