Campground Overview:
Horseshoe Campground is located just below Horseshoe Reservoir along the Verde River on the Tonto National Forest. This site offers beautiful vistas of the surrounding mountains. Horseshoe Reservoir and the Verde River provide numerous opportunities for water activities. The campground has 12 designated campsites with fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Some of the sites have trees for shade, but overall this campground lacks cover. Bring shade canopies, especially in the hotter months. Campground fees must be paid for at the fee machine located on the way to the campsite.
Horseshoe Campground is 23 miles northeast of Carefree. From Carefree, take Cave Creek Road turn right on Bartlett Dam Road and continue for 6 miles to the junction of FR 205 and FR 19. At this junction, FR 205 turns left and becomes an unmaintained unpaved road. Follow FR 205 for 10 miles towards Horseshoe Reservoir. At the junction of FR 205 and FR 205A, turn right and travel an additional ½ mile to the site
Campground at a Glance
Level: |
Semi-Developed |
Season: |
Year-Round |
Nearby City: |
Phoenix Valley |
Fishing: |
Verde River/ Horseshoe Reservoir |
Campground Website: |
Horseshoe Campground |
Campground Map: |
Click Here |
Reservations: |
First-come, first-served basis |
Location: |
Nearby Attractions and Activities:
Horseshoe Reservoir is one of the most remote lakes in the area — ideal for anglers looking for a quiet lake. Horseshoe is one of the best fish nurseries in Arizona, with the refilling of the reservoir. Below the Horseshoe Dam, the Verde River flows all the way to Bartlett Lake. This is a great area for river fishing and kayaking.
Pictures courtesy of the Tonto National Forest -Horseshoe Lake Recreation Area.
Cave Creek Ranger District is the first district on Tonto National Forest. It is located in the farthest left hand corner of the forest, and is notable for the water, hiking, and horseback riding recreation. It consists of over 570,000 acres (approximately 230,000 hectares) of Desert, Semi-Desert Grassland, Chaparral, and Pinyon-Juniper types of vegetation. The Verde River flows through this entire district; Horseshoe and Bartlett Reservoirs are located here.
Watershed protection was one of the most important reasons that the Tonto National Forest was established. Since then, the Salt and Verde rivers have had six dams constructed. While the dammed water is of great value for irrigating fields and for domestic use, it is also very popular with thousands of people who recreate in its waters every year.
Nearby Campgrounds:
Campground full or want to see what’s around? Try one of these campgrounds located nearby
