Campground Overview:
Blue Crossing Campground and it’s sister site located up the road, Upper Blue Campground, are the most eastern campgrounds in Arizona. Both sites are located near the Blue River at high in the picturesque White Mountains within the beautiful Blue River Valley. The small community of Blue, Arizona is nearby. The campground is a perfect choice for a peaceful, rustic camping experience in a beautiful setting well off the beaten path. It also provides a convenient base camp for anyone seeking to explore the Blue Range Primitive Area via the Tutt Creek Trailhead.
Campsites:
Blue Crossing Campground is the typical National Forest campground with 4 total campsites, picnic tables, and a vault toilet. A interesting feature of this campground is the 2 campsites with Adirondack-style shelters. The unique Adirondack shelters are three-sided log structure popularized in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York which provides shelter for campers. Since their development in the Adirondacks, this type of shelter has seen use in a number of parks throughout the United States. Many of them were built and used by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.
From Alpine via Blue River Road (FSR 281): Go east on US 180 for 3.2 miles to the Blue River Road (across from Luna Lake) turn right (south) onto the Blue River Road (FSR 281) and go south for 19 miles to the junction with FR 567 (Red Hill Road) Turn right (west) onto FR 567, crossing the river – the campground entrance is immediately to the right (north) after the river crossing.
Campground at a Glance
Level: |
Semi-Developed |
Season: |
Year-Round |
Nearby City: |
Show Low |
Fishing: |
Blue River |
Campground Website: |
Blue Crossing Campground |
Campground Map: |
N/A |
Reservations: |
First-come, first-served basis |
Location: |
Nearby Attractions and Activities:
Blue Range Primitive Area is a pristine and untouched wilderness located within the expansive Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Situated in eastern Arizona, this remote and rugged area offers a unique and immersive outdoor experience for nature enthusiasts seeking solitude and natural beauty.
Covering a vast expanse of diverse terrain, including deep canyons, towering mountains, and dense forests, the Blue Range Primitive Area is known for its unspoiled wilderness and abundant wildlife. It is designated as a primitive area, meaning it is protected from motorized vehicles and developed facilities, allowing visitors to truly connect with the natural environment.
The area is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, including old-growth forests, wildflowers, and a wide array of animal species. Visitors to the Blue Range Primitive Area can expect to encounter majestic elk, deer, black bears, and numerous bird species, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers.
Exploration opportunities within the Blue Range Primitive Area are abundant. Hiking enthusiasts can embark on challenging trails that wind through the rugged landscapes, revealing hidden canyons, scenic overlooks, and sparkling streams. The Tutt Creek Trailhead is located nearby. A good part of this trail is actually in a riparian or streamside habitat rather than a desert. Here you’ll find narrowleaf cottonwood and a few well-off old ponderosa rather than cactus. On the lower hillsides and ridges of the Blue, the most noticeable vegetation is juniper trees. Look underneath them and in the exposed areas on dry hillsides and you will see some cacti, mostly prickly pear and an occasional cholla.
For those seeking a true wilderness experience away from the crowds, the Blue Range Primitive Area in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest provides an untouched and awe-inspiring natural environment where one can disconnect from the modern world and immerse themselves in the rugged beauty of Arizona’s wilderness.
Nearby Campgrounds:
Campground full or want to see what’s around? Try one of these campgrounds located nearby
