Juniper Campground is a little-known dispersed campground in Tonto National Forest located north of Phoenix, Arizona, near CCC Campground and Seven Springs Recreation Area. The campground is located along a creek that feeds Seven Springs Wash and is shaded by Juniper and Sycamore trees in the summer.
There are no designated campsites or amenities at Juniper Campground. The closest amenities are a vault toilet at nearby CCC Campground.
Juniper Campground Features
| Campground Type: | Dispersed |
| Number of Campsites: | Not Difined |
| Cost: | $9/Night/vehicle via Tonto Pass |
| Use Level: | Low |
| Dogs Allowed: | Yes |
| Fire Rings: | None |
| Drinking Water: | None |
| Toilets: | None |
| Showers: | None |
| Trash/Dumpsters: | None |
| Hiking Access: | Yes – Hiking Trails nearby |
| Beach/Lake Access: | None |
| RV/Trailer Length: | 16 Feet |
| RV/Trailer Amenities: | None |
| Cell Phone Service: | None |
| Wifi: | None |
| Operating Season: | Campground Open Year-round |
| Other: |
Getting There
| Address: | |
| Geo Coordinates: | 33.973311, -111.862072 |
| Nearest City/Town: | Cave Creek, Arizona |
| Elevation: | 3200 Feet |
| Location: | Maricopa County, Arizona |
| Paved Road Access: | No |
| Proximity to Stores: | 21 miles to Cave Creek, Arizona |
| Directions: | From Cave Creek, AZ, take Cave Creek Road north 15.1 miles to campground sign. Turn left at sign into campground. NOTE: After 5.9 miles, Cave Creek Rd. becomes dirt, narrow, rocky and rough. |
Pack List
- Sun Screen
- Firewood
- Drinking Water
- Shade Canopy
- Portable Fire Ring
- Handheld GPS
- A good Ice Chest
- Lantern
- Camping Stove/Grill
Connect
| Phone: | (480) 595-3300 |
| Web: | Tonto National Forest |
| Reservations: | Not Available |
When To Go
Fall – Spring – This one of the ideal spots to camp through the central Arizona Winter. It may approach freezing at night like most places in Arizona in the Winter, but the days will be nice and sunny. Highs in October and April can exceed 100 degrees and lows in December and January can dip below freezing.
During the rainy season, be cautious of flash floods as they can raise the level of water in Seven Springs Wash from several inches to several feet in a matter of minutes, possibly overflowing into the campground.
Summer fire season restrictions may be in effect. Check with the local Forest Service Ranger District for up-to-date restriction information.
What To Do
One of the most popular activities around Juniper Campground is hiking. There is a trail head located on the other side of the creek from the entrance to the campground.
If you are feeling adventurous, take Forest Road 24 (the road you came in on) to Bloody Basin Road (FR 24 end here at a “T”, hang a left and you will eventually end up at Interstate 17) and turn right, take it to where it ends at the Verde River and you will find the historic Sheep’s Bridge (and possibly some hot springs, but we have never found them).
Also of interest is the Sears-Kay Ruins, which is located along FR 24 near Carefree, AZ. Sears-Kay is ruins of an ancient HoHoKam Native American settlement that existed around 1500 A.D.
Fun Facts
The area around Juniper Campground was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1934, as part of the New Deal that brought the USA out of the Great Depression.
The campground is located along the Great Western Trail, which is a network of dirt-roads and trails that lead from the Mexican border to the Canadian border.
Juniper Campground Pictures
Image Credits: Justin Wilson