Stockton Pass

Star4.59
36 reviews
711 14th Avenue, Suite D, Safford, AZ, 85546, USA

Quick Facts

5,600 ft

Price

$25/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens U.S. Forest Service site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Stockton Pass
$25.00 - $25.00 / night
Campsite Fees
This site has a $25 per night fee and a $5 per vehicle per night fee. The nightly rate is paid through recreation.gov, while the per vehicle fee is...
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Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$25.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
928-428-4150
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What Campers Say

4.59

Top-Rated

Based on 36 reviews

29 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietlocation

Some mention

noise

"User reviews for Stockton Pass generally highlight its scenic beauty, quiet environment, and suitability for family picnics and camping. Some users raised concerns about disruptions from day visitors and local vehicles using the site."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

711 14th Avenue, Suite D, Safford, AZ, 85546, USA

Stockton Pass

711 14th Avenue, Suite D, Safford, AZ, 85546, USA

Driving directionsFrom Safford, Arizona: Take State Route 191 south for 17 miles. Turn right onto State Route 266 and continue 12 miles to the Stockton Pass Campground (MM 116.5) on the right. The campground is past the second cattle guard. From Tucson, Arizona: Take I-10 East for 90 miles. Take exit 352 for State Route 191, and turn left toward Safford. Drive 17 miles north and turn left on State Route 266. Continue 12 miles to the Stockton Pass Campground (MM 116.5) on the right. The campground is past the second cattle guard.
State Route 191 and State Route 266 provide paved access to Stockton Pass Campground. Road access may include deep ruts in certain areas as noted by user reviews, but vehicles can navigate around these.
Nearby places
Safford (approximately 1 hour drive, ~29 miles)
Nearby supplies
Safford offers groceries, camping supplies, fuel, and other essentials
approximately 1-hour drive.

Best Time to Camp at Stockton Pass

Perched at 5,600 feet, Stockton Pass delivers a refreshing surprise to those expecting typical Arizona heat. Summer afternoons bring dramatic thunderstorms that transform the landscape with rushing waters and the earthy scent of rain-soaked desert soil. As autumn paints the oak woodlands in warm hues, temperatures become ideal for hiking and stargazing. Even winter camping remains comfortable here, where the elevation creates a perfect microclimate—cool enough to escape the desert floor's intensity, yet mild enough to enjoy outdoor adventures year-round.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.5 / 5

Provides relief from lowland heat at 5,600 ft, but afternoon thunderstorms and mud can occur.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Mild weather and scenic access to trails make fall an excellent season here.

Best
Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5

Spring likely strong with mild temps, wildflowers and good trail access.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
3.0 / 5

Open year-round but limited winter-activity info; possible cool conditions at elevation.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open year-round. Reservation season operates from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.

About Stockton Pass

Tucked away in the rugged embrace of southeastern Arizona's Pinaleño Mountains, Stockton Pass Campground offers an authentic high desert escape where solitude meets adventure. This hidden gem, bearing the legacy of 'Old Man Stockton,' welcomes groups seeking respite from the crowds, with spacious sites accommodating up to 30 people. Modern amenities blend seamlessly with the wild landscape, featuring vault toilets, sturdy picnic tables, pedestal grills for evening cookouts, and bear-proof trash containers that remind visitors they're sharing this spectacular terrain with its original inhabitants.
Stockton Pass provides both reservable group camping and first-come, first-served individual campsites.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Check-in is at 2 p.m.
Check-out
Check-out is at 12 p.m.
Stay Limit
You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.

Amenities available

Fire rings
Picnic tables
Firewood available
Vault toilets
Group Sites

Activities you can enjoy

Stockton Pass offers several recreational activities, including hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. The Shake Trail #309 is a notable hiking route that takes visitors through the high desert and offers a connection to higher elevation trails. The area is also suitable for scenic drives and is inviting for afternoon picnics.
HikingThe Shake Trail #309 starts at the campground and provides access to high desert landscapes and connects to the Swift Trail in the Pinaleño Mountains. User reviews have not provided additional specifics on the difficulty level or popularity of this trail.
Wildlife viewingStockton Pass is home to diverse wildlife, including deer, black bears, and mountain lions, as mentioned in authoritative sources. User reviews do not elaborate further.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsWildlife in the area includes black bears and mountain lions. Visitors should securely store food and garbage to avoid attracting animals.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at Stockton Pass

Reviews

4.6
36 reviews
Top-Rated
Top-Rated
Stockton Pass is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews for Stockton Pass generally highlight its scenic beauty, quiet environment, and suitability for family picnics and camping. Some users raised concerns about disruptions from day visitors and local vehicles using the site.
Review Summaries
Based on 36 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects include the scenic beauty of the location, the quiet environment, and the suitability for family gatherings. One review mentions, 'Beautiful, quiet and perfect to camp a night.'...
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Based on 36 reviews

Common Concerns

Several reviewers noted disturbances caused by day visitors using the bathrooms and picnic tables intended for reserved group camping areas. One user remarked, 'The biggest negative is that outside...
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Based on 36 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend bringing drinking water as none is provided on-site and securing food to avoid wildlife disturbances. Additionally, it's advised to remain cautious of wildlife and ensure fires are...
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Based on 36 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews suggest that the area is accessible and enjoyable year-round, but summer can bring soaring temperatures and muddy conditions due to rainstorms.
Based on 36 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Beautiful, quiet and perfect to camp a night.' 2. 'Nice place to hang out with family for a picnic, very quiet.' 3. 'Pretty site with lots of room for a large group of people.' 4. 'This place is...
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Based on 36 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Specific reviews for the Stockton Pass group site highlighted its spaciousness but noted disturbances from locals and day-trippers. One user mentioned, 'Pretty site with lots of room for a large...
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Based on 36 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific reviews addressing accessibility features for individuals with disabilities were provided.
Based on 36 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Specific feedback related to pets was not included in the user reviews.
Based on 36 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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