4.5678 reviewsPrice
$8 - $40/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
12 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Price
$8 - $40/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
12 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
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Sunny Flat Campground, Cave Creek Canyon, Coronado National Forest
Birders and wildlife watchers who can arrive midweek or at dawn on a weekend. Spring delivers trogon sightings, wildflowers, and peak creek flow around the sycamore-shaded sites, and the host keeps the place well-run. Trailers fit if they're under 28 feet.
Water spigots go out of service for stretches at a time, so confirm before arriving if you're counting on the tap. No hookups, no showers, no dump station, and the creek crossing washes out after heavy rain; 50 miles to emergency services in Douglas is a real number to sit with.
Reference information about Sunny Flat Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>Campsites are clustered around a grassy meadow in this relatively open streamside camp. All sites are shaded, some more than others, and all are reasonably close to Cave Creek. Birdwatching is good right in camp (as it is in all Cave Creek camps) with elegant trogons and many other interesting species sighted regularly among the sycamores and oaks that border the creek.</p><p>The open character of the area makes for exciting views of Cave Creek Canyon’s famous rock formations which tower over the area. Other recreation attractions in Cave Creek Canyon, such as birding areas along <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coronado/recarea/?recid=25424">South Fork</a> and a number of hiking trails, are just a short drive from this campground, which is along the <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coronado/recarea/?recid=25328">Cave Creek Canyon</a>/Portal to Paradise Loop scenic drive.</p><p>Some attractions you may want to take advantage of while you’re camped at Sunny Flat are the scenic Vista Point Trail located a short distance downstream of the campground, and the Cave Creek Visitor Information Center a little farther downstream. The Center, is open year-round, offers interpretive information, books and pamphlets on the natural and cultural history of the area, and a few examples of local wildlife species.</p><p>Note: Black bears in area.</p>
<p> Beautiful canyon, sheer cliffs, streamside setting and great bird/wildlife watching . To avoid putting a bear’s life in danger and risking the loss of some of your own property, please dispose of all garbage in the bear-proof containers provided. Also, remember to use the bear-proof food boxes to keep all food out of reach and out of sight of these curious and powerful animals. Trailers limited to 28 feet. Tables and fire grills.</p>
The elevation is 5,200 ft. The campground is next to the seasonal Cave Creek among Evergreen oaks and Alligator junipers. It is popular location for bird watchers. Some sites have a wonderful view of Cathedral Rock. It is close to the Cave Creek Visitor Information Center which has interpretive programs.
The parking aprons are dirt and irregular. The Forest Service does not recommend RVs with a total length more than 28 ft. Facilities Flush Toilets: No Hot Showers: No Vaults: Yes Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes Public Phone: No Playground: No No. Water Spigots (non-site): 4 No. Threaded: 0 Comments: Access to the wheelchair friendly toilet may be troublesome for some. Water available during winter months at the first spigot in campground. Water Sports None Hiking: There are some unmarked trails nearby. Fishing: No
Access to the wheelchair friendly toilet may be troublesome for some. Water available during winter months at the first spigot in campground.
The parking aprons are dirt and irregular. The Forest Service does not recommend RVs with a total length more than 28 ft.
From Rodeo, NM, take State Rt. 80 east 21 miles to State Rt. 533. Turn left onto Rt. 533 and go 7.8 miles to "Y" intersection (Forest Rt. 42). Bear left onto Rt. 42 and go 2.9 miles to Sunny Flat sign. Turn right into campground. NOTE: The campground is actually located in Arizona, but access is best from Rodeo, NM. A creek must be crossed at campground entrance; it may be impassible during wet weather. There are signs on State Rt. 533 and Forest Rt. 42, limiting total vehicle length to 41 ft. The entry road is rough with a steep creek crossing. The Forest Service does not recommend RVs with a total length more than 28 ft.
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Spring delivers the best conditions: daytime highs in the mid-60s to mid-70s°F, nights in the mid-30s to low-50s°F, and peak creek flow. Wildflowers bloom, migratory birds pass through, and sycamores leaf out fresh green. Summer brings warm days for creek exploration and cool nights for stargazing. Winter can plummet. Reviewers warn about cold temperatures and recommend extra layers. Monsoon rains occasionally swell Cave Creek enough to require temporary evacuations.
Spring cited as best: mild temps, peak creek flow, wildflowers and migratory birds.
Restrooms are not available at this site.
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