Ruddy Duck Loop Campground

4.50

6 reviews

Summer Destination

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Showers

Opens Arizona State Parks site

Official Website

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Showers

Opens Arizona State Parks site

Official Website

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026

Ruddy Duck Loop Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Park entrance fees: $10 per vehicle (1 person), $20 per vehicle (2–4 people), $5 individual/bicycle. There is a $3.60 non-refundable reservation fee...

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$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Arizona State Parks

Provider

(928) 537-3680, (877) 697-2757

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What Campers Say

4.50

Recommended

Based on 6 reviews

4 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewscleanshowersrestrooms

"Visitor sentiment (from web research and recent reviews) is strongly positive about cleanliness, helpful staff/hosts, concrete pads and lakeside views. Common critiques note close/tightly spaced sites, rocky/weedy shoreline and occasional utility issues in specific loops."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Ruddy Duck Loop Campground

No map location available

Best Time to Camp at Ruddy Duck Loop Campground

Fool Hollow Lake never closes its gates, transforming with each season to offer something special. Summer means long days with 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. access (April-October)—perfect for catching sunrise over the lake or squeezing in one more evening paddle. Winter brings a more intimate experience with slightly shorter hours (7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., November-March) and a peaceful, snow-dusted landscape. Just note that the dump station and fish cleaning facilities hibernate alongside the bears, closing November through March before welcoming spring visitors back in April.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

April–Oct gates open early (5am–8pm); long days, boating and fishing make summer strong season.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Forest setting and wildlife viewing in the White Mountains make fall appealing for visits.

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Should offer pleasant weather, wildlife activity and boating/fishing as lake season ramps up.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.0 / 5

Park open year-round but fewer activities noted; winter access hours differ and snow possible.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Park open year-round. Gate hours vary seasonally: November–March gates open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; April–October gates open 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

About Ruddy Duck Loop Campground

Picture yourself camping steps from the shimmering waters of Fool Hollow Lake, surrounded by the sweet scent of ponderosa pines in Arizona's White Mountains. Ruddy Duck Loop offers the perfect blend of lakeside adventure and camping comfort—whether you're seeking a classic tent site beneath the pines or a full-hookup RV spot with concrete pads, electric, water, sewer, modern restrooms with hot showers, fire rings, and picnic tables.

The park's camping inventory lists non-hook-up (tent-only) sites and electric RV sites at Fool Hollow Lake, but the official page does not explicitly state which site types apply specifically to Ruddy Duck Loop.

Weather and SeasonsFool Hollow Lake never closes its gates, transforming with each season to offer something special. Summer means long days with 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. access (April-October)—perfect for catching sunrise over the lake or squeezing in one more evening paddle. Winter brings a more intimate experience with slightly shorter hours (7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., November-March) and a peaceful, snow-dusted landscape. Just note that the dump station and fish cleaning facilities hibernate alongside the bears, closing November through March before welcoming spring visitors back in April.

Natural Features and SceneryYour morning coffee tastes better when you're watching sunlight dance across Fool Hollow Lake through a canopy of swaying pines. This isn't just a campground—it's a living wildlife sanctuary where the forest meets the water. As evening settles over the White Mountains, elk emerge from the treeline like ghosts, making their way to the lake's edge to drink while you watch from your campsite. The pine-scented air, the gentle lap of water against the shore, and those magical wildlife encounters create the kind of memories that call you back year after year.

Geological RegionArizona's White Mountain region

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

2:00 p.m.

Check-out

12:00 noon

Stay Limit

Two-night minimum for weekend camping April 1–Oct 30
three-night minimum for Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Columbus Day holiday weekends. Occupancy: maximum of six adults and up to 10 people per site
maximum of two vehicles per site (with second-vehicle fee applicable).

Amenities available

Showers

Potable water

Dump station

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Water hookups

Activities you can enjoy

The park promotes lakeside recreation including fishing and boating; wildlife viewing is also highlighted. Specific trail or formal swimming area details are not provided on the official campground page.

FishingFishing is mentioned in park materials as a recreation opportunity at Fool Hollow Lake.

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsSome campsites are located near steep cliffs and rocky ledges — campers are advised to use caution. Boat launch ramps may be closed during low water levels; check current conditions before boating.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Fire PolicyIndividual sites have fire rings. Group day-use ramadas have grills (use contingent on fire restrictions) and group sites specify no ground fires; follow current park fire restrictions.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are Park/gate hours set nightly; gates generally close in the evening (seasonal times noted above). Campers with reservations arriving after gate closure must use the gate code included in the reservation confirmation; contact the park in advance if arriving after hours as directed by the park.

Weather at Ruddy Duck Loop Campground

Reviews

4.5

6 reviews

Recommended

Ruddy Duck Loop Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitor sentiment (from web research and recent reviews) is strongly positive about cleanliness, helpful staff/hosts, concrete pads and lakeside views. Common critiques note close/tightly spaced sites, rocky/weedy shoreline and occasional utility issues in specific loops.

Review Summaries

Based on 6 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean, well-maintained restrooms and showers; friendly camp hosts; concrete pads and good lake views from many sites; perceived good value and convenient reservation process.

Based on 6 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Book popular lakeside sites early; note gate hours and that an after-hours gate code is provided with reservations; check minimum-stay rules for holiday weekends; bring a water-pressure regulator...

Based on 6 reviews

Camper Quotes

Very clean, showers and bathrooms convenient to sites, friendly camp hosts. | Ruddy Duck sites near the lake have nice views. | Nice campground — hosts were very friendly.

Based on 6 reviews

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Last updated February 17, 2026

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