Horsethief Cabin

Star4.32
12 reviews
PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST, 344 S. CORTEZ STREET, PRESCOTT, AZ, 86303, USA
Peace & QuietStargazing

Quick Facts

6,000 ft

Price

$100/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Open May 1, 2025, to...

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

ElectricShowers

Opens Prescott National Forest site

Official Website
Get Directions

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
Horsethief Cabin
$100.00 - $100.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Peak season (May 1, 2025 - November 29, 2025) charges $100 per night during reservations. Discounts, taxes, or incremental charges are not reflected...
Show more
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

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
1 (877) 444-6777
Help improve this page
See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.32

Recommended

Based on 12 reviews

Most mentioned

scenerypeacefullocation

Some mention

mosquitoes

"User reviews reveal a mix of positive and negative sentiments about Horsethief Cabin. While some guests appreciated the cabin's isolation, scenic surroundings, and unique accommodations, others raised significant concerns about cleanliness and rodent infestations."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST, 344 S. CORTEZ STREET, PRESCOTT, AZ, 86303, USA

Horsethief Cabin

PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST, 344 S. CORTEZ STREET, PRESCOTT, AZ, 86303, USA

Driving directionsFrom Phoenix, Arizona: When traveling Northbound on I-17 take the Bumble Bee Exit 248 and continue North on the dirt road, taking Forest Road (FR) 259 to Crown King. From Crown King, take (FR) 259A south for 0.5 mile to the junction of 52. Take FR 52 southeast for about 5 miles to the Horse Thief Basin Recreation Area. The cabin sits adjacent to the Horse Thief Lake Rd. Alternate route from Flagstaff, Arizona: Traveling Southbound on I-17 take Exit 263, turn right and proceed towards a roundabout and merge onto Hwy 69 North towards Prescott for 2.4 miles until turning left on to Spring Ln. in Spring Valley. Continue down Spring Ln. for 0.7 Miles until you get to Duffers Dr. turn right onto Duffers Dr. The road will become unpaved, continue to travel for 1.4 miles until you get to the intersection of Duffers Dr. and S. Antelope Creek Rd. and turn left and drive for 23 miles until arriving to Crown King, Arizona. From Crown King, take (Forest Rd) 259A south for 0.5 mile to a junction with 52. Take FR 52 southeast for about 5 miles to the Horse Thief Basin Recreation Area. The cabin sits adjacent to the Horse Thief Lake Rd. From Prescott, Arizona: From Downtown Prescott travel South on State Route 69 for 31 miles until you arrive to Spring Valley, Arizona and turn right onto Spring Ln. Continue down Spring Ln. for 0.7 Miles until you get to Duffers Dr. turn right onto Duffers Dr. The road will become unpaved at this point, continue to travel for 1.4 miles until you get to the intersection of Duffers Dr. and S. Antelope Creek Rd. and turn left and drive for 23 miles until arriving to Crown King, Arizona. From Crown King, take 259A south for 0.5 mile to a junction with 52. Take FR 52 southeast for about 5 miles to the Horse Thief Basin Recreation Area. The cabin sits adjacent to the Horse Thief Lake Rd.
Road access requires 4-wheel drive and high clearance vehicles due to rough conditions. Travelers should be prepared for steep, narrow, winding, user-impacted, and severely eroded portions of the roadway. The journey from Highway 17 takes over an hour.
Nearby places
Phoenix: Approximately 72 miles. Prescott: Approximately 31 miles. Crown King: Approximately 28 miles.
Nearby supplies
Prescott (31 miles away) offers groceries, camping supplies, and fuel. Supplies may also be obtained in Crown King (28 miles from cabin).

Best Time to Camp at Horsethief Cabin

From May through November, the cabin basks in Arizona's perfect mountain climate, with crisp mornings averaging 43°F warming to pleasant 66°F afternoons. Crystal-clear skies dominate the season, offering endless sunshine and star-filled nights, while the elevation keeps summer heat at bay and autumn brings a spectacular display of changing colors.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.0 / 5

Pleasant summer temps but reviewers note mosquitoes and maintenance problems in summer.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Crisp mornings and pleasant afternoons in peak season; excellent scenery reported.

Best
Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5

Late spring (May) offers perfect mountain climate and clear skies per seasonal notes.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Cabin closed outside May 1–Nov 29; winter stays not generally available.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 1, 2025 - November 29, 2025.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open May 1, 2025, to November 29, 2025. Reservations available starting June 22, 2025.
  • Current Alerts: No active alerts provided.

About Horsethief Cabin

Perched high in the Bradshaw Mountains at 6,000 feet, Horsethief Cabin offers a rare glimpse into Arizona's wild past. This lovingly restored 1930s Forest Service cabin combines rustic charm with modern comforts, creating an unforgettable mountain retreat in the heart of Prescott National Forest where adventure and history converge.
Horsethief Cabin provides a unique camping experience by offering a rustic cabin for rent. While traditional tent, RV, or group camping is not available, the cabin offers modern amenities and a secluded environment.
Advertisement

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in
2:00 PM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Stay Limit
Maximum consecutive stay of 14 nights within rolling 30 days is allowed.

Amenities available

Showers
Potable water
Electricity hookups
Flush toilets
Fire rings
Picnic tables

Activities you can enjoy

Horsethief Cabin offers diverse activities for nature enthusiasts. Anglers can enjoy fishing at Horsethief Basin Lake, which is stocked with largemouth bass, channel catfish, and sunfish. Non-motorized boating is permitted. The area also features hiking trails to Horsethief Canyon, Twin Peaks, Castle Creek, and Jim Creek. Wildlife observation opportunities abound, with species including mule deer, javelina, mountain lions, and black bears. Off-highway vehicle roads and trails are available. Nearby attractions include a fire lookout tower.
HikingHiking opportunities include trails leading to Horsethief Canyon, Twin Peaks, Castle Creek, and Jim Creek, offering varied terrain and scenic views.
FishingFishing is available at Horsethief Basin Lake, stocked with largemouth bass, channel catfish, and sunfish.
BoatingNon-motorized boating is available at Horsethief Basin Lake, allowing for peaceful exploration of the waters.
Wildlife viewingThe surrounding area provides excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, with animals such as mule deer, javelina, mountain lions, bobcats, black bears, and coyotes often spotted.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
Advertisement

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsMouse infestations reported by users. Black bears present. Narrow, steep, eroded roads pose driving challenges.
Active AlertsNo active alerts provided.
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Horsethief Cabin

Reviews

4.3
12 reviews
Recommended
Recommended
Horsethief Cabin is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews reveal a mix of positive and negative sentiments about Horsethief Cabin. While some guests appreciated the cabin's isolation, scenic surroundings, and unique accommodations, others raised significant concerns about cleanliness and rodent infestations.
Review Summaries
Based on 12 reviews

What Campers Love

Guests praised the cabin's peaceful location and stunning scenery. One review noted, 'We loved the isolation of this cabin.' Another guest mentioned, 'Another wonderful stay! My fiancé and two...
Show more
Based on 12 reviews

Common Concerns

Multiple reviews highlighted severe rodent issues, cobwebs, and lack of maintenance. A guest described, 'Mouse infestation is not a joke, we arrived at the cabin and first thing we see are rodents...
Show more
Based on 12 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Guests advised bringing extra cleaning supplies and personal items due to the cabin's maintenance challenges. One user suggested, 'Make sure you bring some extra utensils.'
Based on 12 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The cabin sees varying experiences across seasons. Winter guests appreciated the cozy accommodations, while summer visitors struggled with mosquitoes and maintenance issues.
Based on 12 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Gorgeous scenery.' 2. 'The cabin was perfect.' 3. 'Could do without all the ORVs driving by.' 4. 'My fiancé and two daughters and I fit comfortably and the location is IDEAL.'
Based on 12 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Specific complaints about the cabin included rodent sightings and cobwebs. Positive reviews emphasized its scenic location and isolation.
Based on 12 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific reviews addressing accessibility features were noted.
Based on 12 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are not permitted at Horsethief Cabin.
Based on 12 reviews

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to Horsethief Cabin? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.


Last updated January 13, 2026
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in Arizona

Campgrounds
Prescott National Forest
Horsethief Cabin