3.437 reviewsPrice
$5 - $14/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
30 campsites
Season
Open May 1 through O...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Price
$5 - $14/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
30 campsites
Season
Open May 1 through O...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
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Atop Mingus Mountain, accessed via Forest Road 104 off Hwy 89A.
Tent campers chasing fall weather and big views will get the best of both here. The upslope sites under old Ponderosa pines have real shade and privacy, Mingus Lake is a quarter-mile walk for stocked rainbow trout, and October daytime temps stay comfortable while the valley turns
RVers counting on hookups should call ahead first, lightning damage knocked out all campground electricity with no confirmed repair date as of early 2024. The access road off FR 104 also gets steep and rough, which matters more when you can't run a generator easily.
Reference information about Mingus Mountain Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p><strong>***ALERT: Mingus Mountain Campground Electricity Outage!***</strong></p><p>Mingus Mountain Campground currently has no electricity due to lightning damage. Prescott National Forest, Verde Ranger District, will continue to work to get the electricity restored. At this point, February of 2024, there is no specific date when we expect to have electricity in the campground restored. We will continue to pursue funding to help repair the electrical issues and apologize for any inconvenience. If you have questions please call the Verde Ranger Station at (928) 567-4121.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Site Description:</strong> Located in the cool pines atop Mingus Mountain, this campground offers a spectacular view of the Verde Valley, the red rocks of Sedona, the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, and the Mogollon Rim.</p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/prescottnf/albums/72157710620579572">View photos on Flickr</a></p><p> </p><p><strong><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3797785.pdf ">Mingus Mountain Brochure</a></strong> (1.86 MB) </p><p><strong>Mingus Rim <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3828052.pdf">Trails Description and Map</a></strong> (563 KB PDF; 8.5” X 11”)</p><p> </p><h2>Facilities</h2><ul><li>19 trailer/rv electrical hook-ups <strong>(Electricity currently not working.)</strong></li><li>11 tent sites: One loop with five sites is open only when needed for overflow; Neither tent loop has water hydrants, but visitors spending the night may fill water containers in E-Loop or at the Vista Overlook for use within the campground.</li><li>Picnic tables and fire rings</li><li>5 vault toilets</li><li>Garbage service</li><li>Drinking water is available for campground guests for use on site, but not for filling RV water tanks </li></ul>
The elevation is 7,600 ft. The campground is located in the pines on top of Mingus Mtn. It has two unnamed sections, one with electric hook-ups and the other best suited for tent campers. The latter section has three spurs stretching up the mountainside under towering Ponderosa pines that provide ample shade. The other section is one large loop in a stand of younger Ponderosa pine that provide some shade but don't get in the way of the spectacular views of Verde Valley, below. The sites with a view fill early and quickly. The campground's volcanic origin can be seen in the many lava tuff rocks scattered all around. Possible day trip: A visit to historic Jerome, AZ. There, one can also visit the privately owned Gold King Mine and Ghost Town. It's lots of fun for the young and "old" alike. For old car car/truck/machinery enthusiasts, it is truly a "gold mine." There is even a very old, working saw mill. The drive up Mingus Mtn. Scenic Byway offers some spectacular vistas. Prescott National Forest 263 This is bear country; practice safe food storage techniques.
Open April 27 through October 29.
The parking aprons are dirt.
In Clarkdale, AZ, at the intersection of State Rt. 89A and Cement Plant Rd., take Rt. 89A (toward Jerome, AZ) south 12.1 miles to Mingus Recreation Area sign (and Summit Picnic Area sign). Turn left onto dirt road (Summit Picnic Area on left) and go 2.5 miles to campground. The latter road is rough and steep in places. NOTE: This paved route (State Rt. 89A) runs right through historic Jerome, AZ (no gas station) and up Mingus Mtn. Scenic Byway. The entire route from Cement Plant Rd. is a mountain road in every sense of the word - steep, many hairpin 15/20 mph curves, narrow two-lane in several places, and might be considered "white knuckle" by some drivers. Suggested alternative route: From Prescott Valley, AZ take State Rt. 89A north 13.5 miles to Mingus Recreation Area sign and Summit Picnic Area signs. Turn right onto dirt road (Summit Picnic Area on left) and go 2.5 miles to campground. The latter road is rough and steep in places. This alternate route does have some mountain curves, but it is far more RV friendly than the other way through Jerome. It is recommended by the authors.
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Fall delivers the best conditions: daytime highs in the mid-50s to mid-70s°F, cool nights dropping into the 30s and 40s, and the lowest monsoon risk of the year. Lower humidity and stable weather make this prime time for clear vistas and photography. The filtered light enhances views across the valley. Weekends in September and October draw moderate crowds. Winter brings snow to the 7,600-foot elevation. Summer offers warm days but higher monsoon potential.
Fall cited as best: mild days, cool nights and lowest monsoon risk—preferred season for visitors.
19 trailer/RV sites with electrical hook-ups (Electricity currently not working.)
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