Turney Gulch Group

4.26

10 reviews

PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST, BRADSHAW RANGER DISTRICT, 344 S CORTEZ ST, PRESCOTT, AZ, USA, 86301

Featured in:Group Camping Arizona

Quick Facts

6,000 ft

Price

$75 - $150/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

May 1, 2025 - Octobe...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Bradshaw Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

6,000 ft

Price

$75 - $150/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

May 1, 2025 - Octobe...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Bradshaw Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Turney Gulch Group

$75.00 - $150.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Group site recreation fees range from $75 per night for groups of 1-50 people and increase up to $150 for groups of 51-100 people. Additional fees...

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$75.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider

1 (877) 444-6777

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What Campers Say

4.26

Satisfactory

Based on 10 reviews

9 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quiet

"User reviews highlight the campground's beautiful and remote setting, its suitability for group camping, and the challenges of reaching the site due to its dirt road access. Visitors appreciate the tranquility and natural surroundings but mention the need for high-clearance vehicles."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST, BRADSHAW RANGER DISTRICT, 344 S CORTEZ ST, PRESCOTT, AZ, USA, 86301

Turney Gulch Group

PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST, BRADSHAW RANGER DISTRICT, 344 S CORTEZ ST, PRESCOTT, AZ, USA, 86301

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 6 miles to the Horse Thief Basin Recreation Area. Turney Gulch is approximately one mile past Horse Thief Lake. 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 6 miles to the Horse Thief Basin Recreation Area. Turney Gulch is about one mile past Horse Thief Lake. From Prescott, Arizona: From Downtown Prescott travel South on State Route 69 for 31 miles until you arive 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 6 miles to the Horse Thief Basin Recreation Area. Turney Gulch is about one mile past Horse Thief Lake.

Road is unimproved dirt and challenging; high clearance 4x4 vehicles are highly recommended. Roads are narrow and winding, and chainsaw use is prohibited between 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM.

Nearby places

Crown King (7 miles southeast)

Prescott (31 miles south)

Nearby supplies

Supplies available at Crown King general store.

Best Time to Camp at Turney Gulch Group

Experience nature's perfect climate at Turney Gulch, where summer brings blessed relief from the desert's scorching embrace below. As afternoon clouds build into dramatic thunderheads from late June through mid-September, the forest comes alive with the scent of rain on pine needles. Winter transforms the campground into a serene wonderland, with crisp mountain air and occasional dustings of snow that turn the ponderosa pines into frosted sentinels. These cooler months offer a completely different camping experience, perfect for those seeking solitude and the raw beauty of Arizona's high country.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer offers cool relief from desert below; peak season May–Oct (afternoon storms possible).

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall likely ideal—milder temps and scenic forest; seasonality noted as favorable.

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Late spring (post-May 1) offers pleasant conditions; spring listed as good season.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Reservations open May 1–Oct 31; campground closed to reservations in winter months.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 1, 2025 - October 31, 2025. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: May 1, 2025 - October 31, 2025 for reservations.
Current Alerts: Cell phone coverage is poor to limited. Weather conditions may affect access.

About Turney Gulch Group

Escape to Turney Gulch Group Campground, where towering ponderosa pines create a natural cathedral at 6,000 feet in the heart of Prescott National Forest. This secluded mountain retreat offers groups an authentic wilderness experience with rustic charm and modern conveniences. Days here unfold with endless possibilities: trek through pine-scented trails, cast a line at nearby Horsethief Lake, or simply gather around the fire as wildlife rustles in the surrounding forest. The campground features a spacious picnic shelter perfect for group gatherings, 15 well-placed picnic tables, fire grills for evening cookouts, and an accessible vault toilet. While the campground embraces its rustic character without on-site water, fresh drinking water awaits just one mile away at Horsethief Cabin, making it easy to stock up for your stay.

Turney Gulch Group Campground is exclusively for group use, with a focus on rustic camping experiences in a scenic pine forest setting.

Historical SignificanceYour adventure at Turney Gulch places you in the storied landscape of Arizona's mining heritage. Just down the mountain lies Crown King, once a bustling mining boomtown that echoes with tales of fortune seekers and frontier life. The nearby Horse Thief Basin whispers its own legends, named for the rustlers who once hid stolen horses in these remote mountain meadows. Today, these historic sites offer fascinating day trips where you can explore weathered buildings, abandoned mines, and imagine the Wild West days when prospectors, outlaws, and pioneers carved their stories into these rugged mountains.

Weather and SeasonsExperience nature's perfect climate at Turney Gulch, where summer brings blessed relief from the desert's scorching embrace below. As afternoon clouds build into dramatic thunderheads from late June through mid-September, the forest comes alive with the scent of rain on pine needles. Winter transforms the campground into a serene wonderland, with crisp mountain air and occasional dustings of snow that turn the ponderosa pines into frosted sentinels. These cooler months offer a completely different camping experience, perfect for those seeking solitude and the raw beauty of Arizona's high country.

ElevationPerched at 6,000 feet in the dramatic Bradshaw Mountains, Turney Gulch offers a refreshing high-country experience that feels worlds away from the desert floor below. This elevation creates a unique microclimate where cool mountain breezes whisper through pine boughs, and the air carries that distinctive crispness that only comes with altitude. The campground's mountain setting provides not just cooler temperatures, but also spectacular views and that special quality of light that makes everything seem clearer and more vibrant in the thin mountain air.

Natural Features and SceneryImmerse yourself in a pristine ponderosa pine forest where massive trunks rise like pillars supporting a green canopy overhead. At 6,000 feet, this mountain sanctuary offers a dramatic contrast to Arizona's famous desert landscapes, providing cool shade in summer and a winter wonderland when snow dusts the forest floor. The campground serves as a wildlife corridor where observant visitors might spot mule deer browsing at dawn, catch a glimpse of elusive mountain lions or bobcats, or marvel at the majestic sight of bald eagles soaring overhead. The forest floor, carpeted with pine needles and dotted with wildflowers in season, creates a natural playground for exploration and discovery.

Geological RegionTurney Gulch sits within the ancient Bradshaw Mountains of north-central Arizona, a rugged range that tells a billion-year geological story through its weathered peaks and hidden valleys. At 6,000 feet elevation, the campground occupies a sweet spot where massive ponderosa pines have thrived for centuries, their roots reaching deep into soil enriched by volcanic activity and erosion. This unique geological setting creates dramatic terrain perfect for exploration, with rocky outcroppings, seasonal streams, and panoramic vistas that showcase why the Bradshaws have captivated adventurers for generations.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

2:00 PM

Check-out

11:00 AM

Stay Limit

Maximum stay limit is 14 days within 30 consecutive days.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum group capacity is 100 people.

Groups

The site accommodates up to 100 people and 30 vehicles, with group facilities including a picnic shelter, 15 picnic tables, and fire grills.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutRustic mountain feel with 15 picnic tables, fire grills, accessible vault toilets, and trash service. Drinking water located one mile away.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov online, contact center, or app.

Walk-in AvailabilityFirst come, first serve availability starts June 20, 2025.

Cancellation PolicyReservations can be canceled anytime before scheduled arrival. A $10 cancellation fee applies alongside forfeiture of the recreation use fee for late cancellations. Late cancellations are defined as occurring within 14 days of the reservation for group facilities.

AccessibilityA vault toilet is accessible, and the site includes a picnic shelter and tables suitable for groups.

Site SizeThe campground is designed for groups, accommodating up to 100 people and 30 vehicles. Specific site sizes are not delineated.

PrivacyThe site has a group camping layout, so privacy between individuals or subgroups may be limited.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended SitesUse high-clearance 4x4 vehicles. Look for Turney Gulch sign for easier navigation.

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Group Sites

Activities you can enjoy

Visitors to Turney Gulch can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. The nearby Horsethief Lake is ideal for fishing and boating, while hiking trails in the surrounding Castle Creek Wilderness offer scenic exploration. Hunting and wildlife viewing are also popular pastimes.

HikingHiking opportunities are available in the nearby Castle Creek Wilderness, offering trails for varied skill levels.

FishingFishing is permitted at Horsethief Lake, with species like largemouth bass, channel catfish, and sunfish available for anglers.

BoatingBoating is allowed on Horsethief Lake, but only with electric motors or oars.

Wildlife viewingThe area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, rabbits, lizards, snakes, and birds such as bald eagles.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include challenging road conditions requiring high-clearance vehicles, presence of bears, and exposure to thunderstorms during summer months.

Active AlertsCell phone coverage is poor to limited. Weather conditions may affect access.

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

Fire PolicyKnow current fire restrictions; fireworks and sparklers prohibited. Dispose trash in bear-proof bins.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are No specific quiet hours mentioned.

Emergency ServicesClosest emergency services include Prescott or Crown King with ranger district contact at Bradshaw Ranger District, phone: 928-443-8000.

Trash & RecyclingTrash collection is available, and visitors are advised to dispose of garbage in bear-proof trash bins on-site.

Water FeaturesApproximately one mile from Horse Thief Lake for fishing and boating.

Camp HostNo specific host information provided.

Weather at Turney Gulch Group

Reviews

4.3

10 reviews

Satisfactory

Turney Gulch Group is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the campground's beautiful and remote setting, its suitability for group camping, and the challenges of reaching the site due to its dirt road access. Visitors appreciate the tranquility and natural surroundings but mention the need for high-clearance vehicles.

Review Summaries

Based on 10 reviews

What Campers Love

Visitors appreciate the "quiet" and "beautiful" setting, the opportunity for stargazing, fishing, and enjoying nature. One reviewer noted, "We had a great night and saw the lunar eclipse."

Based on 10 reviews

Common Concerns

Difficulty finding the site was mentioned in some reviews, with one camper stating, "I couldn’t find it, so we camped in a free site at a different campsite." Additionally, the access road was noted...

Based on 10 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend using high-clearance vehicles for access and paying attention to signs to avoid getting lost. A visitor advised, "Don’t forget to visit the Saloon in Crown King and have the best...

Based on 10 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer was appreciated for its pleasant temperatures, while spring and fall are likely ideal for avoiding the heat of nearby deserts. Afternoon thunderstorms are common from late June to...

Based on 10 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Don’t forget to visit the Saloon in Crown King and have the best wings around!" "We had a great night and saw the lunar eclipse. We had a little trouble finding the turnoff, but we missed the Turney...

Based on 10 reviews