Cholla Campground

4.08

294 reviews

28079 N. AZ HWY 188, ROOSEVELT, AZ 85545, US

StargazingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

2,168 ft

Price

$25 - $50/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

206 campsites

Season

Open season begins M...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

Opens Tonto Basin Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

2,168 ft

Price

$25 - $50/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

206 campsites

Season

Open season begins M...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

Opens Tonto Basin Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Cholla Campground

$25.00 - $50.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Facility rates vary by season and type: $25–$50 for standard nonelectric sites. No discounts or hookups are stated.

Standard Site Fee$50.00

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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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(602) 225-5395

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What Campers Say

4.08

Satisfactory

Based on 294 reviews

137 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsprivacycleanspacious

"Cholla Campground is praised for its natural beauty, spacious sites, and range of recreational activities. However, some users note maintenance issues, generator noise, and enforcement of rules as drawbacks."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

28079 N. AZ HWY 188, ROOSEVELT, AZ 85545, US

Cholla Campground

28079 N. AZ HWY 188, ROOSEVELT, AZ 85545, US

Driving directionsCholla Campground is 5 miles north of Roosevelt Dam. From Mesa: Take State Hwy. 87/Beeline Highway north for about 60 miles to its junction with State Hwy. 188. Turn right and follow State Hwy. 188 south for 28 miles to the site. From the Globe area: Take State Hwy. 188 north for 30 miles to its junction with State Hwy. 188. Continue on State Hwy. 188 across the bridge for 6 miles to the site.

The campground is accessible via paved roads, although some user reviews mention crumbly and rough conditions, particularly near site loops.

Nearby places

Mesa (approximately 88 miles, 1 hour 45 minutes by car), Globe (approximately 30 miles, 45 minutes by car), Payson (approximately 45 miles, 60 minutes by car).

Nearby supplies

Closest grocery store and supplies are located 17 miles away in Tonto Basin. The campground also has potable water spigots available approximately every four campsites and dumpster facilities for trash disposal.

Best Time to Camp at Cholla Campground

The Sonoran Desert's dramatic seasonal personality shapes every visit to Cholla Campground. Summer arrives with fierce intensity, sending temperatures soaring past 100°F and transforming the landscape into a shimmering canvas of heat mirages and sun-baked earth. Yet as autumn approaches, the desert exhales, welcoming visitors with perfectly temperate days and refreshingly cool evenings ideal for stargazing. Spring emerges as nature's grand performance—particularly in April when carpets of golden poppies, purple lupines, and scarlet chuparosa blooms transform the harsh desert into a painter's palette of impossible colors, creating the perfect backdrop for outdoor adventures.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

2.0 / 5

Sonoran Desert summers exceed 100°F; extreme heat makes summer less pleasant for many visitors.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall is popular with moderate temps and good recreational conditions.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.5 / 5

Top 15% in AZ

Spring is popular for moderate temperatures and blooming wildflowers.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.5 / 5

Winter offers cooler, quieter camping; some months listed as peak pricing but weather is mild.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: November 1st to December 31st annually; January 1st to March 31st also listed as peak pricing periods.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open season begins May 1st annually, transitioning to first-come, first-served availability June 21st through October 31st. Reservations are only available from November through December.

About Cholla Campground

Welcome to Cholla Campground, where innovation meets wilderness as America's largest solar-powered camping destination. Stretching along the sapphire waters of Roosevelt Lake in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, this remarkable outdoor haven offers 206 thoughtfully designed campsites, each sheltered by traditional ramadas and equipped with grills, fire pits, and picnic tables. Here, modern sustainability harmonizes with timeless desert adventures—cast your line into the lake's abundant waters, explore rugged hiking trails that wind through ancient saguaro forests, or launch your boat into Arizona's largest lake while golden eagles soar overhead and javelinas rustle through the desert brush at dusk.

Cholla Campground offers 206 campsites suitable for tents, RVs, and group camping.

Historical SignificanceStep into a landscape where presidential history and ancient cultures converge. In 1911, President Theodore Roosevelt himself stood on these shores to dedicate the engineering marvel that would become Roosevelt Lake, forever linking this wilderness to America's conservation legacy. But human stories here stretch back millennia—just a short drive away, the remarkable cliff dwellings of Tonto National Monument whisper tales of the Salado people who thrived in these canyons 700 years ago. Historic highways carved through surrounding mountains tell their own stories of frontier determination, inviting modern explorers to trace the paths of prospectors, ranchers, and visionaries who shaped the American Southwest.

Weather and SeasonsThe Sonoran Desert's dramatic seasonal personality shapes every visit to Cholla Campground. Summer arrives with fierce intensity, sending temperatures soaring past 100°F and transforming the landscape into a shimmering canvas of heat mirages and sun-baked earth. Yet as autumn approaches, the desert exhales, welcoming visitors with perfectly temperate days and refreshingly cool evenings ideal for stargazing. Spring emerges as nature's grand performance—particularly in April when carpets of golden poppies, purple lupines, and scarlet chuparosa blooms transform the harsh desert into a painter's palette of impossible colors, creating the perfect backdrop for outdoor adventures.

ElevationPerched at 2,168 feet above sea level, Cholla Campground occupies a sweet spot in Arizona's varied topography. This elevation creates a unique microclimate where spring and fall deliver those coveted 'goldilocks' conditions—warm sunny days perfect for water activities paired with crisp evenings that demand a crackling campfire. While summer's heat can be formidable at this elevation, the proximity to Roosevelt Lake offers instant relief, and the desert's famous temperature swings mean even the hottest days surrender to surprisingly comfortable nights under star-studded skies.

Natural Features and SceneryImmerse yourself in the raw beauty of the Sonoran Desert, where towering saguaro cacti stand sentinel over a landscape that shifts from rugged desert slopes to the glittering expanse of Roosevelt Lake. From your campsite, watch the sun paint the surrounding wilderness areas in shades of copper and gold—the Sierra Ancha Mountains rising to the north, the mysterious Salome Wilderness beckoning to the west, and the legendary Superstition Mountains commanding the southwestern horizon. This is a living desert where encounters with wildlife become treasured memories: majestic mule deer picking their way along the shoreline at dawn, curious javelinas investigating evening campfires, and if you're fortunate, the breathtaking sight of a bald eagle plucking fish from the lake's surface.

Geological RegionCholla Campground rests within one of North America's most distinctive landscapes—the Sonoran Desert, where ancient geological forces have sculpted a masterpiece of contradictions. Here, the desert meets water in dramatic fashion as Roosevelt Lake fills a basin carved by the Salt River over millions of years. The campground serves as your gateway to explore three distinct wilderness areas, each telling its own geological story: the pine-dotted peaks of the Sierra Ancha, the remote and rugged Salome Wilderness with its hidden springs and steep canyons, and the mythical Superstition Mountains, where volcanic origins have created a labyrinth of spires, mesas, and legends that have captivated adventurers for generations.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Check-in begins at 1 PM on arrival day.

Check-out

Check-out is required by 11 AM on departure day.

Stay Limit

You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Reviews suggest varying vehicle and guest limits, with double sites accommodating trailers and vehicles, but no official guest-per-site data.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutSix loops accommodate 206 sites, well-spaced with ramadas, fire pits, grills, and picnic tables. Some sites are back-in while others are parallel.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made online on Recreation.gov, through their app, or contact center.

Walk-in AvailabilityApproximately six campground loops are open for first-come, first-served sites during the non-reservable seasons, from June through October.

Cancellation PolicyCancellations incur a $10 fee, and late cancellations (less than a day before check-in) forfeit the first night's fee. See rules for exceptions and refunds.

AccessibilityAccessible boat boarding ramps and showers are noteworthy accessibility features. However, detailed information about ADA-compliant amenities is not provided.

Site SizeSites are described as "good-sized" with ample room for trailers and RVs. Tent sites are also spacious.

PrivacyPrivacy levels vary but are generally good. Some sites are more secluded, while others are closer together. "Sites feel pretty private," according to one user.

Total Campsites206 campsites

Recommended SitesBack-in sites are preferred for privacy. Sites near water provide scenic views but access may be steep. Odd-numbered sites are recommended for lake views.

Amenities available

Showers

Potable water

Dump station

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

A wide array of recreational activities is available, including boating, hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The campground's proximity to Roosevelt Lake makes it ideal for water-based activities. It is also close to scenic byways and historical sites such as the Tonto National Monument.

HikingHiking opportunities include access to the Arizona Trail, as well as other local trails. Trail quality varies, with some users mentioning overgrown paths.

FishingFishing is a popular activity, though shore-based fishing can be challenging due to rugged terrain. One user said, "There were a few places to fish from shore but very steep and rugged terrain."

SwimmingSwimming is available, although access to the lake is limited in some areas. "Unfortunately there's limited to NO access to the lake for swimming," one user noted.

BikingBiking is available, with the area described as excellent for electric bikes. Proximity to the Arizona Trail offers additional opportunities.

BoatingBoating is well-supported with developed boat ramps and accessible boarding ramps. Watercraft such as kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are commonly used.

Wildlife viewingAbundant wildlife includes mule deer, coyotes, geese, foxes, and occasionally bald eagles. "The area around Cholla Campground is often alive with abundant wildlife."

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPack rats, wildlife, and extreme summer heat are mentioned in reviews. Swimming access near campsites is limited. Generators may affect tranquility.

Fire PolicyCampfires are allowed except during fire bans. Use of propane campfires is suggested during high-risk periods.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are officially enforced from 10 PM to 6 AM.

Emergency ServicesThe nearest emergency services are in Tonto Basin, about 17 miles away, which includes grocery stores and potentially medical facilities.

Trash & RecyclingTrash collection bins and dumpsters are located throughout the campground. Recycling facilities are not mentioned.

Water FeaturesLocated along Roosevelt Lake's shoreline, but swimming access is limited near campsites.

Camp HostHosts are generally praised for being friendly and helpful, but some reviews report lack of oversight and missing hosts.

Weather at Cholla Campground

Reviews

4.1

294 reviews

Satisfactory

Cholla Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Cholla Campground is praised for its natural beauty, spacious sites, and range of recreational activities. However, some users note maintenance issues, generator noise, and enforcement of rules as drawbacks.

Review Summaries

Based on 294 reviews

What Campers Love

Highlights include "clean and well-maintained facilities," "beautiful views of Roosevelt Lake and surrounding mountains," and "spacious campsites with privacy." The natural environment and wildlife...

Based on 294 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include "lack of lake access for swimming," "overgrown and unmaintained trails," "poor enforcement of quiet hours," and "cold showers."

Based on 294 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Tips include using showers in the afternoon for warmer water, bringing a generator for power needs, and reserving spots in advance during peak seasons. Several reviewers also recommend exploring...

Based on 294 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Spring and fall are the most popular seasons due to moderate temperatures and blooming wildflowers. Summer brings extreme heat, and winter offers cool, quieter camping experiences.

Based on 294 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The views of the mountains and Roosevelt Lake are spectacular." "Showers were clean and in working order." "The sites are separated by beautiful vegetation." "Generators started up to two hours...

Based on 294 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Specific sites like 93 and 19 are praised for their spaciousness and lake views. Sites on the Teddy Bear Loop are highlighted for their privacy and scenic beauty.

Based on 294 reviews