4.3381 reviewsPrice
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
20 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
Check Policy
Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
20 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
Check Policy
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Learn more about alerts →Pioneer Pass Camping Area
7680 S. Six Shooter, Canyon Rd. Globe, AZ 85501
Tent campers looking to ditch the heat and the cell signal will find the sweet spot here in summer, when daytime temps stay in the low-to-mid 70s. Toll Gate sits closest to Pinal Creek and draws the best reviews for scenery. Bring all your water from Globe, 9 miles out.
No potable water on-site is the hard stop for anyone who can't self-supply. The access roads are eroded and rutted enough that reviewers specifically warn against coming without 4WD after rain. RVs aren't supported here.
Reference information about Pioneer Pass Camping Area sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p><img alt="Pioneer Pass" src="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd516602.jpg" style="width: 518px; height: 345px;" /></p><div style="clear: both;"> </div><p>Pioneer is a large site composed of dispersed campgrounds located in the Globe Ranger District of Tonto National Forest. Set in the cool Pinal Mountains South of Pioneer Pass is the Bobtail Spring trail that leads to Pinal Peak along with the East Mountain Trail. These trails are fun for nature viewing, day hikes, and family outings.</p>
The elevation is 6,000 ft. The campground is pack it in, pack it out and situated along a creek in the Pinal Mountains, nestled beneath mature pines. It is rustic and appears to have undergone recent renovation. There is a designated horse use area with hitching rails, campsites and parking large enough for horse trailers. The campground is convenient to ORV and hiking trails. Some tent sites are walk-in. At time of visit, campground interior road was badly eroded and rutted. Many sites are not clearly designated. The campground is not RV friendly.
Water is provided only from Memorial Day weekend through October 15. Although campground is open all year, it is likely inaccessible during the winter because of snow.
The parking aprons are dirt. The Forest Service does not recommend trailers over 16 ft. An RV waste station is available at the Texaco gas station on US Rt. 60 in Globe.
In Globe, AZ, off US Rt. 60, turn at sign to the Globe Ranger Station. Continue following signs to the Globe Ranger Station for 1.6 miles to Icehouse Canyon Rd. (and Pinal Recreation Area sign). Bear right onto Icehouse Canyon Rd. and go 1.8 miles to stop sign (Forest Rt. 112 and 55 and Kellner Canyon Rd.). Continue straight onto Forest Rt. 112 and go 7 miles to campground. NOTE: Two miles past the stop sign, Forest Rt. 112 becomes a winding, single lane (with turnouts) dirt road. At the time of visit, Rt. 112 showed signs of severe winter erosion and deep rutting. The road is rough and not RV friendly.
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Summer brings daytime highs in the low 70s to mid 80s, with nights dropping into the 40s and 50s. This is peak season for escaping desert heat. July and August mean afternoon monsoon thunderstorms. Expect moderate weekend use but fewer crowds than lower-elevation spots. Snow can blanket the area in winter, sometimes closing access roads. Spring and fall offer crisp air and fewer visitors.
Cool summer highs (70s–80s) make it a popular escape; afternoon monsoon storms possible.
Potable water is not available at this site. Pioneer Pass consists of 4 areas: Granite - contains a vault toilet, 6 picnic tables each with a fire ring Toll Gate - contains a vault toilet, 6 picnic tables each with a fire ring Wagon Wheel - contains a vault toilet, 4-5 picnic tables and fire rings in a larger area with parking for a larger group; these areas are less defined or separated from each other within Wagon Wheel Cattle Trap - contains a vault toilet, 8 tables each with a fire ring
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