Home › Arizona › Mesquite (AZ)
Mesquite (AZ)
FSU.S. Forest Service — Scottsdale · Arizona · Tonto National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Tonto National Forest |
| Location | Scottsdale · Arizona · Tonto National Forest · 33.96592, -111.71818 · Map |
| Sites | 1 public sites counted from the federal listing — 1 standard nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 1 sites Water hookups at 0 of 1 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 1 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 1 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Not reported in the federal data |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Campsites are $16 per night, per site. America the Beautiful Senior or Access Disability passholders are eligible for a 50% discount. Pass must be valid and present with passholder at time of stay. This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service. Camping passes can also be purchased at a Tonto Fee Machine Pass. $16 per site, per night. Nearest fee machine location is at the Cave Creek Ranger Station. |
| Phone | N/A |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-02-25.
From the official listing
Overview Mesquite Campground provides privacy and shade. Here you can relax under the shaded canopies of mesquite trees while listening to the sounds of water flowing from the Verde River just a short distance from your site. Designated camp sites have fire rings, grills and picnic tables where families can enjoy time together. There are hiking, fishing, swimming opportunities and more.
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service. Camping passes can also be purchased at a Tonto Fee Machine Pass. $16 per site, per night. Nearest fee machine location is at the Cave Creek Ranger Station.
Recreation
Swimming River and Stream Fishing Non-Motorized Boating Nearby Hiking Trails Nearby OHV Routes
Facilities
12 campsites First-come, First-serve only. No reservations. Maximum occupancy per individual campsite is 10. Maximum number of vehicles per individual camp unit is three. All vehicles must completely fit within the designated parking area. Check-in time is 12:00 pm, and check-out time is 10:00 am. 14-day stay limit. Portions of the Verde River are deep. Use of motorized watercraft on flowing portions of the Verde River is prohibited. Road to campground is unpaved and unmaintained. Recommend high clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles. Not reccommended for trailers. Potable water is not available. Quiet hours 10:00 pm to 6:00 am (running generators are not permitted during quiet hours). THERE ARE NO TRASH SERVICES. PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT.
Natural Features The Verde River is just a short distance from the campground, with swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating access. Large trees provide plenty of shade.
Nearby Attractions
Horsehoe Reservoir Towns of Carefree and Cave Creek
Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (480) 595-3300.
Directions, from the listing
The site is 22 miles northeast of Carefree. From Carefree, take Cave Creek Road to Bartlett Dam Road. Turn right and continue for 6 miles to the junction of FR 205 and FR 19. Continue on FR 205 which turns left and becomes an un-maintained, unpaved road to Horseshoe Reservoir. Continue approximately 9 miles more on FR 205, following the route to Horseshoe Reservoir. Watch for the sign marking the site.
Nearest federal campgrounds
1 mi straight-line · Scottsdale ArizonaFSU.S. Forest ServiceC C C (AZ) Tonto NF
8 mi straight-line · Scottsdale ArizonaFSU.S. Forest ServiceCave Creek Group Site
8 mi straight-line · Scottsdale ArizonaFSU.S. Forest ServiceRiverside Campground (AZ)
12 mi straight-line · ArizonaFSU.S. Forest ServiceLarry Forbis Overnight Group Site
30 mi straight-line · Mesa Arizona
Trip Card — Mesquite (AZ)
Scottsdale · Arizona · Tonto National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Scottsdale · Arizona · Tonto National Forest |
| Fees | Campsites are $16 per night, per site. America the Beautiful Senior or Access Disability passholders are eligible for a 50% discount. Pass must be valid and present with passholder… |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 1 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10215904 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.