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Riverside Campground (AZ)
FSU.S. Forest Service — Arizona · Tonto National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Tonto National Forest |
| Location | Arizona · Tonto National Forest · 33.80987, -111.64649 · 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 Riverside Campground offers more peace and tranquility than the busier recreation sites at Bartlett Lake. With the campground’s proximity to water, fisherman and avid water recreationalists enjoy this spot all year long. There are designated grills, fire rings and picnic tables where families can enjoy the day together along the river, not far from the dam. Keep a look out for fish jumping along the river!
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
Camping Fishing Non-Motorized Boating River Access Birding
Facilities
12 Campsites First-Come, First Serve only. No reservations. 14 day stay limit. Maximum occupancy per individual campsite is 10 people. 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. No motor boats allowed. Trailers under 16 feet. Glass containers prohibted. No potable water services available. Quiet hours 10:00 pm to 6:00 am (running generators are not permitted during quiet hours).
Natural Features Plenty of trees provide ample shade and the calming sound of the river flowing makes Riverside Campground a great place to relax and enjoy nature. Keep a lookout for wildlife!
Directions, from the listing
This site is 23 miles east of Carefree. Take Cave Creek Road for 7 miles then turn right on Bartlett Dam Road and continue for 13 miles. Just before reaching the Jojoba Boating site, FR 19 becomes a maintained gravel road that turns south (right). Follow it for another 3 miles to Riverside.
Nearest federal campgrounds
12 mi straight-line · Scottsdale ArizonaFSU.S. Forest ServiceHorseshoe (AZ)
12 mi straight-line · Scottsdale ArizonaFSU.S. Forest ServiceC C C (AZ) Tonto NF
17 mi straight-line · Scottsdale ArizonaFSU.S. Forest ServiceCave Creek Group Site
17 mi straight-line · Scottsdale ArizonaFSU.S. Forest ServiceLarry Forbis Overnight Group Site
18 mi straight-line · Mesa Arizona
Trip Card — Riverside Campground (AZ)
Arizona · Tonto National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | 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/10215919 · 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.