Cave Creek Group Site
Campground · Arizona · 1 bookable site ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Tonto National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 1
- Bookable site
- up to 150
- People per site
- 3,429 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Cave Creek Group Site is located 20 miles north of Cave Creek and Carefree, Arizona. It is a historic campground constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). This site is a short drive from the blistering heat of Phoenix offering cooler temps, a clear running creek, and plentiful shade to relax and enjoy nature. With food prep areas, grills and covered picnic tables, you're all set for a weekend with your loved ones you'll never forget!Recreation
At this site you'll enjoy camping, hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, sightseeing, exploring, bird and wildlife viewing, and there is even a game area for volleyball and horseshoes.Facilities
There are 12 picnic tables, three central grills, a covered food prep area and one serving table. The tables are stoneware consisting of deep crimson jasper interspersed with common fieldstone. There are also two large covered ramadas, four benches, a game area, campfire area, vault toilets, and trash service.Natural Features
This group campsite is nestled in a narrow valley of juniper and sycamore trees providing abundant shade. Water flowing through seven springs is minimal and only several inches in depth. The area has one large open camping area and a nearby trailhead offering access to over 48 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Bring your camera during springtime to get photos of the desert wildflowers in bloom.Nearby Attractions
Across the road, Cave Creek trailhead offers over 48 miles of hiking trails - great for overnight backpacking trips. Bronco Trailhead further south, offers parking for 40 vehicles plus trailers and six horse pens. Just seven miles south is Sears-Kay ruin. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, this site features the remains of an ancient Native American tribe's hilltop village. For spectacular scenic views take Forest Road 562 to Humboldt Mountain. Or, you can simply stay on site and observe nature and hunt for crawdads in the nearby creek.The facts
- Season: Year round — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 1 bookable site
- Up to 150 people per site
- Loops: CAVE CREEK GROUP SITE
Site types
- 1 Group Standard Nonelectric
Amenities
- Shade
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills, pets allowed.
1 campsite at Cave Creek Group Site
Check-in 12:00 PM · Check-out 10:00 AM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | CAVE CREEK GROUP SITE | Group Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 150 |
Getting there
33.97525, -111.86581 · 33°58'30.9"N 111°51'56.9"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 1.8 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 1.7 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 8.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
$75 per night for groups of 1-50 people $150 per night for groups of 51-150 people
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Cave Creek Group Site
- Can you reserve a site at Cave Creek Group Site?
- Yes, Cave Creek Group Site is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Cave Creek Group Site have?
- 1 site.
Also listed by
Cave Creek Group Site also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Cave Creek Group Site's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
Restrictions:
- Use caution during rainy season.
- The area, like all desert creeks, is prone to flash flooding.
- Trailers over 16’ are not recommended.
- Quiet hours 10:00 pm to 6:00 am (running generators are not permitted during quiet hours).
Camping near Cave Creek Group Site
- C C C (AZ) Tonto NF 0.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Mesquite (AZ) 8.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Horseshoe (AZ) 8.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Riverside Campground (AZ) 17 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Juniper Dispersed Camping Area 0.2 mi · Campground
- Civilian Conservation Corps Campground 0.3 mi · Campground
- Catfish Point Dispersed Camping Area 9 mi · Campground
- Desert Vista OHV Area 9.1 mi · Facility
- Sheep Bridge 11.4 mi · Campground
- Pine Mountain Wilderness 11.7 mi · Facility
- Little Pan Staging Area 17 mi · Facility
- Black Canyon City Trailhead 17.2 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 480-595-3300
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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