Brookchar

Overview

Brookchar Campground is tucked on the banks of Big Lake in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. The campground is a small, tent-only facility comprised entirely of walk-in sites. Of the lake's five campgrounds, Brookchar is nearest to the water. The stocked lake draws anglers, and boat rentals and a boat ramp make it easy for campers to enjoy the lake's blue waters.

Recreation

Big Lake is one of Arizona's top trout fishing lakes, with rainbow, cutthroat, brook and Apache trout being the most sought-after species. The recreation area is also popular for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, birding and wildlife viewing.

Facilities

The facility is small, with 12 tent-only, walk-to campsites. Campfire rings and restrooms are provided. A campground host resides on-site for visitor assistance.

A dump station, store, firewood, gas, food and boat rentals are located a short, half-mile drive away, and showers are just 1 mile away.

Natural Features

The campground sits in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest at an elevation of 9,100 feet. The area is scenic, forested with ponderosa pine, fir, spruce and aspen, interspersed with high elevation meadows.

Summer temperatures are pleasant and cool, a nice respite from the heat of lower deserts. Visitors should come prepared for afternoon thunderstorms and cool nighttime temperatures.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.

Nearby Attractions

Several other lakes can be found in the surrounding area. Visitors can also explore endless vistas and take part in many outdoor activities in the surrounding Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, which encompasses 2 million acres of magnificent mountain country in east-central Arizona and New Mexico.

Camp site features

Across 12 camp sites:

  • Pets allowed: all 12 sites
  • Largest party: 8 people

Directions

From Pinetop, Arizona, take Highway 260 east 25 miles to Highway 273 south. Follow Highway 273 south 19 miles to Forest Road 8115 (Big Lake Entrance). Turn right and travel 2 miles.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 1 PM.

Reviews

28 reviews
5 stars
23
4 stars
2
1 stars
3
Jenna M
Loop:Broo
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
We had such a great time! Campsite was clean and shaded with dappled light. Bathrooms were pretty clean with flush toilets- score! We got summer rain, so plan to bring extra tarps during the summer rainy season.
Sarah M
Loop:Broo
Site:
Reviewed 3 months ago
Fantastic site! Camp host was super awesome as well! Beautiful area. Lots of wildlife and great fishing in Big Lake. Bathrooms were clean and well maintained. We had sites 11, 12, and 13. Very spacious and we had plenty of room for our large group and multiple tents. Very shady as well!! There was a water spigot right next to the site which was so convenient. As others have said, there is zero cell service in the area. Takes about 25 min to drive to get service. The marina is the literal Walmart of Big Lake and has everything you can think of if you end up forgetting something - and the prices are very reasonable. Our boat rental there was also super great. Campground is a 2 min walk across the street to Big Lake.
Kimberly B
Loop:Broo
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
I reserved site 12 at the beginning of the year for a Friday through Monday. When we showed up on Friday at 1:30pm someone else was there in that spot and had set up. The camp host said they were only there until tomorrow (Saturday) and told us to set up at our friends campsite. Well lo and behold they didn’t leave until Sunday, so I paid for an entire weekend with a specific site and didn’t get to use it at all. No refund was offered and the only resolution was “sorry they were here first”. Why were they able to set up when we paid for it?? Why were they not told to move??
Jin S
Loop:Broo
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
Beautiful, clean and everyone was welcoming and friendly
Brian S
Loop:Broo
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
Facilities were clean and the Camp Host was great! We reserved two sites (8 & 9) for 16 people thru the website and had plenty of room and shade for our tents.
Larry B
Loop:Broo
Site:
Reviewed 5 months ago
The camp host Tom was great
Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve

Season dates

Peak season

May 14, 2027 – Sep 16, 2027

Reservable online

Walk In season

Sep 17, 2027 – Oct 31, 2027

First come, first served

Peak season

May 15, 2028 – Sep 17, 2028

Reservable online

Walk In season

Sep 18, 2028 – Oct 31, 2028

First come, first served

Camp Sites

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