Clear Creek Campground (AZ)

Overview

This cozy group campground is tucked in the Lower Sonoran Desert along the banks of the fresh, chilly Clear Creek. Campers can wade in the creek, fish, or curl up with a book under the umbrella of cottonwood trees. Another popular pastime here is birdwatching, where you might just spot a hawk or bald eagle in flight.

Clear Creek Campground is seven miles southeast of the small ranching town of Camp Verde. It's part of the Coconino National Forest, one of the most diverse forests in the country. Landscapes range from alpine tundra to desert valleys and red canyons.

Recreation

The campground is part of an oasis that attracts a variety of wildlife. Colorful songbirds and raptors are common birdwatching finds, and cool water species such as smallmouth bass and green sunfish make for enjoyable fishing. Wildlife watching includes black bears, elk, turkey, deer, and bison.

Facilities

Clear Creek Campground is grassy and flat, with some shade from surrounding cottonwoods. The group campsite holds 80 people with a maximum of 20 vehicles. The campsite is a popular destination, with its relaxed, open atmosphere, so be sure to book early for holiday weekends. This facility also has 18 standard family sites available, 5 of which are first-come, first-served/13 are reservable on Recreation.gov.

Natural Features

Clear Creek sits in the Verde Valley at 3,200 feet elevation. It's part of the Sonoran desert near the base of Cactus Mountain, and the climate is arid with hot summer days and mild winters.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (928) 203-0624.

Nearby Attractions

A must-do day trip is the Montezuma Castle National Monument, where you can marvel at a well-preserved Native American cliff dwelling that dates back 1,000 years. Near the dwelling is the Montezuma Well, which is a naturally-formed well that collects over a million gallons of fresh water a day.

Hot-air ballooning and horseback riding are also fun outings near the campsite.

Camp site features

Across 19 camp sites:

  • Fire pit: all 19 sites
  • Picnic table: all 19 sites
  • Pets allowed: all 19 sites
  • ADA accessible: 1 of 19 sites
  • Group sites: 1 of 19 sites
  • Largest party: 80 people
  • Equipment: RV, Tent, Trailer

Directions

From Interstate 17, take Exit 287 for AZ-260 toward Cottonwood/Payson/89-A. Turn right onto AZ-260 and follow for approximately 8 miles to the campsite.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 11 AM.

Reviews

87 reviews
5 stars
57
4 stars
12
3 stars
11
2 stars
4
1 stars
3
Anastazia K
Loop:Clear Creek
Site:
Reviewed 20 days ago
We have always loved this camp ground, close enough to civilization that you can get things if you need them yet remote and a fantastic jumping off point for activities all around the verde valley and rim country. In 20 minutes you can be on the rim in the pines or a ten minute walk puts you swimming or fishing at clear creek. And if water isn’t swimmable the trails go on for miles. We never struggle to find something to do here, I’ve never felt like I couldn’t leave my site unattended. It’s quiet, safe and well tended. I thought not being able to play music was going to be a detriment but it was nice not having to listen to every others site choice of music all mixed together. Honestly peaceful.
Amanda P
Loop:Clear Creek
Site:
Reviewed 20 days ago
The campground was beautiful. The map of the campground was a little bit off. The two sites we booked were across the street from each other, not next to each other as originally was. Thought the campground attendant was friendly but did not allow music whatsoever not during the day. Not during the night so that kind of made a little bit of a damper on our adventure as we do enjoy listening to music as we set up camp and in the evenings to unwind. Other than that, the experience was wonderful. Would highly recommend.
Jake R
Loop:Clear Creek
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
Staying at Clear Creek was so amazing. The weather was perfect the big beautiful trees provided the perfect shade. The vault bathrooms were literally the cleanest vault bathrooms I’ve ever used. The camp host does a really awesome job maintaining the grounds and helping everyone feel welcome. My family will be coming back to this beautiful camp ground.
Carlos R
Loop:Clear Creek
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
Was greeted by the camp host and made it very clear in a sort of rude way that zero music in the camp ground and in the camp site. Woke me up at night time yelling what was my first name, that is after me introducing myself earlier that day when driving in to the camp ground.
Laura R
Loop:Clear Creek
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
Nice, quiet little space. Plenty of shade. Restrooms were clean and maintained. They even had automatic lights in them so that when you entered they would turn on. There is a small brook at the entrance of the campground and a small creek that runs beside the campground where you can wade in the water. I would have given 5 stars if we were allowed to listen to music at a low level. Other than the zero tolerance for music, the site and host were great.
Rachel O
Loop:Clear Creek
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
Camp host was great. Very clear about fire safety which I appreciated. Camp site was busy but very near clear creek and tiny stream type irrigation ditch fun for puppies and kiddos.
Availability

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

Reserve
Popularity: Very quiet

Busiest in November, when about 7% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 6 years of reservations.

Camp Sites

Availability not checked yet

No availability

We don't have availability data yet for camp sites at .

Interested in seeing what camp sites you can reserve here? Check it now, or watch this campground so we keep checking it for you.