Groom Creek Horse Camp

PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST, BRADSHAW RANGER DISTRICT, 344 S. CORTEZ STREET
Prescott, AZ 86303-4398

Prohibition on Non-Equestrian Camping, Groom Creek Horse Camp

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Non-equestrian camping at Groom Creek Horse Camp is not permitted. The purpose of this order is for public health and safety.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Prescott National Forest
Bradshaw Ranger District

Prohibition on Non-Equestrian Camping, Groom Creek Horse Camp

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands on the Bradshaw Ranger District, Prescott National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area”):

Camping 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e)
Using a developed Recreation site or portion there of 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(b)

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

Persons with trail-riding livestock (such as horses or mules) using the Groom Creek Horse Camp developed recreation site for camping with horses.
Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).
Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED AREA/ROADS/TRAILS

This closure applies to those National Forest System lands contained within the boundaries of the Groom Creek Horse Camp developed recreation site (campground), as shown in Exhibit A and located within: NE1/4 NE1/4 Section 34 and NW1/4 NW1/4 Section 35, T. 13 N., R. 2 W., G&SRM, Yavapai County, Arizona. PURPOSE The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety.

IMPLEMENTATION

This Order shall be in effect from August 29, 2026, at 06:00am, through August 28, 2028, 08:00pm unless rescinded.
A map identifying the Described Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott 
Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.
A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
Contact the Bradshaw Ranger District in Prescott, AZ, (928) 443-8000, or the Prescott National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Chino Valley, AZ, (928) 777-2200, for more information about this Order.
This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.

Signed and issued on August 28 , 2026.

Ashley Hom
Deputy Forest Supervisor
Prescott National Forest

Overview

Equestrian campers will find Groom Creek Horse Camp seven miles south of Prescott, Arizona at an elevation of 6,398 feet. The ponderosa pine setting, nearby trails and limited equestrian camping opportunities make this a popular destination. Each campsite has a steel corral enclosure and an overhead tether line that accommodates two to four horses. Two group picnic sites are also available for reservation for group gatherings within this campground. To make reservations click on the availability button to the right to book this site or call 1 (877) 444-6777. For general horse camp questions contact the Bradshaw Ranger District at 1 (928) 443-8000.

Recreation

Three trails are in close proximity to Groom Creek Horse Camp. Horse Camp Loop Trail 383 (2 miles) is accessed from Loop C, across from the group site or at the campground's entrance. Wolf Creek Loop Trail 384 (5 miles) is accessed from Horse Camp Loop Trail 383 and from Forest Service Road C101. Groom Creek Loop Trail 307 (9 miles) is accessed from the trailhead across from the entrance to Horse Camp. These trails are shared with other users including mountain bikers and hikers. Off-highway vehicle use occurs on designated roads and trails.

Facilities

Horse Camp has two reservable loops (Loops B and C) and one first-come, first-serve loop (Loop A). Each of the 30 campsites in Loop B and C have a picnic table, steel fire ring, 16'x16' steel corral, and an overhead tether line. Of the 30 campsites, 27 campsite driveways are pull-through, three driveways are back-in, and all have packed gravel surfacing. The internal access roads are also packed gravel. Four vault toilets, five trash dumpsters, and six water faucets service the campground. Nearly all water faucets are located at a vault toilet. Facilities are not accessible for persons with disabilities.

Reservable group sites are located in Loop B and in Loop C. The group site in Loop B has six picnic tables, five pedestal fire grills, one group fire ring, and limited parking for a maximum of two vehicles. Trailers cannot be accommodated. The group site in Loop C has a steel ramada with six picnic tables, a steel ramada-covered cooking area with two triple cooking surface fire pedestal grills, water faucet, one large and one small steel fire ring, overhead tether line, a 16'x16' steel corral, and limited parking for a maximum of two vehicles.

Groom Creek Horse Camp is intended for equestrian users only, campers without horses will be turned away, you can find more information at our Forest webpage or by calling the Bradshaw office at (928) 443-8000.

Natural Features

Horse Camp occupies an area dominated by ponderosa pine mixed with alligator juniper, oak species, and a variety of forbs and native grasses. Colorful wildflowers bloom in the spring, and during the summer monsoon seasons. Visitors may see a variety of wildlife including deer, mountain lion, bobcat, coyotes, fox, rabbits, lizards, snakes, and birds.

Nearby Attractions

Prescott is a 15 minute drive from Horse Camp. Many activities including arts, crafts and music festivals are scheduled throughout the summer. Goldwater Lake, located within minutes of Horse Camp, is managed by the City of Prescott. The City of Prescott's recreation pass and day-use fee should not be confused with the Prescott National Forest Day-Use Passes or day-use fee.

Camp site features

Across 35 camp sites:

Picnic table: all 35 sites
Longest RV: 35 ft
Largest party: 5 people

Fees

Single Site: First Vehicle Free, Second Vehicle Fee is $5

Directions

From Phoenix, Arizona, Take I-17 north for 61.8 miles. Take exit 262 toward Cordes Junction/Prescott. Merge onto State Route 69 west and follow for 33.8 miles. At the split, take the ramp for Route 89 south. Turn slight left onto East Gurley Street/89 and follow for about 0.8-mile. Turn left at Mt. Vernon Street (Senator Highway, County Road #56) and continue for 7.2 miles to Horse Camp on the right. Groom Creek Loop Trailhead #307 is east of the campground, across Forest Road #52. From downtown Prescott, Take Gurley Street east to Mt. Vernon Avenue. Take Mt. Vernon (Senator Highway, County Road #56) south for about 7.2 miles to Horse Camp on the right. Groom Creek Loop Trailhead #307 is east of the campground, across Forest Road #52.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

163 reviews

5 stars

120

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Ande B

Loop:B

Site:

Reviewed 10 days ago

Groom Creek continues to be an excellent place to visit with your horses. The area has plenty of trails and the facilities are clean. Easy to get to for mid sized rigs. We go back every year.

Mary W

Loop:C

Site:

Reviewed 15 days ago

Groom Creek campground is the best

Rhonda T

Loop:C

Site:

Reviewed 17 days ago

The camp is clean, and the bathrooms are conveniently located. I love that they provide dumpsters, shovels, and rakes for cleaning. The trails are nice, a little washed out from the rain, but still clearly marked.

Michelle S

Loop:B

Site:

Reviewed 18 days ago

I just wish people would keep their dogs on leashes and not let them bark through out the day or night. I go to relax and get away.

Mary W

Loop:C

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

I have a 24' gooseneck trailer and I love site C37. I can back right up to the corral and use my electric pump to put water into the corral, so don't have to carry water or use a hose from one of the water spigots. My one problem with this site, which I hope will be worked on before next season is that when it rains, it comes right thru the corral and the dirt is high on the downside so it doesn't drain out. About 4 years ago the campground host dug a trench for me, but it has filled in over the years. Extra dirt/sand whatever you use needs to be put into the corral and/or trench needs to be dug again. Other than that, I love Groom Creek.

Don V

Loop:B

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

They only have water for hose hook up at the restrooms which is hundreds of feet to the campsites. You would need a lot of hoses, we carried water in wheelbarrows twice a day. Would really be great if they could put in more hose hook ups closer to the corrals. They also only have one 24x24 pipe corral for each campsite, not always good for 2 horses. They do a tie line for each campsite.

Availability

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

Reserve