Mesquite (AZ)

40202 N Cave Creek Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85262

Mesquite Campground Post Fire Recovery Closure for Public Health & Safety

Mesquite Campground closed due to post fire recovery.

PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and roads in the Cave Creek Ranger District, Tonto National Forest, described in detail below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the "Described Area/Road"):

1. Going into or being upon the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e)
2. Being on the Described Road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e)
3. Entering or using a developed recreation site or portion thereof. 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 Forest Service form 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/ROAD
The Described Area is within Township 7 North Range 6 East Sections 10 and PB37. It consists of all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the boundary starting at the intersection of National Forest System Road (NFSR) 205 Horseshoe Dam Rd and NFSR 246, then following east, northwest then southwest along the south, northeast then northwest side of NFSR 246 approximately 0.8 miles to the
intersection with NFSR 205, then following southeast along the northeast side of NFSR 205 approximately 0.5 miles back to the beginning at the intersection of NFSR 205 and NFSR 246.

Routes along the Described Area boundary that are closed include NFSR 427. Routes along the Described area boundary that remain open include NFSR 205. Mesquite Campground is Closed."

PURPOSE
To protect public health and safety due to unsafe conditions in the area affected by the Horseshoe Wildfire making the area prone to flash flooding and for resource recovery.

IMPLEMENTATION

This Order shall be in effect from May 15, 2026, at 12 a.m. through December 31, 2026, unless rescinded.
A map identifying the Described Area/Road 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/r03/tonto/alerts.
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 Cave Creek Ranger District in Scottsdale, AZ, (480) 595-3300, for more information about this Order.
This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in or on the same Described Area/Road.

Overview

Mesquite Campground provides privacy and shade. Here you can relax under the shaded canopies of mesquite trees while listening to the sounds of water flowing from the Verde River just a short distance from your site. Designated camp sites have fire rings, grills and picnic tables where families can enjoy time together. There are hiking, fishing, swimming opportunities and more.

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

Swimming
River and Stream Fishing
Non-Motorized Boating
Nearby Hiking Trails
Nearby OHV Routes

Facilities

12 campsites
First-come, First-serve only. No reservations.
Maximum occupancy per individual campsite is 10.
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.
14-day stay limit.
Portions of the Verde River are deep. Use of motorized watercraft on flowing portions of the Verde River is prohibited.
Road to campground is unpaved and unmaintained.
Recommend high clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Not reccommended for trailers.
Potable water is not available.
Quiet hours 10:00 pm to 6:00 am (running generators are not permitted during quiet hours).
THERE ARE NO TRASH SERVICES. PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT.

Natural Features

The Verde River is just a short distance from the campground, with swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating access. Large trees provide plenty of shade.

Nearby Attractions

Horsehoe Reservoir
Towns of Carefree and Cave Creek

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (480) 595-3300.

Camp site features

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.

Directions

The site is 22 miles northeast of Carefree. From Carefree, take Cave Creek Road to Bartlett Dam Road. Turn right and continue for 6 miles to the junction of FR 205 and FR 19. Continue on FR 205 which turns left and becomes an un-maintained, unpaved road to Horseshoe Reservoir. Continue approximately 9 miles more on FR 205, following the route to Horseshoe Reservoir. Watch for the sign marking the site.