Alpine, Arizona Campgrounds

Alpine, Arizona Campgrounds
Located in eastern Arizona, only 6 miles from the New Mexico border, Alpine is a quaint mountain town sitting upon the eastern end of the White Mountains. The town itself is surrounded by Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest and remains a mecca for outdoor recreation, including hiking, fishing, mountain biking and camping. The prominent Escudilla Mountain was one of the favorite places of Aldo Leopold, the Forest Service ranger who did much to establish the National Wilderness System. Campers looking to spend a long weekend hiking within the area's vast backcountry and resting among the Ponderosa pine trees will find a number of campgrounds to choose from that are close to hiking trails and lakes.

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest - Luna Lake Campground

Luna Lake Campground is located only 5 miles east from the town of Alpine and offers RV and tent sites nestled among Ponderosa pines. Located at an elevation of 8,000, feet this campground is open seasonally from late spring through early fall of each year. As a convenient home base for day trips to the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway (U.S. Route 191), hiking enthusiasts can find a number of trailheads within the Escudilla Wilderness or can catch the Luna Lake Loop Trail that starts at the campground. Many campsites offer views of Luna Lake, and there is an on-site bait and snack store. Each of the 50 single unit sites can fit trailers up to 32 feet and contain a cooking grill, fire ring and table. The campground does offer an on-site drinking water supply but does not have utility hookups.

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest - Luna Lake Campground
Alpine Ranger Station
P.O. Box 469
Alpine, AZ 85920
(928) 339-4384
Reservations: 877-444-6777 or online at recreation.gov
fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/recreation/campgrounds/devcamp/devcamp_lunalake.shtml

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest - Alpine Divide Campground

Adjacent to the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway, the Alpine Divide Campground makes for an ideal home base for day trips into the Blue Range Primitive Area. The campground is stretched out along a meadow and each of 11 campsites contains mature Ponderosa pines. All campsites are suitable for tent camping and RVs, but the campground does not offer flush toilets or potable water. Alpine Divide is open seasonally from mid-May through mid-September of each year. Although there are no trailheads located at the campground, hikers can catch the Foote Creek Seventy-six Trail, a 19-mile trail with an elevation change of over 2,800 feet, located just north of the campground.

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest - Alpine Divide Campground
Alpine Ranger Station
P.O. Box 469
Alpine, AZ 85920
(928) 339-4384
Reservations: 877-444-6777 or online at recreation.gov
fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/recreation/campgrounds/devcamp/devcamp_alpinedivide.shtml

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest - Brook Char Campground

Located at an elevation of 9,100 feet, the Brook Char Campground is one of four campgrounds located within the Big Lake Recreation Area and along the east shore. Each of the 13 combination RV and tent campsites accommodate trailers up to 12 feet in length and offer a cooking grill, fire pit and table. Utility hookups are not available, but there are vault toilets and trash dumpsters during the summer season.

Open seasonally from May 15 through Sept. 30 each year, interpretive programs and guided nature walks are available from Memorial Day through Labor Day and highlight abundant opportunities for viewing native wildlife, including elk, deer, turkey and antelope. Brook Char campground is only minutes from the Spring Trail, a popular trail for hiking and mountain biking, as well as the scenic Big Lake Lookout Trail.

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest - Brook Char Campground
Alpine Ranger Station
P.O. Box 469
Alpine, AZ 85920
(928) 339-4384
Reservations: 877-444-6777 or online at recreation.gov
fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/recreation/campgrounds/devcamp/devcamp_brook.shtml

Article Written By Patricia Poulin

Patricia Poulin is a freelance writer based out of the western slope of Colorado. Poulin's travels and insight have chronicled in print media resources, such as "Inside Outside" and "Breathe" magazine. She is also a regular contributor for other various publications including "USA Today." Poulin holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

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