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Map showing campground location near Greer, Arizona
Camper submitted image from Brook Char CampgroundView 16 Photos
CampingMap showing campground location near Greer, Arizona

Brook Char Campground

6 ReviewsAdd Review

Brook Char Campground operates as a tent-only facility within Apache National Forest, charging $26 per night with reservations available through the standard system. The campground sits directly across a small road from Big Lake, providing immediate water access for fishing and paddling activities.

The facility features multiple large sites with clearings suitable for tent placement, connected by walking paths throughout the forested grounds. Central restrooms with running water serve all campers, while potable water stations appear at several individual sites. A camp host provides firewood sales and general assistance during the operating season from mid-May through October.

Site 12 draws particular attention from returning campers due to its proximity to the lake and dedicated vehicle parking, while other sites require parking in a central lot. Wildlife activity includes elk, deer, and skunks moving through the area regularly. "Bears frequent the area so you must lock up all food and trash in you car over night," advises Kamala G..

The campground connects to Big Lake's boat ramp and general store via a short walk along the access road. Temperature swings can be significant, with Memorial Day weekend bringing highs near 80 degrees and lows in the 30s. Campers exploring the broader region can find additional campgrounds around Greer for extended stays.

Reservation Info

Make a reservation at Recreation.gov.

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Location

Public Campground

Brook Char Campground is located in Arizona

Detail location of campground

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.

Address

APACHE-SITGREAVES
AZ

Coordinates

33.8755556 N
109.4130556 W

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Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 4/2/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

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Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 4/2/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Cabins
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets

Drive Time

Reviews

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5 Stars

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1 Star

67%
0%
0%
17%
17%

4.0

out of 5

6 Reviews

Guests frequently mentioned spacious tent sites with clean facilities near Big Lake. Several reviews noted helpful amenities, though some visitors reported host policy issues and navigation difficulties.

Carl L.
Reviewed Aug. 22, 2023

Bogus

Reserved site #13 on line for August 15th. On arriving this site has no flat areas and you must pass directly through site #12 to access. The entire campground was EMPTY except us. We decided to move to site #12 to get a flat area. I informed the host out of courtesy of our move to the empty adjoining site. He said NO! I had to pay him $20 to make the change. If I did it on-line, it would be zero fee. THERE IS NO CELL COVERAGE at this campground, so it is impossible to go online and make that useless change. Another caretaker drove by and said he didn't see a problem moving if it was his call. The dude at Brookchar would NOT budge...he wanted his $20 bucks ( I have a senior pass and at worst it would have been $8.00). Told him to stuff it and to contact his manager. He refused. The other caretaker guy drove away and and said he would discuss it with her. Bear in mind, the entire campground had zero reservations for that evening besides us. He returned later to inform me that the manger had "OK'ed" the change for no fee. It is zero fee to change a campsites....zero! Unbelievable,,,,Beware....

Site13/12
Month of VisitAugust
Taryn S.
Reviewed Jun. 2, 2021

Some of the best tent camping in AZ

We're frequent campers, and this is one of our favorite spots in AZ! 

The tent-only campground is small, but the sites are large and have multiple great clearings for tents. Lots of shade and easy paths for walking around the grounds, plus there's potable water at several sites. Central bathrooms with running water are kept very clean, plus there's trash service and a (very friendly) camp host if you need anything.

Directly across a small road from Big Lake and the boat ramp. There are several places to go right down to the shore, and it's only a 5-6 minute walk along the road to the general store and boat rental area, where there's also a fish cleaning station. Brookchar is just down the road from the giant Rainbow Lake, so you'll hear some RVs and ATVs on the road, but very minimal. 

We camped in site 12, which in our opinion is the best! Closest to the lake with water views, plus parking right outside your site for 2 vehicles (other sites, you park in a main lot). Bring your fishing gear and kayak/SUP (can also rent very reasonably)!

Over Memorial Day weekend, we saw highs close to 80 and lows in the high 30s/low 40s. Only sprinkled once!

It's also just an hour from Pinetop-Lakeside, so it's easy to make grocery stops or even grab a coffee (try Pinetop Coffee House + Roasters right on the highway!) on your way in/out.

Site12
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Brook Char Campground by Taryn S., June 2, 2021
  • Review photo of Brook Char Campground by Taryn S., June 2, 2021
  • Review photo of Brook Char Campground by Taryn S., June 2, 2021
  • (4) View All
Candy P.
Reviewed Nov. 30, 2020

Tent Camping with a view

This tent walk in site has been our family favorite for decades. The sites have plenty of room for 2 tents. There is a clean bathroom in the campsite as well as water. This sites are across the small road from the lake. This is our favorite place to camp with other family members since the sites are close together. Easy walk to the lake.

  • (4) View All
Hannah L.
Reviewed Aug. 24, 2020

Unclear Directions

The directions given on the site for how to find this campground were not very clear. We spent a lot of time double and triple checking where we were to make sure we were going the right way. We ended up giving up because it was getting dark only to find out later that we were very close to it. The drive to the campsite is incredibly beautiful, though. It is about 2 hours east of Show Low. I’m sure it would have been beautiful if it weren’t so hard to find and we had better directions.

K
Reviewed Aug. 9, 2018

beautiful!

spot 12 is the best for tent camping and closest to the water. bears frequent the area so you must lock up all food and trash in you car over night.

C
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2017

4 great days of camping!

Spent 4 days of solo camping at Brookchar. Located next to Big Lake, the campsite was in a great location. Firepit, picnic table and restroom facilities close by. The camp host Bob was very nice and had plenty of firewood for purchase. Elk, deer and plenty of skunks (who waddled thru the campsite but never raised their tails). Rained a couple of hours each night but it lulls you right to sleep. Definitely a return trip in the spring....

SiteSite 8
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Brook Char Campground by Cyndi S., August 31, 2017
  • Review photo of Brook Char Campground by Cyndi S., August 31, 2017
  • Review photo of Brook Char Campground by Cyndi S., August 31, 2017
  • (4) View All
Showing results 1-6 of 6 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Brookchar Campground located relative to Greer, AZ?

Brookchar Campground is located at Big Lake in eastern Arizona's White Mountains, approximately 20 miles south of Greer. The drive from Greer takes about 30-40 minutes along forest roads. Some visitors report the directions can be challenging to follow, so it's advisable to use GPS coordinates or detailed forest service maps. The campground sits directly adjacent to Big Lake, making it a convenient base for exploring both the lake area and nearby Greer.

How do I make reservations at Brookchar Campground in Big Lake, AZ?

Brookchar Campground offers online reservations through recreation.gov, the official reservation system for federal campgrounds. This tent-only campground has limited sites (including popular spots like #12 which is closest to the water), so booking well in advance is recommended, especially for summer weekends. Some campers have encountered issues with the online directions, so allow extra travel time. The campground has a host on-site who can assist with check-in and sells firewood for your stay.

Are there photos available of Brookchar Campground facilities?

Yes, photos of Brookchar Campground are available on recreation.gov and the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest website. These images showcase the campground's tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings, centrally located bathrooms, water spigots, and the campground's proximity to Big Lake. The photos highlight the shaded sites with multiple tent clearings, walking paths throughout the grounds, and the natural wooded setting. For the most current visual information, check these official sources before your trip.

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