Within Tonto National Forest, Burnt Corral Campground sits along Apache Lake's shoreline, accessible via a challenging 6.5-mile dirt road from Roosevelt Dam. The Forest Service manages this established campground where sites range from $20-40 per night, with water hookups available for RVs up to 32 feet.
Most campsites line the water's edge, though Kiri notes that "sites by the water had zero separation or privacy." The campground caters heavily to boaters, with an adjacent boat launch and many visitors arriving with watercraft. Elevated sites along the outer road provide lake views with more spacing between neighbors. Palo Verde and mesquite trees offer natural shade across the property.
The access road demands attention, particularly for RV owners. Shari G. warns it's "seriously, not for the faint of heart if you are pulling a trailer," though the well-maintained gravel surface handles smaller vehicles without issue. Multiple reviewers specifically advise against taking the Apache Trail route, recommending AZ87-AZ188 instead.
Campers report no cell service throughout the area. The campground provides vault toilets, drinking water stations, picnic tables, and fire rings. A camp host maintains the facilities, and reviewers consistently mention clean bathrooms despite the pit toilet design. Sites fill quickly on weekends, with mid-week visits offering better availability for walk-in camping.
For those seeking nearby alternatives, Upper Burnt Corral provides a more primitive experience just upstream. The combination of lake access, boat launch facilities, and desert canyon setting makes this a popular base for water recreation enthusiasts willing to navigate the access road.
Description
Overview
Burnt Corral Campground and Recreation Area (elevation 1914') is about 5.8 miles south of Roosevelt Dam along the Apache Trail (AZ Hwy 88) along the shoreline of Apache Lake. It is nestled amongst the saguaros, mesquites, and palo verdes, and offers opportunities to boat, swim, fish, relax, hike, and sightsee.
Recreation
Burnt Corral Campground offers something for almost everyone. Motorboating, fishing, water-skiing, and paddlesports are very popular because of the developed and undeveloped lake access from within the campground. Others may enjoy hiking nearby trails, being challenged by local jeep trails, or practicing their landscape photography, or simply relaxing with a good book.
Facilities
Burnt Corral Campground includes 76 camp units, vault toilets, potable water hydrants, 6 day-use picnic units, paved boat launch, boat boarding dock; Each campsite includes a parking spur, fire ring with grill, a shade ramada, and a picnic table. This campground provides access to visitors who are mobility impaired.
Natural Features
Burnt Corral Campground is situated in what may be the most stunning Sonoran Desert landscape in Arizona. The contrast of sunshine, clear blue water, and saguaro's surrounded by the Four Peaks and Superstition Wilderness' is a magnificant sight to see. While shade is scarce in the desert, campsites are situated amongst mature mesquite and palo verde trees, and desert chaparral. Apache Lake is 17 miles long making it the longest in the chain of reservoirs on the lower Salt River below Roosevelt Dam.
Nearby Attractions
Roosevelt Dam, Apache Lake Marina, Tortilla Flats, Tonto National Monument (Cliff Dwellings), Roosevelt Lake, Apache Trail Scenic Byway (AZ Hwy 88), Spines to Pines Scenic Byway (AZ Hwy 288). The City of Globe and Town of Payson are only an hour away.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundBurnt Corral Campground is located in Arizona
Directions
Access to Burnt Corral from Tortilla Flat HWY88E/Apache Trail is currently closed, please use an alternative route. From the Mesa area: Head to AZ-87N for approximately 59 miles. Turns right onto AZ-188S for 31.6 miles. Turn right onto AZ-88W for 6 miles and Burnt Corral Recreation Site will be on your right. \_\_From the Globe area: Take AZ-188 west for 30 miles to its junction with AZ-88. Turn left onto AZ-88, and continue past historic Roosevelt Dam (unpaved) for 5 miles to Forest Road FR 183/ Burnt Corral Recreation Site. Turn right and continue to site.
Address
28079 N. AZ HWY 188
Roosevelt, AZ 85545
Coordinates
33.627381 N
111.203326 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/3/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 4/3/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/3/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 4/3/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 47 min from Phoenix, AZ
- 3 hrs 20 min from Prescott Valley, AZ
- 3 hrs 31 min from Flagstaff, AZ
- 3 hrs 35 min from Tucson, AZ







































