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Flowing Spring Campground - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

7 ReviewsAdd Review

The washboarded dirt road leading to this dispersed camping area demands attention from drivers, with drop-offs on one side making the approach challenging for larger rigs. Flowing Spring Campground sits within Tonto National Forest, accommodating RVs up to 16 feet and offering free camping along East Verde River. The main parking area near the highway provides walk-in tent sites, while additional spots downstream allow small trailers to park closer to the water.

Campers find varying site conditions throughout the area. The ground tends to be uneven and dusty, with fine powder that kicks up in windy conditions creating dust clouds around camp. Trees provide some coverage but shade remains limited across most sites. Matthew H. notes the main campsites "sit on the creek, which always has fresh clean water running," though water levels can be low during certain seasons, leaving disconnected pools rather than flowing sections.

The single vault toilet serves the entire camping area. Road noise from ranchers and other traffic occurs periodically since the campground shares access routes with working properties. Alexander H. observed "a ton of trash littered around" left by previous visitors, suggesting campers should plan to clean their chosen spot before settling in. Sites fill quickly on weekends, particularly spots suitable for trailers.

For additional camping options, explore campsites near Payson. Bring extra water and cleaning supplies, and arrive early for the best site selection.

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Location

Dispersed Camping

Flowing Spring Campground - PERMANENTLY CLOSED is located in Arizona

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

34.3030002 N
111.35200036 W

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Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 4/1/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
    Verified by 7 users
    Last on 4/1/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 4/1/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
    Verified by 7 users
    Last on 4/1/26
  • 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.

Site Types

  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

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Contact

General Info

Drive Time

Reviews

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3.0

out of 5

7 Reviews

This former free campground offered basic creek-side camping but struggled with uneven, dusty sites and road noise. Most reviews indicate challenging terrain and minimal facilities, with closure to overnight camping as of 2021.

csey R.
Reviewed May. 27, 2021

Flowing Springs Campgrounds

Free camping only next to the road with a quarter mile stretch to pick with 2 spots. Car traveling on bumpy dirt roads with dust on camp sites. I rather pay 27 dollars to save my vehicle from damage and dust.

Siteside road
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Flowing Spring Campground - PERMANENTLY CLOSED by csey R., May 27, 2021
Valerie M.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed May. 5, 2020

Water Nearby

We've camped here twice. it's mainly tent camping. If you have an RV or camper you need to park on the edge of the parking lot. as of April 2021 the area will be for day use only no more camping.

Alexander H.
Reviewed Mar. 2, 2020

Good for what it is

Just camped here over the weekend, and I left satisfied. There is nothing super special here; you’re still near the highway and there is no workers cleaning up after other campers. There is a ton of trash littered around, so bring a plastic bag so you’ll be able to clean up your area before you settle in. There are more secluded areas and also very open and communal areas, it all depends on which one you grab and when you get there. There are no rules, so I was near some guys playing their boom box all night until 10, but I didn’t mind the music, so it wasn’t horrible. Overall, it was nice since you can pitch a tent wherever an there is no fee compared to other pricey nearby camping spots. If you’re lucky to get a good area, then you’re all set. But there are some pretty bad spots here as well. Take your chances! The stream right behind the campsites is really nice and is a good little area for some wandering around.

Matthew H.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Feb. 13, 2020

Basic Tent Camping 101

If your looking to throw up and tent and relax this is the place for you. There is enough space to boondock a small RV, Tent Trailer, or Travel Trailer. The main campsites sits on the creek, which always has fresh clean water running. There are several other tent camping sites further back, however they are closed till 2022 for regrowth. You will hear cars/truck from time to time as this is the same road the Ranchers use to get back and forth to Payson. There is one vaulted bathroom. You are in nature so you will see clear skies, animals, and be able to cook over and open camp fire. In all in all I love this place and always look forward to our weekend trips up there twice a year.

  • Review photo of Flowing Spring Campground - PERMANENTLY CLOSED by Matthew H., February 13, 2020
Krista Z.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Apr. 14, 2018

In the right conditions it could be better

Flowing Spring was an interesting area. The only bathroom was very close to the main highway (less than a mile) but the road was VERY wash-boarded and had a drop off to one side. The scenery on the way in is more high desert than lush green forest. The bathroom area has a large parking lot that could easily accommodate a lot of cars but all the spaces to camp there will be walk in only. The trees aren't super dense so expect a decent amount of sunlight.

We traveled a bit further down the road and found a spot right over the bridge and next to the river. This site (as well as a lot of the others we saw) was not very level. There was a lot of powder fine dust at the camp site and every time the wind kicked up it was a giant dust cloud. There were trees around but not a lot of shade. I'd say that had we gone when the weather was perfect to be outside in the sunlight and there was no wind blowing the dust the site would have been really nice.

Towards the end of the road there are a few more places that you could park a small trailer to camp. We arrived on a Thursday and almost everything we saw that would accommodate a trailer already had people in it. I'd guess we saw around half a dozen places you could put a small trailer (the website says nothing over 20 feet). There were plenty of places that will accept tents especially if you're willing to walk in.

We walked the river for a ways and the water was really dirty in the pools and you couldn't see much deeper than a few inches unless it was running. We didn't see any evidence of trout in the river but honestly didn't try fishing either. A lot of the pools didn't have enough water to connect them so I assume the river was just very low when we went.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Flowing Spring Campground - PERMANENTLY CLOSED by Krista Z., April 14, 2018
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  • Review photo of Flowing Spring Campground - PERMANENTLY CLOSED by Krista Z., April 14, 2018
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Noah L.
Reviewed Jul. 19, 2016

Nothing fancy

We were going to camp here and set up our tent, then drove to Strawberry for a wine tasting. We weren't impressed with the campsite since there were a ton of ants, the ground was pretty slanted, hard ground, and a camp of kids were there. After driving to strawberry we saw a trailhead where people were camping for free and moved our campsite here. Much better.

The campsite wasn't that bad, but there are MUCH better ones around.

Showing results 1-7 of 7 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the max vehicle length at Flowing Spring Campground - PERMANENTLY CLOSED?

Flowing Spring Campground - PERMANENTLY CLOSED allows vehicles up to 16 feet.

Are fires allowed at Flowing Spring Campground - PERMANENTLY CLOSED?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Flowing Spring Campground - PERMANENTLY CLOSED, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Is there cell phone reception at Flowing Spring Campground - PERMANENTLY CLOSED?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, there is no coverage for AT&T, no coverage for T-Mobile, and no coverage for Verizon.

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