Jones Water Campground

Jones Water Campground provides free camping year-round within Tonto National Forest, accessible via a narrow dirt road that requires careful navigation. The Forest Service maintains this drive-in facility with vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings, though the entrance warns against vehicles over 20 feet due to tight turnaround space and overhanging brush.

Road conditions present the primary challenge here. Multiple campers note the narrow access route with scrub trees hanging overhead, making it suitable primarily for smaller rigs, vans, and tent camping. About half the sites require higher ground clearance to reach, while overgrown vegetation has reclaimed several camping spots entirely. Monte W. found "both vault toilets were very clean" during his April visit, though he could only locate four usable sites that weren't overgrown.

The campground sits close enough to Highway 60 to generate some road noise, particularly during daytime hours. Most sites feature concrete picnic tables and metal fire rings with grill grates, but level tent space remains limited. Cell service is typically unavailable. Campers must pack out all trash, as no water or garbage collection is provided.

For additional camping options in the region, see [campgrounds near Globe]. This spot works best as an overnight stop for self-contained campers with smaller vehicles seeking free dispersed-style camping with basic amenities.

Reservation Info

First come, first serve, no reservations

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Location

Public Campground

Jones Water Campground is located in Arizona

Detail location of campground

Directions

In Globe, AZ, take US Rt. 60 east for 16.4 miles to campground sign. Bear right at sign into campground.

Coordinates

33.59083895 N
110.64376528 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 12/11/25
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 12/11/25
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Jones Water Campground needs a permit.

Drive Time


Reviews

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2.5

out of 5

6 Reviews

Several reviews noted challenging narrow access roads and limited flat camping spots suitable mainly for smaller vehicles. Guests frequently mentioned clean facilities with basic amenities, though highway noise can be an issue.

Reviewed May. 2, 2025

Not bad at all 😋

Were there with 28ft camper. Parked near restroom, turnaround easily possible. Some noise from highway but very quiet at night. Stayed two nights.

Siteclose to restroom
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Jones Water Campground by Peter L., May 2, 2025
  • Review photo of Jones Water Campground by Peter L., May 2, 2025
Reviewed Apr. 23, 2024

Overgrown

Stayed here a night in early April 2024. There were a lot of positive things about this place. Both vault toilets were very clean. The sites that weren’t overgrown with brush had cement tables and fire rings. The roads were narrow and easily managed in my Forester however much of the road, and camp sites, were covered in brush and overgrown trees. I could only locate about 4 sites that weren’t overgrown. The campsite is off of the highway so there is some road noise. Around 7:30 AM someone stopped by a nearby unoccupied site and started cutting wood for about an hour, and then they left. Overall not a bad place for an escape from the heat not far from Globe.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Jones Water Campground by Monte W., April 23, 2024
  • Review photo of Jones Water Campground by Monte W., April 23, 2024
  • Review photo of Jones Water Campground by Monte W., April 23, 2024
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jan. 15, 2023

Good for stop over

Narrow road in with tight turnaround at the end for a long bed truck and teardrop trailer. Could be slippery when wet. Nice big concrete tables and stone fire pits with grill. Never checked the bathrooms but they had 2. Vehicle noise as just off the road. Good for stopovers. We call it a once in a lifetime campground as we only need to go there once.

Sitelast one at turnaround.
Month of VisitJanuary
  • Review photo of Jones Water Campground by B&L , January 15, 2023
Reviewed Mar. 6, 2022

Ideal for 4wd vans

As marked, the site is not for long rigs or vehicles with low clearance. But for my 4wd Sprinter Van it was a perfect stop along highway 60. There is a pit toilet, but otherwise no amenities - no water and must pack out one’s own garbage. At least a half dozen sites , and only one other camper the night I stayed there.

Month of VisitFebruary
Reviewed Aug. 3, 2019

Very Small and Tight

The road in is very narrow, with alot of scrub trees hanging over the road. I have a Teardrop and it was about as big as I would take in there. No cell service, bathrooms were ok though.

Reviewed Sep. 1, 2017

Hope you have a hammock and 4 wheel drive

There is a sign at the entrance saying no vehicles over 20 ft suggested. You may find a place or two to turn around depending on your clearance but id really suggest walking in first if you have a long vehicle or anything with low ground clearance. All spots I found had a picnic table (or two) and a fire pit (mostly metal) and a grill grate. Very few spots had space big enough for anything larger than a 4 person tent and even fewer had anything resembling flat ground to put it on. At least half the spots you'd need something with higher ground clearance you drive to. There is a path to the bathroom but it's been eroded and in a lot of places had a 10 foot drop to the wash bed. There is a coed vault bathroom.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Jones Water Campground by Krista Z., September 1, 2017
  • Review photo of Jones Water Campground by Krista Z., September 1, 2017
  • Review photo of Jones Water Campground by Krista Z., September 1, 2017
  • (8) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Jones Water Campground located near Globe, AZ?

Jones Water Campground is located along Highway 60 near Globe, Arizona. It's situated just off the main highway, making it easily accessible for travelers passing through the area. The campground is nestled among scrub trees in a rustic setting. Its proximity to the highway makes it convenient for overnight stops while traveling in the region, though you may hear some road noise during the day. The noise typically diminishes significantly at night, providing a relatively peaceful camping experience.

Do I need reservations for Jones Water Campground?

No reservations are required for Jones Water Campground as it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground typically has multiple sites available, with reports of at least half a dozen camping spots. However, capacity is limited by the size restrictions - vehicles over 20 feet are not recommended due to the narrow access road and limited turnaround space. For the best chance of securing a spot, consider arriving earlier in the day, especially during peak camping seasons.

What amenities are available at Jones Water Campground?

Jones Water Campground offers basic amenities for primitive camping. The site features two vault toilets that are generally well-maintained and clean. Campsites come equipped with concrete picnic tables and stone fire pits with cooking grills. Despite the name, there is no potable water available at the campground, so visitors must bring their own. There are also no garbage services, so all trash must be packed out. Cell service is not available in the area. The campground has at least half a dozen sites spread throughout the area.