Cutthroat
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest — lakeside, fishing
Location: Pinetop, AZ, AZ
Price: From $26 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (39 reviews)
Season: May through October
Cutthroat Campground lies at an elevation of 9,000 feet in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. It sits on the shoreline of Big Lake and affords visitors many recreational opportunities in a quiet, scenic setting. Popular activities include trout fishing and hiking.For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.Sites for tent camping only are scattered throughout this small facility and spaced a good distance apart.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Dump Station, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/cutthroat to be notified when sites open up.
Cutthroat sits on the shoreline of Big Lake, one of Arizona's top trout fishing lakes, offering scenic views and quiet recreation in the White Mountains at 9,000 feet elevation. Campers consistently praise the friendly camp host Gene, clean facilities, and easy lake access with nearby hiking trails.
Wildlife alert: Mexican Wolf, Wapiti (elk), Pronghorn, Coyote, American Badger, Dusky Grouse, and garter snakes present in the area.
Insider tips for Cutthroat: Book early on Recreation.gov — federal campground fills quickly. First-come sites may offer bigger spaces and better views than reserved low-numbered sites. Listen for elk in the evenings near the lake.
Skip Cutthroat if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available at most sites.. You require gated/secured camping — this is a federal campground with open access.. You plan to visit outside May-October — seasonal operations only..
Best time to visit Cutthroat: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only..
Nearby campgrounds: Apache Trout Campground (Springerville, AZ), Grayling (Pinetop, AZ), Brookchar (Pinetop, AZ), Rainbow (Az) (Pinetop, AZ).
Cell Phone Coverage at Cutthroat
Cell signal at Cutthroat (Pinetop, AZ): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Cutthroat Campground lies at an elevation of 9,000 feet in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. It sits on the shoreline of Big Lake and affords visitors many recreational opportunities in a quiet, scenic setting. Popular activities include trout fishing and hiking.For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.Sites for tent camping only are scattered throughout this small facility and spaced a good distance apart.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early on Recreation.gov
federal campground fills quickly.
First-come sites may offer bigger spaces and better views than reserved low-numbered sites.
Listen for elk in the evenings near the lake.
Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
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 to Cutthroat Campground.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Cutthroat cost per night?+
What season is Cutthroat open?+
Does Cutthroat have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Cutthroat?+
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What is the cell service like at Cutthroat?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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