Horseshoe (Az)
Tonto National Forest — lakeside, fishing
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, AZ
Price: From $20 per night
Rating: 4 out of 5 (0 reviews)
Season: May through October
Horseshoe Campground is farther up the road from Mesquite Campground. Offering more developed campground sites with picnic tables, fire pits and access to the Verde River at campsites 11 and 12. Gorgeous vistas of surrounding mountains and the Verde River are offered along the path for families to enjoy.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Drinking Water, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/horseshoe-az to be notified when sites open up.
Horseshoe Campground offers developed sites with direct access to the Verde River at campsites 11 and 12, featuring picnic tables and fire pits with gorgeous mountain vistas. Real campers praise it as an amazing fishing spot with nice natural riverside areas, though the remote location requires high-clearance vehicles.
Wildlife alert: Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, Bobcat, and Gilded Flicker present in area. Use caution during hikes and keep distance from wildlife.
Insider tips for Horseshoe (Az): Book early — this is a popular federal campground with limited sites Bring high-clearance or 4WD vehicle; road to campground is rough and requires slow driving Prioritize campsites 11 and 12 for river access and better shade; bring canopies for other sites Bring plenty of water and shade equipment — most sites have limited natural shade
Skip Horseshoe (Az) if: You have a low-clearance vehicle; the access road is rough and bumpy. You require full hookups; no hookups available at this campground. You visit outside May-October; seasonal operations only. You want a developed, well-maintained facility; Google reviews note neglected appearance in some areas.
Best time to visit Horseshoe (Az): May-October — Official operating season per RIDB; avoid extreme heat by visiting earlier in season (May-June) or later (September-October).
Nearby campgrounds: Mesquite (Az) (Scottsdale, AZ), C C C (Az) Tonto Nf (Scottsdale, AZ), Cave Creek Group Site (Scottsdale, AZ), Riverside Campground (Az) (Scottsdale, AZ).
Cell Phone Coverage at Horseshoe (Az)
Cell signal at Horseshoe (Az) (Scottsdale, 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.
Horseshoe Campground is farther up the road from Mesquite Campground. Offering more developed campground sites with picnic tables, fire pits and access to the Verde River at campsites 11 and 12. Gorgeous vistas of surrounding mountains and the Verde River are offered along the path for families to enjoy.
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
this is a popular federal campground with limited sites
Bring high-clearance or 4WD vehicle; road to campground is rough and requires slow driving
Prioritize campsites 11 and 12 for river access and better shade; bring canopies for other sites
Bring plenty of water and shade equipment
most sites have limited natural shade
Official operating season per RIDB; avoid extreme heat by visiting earlier in season (May-June) or later (September-October)
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 →
This site is 23 miles northeast of Carefree. From Carefree, take Cave Creek Road turn right on Bartlett Dam Road and continue for 6 miles to the junction of FR 205 and FR 19. At this junction, FR 205 turns left and becomes an unmaintained unpaved road. Follow FR 205 for 10 miles towards Horseshoe Reservoir. At the junction of FR 205 and FR 205A, turn right and travel an additional ½ mile to the site.
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 — Tonto National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Tonto National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Horseshoe (Az) cost per night?+
What season is Horseshoe (Az) open?+
Does Horseshoe (Az) have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Horseshoe (Az)?+
How do I make reservations at Horseshoe (Az)?+
What is the cell service like at Horseshoe (Az)?+
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●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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