Horsethief Cabin
Prescott National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: PRESCOTT, AZ, AZ
Price: From $100 per night
Rating: 3.6 out of 5 (9 reviews)
Season: May through October
Horsethief Cabin is situated in a clearing of Ponderosa pines at an elevation of over 6,000 feet in the Bradshaw Mountains of the Prescott National Forest. The original cabin was built in 1939 as quarters and a staging area for Forest Service crews charged with protecting the southern end of the Bradshaw Mountains against wildfires. The cabin was remodeled and modernized over the years, but eventually fell into disuse by the 1980s.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Showers, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/horsethief-cabin to be notified when sites open up.
Historic 1939 Forest Service cabin situated in Ponderosa pines at over 6,000 feet in the Bradshaw Mountains, offering a peaceful escape with fishing opportunities and beautiful mountain scenery accessible via challenging unpaved roads.
Wildlife alert: Northern Black-tailed Rattlesnake, Sonoran Gopher Snake, Common Raccoon, Rock Squirrel, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Plumbeous Vireo, Bendire's Thrasher
Insider tips for Horsethief Cabin: Book early - federal campground fills up quickly High clearance vehicle recommended for 30+ miles of rough unpaved Forest Road 259 Visit on weekdays for fewer crowds
Skip Horsethief Cabin if: You need electrical hookups - no hookups available at most sites. You have a low-clearance vehicle - rough switchback roads up to 6,000 feet elevation. You're visiting outside May-October - seasonal operations only.
Best time to visit Horsethief Cabin: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Turney Gulch Group (PRESCOTT, AZ), Upper Wolf Creek Group (PRESCOTT, AZ), Sycamore Cabin (CAMP VERDE, AZ), Groom Creek Horse Camp (Prescott, AZ).
Cell Phone Coverage at Horsethief Cabin
Cell signal at Horsethief Cabin (PRESCOTT, 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.
Horsethief Cabin is situated in a clearing of Ponderosa pines at an elevation of over 6,000 feet in the Bradshaw Mountains of the Prescott National Forest. The original cabin was built in 1939 as quarters and a staging area for Forest Service crews charged with protecting the southern end of the Bradshaw Mountains against wildfires. The cabin was remodeled and modernized over the years, but eventually fell into disuse by the 1980s.
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 - federal campground fills up quickly
High clearance vehicle recommended for 30+ miles of rough unpaved Forest Road 259
Visit on weekdays for fewer crowds
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 Phoenix, Arizona: When traveling Northbound on I-17 take the Bumble Bee Exit 248 and continue North on the dirt road, taking Forest Road (FR) 259 to Crown King. From Crown King, take (FR) 259A south for 0.5 mile to the junction of 52. Take FR 52 southeast for about 5 miles to the Horse Thief Basin Recreation Area. The cabin sits adjacent to the Horse Thief Lake Rd. Alternate route from Flagstaff, Arizona : Traveling Southbound on I-17 take Exit 263, turn right and proceed towards a roundabo
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 — Prescott National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Prescott National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Horsethief Cabin cost per night?+
What season is Horsethief Cabin open?+
Does Horsethief Cabin have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Horsethief Cabin?+
How do I make reservations at Horsethief Cabin?+
What is the cell service like at Horsethief Cabin?+
What season is Horsethief Cabin open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
Nearby Campgrounds
Own a campground nearby?
List free on CamperWatch — we take 5% only on bookings we send. No monthly fee.