Riggs Lake
Coronado National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Willcox, AZ, AZ
Price: From $50 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (4 reviews)
Season: May through October
Riggs Flat Lake is located at the end of Swift Trail, a road that winds along the top of the Pinaleno Mountains. It is a small picturesque lake, 11 acres in size, set in alpine forest and meadow. Its cold waters are stocked during the summer with rainbow, brown and brook trout, and anglers report that the fishing is usually good.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/riggs-lake to be notified when sites open up.
Riggs Flat Lake is a small, picturesque 11-acre alpine lake in the Pinaleno Mountains with consistently good fishing for rainbow, brown, and brook trout. Campers praise its beautiful setting and family-friendly atmosphere, though note the remote location requires a long drive.
Wildlife alert: Mount Graham Red Squirrel, Mexican Spotted Owl, Western Twin Spotted Rattlesnake, and Chihuahuan Mountain Kingsnake present in area
Insider tips for Riggs Lake: Book early — this is a federal campground with high demand Bring plenty of ice; nearest store is 1.5 hours away Last several miles are on hard-packed dirt road; high-clearance vehicle recommended Elevation nearly 12,000 feet — bring cold-weather gear despite summer season
Skip Riggs Lake if: You need hookups — no hookups available at most sites. You expect maintained facilities — bathrooms may be dirty and no ranger on-site. You dislike winding mountain roads with curves on steep terrain. You need easy access to services or supplies.
Best time to visit Riggs Lake: May-October — Official operating season; lake stocked with trout during summer months.
Nearby campgrounds: Upper Hospital Flat Group Site (Safford, AZ), Treasure Park - East (Safford, AZ), Lower Twilight Group Site (Safford, AZ), Upper Arcadia (Safford, AZ).
Cell Phone Coverage at Riggs Lake
Cell signal at Riggs Lake (Willcox, 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.
Riggs Flat Lake is located at the end of Swift Trail, a road that winds along the top of the Pinaleno Mountains. It is a small picturesque lake, 11 acres in size, set in alpine forest and meadow. Its cold waters are stocked during the summer with rainbow, brown and brook trout, and anglers report that the fishing is usually good.
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 federal campground with high demand
Bring plenty of ice; nearest store is 1.5 hours away
Last several miles are on hard-packed dirt road; high-clearance vehicle recommended
Elevation nearly 12,000 feet
bring cold-weather gear despite summer season
Official operating season; lake stocked with trout during summer months
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 Safford, drive south 8 miles on US 191 to AZ 366. Turn right (southwest) onto 366 and drive 29 miles to the Columbine Work Center. Continue along Forest Roads 803 and 287 about 5 miles to the campground. The last 12 miles of this road are narrow and winding.
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 — Coronado National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Coronado National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Riggs Lake cost per night?+
What season is Riggs Lake open?+
Does Riggs Lake have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Riggs Lake?+
How do I make reservations at Riggs Lake?+
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What season is Riggs Lake open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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