Upper Arcadia
Coronado National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Safford, AZ, AZ
Price: From $30 per night
Rating: 4 out of 5 (1 reviews)
Season: May through October
Upper Arcadia sits along Swift Trail in southeastern Arizona, providing an escape from desert heat and a pleasant place to take in the high desert scenery in spring and fall. Visitors enjoy hiking, camping, birding and picnicking. The group camping area can accommodate up to 75 people.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Bear Boxes, Fishing, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/upper-arcadia to be notified when sites open up.
Upper Arcadia offers a quiet, scenic escape along Swift Trail in the Pinaleño Range with excellent hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Campers consistently praise it as a peaceful campground nestled in ponderosa pines with well-maintained facilities.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear, White-nosed Coati, Mexican Spotted Owl, and Mount Graham Red Squirrel present in the area. Bear boxes available at sites.
Insider tips for Upper Arcadia: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 2 tent sites and high demand. Potable water is located in the upper campsite; confirm access before setup. Visit weekdays for quieter experience; weekends fill quickly.
Skip Upper Arcadia if: You need hookups — no hookups available at sites.. You prefer November through April — seasonal operations only May through October.. You're sensitive to road noise — campground is near the road with audible traffic..
Best time to visit Upper Arcadia: May-October — Official operating season; spring and fall provide escape from desert heat and pleasant high desert scenery..
Nearby campgrounds: Lower Twilight Group Site (Safford, AZ), Treasure Park - East (Safford, AZ), Upper Hospital Flat Group Site (Safford, AZ), Stockton Pass (Safford, AZ).
Cell Phone Coverage at Upper Arcadia
Cell signal at Upper Arcadia (Safford, AZ): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage · T-Mobile 5G: 100%
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.
Upper Arcadia sits along Swift Trail in southeastern Arizona, providing an escape from desert heat and a pleasant place to take in the high desert scenery in spring and fall. Visitors enjoy hiking, camping, birding and picnicking. The group camping area can accommodate up to 75 people.
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 only 2 tent sites and high demand.
Potable water is located in the upper campsite; confirm access before setup.
Visit weekdays for quieter experience; weekends fill quickly.
Official operating season; spring and fall provide escape from desert heat and pleasant high desert scenery.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Safford, Arizona: Take State Route 191 south for 6 miles. Turn right onto State Route 366/Swift Trail and travel 11.5 miles to the Arcadia Campground entrance (MM 125.5), taking the next right turn to access Upper Arcadia. From Tucson, Arizona: Take I-10 East for 90 miles. Take exit 352 for State Route 191, and turn left toward Safford. Drive 26.3 miles north and turn left on State Route 366/Swift Trail. Continue for 11.5 miles to the Arcadia Campground entrance (MM 125.5), taking the next
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.
- 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 Upper Arcadia cost per night?+
What season is Upper Arcadia open?+
Does Upper Arcadia have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Upper Arcadia?+
How do I make reservations at Upper Arcadia?+
What is the cell service like at Upper Arcadia?+
What season is Upper Arcadia open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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