Camping around Prescott this weekend?

[paulhubbard]

Yeah, yeah, it's going to be Memorial Day weekend, and therefore probably pretty busy, but I'm looking for suggestions about Prescott area car camping. My first choice is probably going to be Wolf Creek, due to it's access to the Groom Creek Loop trail. Has anyone been up in the Prescott area lately who can offer some do's and/or don'ts?

I'll be going up on Thursday to try and secure a good spot. I'm assuming Lynx Lake will be so crowded it will be a definite "don't" - We can handle other campers nearby, but we prefer to be away from big crowds and screaming kids. That may eliminate White Spar Campground as well? Asking, because I'm not sure since I don't know that layout of the campgrounds up there.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks gang!
Paul

[paulhubbard]

Anyone? Bueller? Any thoughts on whether I need to get there Thursday to snag a spot, or would Friday be okay? Thanks!

[JoelHazelton]

I can't speak about how soon to snag a spot, but I tend to agree about your memorial day weekend predictions. If you follow Gurley St until it turns into Thumb Butte Rd, then continue on past Thumb Butte and up the hill there's plenty of numbered spots along the dirt road for free dispersed camping. I also recall some campsites along the rough dirt road to Mt Tritle. Definitely a high clearance road. Granite Mountain recreation area has campgrounds and awesome hiking/a lake nearby, but that would also put you in a similar situation as Lynx Lake (though I think the Granite Mountain area is more scenic). If you want to brave the super-rough road to Grapevine Springs near Mayer I remember a couple nice spots near that trailhead. The surrounding area is relatively unappealing (for camping) because it's just pinyon country, but once the road drops down near the creekbed you're in a nice riparian area with great shade. Grapevine Springs is a really cool trail with perennial water, too (and a +-50 ft waterfall near the headwaters, according to an old AZ Highways write up I stumbled upon the other day). The road is definitely rough though. High clearance if not 4wd (probably fine with high clearance since it's dry right now).

Hope I helped!

[JoelHazelton]

One more thing after reviewing your initial post- I would *think* going up Thursday will get you first pick in several areas.

[paulhubbard]

@azpride
Thanks!!! That does help!

[chumley]

I would say it depends on where you go. There are plenty of people who like to camp on Mem Day Weekend and some will begin showing up on Wednesday. I'm not familiar with the spots around Prescott though, so I can't really say. But there are spots along the rim, near various lakes and streams in this state that I wouldn't recommend showing up after noon on Thursday if you're trying to secure a spot. But I usually leave with a handful of spots in mind just in case my first choice is already occupied.