Facility Details - RAINBOW (AZ), AZ

Overview

Rainbow is the largest campground in the Big Lake Recreation Area in eastern Arizona. Because of its proximity to the lake, size and the many amenities it offers, Rainbow is a favorite for families. Popular activities include hiking, horseback riding and fishing.

Natural Features:

Rainbow Campground sits at an elevation of 9,000 feet in the White Mountains. It is a very scenic area, forested with ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, spruce and aspen trees, which provide ample shade.

Summer temperatures are pleasant and cool, a nice respite from the heat of the lower desert. Visitors should come prepared for cool nighttime temperatures and occasional summer thunderstorms.

Recreation:

The campground is adjacent to 450-acre Big Lake, one of Arizona's top fishing lakes. The lake is known for its trout fishing, with rainbow, cutthroat, brook and Apache being the most sought-after species.

The recreation area is also popular for hiking, mountain biking, birding and wildlife viewing. Curious campers can attend educational programs at the recreation area's visitor center.

Facilities:

The facility boasts 165 campsites organized into six loops. Four double sites are available for up to 16 people each, which is convenient for larger families, and two single unit accessible sites are also available.

A small store nearby sells gas, food, boat rentals and firewood. A campground host is available on-site for visitor assistance.

Nearby Attractions:

Visitors can explore endless vistas and take part in many outdoor activities in the surrounding Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, which encompasses 2 million acres of magnificent mountain country in east-central Arizona and New Mexico. Springerville, Arizona is the closest town to the campground.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
Accessible Sites Boat Ramp Boating Drinking Water Fishing Flush Toilets	Hiking Host Lake Access Mountain Biking Picnic Area Visitor Center

Know Before You Go

No hookups available
This is a high elevation facility; use caution when traveling from lower elevations
Fees include the first camping unit only; additional camping units will be charged an additional fee at check-in
Walk-in season dates (early to mid-May; mid-Sept. through mid-Nov.) are weather permitting only; call 928-537-8888 for status
Click here for more information on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
33.87639, -109.40389
33°52'35"N, 109°24'14"W

From Pinetop, Arizona, take Highway 260 east about 60 miles to Highway 261. Turn right (south) onto Highway 261 and follow for about 20 miles to Forest Road 115. Take Highway 115 for 3 miles east, turn right, and go 1 mile to the campground.