Rainbow (AZ)

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

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.

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.

Need to Know

• Standard Single Family sites: Recreation Use Fee allows ONE camping unit ONLY. Double & Group sites: Refer to Specific Site # for capacity limits.

• Extra Vehicles: Cannot be paid for in advance - upon arrival coordinate with the host for payment and where to park.

• Opening and closing dates are weather permitting, please call 928-537-8888 for more information.

• FIRST COME FIRST SERVE sites must be booked in person. DO NOT call to determine availability, as they are only available on-site.

• No hookups available
• This is a high elevation facility; use caution when traveling from lower elevations

• Bears frequent the area; please obey all food storage rules and regulations. Check with your host for details.

• Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
• Click here for more information on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

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.

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.

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.

Contact Information

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APACHE-SITGREAVES AZ

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 928-537-8888

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From Pinetop, Arizona, take Highway 260 east 25 miles to Highway 273 south. Follow Highway 273 south 19 miles to Forest Road 8115 (Big Lake Entrance). Turn right and travel 1 mile to the campground.

Available Campsites

• Site 030, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 059, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 119, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 049, Loop PTHR, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 113, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 036, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 088, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 069, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 077, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 099, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 063, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 062, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 039, Loop PTHR, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 033, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 072, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 091, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 018, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 092, Loop PTHR, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 071, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 116, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 028, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 027, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 003, Loop PTHR, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 040, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 080, Loop QUAD, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
• Site 032, Loop PTHR, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 021, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 005, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 009, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 106, Loop QUAD, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
• Site 103, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 004, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 073, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 081, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 054, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 074, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 037, Loop PTHR, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 109, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 016, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 115, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 111, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 083, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 104, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 020, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 093, Loop PTHR, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 097, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 048, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 025, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 014, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 010, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 008, Loop PTHR, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 102, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 026, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 051, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 110, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 079, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 052, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 100, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 038, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 101, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 047, Loop QUAD, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
• Site 068, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 086, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 012, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 013, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 046, Loop PTHR, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 085, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 105, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 041, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 078, Loop PTHR, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 011, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 096, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 034, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 090, Loop PTHR, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 082, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 019, Loop PTHR, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 035, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 057, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 120, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 042, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 075, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 043, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 076, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 060, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 098, Loop PTHR, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 031, Loop PTHR, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 053, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 045, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 029, Loop PTHR, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 023, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 108, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 055, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 001, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 064, Loop PTHR, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 007, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 002, Loop QUAD, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
• Site 056, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 050, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 017, Loop PTHR, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 058, Loop PTHR, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 061, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 112, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 044, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 114, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 006, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 067, Loop PTHR, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 066, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 107, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 089, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 024, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 065, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 070, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 118, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 084, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 015, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 022, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 087, Loop PTHR, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 117, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 095, Loop RAIN, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 133, Loop PTHR, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 094, Loop PTHR, Type Standard Nonelectric

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