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Cholla Forest Primitive Group Camp
Public Campground

Cholla Forest Primitive Group Camp

Fort McDowell, Arizona
4.4 (183 reviews)

Photos shown are stock images and may not represent the actual campground.

About Cholla Forest Primitive Group Camp

Campground in Arizona.

Nestled in the heart of Arizona's high desert landscape, Cholla Forest Primitive Group Camp offers an authentic camping experience for those seeking to connect with nature in its most genuine form. This public campground sits amid the iconic cholla cacti and ponderosa pine forests that define this region, creating a striking contrast of desert and woodland ecosystems that few other locations can match.

The area surrounding Cholla Forest is blessed with dramatic natural beauty characteristic of central Arizona's elevated terrain. The elevation provides relief from the intense summer heat found in lower desert regions, making it an appealing destination during warmer months. The landscape features rolling hills covered in native vegetation, wide open skies perfect for stargazing, and the kind of peaceful quiet that many RV travelers seek as an escape from everyday life.

This location is particularly well-suited for groups planning extended outdoor adventures. The primitive nature of the camp appeals to experienced RVers and outdoor enthusiasts who value simplicity and self-sufficiency. Visitors often use this as a base camp for exploring the surrounding public lands, hiking trails, and natural attractions that make this region of Arizona special. The area is known among outdoor recreationists for its accessibility to various recreational opportunities and its position within a larger landscape of protected natural spaces.

The camping experience here emphasizes an unplugged, back-to-basics approach that resonates with travelers looking to disconnect from technology and reconnect with the outdoors. Whether you're planning a group camping trip with fellow RVers, a family adventure, or a solo journey into Arizona's natural splendor, this location offers the kind of authentic desert camping experience that has made Arizona a favorite among the RV community.

The strong 4.4-star rating from hundreds of visitors speaks to the quality of the experience and the appeal this location holds for those who visit. Campers consistently appreciate the natural setting and the opportunity to experience Arizona's high desert environment in a straightforward, genuine way.
4.4

Rating

183

Reviews

Park Details

Tips & Tricks

Book Early

Fort McDowell is popular during peak season. Reserve 2-4 weeks in advance for weekends and holidays.

Check-in Time

Most parks have check-in after 1:00 PM and check-out by 11:00 AM. Call ahead if you'll arrive late.

Local Weather

Arizona weather can change quickly. Pack layers and check the forecast for Fort McDowell.

Explore the Area

Don't miss local attractions near Fort McDowell. Ask the camp host for hidden gems and trails.

Cholla Forest Primitive Group Camp Reviews

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Leonard Scott

Mar 18, 2026

5.0

Google Review by Leonard Scott

Very well maintained Campground with very nice flushing toilet bathrooms and heated water showers. The spot we picked has a great view of Roosevelt Lake. Good trails with a more rugged ones that lead down to the lake. There is a boat ramp and large parking lot in this campground as well. There is a RV dump station too.

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Ken Schroth

Mar 18, 2026

4.0

Google Review by Ken Schroth

This is a beautiful campground in the low desert. Incredibles scenery all around with the Matazals right there and the lake just beyond the campground. The only issue we had this past week is that the camp hosts were pretty lazy on cleaning the bathrooms. I'm sure that will change when the Camp Host changes. They do have flush toilets and showers... But the camp host needs a little motivation.

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Adam Overland

Mar 18, 2026

4.0

Google Review by Adam Overland

Excellent campground with hundreds of sites. February and March it’s cooler and quieter. Nearby there is free camping on forest land, but the campground has shelters and easy access to the water. Pro tip: site 165 is the best in the house. Within just a few miles you’ll find the Roosevelt bridge and Tonto National Monument—both worth a visit. And if you have a day and four-wheel-drive, drive the s... Excellent campground with hundreds of sites. February and March it’s cooler and quieter. Nearby there is free camping on forest land, but the campground has shelters and easy access to the water. Pro tip: site 165 is the best in the house. Within just a few miles you’ll find the Roosevelt bridge and Tonto National Monument—both worth a visit. And if you have a day and four-wheel-drive, drive the scenic Apache trail scenic byway. Cholla Campground is billed as one of the largest solar-powered campgrounds in the United States. Since they don’t have electricity at the campsites, I’m not exactly sure what that means. All the bathroom lights are solar powered, I guess, and they have hot showers. There is, however, a campground host (a retired machinist) who drives around an old riding lawn mower (blade removed) he converted to run on solar power. He is, as you might expect, totally badass. This area is classic semi-arid desert southwest, with mesquite trees, shrubs whose names are unknown to me no matter how many times I look them up, the iconic saguaro (I learned last year that it is pronounced suh·waa·row) cacti and, of course, cholla cacti. The campground is right on the edge of the largest lake in Arizona, Roosevelt Lake. the sunsets here are beautiful, the soft light drizzling down each evening to blanket the rust covered Sierra Ancha Mountains that border the lake.

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Do you St. Tropez

Mar 18, 2026

5.0

Google Review by Do you St. Tropez

Wonderful campsite! Went during gov shutdown by radical rep, but they managed to keep facilities extremely clean! We’re lucky to get spot with a view!

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Jerry Quarles

Mar 18, 2026

5.0

Google Review by Jerry Quarles

Nice campground. Fire pit, picnic table and shade canopy. Lots of soace between campsites.

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