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National forests with campgrounds open year-round in Arizona

Outwander used USDA Forest Service data to identify year-round campgrounds in national forests in Arizona.

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As winter settles in, camping opportunities become more limited in most parts of the United States. However, for much of the South—as well as RVers and ambitious cold-weather enthusiasts—camping season never ends. Throughout national forests across the U.S., year-round camping options are abundant, offering many amenities and accessibility options.

Outwander used Forest Service data from the Department of Agriculture to identify Arizona campgrounds in national forests available throughout the year, based on a national analysis. We looked at the number and names of available year-round campgrounds for each.

National parks, from Yellowstone and Grand Canyon to Acadia and Valley Forge, focus largely on preserving natural and historic resources. National forests, meanwhile, are managed for everything from recreation and resource preservation to grazing and wildlife.

With the overcrowding (especially in recent years) of visitors to national parks, national forests can offer a welcome respite for travelers seeking peace and solitude. Visitors should always check forest and campground websites before traveling in case of weather advisories or temporary closures.

Several national forests feature just one or two year-round campgrounds, while Idaho's Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest boasts 40. Depending on the adventure you're pursuing—whether snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or avoiding the white stuff altogether and opting for a trip south for warm-weather hiking—these campgrounds provide a range of settings to serve as home base during every kind of outdoor escape.

Keep reading to discover which national forests have year-round campgrounds in Arizona.

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

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- Number of year-round campgrounds: 2
- Campground names:
--- Black Jack Campground (Weather-dependent)
--- Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Campground

Coconino National Forest Recreation

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- Number of year-round campgrounds: 2
- Campground names:
--- Clints Well Campground
--- Chavez Crossing Group Campground

Prescott National Forest

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- Number of year-round campgrounds: 3
- Campground names:
--- White Spar Campground
--- Powell Springs Campground
--- Alto Pit OHV Day Use/Campground

Coronado National Forest

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- Number of year-round campgrounds: 10
- Campground names:
--- Sycamore Campground
--- Lakeview Campground
--- Arcadia Campground
--- Stockton Pass Campground
--- Peppersauce Campground
--- Bog Springs Campground
--- White Rock Campground
--- Rock Bluff Group Site
--- Twilight Group Campground
--- Upper Arcadia Group Site

Tonto National Forest

86Eric_Anthony_Mischke 86 // Shutterstock

- Number of year-round campgrounds: 14
- Campground names:
--- Indian Point
--- Cholla Campground
--- Windy Hill Campground
--- Schoolhouse Campground
--- Frazier Horse Camp and Group Campground
--- Burnt Corral Campground and Day Use Area
--- Cave Creek Group Campground
--- Sheeps Bridge
--- Oak Flat Campground
--- Sulphide Del Rey Campground
--- Kellner Group Site
--- Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds
--- Bagley Flat Campground and Boat Dock
--- The Point Boat Dock, Campground and Picnic Area

This story features data reporting by Paxtyn Merten, writing by Nicole Caldwell, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 28 states.

This story originally appeared on Outwander and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

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