Bear Canyon Lake and Camping Area
in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests
Reported open. Checked 2026-08-05.
The numbers that decide it
Recreation.gov publishes no site-level detail for this campground, so we cannot say what length of rig it takes. Call the managing office before committing to it in a large vehicle.
Site-level RV detail confirmed against Recreation.gov. Where a field says "not published," the agency has not published it — it does not mean zero.
Recreation.govChecked 2026-08-05
Make Bear Canyon Lake and Camping Area part of the drive.
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Official Forest Service pageBear Canyon Lake and Camping Area
A beautiful, narrow, canyon-bound lake, accessible by foot trail only, Bear Canyon Lake is one of several in a series of fishing lakes built by Arizona Game and Fish Department. Despite being several miles down a dirt road and having few amenities, it draws many visitors. The partially developed campground which is set among the mixed conifer, oak and aspen, has only limited amenities. Bear Canyon Lake is a "Pack it in - Pack it out" area. There is NO GARBAGE SERVICE. Please be good stewards of the land and leave the area better than how you found it. For purposes of fire restrictions, this campground is considered to be an ’undeveloped’ campground. No fires will be permitted when fire restrictions are in effect for the Apache-Sitgreaves Forest. At an elevation of 7,560, Bear Canyon Lake consists of 60 surface acres with a maximum depth of 50 feet. Because of its depth, this lake has no water quality problems. The Arizona Department of Game and Fish stocks it with catchable-sized rainbow trout about six times each year. Arizona fishing regulations apply. Please refer to the current year fishing regulations brochure produced by the Arizona Game and Fish Department for further details on licensing requirements, daily bag limits, and other restrictions. Boat motors are restricted to electric motors only.
Before you go
Season
April 15
Reservations
First-come, first-served
Fees
There is no fee to camp.
Restrictions
For purposes of fire restrictions, this area is considered "undeveloped". No campfires are allowed when campfire restrictions are in effect for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.
Scenic drives that pass close
Make it a night on a better road
Byway plans the drive in — real stops, real weather, nothing invented.