Rainbow Campground
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 detail from Recreation.gov, checked 2026-08-05. Where a field says “not published”, the agency has not published it — it does not mean zero.
Rainbow Campground
Rainbow is the largest campground in the Big Lake Recreation Area in eastern Arizona. Rainbow is a favorite for families because of its proximity to the lake, size and the many amenities it offers. 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. 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. • View Map • EZ Camping • Please contact us if you would like assistance accessing information in the documents.
Before you go
Season
May 15
Reservations
Reservations accepted
Fees
Standard Family Sites per night $20 - $22 Group Sites are not eligible for Interagency/ Senior Pass Discounts Mini Group Sites (2, 47, 80) per night $22 - $80 (reservation fee not included) EZ Camping Tent Sites Tent Package per night $55.00 Reservation Fee $10.00
Scenic drives that pass close
Make it a night on a better road
Byway plans the drive in — real stops, real weather, nothing invented.