Childs Dispersed Camping Area
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.
Childs Dispersed Camping Area
In 1908 the Arizona Power Company began construction of the Childs Power Plant. For more than 90 years, the water of Fossil Creek had been diverted by a system of pipes and flumes from its natural course to power the turbines of the Childs and Irving hydroelectric plants. During this time, Fossil Creek had been reduced to a mere trickle, compared with the normal one million gallons per hour flow once witnessed by early inhabitants of the region. In 2004, APS, the current owner of the plants, agreed to decommission them and restore the creek to its natural flow. (From " Pine-Strawberry Archeological and Historical Society ") The area is now a very popular dispersed camping area. It sits below the remnants of the old power plant buildings on the edge of the Verde River. A short hike upstream and some wading will get you to the ruins of the Verde Hot Springs, a once famous resort. Photos & Multimedia
Before you go
Season
Year round
Fees
Free. There is no fee for dispersed camping at undeveloped camping areas on the Coconino National Forest. There are no amenities at this camping area.
Restrictions
14 Day Stay Limit . • Seasonal closures or fire restrictions/closures may be in place. • No garbage services . • Please practice Leave No Trace principles and pack out your trash. • During both Stage 1 and Stage 2 Fire Restrictions , campfires are prohibited at this site. • Gas operated devices with an on/off switch are allowed.
Scenic drives that pass close
Make it a night on a better road
Byway plans the drive in — real stops, real weather, nothing invented.