“A high mountain campground”
This high mountain campground and group day-use area is located on a site that was once occupied by the old mining town of Reef. That remote outpost got its name from the nearby Carr Reef, a tall band of quartzite-bearing cliffs that form the Huachuca Mountains' dramatic eastern front. Mining activity along the Reef began during the last few years of the nineteenth century and proceeded in fits and starts all the way into the 1950’s. The property occupied by the mines and the town was returned to public ownership in 1970, and in 1988, the Forest Service constructed a campground on the townsite. A number of picnic tables and tent pads were placed within the visible outlines of old cabin foundations. Many relics of Reef’s mining history, including the remains of the town’s old water system and miscellaneous features, are still visible in and around the campground. Evidence of old mining digs and foundations for an ore mill provide points of interest along a three-quarter-mile interpretive trail which begins and ends at the northeastern end of the campground.
Reviews of Reef Townsite Campground
2 people have reviewed this location
Ratings Summary
This is a beautiful campground that we never would have found had it not been for our son's cub scout pack hosting a family campout. It was a pleasant weekend out of the heat in a gorgeous forest on top of a mountain.
The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because it's very difficult to get to it. High clearance vehicles would do best. In fact, there's a sign at the bottom of Carr Canyon Road warning this road is not for passenger cars, trailers over 12 feet, or vehicles over 20 feet. It's unpaved, rough, steep, narrow, and it takes about forty minutes to climb the five miles to the campground. But it's worth it if you have the right vehicle.
It's a primitive campground with vault toilets and no water available, but the sites are nicely spaced and filled with trees and shrubs. There's plenty of shade. All sites have a picnic table and fire ring. There's no camp host or firewood for sale.
We stayed in the group site, and it was roomy. There's a ramada with five picnic tables and two more tables and a grill on the uncovered patio. I think there were three tent pads, but the site is mostly level so there was plenty of room for ten to twelve tents and still room for boys to spread out and play.
There's a short 3/4 mile hiking trail with plaques here and there explaining about the old mining town that used to be there. It also has beautiful views of the green valley floor below.
Normally when we head to the mountains from Phoenix, we go north. The Huachuca Mountains were a nice change. What an Arizona treasure!
Nightly Rate: $10.00
Days Stayed: 2
Site Number: group site
Nice camping area, 16 or so sites plus a group site, clean vault toilet. Decent shade. A few nice trails in the area, mostly steep climbs except the short mine trail which was interesting. Campsite was mid 80s while down below was in the mid 100s. The road to get here is very rough and very steep. High ground clearance and or 4x4 recommended. Do not bring any RVs. Lower your tire pressure for a better ride. I had a truck with pop up camper. The effort to get to the campground is why I minus 1 star, it would be a 4 star. No water. Sprint cell service worked at a few of the overlooking switchback areas, but not in campground; have to get on the road and find a place with clear view of town below to have cell. There are a lot of people traveling on the dirt road this site is adjacent too, including side by sides and dirt bikes from town. It gets nice and quite at night. Many day trippers come up with family and picnic around noisily at the camp.
Nightly Rate: $15.00
Days Stayed: 3
Site Number: 6
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Reef Townsite Campground
Hours
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
- Affiliation
- National forest
- Last Nightly Rate
- 10.0
- Longest Vehicle Length Reported
- 25.0
- Lowest Nightly Rate
- 10.0
- Max Stay
- 14
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Paved Sites
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Fifty Amp
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Full Hookup
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Rec Facilities
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Pull Through
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Tent Sites
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Dump Station
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Big Rigs
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Open Seasonally
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Age Restricted
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Boondock
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Cabin Sites
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Dispersed Sites
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Firewood
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Fulltime Residents
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Group Tent Sites
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Laundry
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Mobile Homes
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Permit Required
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Propane
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Public Water
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Pull Through RV Sites
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Reservations
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Sewer Hookup
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Showers
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Standard Tent Sites
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Water Hookup
Campground, Restrooms
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