Alamo Lake State Park Campground

Long dead end drive to park and C/G, but worth it. Hidden in the high desert hills, the lake provides boating and fishing for campers and visitors and a home or respite for waterfowl and other birds. Wild burros are also sometime visitors.

We stayed the Full Hook-Up site and it was a less than pleasant experience in the middle of January. Sites are poorly marked, there is zero cell reception of any kind without a booster (and then very limited according to the neighbors), and sites are on top of one another. And NO views of any kind of the lake from the full hookup sites

This was our chosen escape from a horrible overnight stay at Dead Horse Ranch State Park but we went from one disaster to another. Sure we had full hookups but it wasn't worth the drive time.

Sites are primitive and poorly marked. Not level, unclear as to which site belongs to which number designation, pebble gravel which got into everything, etc. Lake was slimy and disgusting according to Dave who would have tossed back any fish he was unlucky enough to catch. I didn't see the lake as I choose to stay behind with the flock. It's not that I didn't trust the neighbors it was just I had one of "those" feelings about the surroundings.

We did a little recon while there and the dry camping sites have views of the lake of varying degrees and incredible wireless connections.

Returning to northern Gila County from a San Diego weekend at the daughter's, we decided to check out Alamo Lake. We have RVing friends who go there every year on Thanksgiving weekend, so how bad could it be?

From Quartzsite up to Wickenburg is a straight shot on US60, so a night at Alamo Lake is something you have to WANT to do... you're not going to just overnight there, as you would at Brenda, which is close to the junction of the 60 and I-10, which is about halfway between SD and home.

The lake and campground are a 40-mile, one-way trip north of the highway! The road ends at the lake. Which, of course, means another 40-mile trip back to the highway in the morning. Very pretty, if desolate, desert to entertain you all the way up and all the way back!

But, we figured we'd probably not ever again have the opportunity to make that trip, since neither of us (nor the two dogs) are avid fishermen, and the lake doesn't look too inviting for just a kayak paddle, so we booked a reservation for a night, at a water- and electric-only site with a view of the water.

This is a HUGE state park, (and curiously enough, an Army Corps of Engineers campground) so sites are very spread out, over 4 or more loops. We did not feel cramped. And even though the C/G was pretty full, it was quiet -- no ATVs, just boats. I did a walk from our campsite down to the boat ramp - a full mile on my GPS.

The C/G is very clean and well maintained, and the sites (asphalt paved) in our area were pretty level. We did not unhook the tow vehicle for the overnite stay, but that did not present a problem. Restrooms were clean, but we didn't use the showers, so can't comment on them.

We probably have no reason to return to Alamo Lake, but if you have a boat, and like to chase bass, crappie, or catfish, this is probably a great place for you to spend a long weekend!

This was our second time staying here. We really like it, the weather was beautiful. We had partial hookups (water & electric) for $22 a night. They have flush toilets, showers, and a convenient store/ranger station. We didn’t have any luck shore fishing, but if you have a boat you’ll probably catch something. This is all desert landscaping. You can hear the wild burros all day and night (some coyotes too). This is one of our favorite places for winter camping

We camped on the E loop, which is dry camping at only $15. There are other loops, some with full and some with partial hookups. The reason we chose E, was because the park ranger told us that on this side of the park, cell reception was the best. He was correct!!!

We drove around, and found that all the loops over on the Park Ranger side of the park have ZERO cell reception, but loops C, D, and E have EXCELLENT cell reception. I'm assuming it has to do with the clearance of the mountain range, to the cell tower... who knows.

Loop E has the better lake views, compared to any other loop. There are also OHV trails to access, right from within Loops C and E. Just across the dry river bed, from Loop E, there is BLM camping, and lots of people there seem to be enjoying it. There is a dirt road (Wickenburg Rd) that takes you out there, and a little place called Wayside Inn that caters to those folks (store, water, gas, dump, propane - just not diesel). We will probably choose this option if we return. Why pay $15 a night, when you can camp for free? :)

The lake is HUGE, and there are all kinds of walking/hiking trails, plus lots of OHV trails in surrounding areas. Fishing permits are expensive, through Arizona Fish and Game. The Ranger's admin. building, here at the park, has a decent little store with some needed grocery items and ice. If you need gas or propane, you can head over to Wayside Inn which is just a 10 minute drive down a dirt road from the state park main road.

Yes clean baths is a priority for us- we have a van camper, without a shower- this campground has the best we have seen. The lake is accessible from each campground and for a dessert area there are many trees, just don’t count on much shade.
It is busy as it seems fishing is big here. Cell service is consistent -2bars, at least for us at our spot.

Even though it is a remote location it is a great campground. Roads are asphalt, no issue accessing with your rv. Camping loops are well organized and easy to get in and out. Mostly flat surfaces. Lake is not too close to campgrounds. Loop A and B is closest but no cell service. Loop C D E has great cell service and lte connection. 10-20 mb download speed. Loop C has water and electric and a Dump station, loop D and E is dry camping. Loop E is also close to the lake. Sites are well separated from each other. It is not very green basically desert. Boating and fishing are main activities. It is not too crowded and peaceful place

I spent two nights 2/18 - 2/20 and it was crowded and noisy. Prefer a boondock site in the desert.

Very nice desert area. C loop (electric & water) is the most spacious loop with small trees and desert shrub in between. Picnic tables, fire ring & lantern hooks. Wide asphalt parking pads for trailer, trucks and UTV's. Wayside Inn (6 miles of dirt road) has libations, bar menu & good burgers. Salome Market (35 miles) carries big selection of groceries & sundries with large gas island.

We mostly boondock and once in a while we go to a campground. This one offered amazing views and privacy (several sites offer this from one side of the site). Some nice off road trails around but limited in where you can go without doing lots of paved road. Cell coverage was great. Many chirping birds and burrows around. Nice to have access to the lake to have the dog swim in.