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Recreation Region: Cave Creek Ranger District

Mesquite Campground

Mesquite Campground provides privacy and shade. Here you can relax under the shaded canopies of mesquite trees while listening to the sounds of water flowing from the Verde River just a short distance from your site. Recreation opportunities include hiking, fishing, swimming and more.

General Information

12 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. Maximum occupancy per individual camp unit is 10. Maximum number of vehicles per individual camp unit is three.  All vehicles must completely fit within the designated parking area.

Open Season: Year Round

Check in: 2:00 p.m.; Check-out: 12:00 p.m.; Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m.

  • 14-day stay limit.
  • Portions of the Verde River are deep.
  • Not recommended for trailers.
  • Use of motorized watercraft on flowing portions of the Verde River is prohibited.
  • PACK IT IN PACK IT OUT. No trash services.
  • Road to campground is unpaved and unmaintained. Recommend high clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles.
  • Quiet hours 10:00 pm to 6:00 am (running generators are not permitted during quiet hours).

Tonto Fee Machine Pass. $16 per site per night. Nearest fee machine location is at the Cave Creek Ranger Station

Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Passes provide a 50% discount to Single Campsites ONLY. *Discount applies ONLY to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass holder.

Overnight Use:
Single Site: $16 per night

Front view of the Cave Creek Ranger Station building with a clear sky in the background.

Address: 40202 North Cave Creek Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85262
Phone: (480) 595-3300
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1 pm) Closed Saturday and Sunday (Closed on federal holidays)

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 33.96591764

Longitude: -111.7181801

Elevation

1,900 Feet

Directions

The site is 22 miles northeast of Carefree. From Carefree, take Cave Creek Road to Bartlett Dam Road. Turn right and continue for 6 miles to the junction of FR 205 and FR 19. Continue on FR 205 which turns left and becomes an un-maintained, unpaved road to Horseshoe Reservoir. Continue approximately 9 miles more on FR 205, following the route to Horseshoe Reservoir. Watch for the sign marking the site. 

Facility and Amenity Information

Restrooms

Vault toilet(s)

Water

Potable water is not available at this site.

Picnic Tables

Picnic tables are available at this site.

Designated camp sites have fire rings, grills and picnic tables.

Recreation Opportunities

Fishing - River/StreamFishing - River/Stream

Last updated August 21, 2026