OT: Valley Camping Spots

[grrlscout89FJ62]

The recent fantastic weather has awakened the urge to get some camping in, before it gets too hot. We're pretty familiar will the north country spots around Sedona and Camp Verde, not not so much when it comes to the Valley and environs.

Do you all know of any cool spots (backcountry or planned) to camp within say, a 60 mile radius? Water nearby is a must - *swimmable* water would be ideal, some trees are nice too.

TIA!

 

[Swowie]

Sheeps Crossing on the Verde River. Has rope swing over the river and the river seems to be deep in the area. (swimable) There is also a hot spring in the area that someone turned into a hot tub.

 

[desertdude]

Fossil Springs is a great swim spot

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/fossil-spgs-wild.shtml

 

[grrlscout89FJ62]

Awesome!

I've heard of Sheeps Crossing, but have yet to check it out. I was under the impression that the shore was really swampy and yucky. But it actually looks pretty good in your pics Swowie.

I've been to Fossil Springs a few times, with mixed results. Last time we went, the water was super low, so a whole bunch of people were crowded into one little swimming hole.

I'm hoping to find water closer to home, but from my research, it looks like I gotta either go across town to the Saguaro / Apache lakes or up to Tonto.

Yesterday I was looking at Horseshoe Lake in Tonto, and that's a definite possibility (if there's water in it).

http://www.camparizona.com/Campsites/PhoenixCampsites/Horseshoe.htm

But keep the suggestions coming!

 

[desertdude]

yeah I realized after I posted that is is pretty far North...

like that Tonto area

 

[KingBeeIII]

It's hard to go wrong with Sheep's Crossing. As far as the shores go, it depends on where you dip you toes in. You can always hang out on the bridge and watch some moron get stuck trying to cross the river, seems to happen everytime I'm there.