Campgrounds 3,238 ft Bortle 4 Solitude: 70/100 (secluded)

This cozy group campground is tucked in the Lower Sonoran Desert along the banks of the fresh, chilly Clear Creek. Campers can wade in the creek, fish, or curl up with a book under the umbrella of cottonwood trees. Another popular pastime here is birdwatching, where you might just spot a hawk or bald eagle in flight. Clear Creek Campground is seven miles southeast of the small ranching town of Camp Verde. It's part of the Coconino National Forest, one of the most diverse forests in the country. Landscapes range from alpine tundra to desert valleys and red canyons. Recreation The campground is part of an oasis that attracts a variety of wildlife. Colorful songbirds and raptors are common birdwatching finds, and cool water species such as smallmouth bass and green sunfish make for enjoyable fishing. Wildlife watching includes black bears, elk, turkey, deer, and bison. Facilities Clear Creek Campground is grassy and flat, with some shade from surrounding cottonwoods. The group campsite holds 80 people with a maximum of 20 vehicles. The campsite is a popular destination, with its relaxed, open atmosphere, so be sure to book early for holiday weekends. This facility also has 18 standard family sites available, 5 of which are first-come, first-served/13 are reservable on Recreation.gov. Natural Features Clear Creek sits in the Verde Valley at 3,200 feet elevation. It's part of the Sonoran desert near the base of Cactus Mountain, and the climate is arid with hot summer days and mild winters. Nearby Attractions A must-do day trip is the Montezuma Castle National Monument, where you can marvel at a well-preserved Native American cliff dwelling that dates back 1,000 years. Near the dwelling is the Montezuma Well, which is a naturally-formed well that collects over a million gallons of fresh water a day. Hot-air ballooning and horseback riding are also fun outings near the campsite. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (928) 203-0624.

Near Camp Verde, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Clear Creek Campground (az) (N, 0mi), Yavapai

Preparation starts with your pack. Here's what to bring.

The conditions at Clear Creek Campground (az) call for specific gear — here's a tailored packing list.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Even cool-weather hiking demands steady hydration, as exertion and altitude increase water loss faster than most expect.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Even well-marked trails have confusing junctions, especially in fog or snow; a GPS unit or downloaded map keeps you on route.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Quality sunglasses prevent snow blindness and reduce eye strain during long days on exposed trails or ridgelines.
First aid kit — Adhesive bandages, antiseptic, and athletic tape handle the most common trail injuries and weigh under a pound.
Extra food — Blood sugar drops fast during sustained effort outdoors, and having a reserve keeps your body and mind sharp.
Headlamp with extra batteries — Batteries drain faster in cold weather; carrying spares ensures you won't be left in the dark when you need light most.
Fire starter — Starting a fire boosts morale and provides light, warmth, and a way to purify water in an emergency.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — If an injury forces you to stop moving, a reflective blanket prevents the rapid heat loss that leads to hypothermia.
Knife or multi-tool — In a survival situation, a blade lets you process tinder, build shelter, and prepare food.
Extra clothing layer — Wet clothing accelerates cooling; a dry backup layer can prevent hypothermia when conditions turn.

Wildlife Gear

Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Solo hikers are more vulnerable to predatory behavior from mountain lions, which typically avoid groups.
Noise maker — A loud whistle doubles as a rescue signal, serving both wildlife safety and emergency communication.
Gaiters — Beyond snakes, gaiters also protect against thorns, brush, and ticks in overgrown trail sections.
First-aid snakebite kit — A lightweight pressure bandage and marker for tracking swelling take up minimal space but provide critical aid.

Seasonal Gear

Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)

Activities & Best Time to Visit Clear Creek Campground (az) (N, 0mi), Yavapai

The Grassland terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.

The Grassland landscape around Clear Creek Campground (az) makes it well suited for birdwatching, camping, fishing.

The scenery here earns a 55/100 photography rating — Good dark sky (Bortle 4) and 3 excellent meteor showers.

Activities

birdwatching — Quiet observation often leads to rewarding encounters.
camping — From developed campgrounds to backcountry sites, it's a classic way to immerse yourself in nature.
fishing — Check local regulations and seasons before heading out.
horseback_riding — Guided rides are available in many parks and recreation areas.
picnicking — Whether lakeside or in a meadow, it's a relaxed way to savor both the setting and the company.
rv_camping — Hookups and designated sites make extended stays convenient.
scuba_diving — Certification and proper equipment are required for safety.
snorkeling — Calm conditions and good visibility enhance the experience.
stargazing — Clear, moonless nights provide the best conditions for celestial viewing.
walking — Perfect for all ages, a casual walk can turn any outdoor space into a relaxing nature experience.
wildlife_viewing — Bring binoculars and patience — nature often rewards careful, respectful observers.

Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Terrain: Grassland — Seasonal wildflowers often add color during bloom periods.

Wildlife Safety at Clear Creek Campground (az) (N, 0mi), Yavapai

Knowing what to watch for helps you enjoy the outdoors here safely.

Wildlife safety at Clear Creek Campground (az) comes down to awareness. The area's danger score of 25/10 reflects Mountain lions, Venomous snakes, Far from city (76mi).

Danger rating: 25/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate

Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Far from city (76mi)

UV risk: high (Southern latitude (35N))

Photo score: 55/100

Good dark sky (Bortle 4)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Venomous Snakes

3 venomous snake species are found in this area: Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder.

Western Diamondback

Broad triangular head, vertical pupils, and a stout body often exceeding 3 to 4 feet in length.

Seek emergency medical care immediately and keep the bitten limb immobilized at heart level.

Mojave

Distinct facial stripe behind the eye and a prominent rattle.

Call emergency services immediately and limit movement to slow venom spread.

Sidewinder

Usually under 2 feet long with a relatively short rattle.

Seek immediate medical attention and immobilize the affected limb.

Watch where you step and place hands
Stay on trails
Wear boots and long pants in snake country
Do not reach under rocks or logs
If bitten: stay calm, immobilize limb, seek medical help immediately
Do NOT: cut wound, suck venom, apply tourniquet, ice, or alcohol

Nature & Wildlife at Clear Creek Campground (az) (N, 0mi), Yavapai

The Grassland terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.

Nature at Clear Creek Campground (az) includes 3 tree species, 2 wildflowers, and a range of mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Trees (3)

Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — Its thick bark forms broad orange plates separated by dark fissures.
Gambel Oak — It often grows in dense thickets, spreading by underground sprouts to form large colonies.
white fir — The bark is smooth and gray on young trees, becoming furrowed with age.

Wildflowers (2)

Arizona mariposa lily — Slender stem rising from narrow basal leaves.
Stansbury's Cliffrose — Feathery seed plumes developing after flowering.

Other Plants (5)

Echinocereus bakeri
great mullein
quaking aspen
alligator juniper
western blue flag

Mammals (8)

Abert's Squirrel — Medium-sized with agile build.
Mule Deer — Bucks carry branching antlers that fork rather than form a single main beam.
Gunnison's Prairie Dog — Often stands upright near burrow mounds.
Wapiti — Adults may weigh 500–1,000 pounds.
Rock Squirrel — Often stands upright on rocks to scan for predators.

Birds (30)

Red-winged Blackbird — Glossy breeding male plumage
House Sparrow — Urban plumage often dusted and worn
European Starling — Sleek dark breeding plumage with yellow bill
Eurasian Collared-Dove — Squared tail with white tips
Dark-eyed Junco — Pink-sided form with pale gray and buff flanks

Reptiles (5)

Plateau Fence Lizard — Usually 5–7 inches long including tail.
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Typically under 5 inches long.
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake — Typically grows 18–36 inches long with a narrow head and round pupils.
Gopher Snake — Adults commonly reach 3–6 feet in length.
Ornate Tree Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long.

Amphibians (2)

American Bullfrog
Arizona Tree Frog

Insects (10)

Convergent Lady Beetle
Gray Buckeye
Carolina Grasshopper
White-lined Sphinx
Spotted Pine Sawyer

Fungi (1)

lobster mushroom

Other Wildlife (2)

Common Pill Woodlouse
Virile Crayfish

Nature Bingo at Clear Creek Campground (az) (N, 0mi), Yavapai

Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.

Wildlife Challenge

Common Raven (bird)
Abert's Squirrel (mammal)
Plateau Fence Lizard (reptile)
American Bullfrog (amphibian)
Southwestern Ponderosa Pine (plant)

Botany Challenge

Achnatherum Pinetorum
Aquilegia Coerulea Var. Pinetorum
Arabis Holboellii Var. Pinetorum
Asclepias Engelmanniana
Echinocereus Engelmannii
Almutaster

Clear Creek Campground (az) (N, 0mi), Yavapai Climate & Sun

Here's the weather and sun data to help you pick the best time to visit.

Expect Semi-Arid weather at Clear Creek Campground (az), with the most comfortable conditions from May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Climate type: Semi-Arid

Annual avg temp: 62.6°F

Annual precipitation: 14.7 in

With an average annual temperature of 62.6°F and 14.7 inches of precipitation, Clear Creek Campground (az) has warm, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 83°F, while winter lows drop to 45°F.

Best months to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov.

Winter 45°

1.5"

Spring 60°

0.6"

Summer 83°

1.8"

Fall 64°

1.1"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	45°F	1.5 in
Feb	48°F	1.6 in
Mar	53°F	1.4 in
Apr	60°F	0.6 in
May	68°F	0.4 in
Jun	77°F	0.2 in
Jul	83°F	1.8 in
Aug	81°F	2.3 in
Sep	75°F	1.5 in
Oct	64°F	1.1 in
Nov	52°F	0.9 in
Dec	44°F	1.4 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 9.9 hours in winter to 14.4 hours in summer — a difference of 4.5 hours.

Summer: 5:13 AM – 7:40 PM

Winter: 7:26 AM – 5:18 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:26 AM, Sunset 5:18 PM Golden hour from 4:39 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:13 AM, Sunset 7:40 PM Golden hour from 7:03 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:39 AM, Sunset 6:34 PM Golden hour from 6:00 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:09 AM, Sunset 6:35 PM Golden hour from 6:02 PM

Clear Creek Campground (az) (N, 0mi), Yavapai Trip Planning & Access

Now for the logistics — distances, costs, and accessibility details for Clear Creek Campground (az).

Plan for a drive from Phoenix to reach Clear Creek Campground (az).

Nearest city: Phoenix (76 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $18.96 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 61.3 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

Accessibility: dog-friendly (likely_allowed), family-friendly (excellent), elderly-friendly (highly_suitable).

Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
Families: excellent
Elderly: highly_suitable
Strollers: excellent (100/100)
Beginners: Perfect for beginners (Moderate difficulty (+5), Good information available (+5))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Campground Details

Reservable

Places Near Clear Creek Campground (az) (N, 0mi), Yavapai

Extend your trip with these nearby outdoor spots.

Extend your visit with these nearby options — 15 destinations sit within range of Clear Creek Campground (az).

Nearby Trails

Nearby Campgrounds

Clear Creek Campground, Yavapai 0.21 mi
Lawrence Crossing Campground, Yavapai 9.72 mi
Childs Campground, Yavapai 12.19 mi
Sycamore Cabin Campground, Yavapai 16.29 mi

Nearby Attractions

Ok Ranch Historic District, Yavapai 21.51 mi

Stargazing & Night Sky at Clear Creek Campground (az) (N, 0mi), Yavapai

The night sky adds another dimension to an overnight visit here.

Stargazing at Clear Creek Campground (az) benefits from Rural/suburban transition darkness — Bortle class 4 on the light pollution scale.

Bortle 4 Rural/suburban transition

Constellations

Key constellations visible from this latitude include Ursa Minor, Cepheus.

Ursa Minor — Visible throughout the year in much of the United States, Ursa Minor rotates steadily around the North Celestial Pole.
Cepheus — Though its stars are modest in brightness, Cepheus is visible year-round from most of the U.S.

Meteor Showers

The Geminids peaks around December 13-14 and is the best meteor shower visible from here.

Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)
Find a dark location away from city lights and give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust for peak rates.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)
Look toward the northern sky after midnight for the highest activity.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)
Expect fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs under dark skies.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Plan for early morning viewing; activity increases in the hours just before sunrise.
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)
Southern states often see stronger activity due to radiant placement.

Planets

Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:

Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star
Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky
Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light
Mars — The Red Planet, recognizable by its reddish-orange hue

Equipment Guide

Naked eye: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury (with care)
Binoculars: Jupiter moons, Uranus, Saturn rings (barely)
Small telescope: Saturn rings, Jupiter bands, Mars surface features, Neptune

Viewing Tips

Check planets rise/set times for your specific date
Planets appear along the ecliptic (zodiac path)
Planets don't twinkle like stars - steady light
Venus and Jupiter are unmistakable - brightest objects after Moon
Use a stargazing app to confirm planet positions
Best viewing: when planet is highest in sky (transit)

Best Viewing Months

Evening: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Morning: Jul, Aug, Sep

Seasonal Highlights at Clear Creek Campground (az) (N, 0mi), Yavapai

Beyond the night sky, the changing seasons shape what you'll experience here.

Each season reveals a different side of Clear Creek Campground (az), from wildflower blooms to fall foliage.

Spring Wildflowers

Peak bloom: March - April

Check local park websites for bloom reports

Fall Foliage

Peak color: October 15 – November 5

Best trees for color: Maple, Oak, Aspen

Higher elevations peak 1-2 weeks earlier

Bird Migration

Spring peak: March - April

Fall peak: October - November

Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges

Indigenous Land at Clear Creek Campground (az) (N, 0mi), Yavapai

The natural world here has been shaped by thousands of years of Indigenous stewardship.

The land around Clear Creek Campground (az) has been home to Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache), Hohokam, Yavapai Apache for thousands of years.

Territories

Languages

The languages traditionally spoken in this area include Yavapai.

Yavapai

Data from Native Land Digital

Clear Creek Campground (az) (N, 0mi), Yavapai Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Clear Creek Campground (az) sits within a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Here's what researchers and surveys have documented about this area.

Bedrock Geology

Rock Type: Late to middle Miocene basaltic rocks
Formation: Hickey Formation
Lithology: Major:{basalt}
Age: Serravallian

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences: 12
Unique Species: 10
Oldest: 312.8 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 34
Richness: High
Minerals Found: Copper, Gold, Gypsum-Anhydrite, Silver, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Volcanic Materials, Pumice

Endangered Species

Species at Risk: 1478
ESA Endangered: 29
ESA Threatened: 16
Conservation Score: 100/100

Temperature Records

Record High: 118°F (1958-07-12)
Record Low: -9°F (1992-12-17)

Wildfire History

This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.

Recorded Fires: 77
Largest Fire: Backbone (40,858 acres)
Most Recent: 2024
Fire Risk: Extreme

Watershed

Watershed: Lower Fossil Creek
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 21.083%

Filming Locations

Productions Filmed: 228
Notable Films: Asteroid City, Jesus Is King, Transformers: The Last Knight, Sicario, Strange Blood, The Phoenix Incident, The Lone Ranger, Gravity, The Hangover Part III, The Vision of Paolo Soleri: Prophet in the Desert

Reported Phenomena

UFO Sightings: 5 (NUFORC)
Bigfoot Reports: 2 (BFRO)
Eeriness Score: 36/100

Clear Creek Campground (az) (N, 0mi), Yavapai Safety & Conditions

Check current conditions from these authoritative sources before you go.

Conditions change quickly outdoors. These links provide current data for the area around Clear Creek Campground (az).

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: MONTEZUMA CASTLE NATIONAL MONUMENT, AZ US (7.79 mi)