Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds

Photo: Chris English / CC BY-SA 3.0

Fishing 5,708 ft Bortle 4 Solitude: 75/100 (remote)

Timber Camp Recreation Area has one of the most popular family and group campgrounds in the Tonto National Forest offering both day-use sites and over-night areas. Recreation Abundant recreation opportunities such as cross-country horseback riding, hiking, in-season hunting, exploring, off-highway vehicle use and wildlife viewing are in close proximity. In the spring, whitewater rafting trips on the Upper Salt River launch a mere 20-minute drive from the site. Brundrett 2 and the equestrian sites are excellent places to stage authorized outdoor group events (a separate permit may be required). While there are no dedicated equestrian trails, the surrounding terrain is ideal for cross-country horseback riding. Facilities Brundrett 2 is a group camping area available for advanced reservations for overnight and day use. The stay limit is 14 days, and trailers must be less than 45 feet. Brundrett 2 accommodates up to 150 people maximum and offers a large open gravel lot providing ample space for group activities. There is an open parking area for approximately 15 RVs or 25 passenger vehicles. Accessible vault toilets, campfire rings, grills, a pavilion and tables are provided. The equestrian site is available for advanced reservations for overnight and day use. This is a Non Electric site. Non-equestrian use is not permitted, site is reservable for equestrian use only. The stay limit is 14 days, and trailers must be less than 45 feet. There is a 150 person maximum for this group site. The facility offers steel corrals, two hitching rails, manure bins and open parking for about 25 vehicles pulling trailers up to 45 feet. In addition, the area includes a large group gathering area with pavilion with picnic tables, group cooking grill and serving tables. The group site is fenced, and the front entrance gated. Brundrett 1 is a first-come, first-served camping area with 13 individual campsites (12 single occupancy, 1 double occupancy) and a fee payable on site. This area has a large shade pavilion, picnic tables, fire grills and rings and two accessible vault toilets. There is a first-come, first-served day use facility located nearby. Natural Features Located within the Timber Camp Mountains and surrounded by a ponderosa pine and juniper woodland, this area offers a cool get away from the hot summer months. Five miles east of the site, the area eventually meets the ledges and beautiful vistas of the Salt River Canyon and the Salt River Canyon Wilderness. Nearby Attractions Approximately 10 miles north along Highway 60, on White Mountain Apache Tribal Lands, lies Seneca Lake and Falls, a popular recreation area for sightseeing and fishing (WMAT permit required). As you continue further north along Highway 60, the road cascades down into the Salt River Canyon where several overlooks allow you to capture the magnificent beauty of "Arizona's other Grand Canyon". Only 24 miles south from Timber Camp, the City of Globe offers an array of restaurants, as well as antique, grocery, and feed and tack stores.

Near Peridot, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds #2 (N, 0mi), Gila

Given these conditions, here's what to pack for a safe and comfortable visit.

Based on the terrain, climate, and wildlife at Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds, here's what to bring.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Dehydration impairs judgment and endurance long before you feel thirsty; 2L is the minimum for a moderate day hike.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Phone batteries die, cell service disappears, and trail signs get vandalized; a paper map and compass always work.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — UV exposure intensifies at elevation and near reflective surfaces like water and snow; sunburn can happen in under 30 minutes.
First aid kit — Blisters, cuts, and sprains happen on even the easiest trails; basic supplies let you treat problems before they force a retreat.
Extra food — A wrong turn or unexpected storm can extend any outing by hours; extra calories prevent fatigue and poor decision-making.
Headlamp with extra batteries — Trails that seem short in daylight can take twice as long with route-finding or elevation; a headlamp keeps you moving safely after dark.
Fire starter — Hypothermia can set in even during summer at higher elevations; a reliable fire starter provides warmth and a signal for rescuers.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — A space blanket weighs under two ounces and reflects up to 90% of body heat, buying time in an unplanned overnight.
Knife or multi-tool — From cutting cord to preparing food to improvising gear repairs, a knife is the most versatile tool you can carry.
Extra clothing layer — Mountain weather can shift from sunshine to sleet within an hour; an extra layer prevents dangerous heat loss.

Wildlife Gear

Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Groups of three or more are almost never involved in serious bear incidents; larger groups make more noise and appear more intimidating.
Noise maker — Clapping, whistling, or using an air horn warns wildlife of your approach, preventing surprise encounters on blind corners.
Gaiters — Snake-proof gaiters provide a physical barrier against venomous bites below the knee, where most strikes occur.
First-aid snakebite kit — While evacuation to a hospital is the priority, a snakebite kit helps you stay calm and follow proper first-aid protocols.

Terrain Gear

SPF50 lip balm — Lips lack melanin and burn faster than other skin; cracked, sunburned lips at altitude are painful and slow to heal.

Seasonal Gear

Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Winter: Microspikes/traction devices

Activities & Best Time to Visit Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds #2 (N, 0mi), Gila

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

Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds supports 12 outdoor activities, with backpacking being the most popular draw.

Photographers rate this area 55/100, with Good dark sky (Bortle 4) and 3 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.

Activities

backpacking — Carry your gear into the backcountry for multi-day hiking adventures.
camping — Spend the night outdoors in a tent or campsite under open skies.
horseback_riding — Explore trails and open landscapes from the saddle.
ice_fishing — Drill through frozen lakes to fish beneath the ice during winter.
ice_skating — Glide across frozen ponds or maintained outdoor rinks during winter months.
photography — Capture landscapes, wildlife, and changing light across trails, coastlines, and mountain vistas.
picnicking — Spread a blanket, unpack a meal, and enjoy food outdoors surrounded by fresh air and open views.
rv_camping — Travel with the comforts of home while staying in campgrounds or RV parks.
sightseeing — Take in scenic overlooks, landmarks, and natural features at a relaxed pace.
stargazing — Far from city lights, the night sky reveals constellations, planets, and meteor showers.
walking — A simple way to explore trails, shorelines, and park paths at your own pace while taking in the scenery.
wildlife_viewing — Observe animals in their natural habitats, from grazing deer to soaring raptors overhead.

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

Terrain: Forest — Forests are dominated by dense tree cover, layered canopies, and shaded understories. Ground conditions vary from leaf litter to mossy soils, with limited visibility off trail.

Wildlife Safety at Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds #2 (N, 0mi), Gila

While the wildlife here is part of the experience, some species require caution and preparation.

With a danger score of 25/10, Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds has a few wildlife hazards worth preparing for.

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

Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Far from city (88mi)

Altitude risk: mild

UV risk: high (Southern latitude (34N), Elevated (5,708ft), Forest canopy (shade))

Photo score: 55/100

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

Venomous Snakes

Venomous snakes here include Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder, Arizona Coral Snake. They're most active during warm months.

Western Diamondback

A heavy-bodied rattlesnake with bold diamond-shaped blotches along the back and a black-and-white banded tail ending in a rattle.

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

Mojave

A large rattlesnake with diamond-like dorsal blotches and a banded tail similar to the Western Diamondback.

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

Sidewinder

A small pale rattlesnake with horn-like scales above each eye and a sidewinding mode of travel.

Seek immediate medical attention and immobilize the affected limb.

Arizona Coral Snake

A small slender snake with red, yellow, and black rings around the body.

Seek emergency medical care immediately.

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 Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds #2 (N, 0mi), Gila

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

Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds sits within a Forest ecosystem home to 1 documented mammal species and 30 bird species.

Trees (1)

Arizona sycamore — Large lobed leaves resemble those of other sycamores.

Wildflowers (4)

purple owl's-clover — Dense spikes of purple-tipped bracts.
pinkflower hedgehog cactus — Clumping cylindrical stems with dense spines.
California poppy — Bright orange cup-shaped flowers with silky petals.
Coulter's lupine — Purple to blue pea-like flowers form tall spikes.

Shrubs (3)

Brittlebush — A rounded desert shrub with silvery fuzzy leaves and bright yellow daisy-like flowers.
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — Ribbed stems grow close to the ground and may form tight clusters over time. Spines range from straw-colored to reddish brown, offering protection from herbivores.
Sonoran scrub oak — Leaves are dark green and spiny along the margins.

Other Plants (5)

saguaro
Buckhorn Cholla
jojoba
Panamint liveforever
ocotillo

Mammals (1)

White-tailed Deer — Reddish-brown in summer and grayish in winter with a bright white underside to the tail.

Birds (30)

Red-winged Blackbird — Male black with red and yellow shoulder patch
House Sparrow — Male with gray crown and black bib
European Starling — Glossy black with iridescent green and purple sheen
Eurasian Collared-Dove — Pale gray-beige body
Dark-eyed Junco — Slate-gray form with white belly

Reptiles (7)

Ornate Tree Lizard — A small spiny lizard with gray to brown coloration and subtle patterning.
Plateau Fence Lizard — A medium lizard with spiny scales and gray to brown coloration.
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake — A heavy-bodied rattlesnake with bold diamond-shaped dorsal blotches.
Common Side-blotched Lizard — A small slender lizard with mottled brown or gray coloration.
Greater Short-horned Lizard — A stout-bodied lizard with short horns on the back of the head.

Amphibians (3)

Canyon Tree Frog
Red-spotted Toad
Lowland Leopard Frog

Insects (6)

Pipevine Swallowtail
Queen
Marine Blue
Gray Buckeye
Dainty Sulphur

Other Wildlife (1)

Desert Blonde Tarantula

Nature Bingo at Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds #2 (N, 0mi), Gila

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

Wildlife Challenge

Black-throated Gray Warbler (bird)
White-tailed Deer (mammal)
Ornate Tree Lizard (reptile)
Canyon Tree Frog (amphibian)
saguaro (plant)

Botany Challenge

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

Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds #2 (N, 0mi), Gila Climate & Sun

For detailed planning, here's the climate data for this area.

The climate at Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds averages 54.7°F annually, with Temperate conditions.

Climate type: Temperate

Annual avg temp: 54.7°F

Annual precipitation: 21.4 in

With an average annual temperature of 54.7°F and 21.4 inches of precipitation, Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds has mild, moderate rainfall conditions. Summer highs average around 73°F, while winter lows drop to 38°F.

Best months to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.

Winter 38°

2.8"

Spring 52°

0.7"

Summer 73°

2.5"

Fall 56°

1.6"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	38°F	2.8 in
Feb	41°F	2.4 in
Mar	45°F	2.1 in
Apr	52°F	0.7 in
May	59°F	0.7 in
Jun	69°F	0.3 in
Jul	73°F	2.5 in
Aug	72°F	2.8 in
Sep	67°F	1.7 in
Oct	56°F	1.6 in
Nov	46°F	1.5 in
Dec	38°F	2.3 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: 5:11 AM – 7:33 PM

Winter: 7:19 AM – 5:15 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:19 AM, Sunset 5:15 PM Golden hour from 4:37 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:11 AM, Sunset 7:33 PM Golden hour from 6:56 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:34 AM, Sunset 6:29 PM Golden hour from 5:56 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:04 AM, Sunset 6:30 PM Golden hour from 5:57 PM

Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds #2 (N, 0mi), Gila Trip Planning & Access

Planning your trip to Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds — here's the practical information you'll need.

The nearest major city to Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds is Phoenix, about 88 miles away.

Nearest city: Phoenix (88 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $22.01 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 71.1 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

This location rates likely_allowed for dogs, excellent for families, and highly_suitable for elderly visitors.

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)

Places Near Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds #2 (N, 0mi), Gila

There's more to explore in this part of Arizona.

There are 11 outdoor destinations within easy reach of Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds.

Nearby Trails

Nearby Campgrounds

Jones Water Campground, Gila 7.84 mi

Stargazing & Night Sky at Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds #2 (N, 0mi), Gila

Once you're geared up and settled in, the night sky here offers its own rewards.

The skies above Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds register a Bortle class 4, making this a Rural/suburban transition location for stargazing.

Bortle 4 Rural/suburban transition

Constellations

From Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds, you can trace Ursa Minor, Cepheus across the sky on clear nights.

Ursa Minor — Home to Polaris, the North Star, Ursa Minor forms a small dipper shape that circles the northern sky year-round.
Cepheus — Cepheus appears as a faint house-shaped pattern near Polaris in the northern sky.

Meteor Showers

Time your visit around December 13-14 for the Geminids, the strongest meteor shower visible from this latitude.

Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)
One of the most reliable and active showers of the year; best viewed after 10 PM when Gemini rises higher in the sky.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)
This brief but intense shower peaks before dawn; early morning hours offer the best chance to see multiple meteors.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)
A summer favorite with warm nighttime viewing; look northeast after 10 PM.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Best seen before dawn in the southeastern sky as Aquarius rises.
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)
Best viewed after midnight when Aquarius is higher in the southern sky.

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 Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds #2 (N, 0mi), Gila

The sky isn't the only thing that changes with the seasons at Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds.

The seasons shape the experience at Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds — here's what each one brings.

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

Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds #2 (N, 0mi), Gila Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds 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: Middle Miocene to Oligocene volcanic rocks
Formation: Peach Springs Tuff; Apache Leap Tuff
Lithology: Major:{basalt,andesite,dacite}, Minor:{rhyolite}
Age: Cenozoic

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences: 18
Unique Species: 14
Oldest: 388 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 70
Richness: Exceptional
Minerals Found: Asbestos, Uranium, Copper, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Lead, Zinc, Tungsten

Endangered Species

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

Temperature Records

Record High: 101°F (2025-08-07)
Record Low: -18°F (2011-01-01)

Wildfire History

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

Recorded Fires: 15
Largest Fire: Blue River (30,419.8 acres)
Most Recent: 2024
Fire Risk: Extreme

Watershed

Watershed: Sawmill Canyon
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0%

Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds #2 (N, 0mi), Gila Safety & Conditions

Before heading out, check these real-time safety resources for current conditions.

Check current conditions at Timber Camp Recreation Area and Group Campgrounds before heading out using these official sources.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: GLOBE NUMBER 3, AZ US (24.09 mi)