Campgrounds 2,185 ft Bortle 4 Solitude: 70/100 (secluded)

The campground overlooks Roosevelt Lake and is nestled in the saguaro cactus-studded Sonoran Desert. Recreation In addition to camping, horseback riders, hikers, and mountain bikers can access the Arizona National Scenic Trail from the campground via the Frazier Trail. There are many other trails in the area. Facilities Frazier's large open parking area accommodates trailers and pull vehicles arranged in a variety of parking configurations. Facilities include vault toilets, a shelter with group-sized picnic tables, grills, and fire rings, a watering trough, and water hydrants. Natural Features At an elevation of 2,200 feet, the group site has stunning views of the blue water and sunsets against three mountainous wilderness areas. Nearby Attractions Multiple opportunities for enjoying spectacular scenery and learning about the area's pre-history, history, flora, fauna, or geology include visiting Tonto National Monument cliff dwellings (National Park Service), driving portions of the Apache Trail Historic Road (State Hwy 88) and Desert to Tall Pines Scenic Road (State Hwy 288) or visiting the Tonto Basin Visitors Center.

Near Roosevelt, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Frazier Group Campground (W, 0mi), Gila

Being properly equipped turns potential hazards into manageable situations.

This packing list is tailored to the Desert environment and Mediterranean at Frazier Group Campground.

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.

Climate Gear

Extra water (1L/hr) — In high-heat conditions, your body can sweat 1-2 liters per hour; matching that rate prevents the dangerous spiral of dehydration.
Electrolytes — Sweating depletes sodium and potassium that plain water can't replace; electrolyte tablets prevent the muscle cramps and fatigue of hyponatremia.
Cooling towel — A wet towel on your neck cools blood flowing to your brain, providing immediate relief from heat stress.
Layering system (wide temp swings) — Desert and mountain environments can swing 40+ degrees between dawn and midday; layers let you adapt without overheating or freezing.

Terrain Gear

Wide-brim hat — A wide brim shades your face, ears, and neck simultaneously, reducing UV exposure and lowering heat stroke risk.
Sunscreen SPF50+ — Reflected UV from water, sand, and snow can burn exposed skin even on overcast days; SPF50+ blocks 98% of UVB rays.
Extra water (desert) — Desert water sources are unreliable and often seasonal; carry all the water you need rather than counting on finding more.

Seasonal Gear

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

Activities & Best Time to Visit Frazier Group Campground (W, 0mi), Gila

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

The terrain here lends itself to backpacking, camping, horseback riding — activities that match the Desert environment.

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.
mountain_biking — Ride off-road trails that wind through forests, deserts, and mountain terrain.
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: Desert — Desert terrain features sparse vegetation, exposed soils, and wide temperature swings between day and night.

Wildlife Safety at Frazier Group Campground (W, 0mi), Gila

Part of visiting responsibly is understanding the wildlife safety considerations for this area.

The wildlife safety profile at Frazier Group Campground includes venomous snakes — here's what to know about each.

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

Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Far from city (56mi)

UV risk: extreme (Southern latitude (34N), Desert (exposed))

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.

Remove constrictive items and remain calm; do not cut, suck, or apply ice to the wound.

Mojave

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

Keep the victim calm and monitor breathing while awaiting medical care.

Sidewinder

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

Do not attempt to capture the snake; focus on reaching emergency care quickly.

Arizona Coral Snake

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

Keep the victim calm and still while awaiting treatment.

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 Frazier Group Campground (W, 0mi), Gila

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

The natural world around Frazier Group Campground reflects its Desert setting — Arizona sycamore overhead, purple owl's-clover and pinkflower hedgehog cactus at your feet, and wildlife throughout.

Trees (1)

Arizona sycamore — It grows along streams in desert and canyon environments.

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 — The plant grows in open disturbed soils.

Shrubs (3)

Brittlebush — Leaves are soft and pale gray, contrasting with long-stemmed golden blooms.
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — The plant rarely exceeds a foot tall but can spread outward in mounded colonies. Its vivid blooms contrast sharply against arid landscapes.
Sonoran scrub oak — Acorns are small and mature in a single season.

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 Frazier Group Campground (W, 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

Frazier Group Campground (W, 0mi), Gila Climate & Sun

Reference data: temperatures, precipitation, and daylight hours by month.

The climate at Frazier Group Campground peaks for outdoor activity during May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, when temperatures average °F.

Climate type: Mediterranean

Best months to visit: Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov. Consider avoiding: Jul.

Winter 50°

1.9"

Spring 68°

0.4"

Summer 90°

1.9"

Fall 72°

0.9"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	50°F	1.9 in
Feb	53°F	1.1 in
Mar	61°F	1.2 in
Apr	68°F	0.4 in
May	76°F	0.4 in
Jun	87°F	0.2 in
Jul	90°F	1.9 in
Aug	89°F	2.1 in
Sep	83°F	1.5 in
Oct	72°F	0.9 in
Nov	60°F	1.0 in
Dec	49°F	2.0 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 – 7:35 PM

Winter: 7:21 AM – 5:17 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:21 AM, Sunset 5:17 PM Golden hour from 4:39 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:13 AM, Sunset 7:35 PM Golden hour from 6:59 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:36 AM, Sunset 6:31 PM Golden hour from 5:58 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:06 AM, Sunset 6:32 PM Golden hour from 5:59 PM

Frazier Group Campground (W, 0mi), Gila Trip Planning & Access

Here's the practical side of visiting Frazier Group Campground.

Whether it's a day trip or weekend getaway from Phoenix, here's what visiting Frazier Group Campground involves.

Nearest city: Phoenix (56 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $14.12 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 45.6 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)

Campground Details

Reservable

Places Near Frazier Group Campground (W, 0mi), Gila

The area around Frazier Group Campground has plenty more to offer.

The proximity of 16 other outdoor spots makes this area ideal for multi-day exploration.

Nearby Trails

Cemetery Trail, Gila 0.43 mi
Thompson Trail, Gila 0.96 mi
Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail, Tonto National Monument 1.75 mi
Cactus Patch Trail, Tonto National Monument 1.75 mi
Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail, Tonto National Monument 1.83 mi

Nearby Campgrounds

Frazier Horse Campground (W, 0mi), Gila 0.08 mi
Frazier Group Campground (E, 0mi), Gila 0.29 mi
Burnt Corral Cg Campground, Gila 0.37 mi

Nearby Attractions

Stargazing & Night Sky at Frazier Group Campground (W, 0mi), Gila

After a day outdoors, the evening sky here is worth a look.

Under the Bortle class 4 skies at Frazier Group Campground, you can expect to see 2 major constellations and constellations and bright planets.

Bortle 4 Rural/suburban transition

Constellations

From Frazier Group Campground, 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 Frazier Group Campground (W, 0mi), Gila

The time of year you visit changes what you'll see and do.

Knowing what each season brings helps you plan the best possible visit to Frazier Group Campground.

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 Frazier Group Campground (W, 0mi), Gila

Before planning your trip, it's worth recognizing the Indigenous peoples connected to this land.

For thousands of years, this land has been cared for by Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache), Hohokam and their ancestors.

Territories

Languages

Indigenous languages connected to this territory include San Carlos.

San Carlos

Data from Native Land Digital

Frazier Group Campground (W, 0mi), Gila Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Frazier Group Campground 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: Early Proterozoic metamorphic rocks
Lithology: Major:{metasedimentary,metavolcanic,gneiss}
Age: Statherian

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 58
Richness: Exceptional
Minerals Found: Asbestos, Tungsten, Iron, Manganese, Zeolites, Copper, Sand and Gravel, Construction

Endangered Species

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

Temperature Records

Record High: 120°F (1995-07-28)
Record Low: 18°F (1908-12-18)

Wildfire History

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

Recorded Fires: 80
Largest Fire: Bush (193,603.9 acres)
Most Recent: 2024
Fire Risk: Extreme

Watershed

Watershed: Pine Creek
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0.201%

Reported Phenomena

Haunted Places: 2 (Shadowlands)
Eeriness Score: 10/100

Frazier Group Campground (W, 0mi), Gila Safety & Conditions

The weather data above tells you what's typical — these links tell you what's happening right now.

Safety starts with current information. These resources cover real-time conditions near Frazier Group Campground.

Nearest weather station: ROOSEVELT 1 S, AZ US (1.67 mi)