Photo: cogdogblog / CC BY 2.0

Campgrounds 2,270 ft Bortle 4 Solitude: 70/100 (secluded)

Groups are drawn to Grapevine Campground's unique setting and expansive facilities. The site's location near Roosevelt Lake's shoreline and nestled in the Saguaro cactus-studded Sonoran Desert and facilities such as a boat ramp and event area provide a perfect setting for fishing tournaments, family reunions, and even weddings year-round. Recreation In addition to camping, Grapevine provides opportunities for boating, fishing, jet skiing, water skiing, and exploring peaceful coves from non-motorized watercraft. Additional activities include a playground for children, sports field, and a shoreline trail for hikers and mountain bikers. Facilities Nine group sites accommodate a wide range of facilities. Each group site includes flush toilets, water hydrants, and shelters with group-sized picnic tables, grills, and fire rings. The group sites also include individual camp units each with a fire ring/grill, picnic table, and parking. Additional facilities include showers, boat ramp with platform to assist individuals getting in boats, and an event area. Group Sites: COOT group site has 14 separate camping units. GOOSE group site has 15 separate camping units. GREBE group site has 17 separate camping units. MALLARD group site has 18 separate camping units. TEAL group site has 15 separate camping units. PINTAIL group site has 18 separate camping units. EGRET group site has 14 separate camping units. HERON group site has 15 separate camping units. CORMORANT group site has 12 separate camping units. Natural Features At an elevation of 2,200 feet, each group site has stunning views of the blue water, the Sierra Ancha mountains, 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 Visitor Center.

Near Roosevelt, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Grapevine Group Campground (N, 0mi), Gila

A well-packed bag handles most of what this area can throw at you.

Between the Desert terrain and venomous snakes, your pack for Grapevine Group Campground needs a few specific items.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Water sources marked on maps may be seasonal or dry; carrying enough to complete your route prevents a dangerous shortfall.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Getting lost is the leading cause of backcountry search-and-rescue calls; reliable navigation prevents the situation entirely.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Prolonged sun exposure causes headaches, fatigue, and heat exhaustion that can cut a trip short or create a medical emergency.
First aid kit — Remote locations mean longer response times for help; a first aid kit bridges the gap between injury and professional care.
Extra food — High-energy snacks weigh little but provide crucial fuel if you need to bushwhack out or wait for conditions to improve.
Headlamp with extra batteries — Hands-free light is essential for navigating uneven terrain, setting up camp, or signaling for help at night.
Fire starter — Waterproof matches or a ferro rod weigh almost nothing and can be the difference between a cold night and a survivable one.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — Wind and rain strip heat faster than most people realize; a compact emergency shelter blocks both.
Knife or multi-tool — A multi-tool handles problems you can't predict: jammed zippers, tangled line, first-aid tape cutting, or gear fixes on the trail.
Extra clothing layer — A lightweight fleece or puffy stuffs small but provides critical insulation if temperatures drop unexpectedly.

Wildlife Gear

Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — A companion can help with first aid, signaling, and decision-making if a wildlife encounter turns serious.
Noise maker — Group noise is especially important in dense brush or near berry patches where bears may be feeding and less alert.
Gaiters — Thick gaiters deflect fangs before they reach skin, buying critical time in areas with rattlesnakes or copperheads.
First-aid snakebite kit — Knowing how to immobilize a limb, mark swelling progression, and avoid harmful folk remedies can improve outcomes.

Terrain Gear

Wide-brim hat — At high elevation where UV is 10-12% stronger per 1,000 feet of gain, a hat provides constant passive protection.
Sunscreen SPF50+ — Sunburn isn't just discomfort — severe burns cause fluid loss, fatigue, and impaired thermoregulation that compound in remote settings.
Extra water (desert) — In arid heat, your body loses 1-2 liters per hour during exertion; running out of water in the desert is life-threatening.

Seasonal Gear

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

Activities & Best Time to Visit Grapevine Group Campground (N, 0mi), Gila

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

Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr is the prime window for visiting Grapevine Group Campground, when conditions favor backpacking and the weather cooperates.

With a photography score of 55/100, Grapevine Group Campground offers Good dark sky (Bortle 4) and 3 excellent meteor showers worth capturing.

Activities

backpacking — Backpacking combines endurance, planning, and remote wilderness camping.
boating — Boating provides a different perspective on shorelines and wildlife.
camping — Camping offers campfires, starry nights, and mornings filled with birdsong.
cross_country_skiing — Cross-country skiing blends endurance with quiet winter exploration.
ice_fishing — Ice fishing requires proper gear and careful attention to ice safety.
ice_skating — Ice skating combines recreation with crisp seasonal air.
mountain_biking — Mountain biking combines speed, balance, and changing landscapes.
photography — Golden hour and dramatic weather can transform ordinary scenes into striking images.
picnicking — Picnicking turns a scenic overlook or shady grove into a memorable gathering spot.
rv_camping — RV camping blends outdoor living with modern amenities.
sightseeing — Sightseeing highlights iconic vistas, waterfalls, and unique rock formations.
skiing — Skiing offers speed, skill, and sweeping winter mountain views.
stargazing — Bring a blanket and let your eyes adjust to witness the Milky Way overhead.
walking — Walking lets you slow down and notice details — wildflowers, birdsong, shifting light through trees.
wildlife_viewing — Early mornings and dusk offer the best chances to quietly spot native wildlife.

Best months: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr

Terrain: Desert — Cacti, shrubs, and drought-tolerant plants dominate arid landscapes.

Wildlife Safety at Grapevine Group Campground (N, 0mi), Gila

A few species in this area warrant awareness — here's what to keep in mind.

Grapevine Group Campground carries a danger score of 25/10, driven primarily by venomous snakes.

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

Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Far from city (61mi)

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

Watch your step — Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder, Arizona Coral Snake are present in the Desert habitat around Grapevine Group Campground.

Western Diamondback

Typically gray to brown with sharply defined dark diamonds bordered in pale scales.

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

Mojave

Color ranges from greenish-gray to brown, often blending with desert soils.

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

Sidewinder

Light tan or sandy coloration with darker blotches along the back.

Seek immediate medical attention and immobilize the affected limb.

Arizona Coral Snake

Red bands touch yellow bands, a key identifying feature.

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 Grapevine Group Campground (N, 0mi), Gila

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

Biodiversity at Grapevine Group Campground is shaped by the Desert terrain and Semi-Arid climate, producing distinct plant and animal communities.

Trees (1)

Arizona sycamore — Trunks may become massive near the base.

Wildflowers (4)

purple owl's-clover — Upright stems with finely divided leaves.
pinkflower hedgehog cactus — Bright pink funnel-shaped flowers at stem tips.
California poppy — Finely divided blue-green foliage forming low mounds.
Coulter's lupine — It blooms in spring.

Shrubs (3)

Brittlebush — A rounded desert shrub with silvery fuzzy leaves and bright yellow daisy-like flowers.
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — Adapted to desert heat, this cactus stores water in thick stems and tolerates prolonged drought.
Sonoran scrub oak — The plant forms thickets in arid landscapes.

Other Plants (5)

saguaro
Buckhorn Cholla
jojoba
Panamint liveforever
ocotillo

Mammals (1)

White-tailed Deer — Slender build with long legs and large dark eyes.

Birds (30)

Red-winged Blackbird — Streaked brown female
House Sparrow — Plain brown female with buff eyebrow
European Starling — Spotted winter plumage with pale speckles
Eurasian Collared-Dove — Black half-collar on nape
Dark-eyed Junco — Oregon form with dark hood and brown back

Reptiles (7)

Ornate Tree Lizard — Males may show bluish patches on the belly.
Plateau Fence Lizard — Males show blue belly patches.
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake — Black-and-white banded tail ending in a rattle.
Common Side-blotched Lizard — Distinct dark blotch behind the front legs on each side.
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Color matches surrounding soil in browns and grays.

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 Grapevine Group Campground (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

Grapevine Group Campground (N, 0mi), Gila Climate & Sun

Use this climate breakdown to plan around the weather.

Temperature and precipitation data for Grapevine Group Campground help narrow down the ideal visit window.

Climate type: Semi-Arid

Annual avg temp: 68.6°F

Annual precipitation: 15.2 in

With an average annual temperature of 68.6°F and 15.2 inches of precipitation, Grapevine Group Campground has warm, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 89°F, while winter lows drop to 50°F.

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

Winter 50°

2.2"

Spring 66°

0.5"

Summer 89°

1.5"

Fall 71°

0.8"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	50°F	2.2 in
Feb	53°F	1.8 in
Mar	59°F	2.0 in
Apr	66°F	0.5 in
May	75°F	0.4 in
Jun	84°F	0.1 in
Jul	89°F	1.5 in
Aug	88°F	1.8 in
Sep	82°F	1.3 in
Oct	71°F	0.8 in
Nov	59°F	1.0 in
Dec	49°F	1.8 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 6:58 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

Grapevine Group Campground (N, 0mi), Gila Trip Planning & Access

With the lay of the land covered, here are the trip planning details.

At 61 miles from Phoenix, Grapevine Group Campground is a short road trip for most visitors.

Nearest city: Phoenix (61 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $15.17 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 49 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

Visitor friendliness: families (excellent), dogs (likely_allowed), elderly (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 Grapevine Group Campground (N, 0mi), Gila

Nearby trails, campgrounds, and attractions expand what you can do on this trip.

Don't limit your trip to just Grapevine Group Campground — the surrounding area has 15 more places to discover.

Stargazing & Night Sky at Grapevine Group Campground (N, 0mi), Gila

Don't pack up when the sun goes down — the night sky here has plenty to offer.

Night falls differently here — the Bortle 4 rating means Rural/suburban transition visibility for stars, planets, and meteor showers.

Bortle 4 Rural/suburban transition

Constellations

Look for Ursa Minor, Cepheus — all visible from this location depending on the season.

Ursa Minor — This compact constellation contains Polaris at the end of its handle, a reliable guide to true north.
Cepheus — Named for a mythological king, this constellation sits beside Cassiopeia and is circumpolar in northern latitudes.

Meteor Showers

For meteor viewing, the Geminids (December 13-14) offers the best show at this location.

Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)
Cold December air often means clear skies—look overhead after midnight for bright, slow-moving meteors.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)
Bundle up—January nights are frigid, but dark skies can produce bright fireballs.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)
Peak activity typically builds after midnight when Perseus climbs higher.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Southern U.S. observers often get better rates due to the radiant's position.
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)
This steady shower rewards patient observers in dark, moonless conditions.

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 Grapevine Group Campground (N, 0mi), Gila

Different seasons reveal different sides of Grapevine Group Campground.

Nature at Grapevine Group Campground follows a seasonal calendar — here's when to come for what you want to see.

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 Grapevine Group Campground (N, 0mi), Gila

This landscape holds cultural significance that extends far beyond recreation.

The cultural landscape of Grapevine Group Campground reflects the long presence of Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache), Hohokam on this land.

Territories

Languages

1 Indigenous languages are associated with the peoples of this area: San Carlos.

San Carlos

Data from Native Land Digital

Grapevine Group Campground (N, 0mi), Gila Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Grapevine 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

Grapevine Group Campground (N, 0mi), Gila Safety & Conditions

For up-to-the-minute safety information, use these official resources.

Don't rely on forecasts alone — check these live sources for the latest conditions near Grapevine Group Campground.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: ROOSEVELT 1 S, AZ US (3.6 mi)