Fishing 2,148 ft Bortle 4 Solitude: 75/100 (remote)

Located on central Arizona's largest lake, Windy Hill offers great water recreation opportunities to the public. Because of its close proximity to the Lake, Windy Hill allows fishing, non-motorized and motorized boating, along with hiking trails. There are plenty of developed campsites available at Windy Hill, which allows for an easy, quick escape during any time of the year for families and individuals. Recreation Fishing is popular activity where anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish species, such as Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass; Crappie; Sunfish; Channel and Flathead Catfish. This campground is also situated right on the shore of Roosevelt Lake which is open to boating, kayaking, and other water-related activites. A fully accessible boat ramp and fishing dock are available for easy lake access, and maps and other important site details can be found at the kiosks at the entrance to the campground. Facilities 147 camp units with shade ramadas, fire rings with grills, picnic tables, and potable water hydrants. Toilets and showers are located throughout the camp loops. There are playgrounds and an amphitheater. Picnicking allowed only at the Blevins Picnic Site. Maximum occupancy per individual camp unit is 10. Maximum occupancy per double camp unit is 20. Maximum number of vehicles per individual camp unit is three. Maximum number of vehicles per double camp unit is six. All vehicles must completely fit within the designated parking area. Check-in time is 12:00 pm, and check-out time is 10:00 am Nearby Attractions Two National Scenic Byways (AZ Hwy 88 Apache Trail and AZ Hwy 288 Spines to Pines Highway). Roosevelt Dam, Tonto National Monument, the Arizona Trail, endless miles of jeep trails, Towns of Payson and Globe, Superstition, Sierra Ancha, and Four Peaks Wilderness'. Don't forget to stop by the Tonto Basin Environmental Center learn about the history of the area.

Near Roosevelt, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Windy Hill Campground #2 (N, 0mi), Gila

Pack with the terrain and wildlife in mind, and you'll be ready for anything here.

A well-prepared pack for Windy Hill Campground covers 3 categories: essential, wildlife gear, climate gear.

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.

Climate Gear

Extra water (1L/hr) — Pre-hydrating the morning before a hot hike and carrying electrolytes along with water maximizes absorption.
Electrolytes — A few electrolyte packets weigh nothing and can prevent the nausea, confusion, and weakness that sideline hikers in hot conditions.
Cooling towel — In dry heat, soaking a towel uses minimal water but provides significant thermoregulation during exposed trail sections.
Layering system (wide temp swings) — Removing a layer before you sweat keeps your clothing dry, which is critical for warmth when temperatures drop again.

Seasonal Gear

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

Activities & Best Time to Visit Windy Hill Campground #2 (N, 0mi), Gila

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

The mix of Forest terrain and Mediterranean conditions here supports everything from backpacking, boating, camping.

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

Activities

backpacking — Lightweight equipment and route awareness are key for safe travel.
boating — Always wear life jackets and follow local water safety rules.
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.
kayaking — Wear a personal flotation device and check water conditions before launching.
off_roading — Stay on designated routes to protect fragile terrain.
photography — Outdoor photography invites you to slow down and frame the beauty around you.
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.
sightseeing — It's an accessible way to appreciate the character of a place.
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: Forest — Expect cooler temperatures and higher humidity under tree cover. Wildlife habitat is abundant, especially in mixed hardwood or conifer stands.

Wildlife Safety at Windy Hill Campground #2 (N, 0mi), Gila

Before heading out, it helps to know which wildlife to be cautious around.

The danger score of 25/10 at Windy Hill Campground accounts for Mountain lions, Venomous snakes, Far from city (59mi) in the area.

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

Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Far from city (59mi)

UV risk: moderate (Southern latitude (34N), Forest canopy (shade))

Photo score: 55/100

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

Venomous Snakes

4 venomous snake species are found in this area: Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder, Arizona Coral Snake.

Western Diamondback

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

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

Mojave

Distinct facial stripe behind the eye and a prominent rattle.

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

Sidewinder

Usually under 2 feet long with a relatively short rattle.

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

Arizona Coral Snake

Head is blunt with a black snout.

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 Windy Hill Campground #2 (N, 0mi), Gila

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

The ecosystem around Windy Hill Campground is defined by its Forest landscape, supporting everything from Arizona sycamore to Red-winged Blackbird and House Sparrow.

Trees (1)

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

Wildflowers (4)

purple owl's-clover — Showy clusters blending bracts and small flowers.
pinkflower hedgehog cactus — Low-growing cactus forming rounded clusters.
California poppy — Four-petaled blooms that close at night or in cool weather.
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 — Bucks grow antlers annually, shedding them each winter.

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 (7)

Ornate Tree Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long.
Plateau Fence Lizard — Usually 5–7 inches long including tail.
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake — Adults commonly 3–5 feet long.
Common Side-blotched Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long including the tail.
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Typically under 5 inches long.

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 Windy Hill Campground #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

Windy Hill Campground #2 (N, 0mi), Gila Climate & Sun

The numbers behind the best (and worst) times to visit Windy Hill Campground.

Month-by-month temperatures at Windy Hill Campground range from °F to °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 6:58 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

Windy Hill Campground #2 (N, 0mi), Gila Trip Planning & Access

Time to plan the details — access, cost, and travel information for your visit.

Access to Windy Hill Campground is primarily via Phoenix, 59 miles away.

Nearest city: Phoenix (59 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $14.69 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 47.5 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)

Places Near Windy Hill Campground #2 (N, 0mi), Gila

Looking for more? Here's what else is close by.

The region around Windy Hill Campground is rich with options — 15 nearby destinations are worth exploring.

Nearby Trails

Cactus Patch Trail, Tonto National Monument 2.08 mi
Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail, Tonto National Monument 2.08 mi
Upper Cliff Dwelling Trail, Tonto National Monument 2.13 mi
Cemetery Trail, Gila 2.76 mi
Thompson Trail, Gila 3.26 mi

Nearby Campgrounds

Windy Hill Cg Campground, Gila 0.21 mi
Frazier Group Campground (E, 0mi), Gila 2.05 mi

Nearby Attractions

Stargazing & Night Sky at Windy Hill Campground #2 (N, 0mi), Gila

Clear nights in this area reveal more stars than most people expect.

Light pollution at Windy Hill Campground is Rural/suburban transition (Bortle 4), which means bright constellations and planets are visible.

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 Windy Hill Campground #2 (N, 0mi), Gila

What you'll encounter here shifts with the calendar — here's a seasonal overview.

Seasonal changes at Windy Hill Campground bring — each offering a distinct experience.

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 Windy Hill Campground #2 (N, 0mi), Gila

The history of this land reaches back long before it became a recreation destination.

We acknowledge that Windy Hill Campground is located on the traditional lands of Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache), Hohokam.

Territories

Languages

The languages traditionally spoken in this area include San Carlos.

San Carlos

Data from Native Land Digital

Windy Hill Campground #2 (N, 0mi), Gila Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Windy Hill 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

Windy Hill Campground #2 (N, 0mi), Gila Safety & Conditions

Plans set? Check the latest conditions before you head out.

Up-to-date weather, fire, and flood information for the area around Windy Hill Campground.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: ROOSEVELT 1 S, AZ US (1.71 mi)