Horseshoe Cienega Lake Campground
Horseshoe Cienega Lake Campground
Region: McNary, Pinetop-Lakeside
Best for: Tent camping, small RVs or trailers, fishing and a more primitive lakeside experience
Permits and reservations: Tribal camping permit required; designated sites are generally first-come, first-served
Horseshoe Cienega Lake Campground is a quiet forest campground on the White Mountain Apache Tribe Reservation, offering peaceful camping beneath towering pines just steps from scenic Horseshoe Cienega Lake. It's an excellent destination for anglers, birdwatchers, and campers seeking a more relaxed experience away from the larger recreation areas.
🏕 Number of Campsites: 70
📏 Max RV Length: 36 ft.
🐕 Pets: No
💧 Drinking Water: Yes
🚻 Flush Toilets: No
⛰ Elevation: 8225 ft.
🧺 Picnic Tables: Yes
🚿 Showers: No
🔥 Fire Ring: Yes
🌊 Lake Access: Yes
🚻 Vault Toilets: Yes
🏪 General Store: Yes
🚤 Boat Rentals: Yes
🎣 Lake Fishing: Yes
🏞️ Stream Fishing: No
Latitude: 34.0284
Longitude: -109.6829
📅 Reservations: No - (If "No" then first come - first served)
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Horseshoe Cienega Lake Campground is a seasonal campground located east of McNary on the White Mountain Apache Tribe Reservation. Campsites are shaded by mature ponderosa pines and are within easy walking distance of the lake. The campground typically offers picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, drinking water, and a dump station, but no electrical hookups. Camping is generally available on a first-come, first-served basis during the operating season.
Horseshoe Cienega Lake is well known for trout fishing. A White Mountain Apache Tribe fishing permit is required, and campers should also obtain any required camping permits before arrival. The area is popular for wildlife viewing, with frequent sightings of elk, mule deer, wild turkey, and numerous bird species. The nearby river below the campground can be reached by a short hike for additional fishing opportunities.
The campground's location makes it a convenient base for exploring nearby Hawley Lake, Reservation Lake, McNary, and the surrounding White Mountain Apache lands.
From Show Low, drive east on Arizona Highway 260 approximately 40 miles to McNary. Continue east on Highway 260 for a few miles beyond McNary.
Pass the signed turnoff for Forest Road 473 leading south to Hawley Lake. Continue east on Highway 260 for approximately one more mile. Watch carefully for the entrance to Horseshoe Cienega Lake Campground on the left (north) side of the highway. The entrance is marked by an older, weathered campground sign that can be easy to miss, so reducing speed after passing the Hawley Lake turnoff is recommended. The campground entrance provides direct access to Horseshoe Cienega Lake.