Oak Creek begins as a fissure on the Mogollon Rim and drains into a riparian gallery that is…read morevisually and spiritually stimulating, where everything here pours out speech. Thunder cracks and rumbles off the towering canyon walls.The wind has a voice in this mature forest of 150 foot Ponderosa Pines, acorn adorned Oak, Cottonwood, Willow, Sycamore trees. Even in the sounds of the creek, there are words of life. Hiking, firing a bbq or just being still is meditation to my heart and revives the soul.

Nice stop on the way to refresh by the creek . Nice having pic mix tables and restrooms availableread more

FYI: If you're planning to go during the government shutdown, you can't drive all the way to the…read moreparking lot -- it's about an 8-mile hike (a lot of it on gravel). But honestly, it's worth every step! Just when you think you've reached the falls... you haven't. Keep going! The road in is pure washboard -- about 13 miles of bump city -- so make sure you have a 4-wheel drive and that nothing inside your car is loose. Fossil Creek is absolutely stunning, and bonus -- no permit needed after October 1st. The other thing says this trail is easy. No, it's not to be careful if you're taking somebody elderly over that doesn't have good mobility because there's some rocks you had a climb and what not also make sure you take plenty of water to drink and a little snack everything you pack in your pack. I would also suggest leaving the house by three 330. No later you don't wanna be hiking in the pitch dark.

I didn't know anything about this place beforehand. If my boss had never been here and my cousin…read morehad never told me about the Permit, I would've made a wasted trip. I wish I knew more before going. I need to know more information about how things work at Fossil Creek. Even after going, though we enjoyed ourselves, I still don't know how it works. There were no signs telling you where you can access trails to get to the creek. You just had to guess. I found a trail at our Homestead parking lot, but it was very steep and a little dangerous. We found a spot okay in the shade but was very small for our party of 6. We worked so hard getting down there that we just made it work. After leaving we went up the road a little way in our vehicle to see what the other spots looked like, but I saw no bridge or easy access from The Bridge parking lot either, and the road was just way too bumpy. I hope my wife's suspension is okay on her Mazda CX-5. The information before going should've told us about the road and what to expect, basically how to plan. It's all a guessing game. I could've asked the Ranger lady more questions, but I didn't know what to ask. My boss made things sound different. Apparently you can't drive people to the waterfall trailhead anymore. You have to walk over 2 miles on a dusty dirt road in over 100 degrees with vehicles driving by kicking up dust. That makes no sense whatsoever. We enjoyed our time at the water. Everything else leading up to it and after it we could've done without. I don't see us coming back unless we have someone with better suspension and/or better knowledge of the area. Thank you.

We drove up a very bumpy and road to visit Mingus Lake and various spots along the way, as well as…read morefurther hop into the forest. It is a beautiful area and we would like to go back to do some hiking sometime. Toward the top is an area used for take off with hang gliding. No one was doing it while we were there, but that would also be fun to see sometime. There are wonderful views from there as well. If you're a camper, there were some nice looking campgrounds. It is an area worth doing some more exploring.

Mingus Mountain is off highway 89A between Cottonwood and Prescott Valley. This scenic route…read more overlooks Verde Valley. During heavy rain or snow storm this highway is a white knuckle of a ride as snow can pile up heavily. The kiddos love to go sledding here. In fact, there were enough snow to make our snow fort, or what the little ones call igloos. Then, after each frozen shield's erect, snow dodge ball commence...no mercy. Snow in side the jackets, ears, nose and anywhere with a crevice. This is the time when boys turn into men and the girls into women. No crying allowed Fun times!

This stunning lake is just outside of Prescott. The scenery is spectacular, with amazing rock…read moreformations around and in the lake. There are several hiking trails around it. There is some boating/kayaking allowed. Boat ramps, some playground equipment, picnic tables. It costs to get in, but you can buy an annual pass which gets you into other parks in the area. We love coming here when we're in the area.

Beautiful trail with lots of pathways and cool scenery. Also can get a really nice view of the lake…read moreand hear the ducks. Would for sure recommend checking this trail out if you can and just enjoy the scenery.

Pretty cool spot awesome employees pretty streams and right next to slide rock so thank youread more

What a great camping spot, and amazing hosts! My girlfriend…read moreand I came here the week after the November 2020 elections to get away from everything, on a week that could only be described as "unseasonably cold." It's a beautiful little campground just about 15 minutes away from Uptown Sedona and alongside Oak Creek. We started out with two nights at the site furthest to the right upon entrance, and that backs up to a little pool and cliff. We had some fairly rowdy neighbors who were constantly breaking the rules and seem to have been ejected early, which was greatly appreciated, because rules are important, especially when they are mainly instated to enforce common courtesy to everyone else. The site has only 19 spots, with the majority of them hugging the creek. The others are sort of in the middle of the loop-street and lack views, immediate water-access, and privacy, as they're right out in the middle and cars drive around them. Our last two nights we moved to Site 19, which was perfect. The campsite is small enough so that proximity to the camp host/firewood, and the bathrooms is not an issue, and our spot was furthest from the entrance, and therefore was the most private/secluded. Each spot has a pretty flat spot, usually with partial shade for the tent, a firepit, and a heavy duty picnic table. There are trout in the river, and I hooked one up behind our first spot where there is a wonderfully clear and deep pool, as well as a little cliff that's fun to climb up and around. Dennis, one of the camp hosts, pointed out that there were 6-8 visible trout in the small pool behind Site 10 and so we rushed over there, and he watched us attempt unsuccessfully to lure out the fish, and then came over with a chunk of Velveeta cheese, which he said he always had luck with. We would return to this spot for the next few days and eventually hooked up a few trout, which was great. Everything about this site is great, and I'm just the slightest bit hesitant about raving too highly lest it becomes more difficult to reserve in the future. Great location, great hosts, an extremely clean vault bathroom that smells of Febreeze, a creek full of fish, firewood for sale, and camp hosts that keep the place in amazing condition. 5/5. Would recommend. Would like to return soon.

If you want a campground with actual character, this is it. Being nestled right inside the granite…read moreboulders gives this place a totally unique feel. It was peaceful, clean, and nice and quiet. ​They have an awesome "adventure trail" on-site that was so much fun, it became our mandatory evening routine. ​If you're planning a trip, here is a pro tip: look for a site in the back half of the campground. It's much quieter and offers a way better experience overall. Five stars all the way!

Stayed at this campsite for 9 nights. Took our grand daughter and our dog. Had a wonderful time…read more Staff very friendly and helpful. Place is kept clean, camp site had trees for privacy. Great website to check out all the spaces with sizes on what each will accommodate. We booked a second stay before departing.

We spent a day here and this place is one of the best kept campgrounds I've seen. The managers keep…read moreit clean, supplies are stocked well, and friendly people. It's quiet and rules are enforced, which makes it a safe and comfortable place to stay. The campsites are fairly large and spread out and paths can be found to a nearby lake. There are stone picnic tables and fire pits. Roads are paved and great for kids to play in large forest trees and pine needle grounds. Will look forward to staying as much as possible. Toilets and showers available too!

We had such an amazing time. The staff was amazing Leah, Paul and Dennis. They were so helpful and…read morefriendly I was so impressed. Our site was spotless when we arrived, the facilities were always clean. I love how accommodating this place was. It was nice to be able to buy firewood and ice if needed they would deliver to your site. We were traveling with a baby and pets so it was great to have the piece of mind that we were in a safe place! Thank you to the whole staff at pine grove we can't wait to return!

So while this is an easy hike it can be tricky to find. The roads have been closed for awhile due…read moreto wildfires, it was opened back up at the beginning of November. High clearance vehicle highly recommended - you go 14 miles on a dirt road ( not too bad ) then you make another 6 mile dirt road sketchy for sure ! The last bit of the road you will only be able to go in an off road vehicle. Honestly when you get to the plant there is a dirt road on your right with a closed road gate- this is going to be the easiest route - WARNING - if you want to adventure and find it yourself this is a spoiler alert Walk the road with the gate - stay on the dirt road there is a sign that says hot springs and has an arrow to the left - disregard and keep walking ... pay attention at about a mile for a foot path off to the left there is a rock with a patch of green paint on it ( it isn't super noticeable ) take that path straight toward the river. Once you reach the river you should be able to see a large rock with a big hole in it to your left and if you look carefully to the left you should see a palm tree from the old resort. Cross the river and head downstream for about quarter mile. If you happen to take the dirt road all the way until it dead ends into the river you can still cross here - about thigh deep - the part to crossing here is you have to cross the river twice and go through a grassy watery island then head downstream ... ( you'll see exactly where you should have crossed on your way to the springs. ) haha ... if you decide to take the path near the river - it isn't marked you just have to kinda follow others foot steps - you do have to scale some small rock formations if you find your self stuck in bamboo and find the road to your right you actually where you need to be . I suggest taking a picture of the trail since service is spotty . Definitely a place worth finding - but it is a little tricky - now that we adventures to find it it is easy but finding it the first time not so much - definitely give yourself a day to get there / enjoy and get back - the river was really cold and swift - grab a sturdy stick for balance .. bring water shoes !!! I did it barefoot and it is defining slick ...we got lucky to have only 2 people there when we showed up that left shortly after we got there but I have heard it can be really busy ( and naked )

20+miles on dangerous wash boarded dirt rd. 4x4 vehicle is a plus, don't forget a spare tire. Pull…read moreover and let faster vechiles pass!! Camp ground is in Childs/Irving power plant. Clothing is optional, so if you bring children don't expect everyone will cover themselves. 18+ recommended. Hot springs are approx 1 mile upstream from campground. There are 2 different pools , one has a block wall around it. Expect to help clean the pools if there when it's time. I've had great experiences there and very negative experiences there. Honestly though 3 out of 4 times is mainly a bunch of swinging old richards that make it creepy. Respect the nature and pick up your trash either way. It's beautiful there as well.