Camping Regulations

Camping regulations for the White Mountain Apache Tribe

Camping Permits Available

One Camping Per Vehicle Permit covers up to a maximum of 8 people or 1 vehicle, in a campsite. RV’s towing an unoccupied vehicle is also covered under this permit. Individuals who bike, hike, get bused in, or come as a single person (without vehicle) must purchase a Camping Daily Per Vehicle Permit. Reservation camping permits are NON-TRANSFERABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE. Primitive camping requires the same permit as camping in designed areas. We also offer a monthly (30-day) camping permit for the outdoor lovers. All designated campsites are first-come first-serve basis. Campers are limited to 1 table per daily permit or 2 tables per monthly permit.
Camping: Daily Per Vehicle: $9.00
Camping: 30-Day (Monthly) $175.00

Please leave campsites clean when vacated and place all garbage and waste in proper containers.
We ask all Campers to please stay within the designated campsites as posted (except for primitive areas) and not to encroach beyond these sites (75 feet away from waters edge).
Keep camp fires at a reasonable and controllable size and remember to keep all camp fires within your designated campsites. Please abide by all WMAT fire restrictions!
Let’s keep nature alive and abide by the law, do not cut green trees or break branches from live green trees.
Firewood is for campground use only. Transportation of any wood, plants off the Reservation is NOT ALLOWED.
For the safety of your pets and others, please control and have your pets on leash. Leashes may not exceed 10 ft.
Please respect the comfort of other campers. Keep music and other loud activities at a reasonable volume during reasonable time periods.
Possessing any Firearms, BB/Pellet or paintball, sling shots or bow/arrows and their use is strictly prohibited.
To posses or use Fireworks of any kind is illegal.
Let’s be environmentally safe, dumping grey water and sewage is only allowed in designated and approved septic holding facilities. Any dumping of grey/black water in any other area, including public toilet facilities is strictly prohibited.
Damaging or placing permanent items (nails in trees) or structures in campsites are NOT ALLOWED.
Campers must possess camping permit while collecting firewood.

General camping on the Reservation is on a first-come first-serve basis, so reservation are not required. Most campgrounds typically have vacancies, except during the peak July 4th and Memorial Day weekends. Horseshoe, Reservation, A-1, Sunrise, Pacheta, and Drift Fence Lakes are rarely full even on holiday weekends. All campsites are served during the season (Memorial Day through Labor Day). Campers our invited to continue use during off-season., but are required to pack out all trash and waste.
Camping is restricted to established camping sites only in DESIGNATED CAMPING AREA. It is illegal to encroach beyond designated campsites. All campsites have a picnic table, fire ring, toilet facilities, and trash service.

Primitive Camping Area is defined as those remote and secluded areas on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. In Primitive Camping Areas are not serviced, which means there are no toilet or garbage facilities. All campers are required to pack in/pack out all camping and fishing refuse and debris (including trash and human waste). Area included:
BLACK AND SALT RIVER - The entire stretch from the eastern boundary of the Reservation to the western boundary. Special Use Permit Required for this area.
BONITO PRAIRIE STOCK TANKS
BIG BONITO CREEK - 1/4 mile downstream of route Y55 to the Black River confluence. Special Use Permit Required.
Camping areas and campsites are not designated. Again, all visitors must pack out all refuse, including trash and human waste. Make sure and call for more information to see if the area you are planning to visit requires our regular camping permit or special use permit.