USDA Forest Service · Arizona
Playground Group
USDA Forest Service · Arizona, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 no hookups
- Season
- May 1 to October 31
- Max RV length
- 40 ft
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- No
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 7,566 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- Verizon weak · T-Mobile good · AT&T good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- PLAYGROUNDS (NFSR 000104D) · native material · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Prescott National Forest
- Nearest town
- CAMP VERDE
- Address
- PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST, CAMP VERDE, AZ, 86322
- Phone
- 928-567-4121 DURING OFFICE HOURS 0800-0430 M-F
- Activities
- Camping, Picnic Tables
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Close to historic western towns and centrally located in Arizona, Playground Group Campground is a great place for groups of up to 75 people to enjoy a secluded mountain getaway.
The 7,500 ft. elevation of the site, puts it near the summit of Mingus Mountain in Prescott National Forest. Spectacular views of the surrounding desert valleys as well as the nearby towns of Sedona, Jerome and Prescott Valley await campers on the winding drive to and from the site.
Recreation
The surrounding forest offers many hiking trails of various levels of intensity, from easy short-distance walks to more challenging elevated climbs.
Campers who need a break from hiking can relax around the campground, take in the views and listen to the sound of the wind in the pines.
Facilities
The site has a large group gathering place with picnic tables, grills, a large fire pit and vault toilet and is adjacent to a family picnic area. There is no drinking water available.
The nearby towns of Prescott Valley and Cottonwood have grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, shopping and other conveniences.
Natural Features
The campground is in a secluded site in the tall ponderosa pine trees. Pleasant daytime temperatures and cool mountain breezes make it a nice respite from the summer heat of nearby deserts.
Nearby Attractions
A short drive away is the colorful town of Jerome, an abandoned mining town that has been transformed into an artist and tourist community.
Tuzigoot National Monument, an ancient ruin of the Sinaguan culture, and Dead Horse Ranch State Park, which has mountain biking, canoeing and fishing along the Verde River, are also close by.
Tuzigoot National Monument
Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45° | 21° | 8° | 59° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 45° | 23° | -1° | 63° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 51° | 27° | 14° | 77° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 60° | 34° | 22° | 74° | 9 of 11 |
| May | 69° | 43° | 30° | 81° | 2 of 11 |
| June | 82° | 53° | 40° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 86° | 60° | 51° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 79° | 56° | 48° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 76° | 52° | 40° | 83° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 65° | 38° | 27° | 78° | 4 of 10 |
| November | 58° | 31° | 17° | 68° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 48° | 23° | 14° | 61° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Mingus Mountain Campground and Group Site · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 32 sites
- Potato Patch Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 41 sites
- Dead Horse Ranch State Park · Arizona State Parks · 8 mi · 123 sites
- Powell Springs Campground · USDA Forest Service · 9 mi
- Watson Lake Park Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 18 mi · 34 sites
All public campgrounds in Arizona · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.