USDA Forest Service · Arizona
Caldwell Cabin
USDA Forest Service · Arizona, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 no hookups
- Season
- May 15 to October 15
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 7,589 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- CALDWELL CABIN (NFSR 25H1) · native material · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
- Nearest town
- ALPINE
- Address
- ALPINE RANGER DISTRICT, ALPINE, AZ, 85920
- Phone
- 928-339-5000
- Activities
- Biking, Birding, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Hunting, Mountain Biking, Off Road Vehicle Trails, Other Recreation Concession Site, Photography, Picnicking
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Caldwell Cabin allows up to six visitors to step back in time to a more rustic and historical era in eastern Arizona. Originally constructed in the 1920s, it was a one-room homestead, but the cabin was expanded around 1940, to include a bathroom, small bedroom and living room with a fireplace. Visitors can relax on the front porch and take in the scenic views, or head out for a day of nearby hiking, mountain biking or fishing.
The cabin can be accessed by driving approximately 30 miles southwest of the town of Alpine. Some of the roads are gravel. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Recreation
A short drive takes visitors to the Black River Mainstream Trail, which is great for hiking. The Black River is a popular fishing area for trout anglers. From the cabin, guests can watch the sunset from the front porch, dine by the fireplace or walk across the meadow to an overlook of the river.
Facilities
The cabin has many amenities to help visitors feel at home. The kitchen is equipped with a table and chairs, propane stove, propane refrigerator, solar-powered lights, a sink and fold-down bed from the oiginal homestead. Kitchen supplies include pots, pans, utensils, dishes, a perculating coffee pot and can opener.
There are two picnic tables and a campfire ring in front of the cabin and two Adirondack chairs on the porch. Lawn chairs are not provided, but are a nice addition if guests would like to bring their own.
Visitors must supply their own bedding (including pillows), towels, flashlight, garbage bags, dish washing supplies, toilet paper, food, axe for splitting firewood, and matches and newspaper for starting a fire in the fireplace. Extra warm clothes and rain clothing are suggested.
Users must pack out all food and trash and clean the cabin thoroughly, including dishes, floors and counters, prior to checking out of the cabin. Lights and appliances must also be turned off and the door locked.
Visitors can explore endless vistas and take part in many outdoor activities in the surrounding Apache National Forest, which encompasses millions of acres of magnificent mountain country in east-central Arizona.
Amentities
Within the cabin: beds, broom & dust pan, bunkbeds, campfire ring, cooking pots, cooking utensils, drinking water, fireplace, flush toilet, electricity, mattresses, picnic tables, propane cook stove, propane refrigerator, tables and chairs.
Things You'll Need: food, toilet paper and paper towels, bedding and towels, map and compass, spare clothing (rain clothing suggested), sunscreen, trash bags, sunglasses, dish soap and towels, flashlight.
Natural Features
The cabin sits at an elevation of 8,000 feet, in the White Mountains of Arizona. It is nestled among tall ponderosa pine trees and overlooks a large grassy meadow. Because of the high elevation, summer temperatures are pleasant and cool, providing a nice respite from the heat of lower deserts.
Nearby Attractions
Activities within 10 miles of the cabin: fFishing, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, wildlife viewing, mountain biking, off-road vehicle riding, river access and birding.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43° | 24° | -1° | 58° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 45° | 26° | -1° | 58° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 51° | 29° | 2° | 78° | 9 of 11 |
| April | 62° | 37° | 23° | 74° | 9 of 11 |
| May | 69° | 43° | 31° | 83° | 2 of 11 |
| June | 83° | 53° | 42° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 83° | 58° | 50° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 78° | 55° | 50° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 74° | 52° | 44° | 83° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 66° | 42° | 31° | 81° | 1 of 10 |
| November | 59° | 33° | 23° | 68° | 7 of 10 |
| December | 49° | 29° | -2° | 64° | 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
- Horse Springs Group Cg · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi
- Buffalo Crossing Campground · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi
- Horse Springs Cg · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi
- Raccoon Campground · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi
- Deer Creek Campground · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi
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.