Tortilla Campground

Tortilla Campground is a winter campground just outside of the Phoenix metropolitan area. From October through April each year, urban dwellers take advantage of cooler temperatures and enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, rock climbing and scenic driving throughout the surrounding Tonto National Forest. Campers awake to a scenic backdrop of rugged bluffs, saguaro cactus and desert skies, with the Tortilla Flat restaurant and general store directly across from the campground, just a short walk away. The campground is large yet compact, with campsites in close proximity of one another. Every campsite has a view of the surrounding desert, some with views of mountain peaks and cliffs, and each comes with a picnic table and a campfire ring with a cooking grate. The facility accommodates RVs and has sewage hookups. Services at the end of Tortilla Flat include a post office, restaurant, gift shop and public cellular credit card phone (emergency 911). Canyon Lake and Marina is located two miles west and includes public boat launches and picnic/fishing sites, a restaurant, excursion boats and boat rentals. The area is rich with human history, scenery and outdoor recreation. The campground lies along the Canyon Lake Apache Trail Scenic Byway, a former Apache Tribal route turned stagecoach road, and visitors may hear stories of lost cowboys and gold mining. The drive to the campground provides ample scenery and a vista point perfect for photography and wildlife viewing. Canyon Lake, just down the road, provides kayaking, fishing and boating. Many of the developed recreation sites along Canyon Lake are worth a look for shoreline and fishing dock access, but keep in mind that these sites require a day pass not included in the camping fees. The Superstition Wilderness has a well-developed trail system, and the western end of the wilderness receives heavy use during the cooler times of the year; use caution, as trail conditions can be fair or poor and several trails are unsuitable for horses. The Superstition Wilderness Area is starkly beautiful and untamed. A series of dams has created numerous lakes along the Salt River, and blossoming plants bring the desert to life each spring with vibrant wildflowers. This area is a photographer's dream, with plenty of opportunities to capture bighorn sheep, deer and other desert wildlife. It can be harsh for travelers not equipped to meet nature on her own terms: soaring temperatures and little water are typical conditions in the summer, while in winter temperatures are typically pleasant during the day but drop significantly at night. Visitors should come prepared for anything, even the occasional rain or snow. Fish Creek Vista Point, approximately 7 miles east on AZ-88, provides great views of the desert and an accessible interpretive trail great for learning about the history of the area.