PORTAL, AZ

Cave Creek Rec Area (NF). 14-day limit. Open all yr. 1/2 mi W of town on Portal Rd, TL on FR-42/Cave Creek Rd (mostly paved). Hiking, bird-watching. Go ~2 mi, L side, Idlewilde CG. Tables, metal fire pits, vault toilets, dumpsters. $10, S/A Pass 1/2. Narrow dirt rds, watch overhead clearance. Trees, shady. Sm/med rigs.
At 2.5 mi, Stewart CG, same description as Idlewilde.
3.0, R side, Sunny Flat CG. Tables, metal fire pits. W, vault toilets, dumpsters. $10, S/A Pass 1/2. Paved rd. ~28′ max in CG, 41′ total on rd. Sparse trees, spread out. Fills early during bird-watching season. Bridge across creek. Mark/Arlene Penderson #9935 Feb 92. Last updated by Debby Beatty #135578 Apr 19.
~5.0 (FR-42 becomes good gravel), TL on FR-42A shortly after outdoor swimming pool on L. Not an O/N location.
~6.0 (~1 mi from 42/42A corner), John Hands CG. Free. Well-graded circular pkg lot, room for 3-4 med rigs & a few day-use cars. Sign says no trailer turnaround but sm/med ones should be OK.
~8 mi (end of rd), Herb Martyr CG. Free. Lg upper pkg lot, sm lower lot. Lots of day users, & room for 2-3 med rigs. Great hiking from this spot.
Continue straight on FR-42 instead of turn onto 42A, general dispersed camping. Free. Visitor ctr has detailed list of good sites along riv. FR-42 continues over mtn to Chiricahua NM (see other listings), but very tight turns on narrow rd.
Unattributed sublistings above by Debby Beatty #135578 Apr 19.

Also see NM, RODEO.