Timber Camp Recreation Area

Timber Camp Recreation Area, in Arizona, is a popular campground in Tonto National Forest, located within the Timber Camp Mountains. Sitting at an elevation of 6,000 feet (1,800 m) and surrounded by a ponderosa pine and juniper woodland, this campground offers a cool get away from the hot summer months. Just 5 miles (8 km) east of the site, the area eventually meets the ledges and beautiful vistas of the Salt River Canyon and the Salt River Canyon Wilderness. The area is accessible for day use, with overnight facilities available for a fee. A stargazer who has visited the campground shared the following with EarthSky: “Just 70 miles (112 km) northeast of Mesa AZ, it offers a great view of the Milky Way and stars galore. Rates close to a 2 on the Bortle Dark-Sky Scale.”