Need Camping Spot for Youth Group

[Texas]

Waz Up -

I'm looking to take a group of 8-10 for a one night camping trip. I'll have a couple of leaders and about 6 high school guys - all have probably never done any real camping. Could be interesting...

Can anyone clue me onto a good spot that is not the typical camp park? I would love to take this group someplace remote, some access to water, good views, and maybe some hiking in the area. Needs to be a 2 to 2.5 trail, since we will need an additional ride besides the TJ to get everyone in.

Anyone have a good spot? PM me?

Thanks ahead of time!

[AZLugz]

Several Places in Florence Junction, one in particular is off Cottonwood, nice area and have seen other youth groups there and they made it in Chevy subdivisions so any 4x suv should be ok. Can't really PM you directions but depending how soon you need it, I can show you of I may still have it plotted on Google earth at home

[Texas]

Any swimming spots around Florence?

[TomHatch]

Make the drive up to Strawberry and camp along Fossil Creek. Fossil Creek is fed by Fossil Springs (where most people swim), but there is great swimming just off the dirt road Southwest of the bridge. The hike is about 5 miles from the parking area (grassy flat spot before the bridge) to the springs, but you don't need to go to the springs to camp and swim.

Some camp near the road and day hike into the springs to swim. Others hike in and camp near the springs. Few seem to stay and play down stream near the parking area but it's a good place to go if you don't want to hike.

I have camped with youth groups in the Florence area lots and don't like it till winter (when swimming is out and jackets are in).

Workmans Creek behind Roosevelt Lake is great for car camping but not swimming (only a shallow creek). There is a nice waterfall about a mile from the campgrounds.

Call me if you want any more info.

602 330 6716
Tom

[Miles2go1979]

are they backpacking or are you car camping?

If backpacking
x2 on fossil springs

The water runs at 72 degrees year round, great swimming and jumping off the rope swings. About a 100 yards up stream from the falls are some really good camping spots and another simple rope swing, not as exciting as the one by the falls but still entertaining.

If not head east of Payson and go up on the rim you can find a forrest road to follow and camp off of that.

West Clear Creek and Christopher Creek also have some good car camping spots, with hikes down into the canyon streams, let me know if you want more details about that.

[Texas]

Car camping - I think backpacking might actually kill a few of them...

Fossil Springs sounds good. I might have to head up that way and scout it out. Any good Jeep trails in the area?

[spiderman]

Tonto Natural Bridge, near Payson. Beautiful scenery, up in the pines, and a cool place to swim.

[TomHatch]

Car camping - I think backpacking might actually kill a few of them...

Fossil Springs sounds good. I might have to head up that way and scout it out. Any good Jeep trails in the area?

I hear that the old highway is a trail of sorts. I'm not sure where you get on it; a friend of mine camped up there a few months ago and tried the old highway in his truck. It was too rough and he turned back (not typical behavior for him). He has been asking me to take him back to try it in the Jeep.

[Miles2go1979]

If all your vehicles have good clearence you can drive out to the rim at West Clear Creek

[desertdawg]

Try Hackberry Creek east of Superior. Since they graded one of the roads to the green valley you can access it with a two wheel drive now. Camp in the valley and take about a 2 mile hike to a beautiful view of Devil's Canyon. There are a series of springs down in the canyon but I have never been down to them and don't know how to get to them. I've seen photos of them though.

Devil's Canyon
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=13845&stc=1&d=1190090372
Devil's Canyon
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=13846&stc=1&d=1190090372
Green Valley
http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/17740/1445429918074802926S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1445429918074802926HBHcXz)/IMG]

[Hivemind]

I think backpacking might actually kill a few of them...

:D LOL Texas, funny stuff. Call it culling the herd;)