USFSApache-Sitgreaves National Forest · Arizona

Buffalo Crossing Campground

At the southern end of the East Fork canyon is Buffalo Crossing Campground, an old Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) era site which actually boasts the largest campsites along the river.

Sites0all reservable

Elev.7,949ft

Comf.May-Oct6 months

Max rigtents

Electricnonesites

From Flagstaff4h35real road time

The honest read

Synthesized from
RIDB · Open-Meteo
OSM · OSRM
Updated 2026-05-27

At 7,949 ft, Buffalo Crossing Campground has a 6-month comfortable window (May-Oct). Winter nights average around 18°F, so the shoulder seasons turn cold fast. Within about 4 miles: 1 peak, lake or river access.

The campground at a glance

01 · CHARACTER

Reads strongest on cool nights and quiet. Softest on quiet.

Six axes, each scored relative to every other federal campground in the region: quiet (miles to a major road), cool (elevation), roomy (average site spacing), shade, RV-fit (longest rig), and how reservable it is. All six come from data, nothing hand-tuned.

When to go

02 · CLIMATE

avg highavg lowfrost-freedriest · Apr

May-Oct

Comfortable window: nights stay above 35°F, days below 90°F.

76%

Of summer weekend-days are dry.

May 16

Last spring frost; first fall frost Oct 12.

53°F

Average July low. Bring a fleece.

Getting there

03 · ACCESS

Flagstaff

200 mi

4h35

Phoenix

237 mi

5h40

Tucson

250 mi

6h07

By drive time

Routed road time (OSRM). Nearest major highway 8.4 mi away.

What's within four miles

05 · TRAILS · PEAKS · WATER

Trails & Peaks

Trail segments

Peaks

Water & Access

Lake / river access

yes

To nearest major road

8.4 mi

Method

We synthesize public data layers: RIDB and Recreation.gov facility and site records, Open-Meteo climate normals, OpenStreetMap roads, trails, and water, OSRM drive times, and USGS elevation. We take no bookings, no ads, and no paid placements. Independence is the entire point.

Check availability on Recreation.gov →