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A gravel road curving into a high mountain valley at first light, the peaks catching the sun.

Forest Service group campground

Playground Group

Forest Service group campground in Prescott National Forest, Yavapai County, Arizona. 7,523 feet. 3.7 miles from Jerome.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service Prescott National Forest
Elevation
7,523 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
1 1 group standard non-electric
Longest rig
40 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Yavapai County

Overview

Close to historic western towns and centrally located in Arizona, Playground Group Campground is a great place for groups of up to 75 people to enjoy a secluded mountain getaway.

The 7,500 ft. elevation of the site, puts it near the summit of Mingus Mountain in Prescott National Forest. Spectacular views of the surrounding desert valleys as well as the nearby towns of Sedona, Jerome and Prescott Valley await campers on the winding drive to and from the site.

Recreation

The surrounding forest offers many hiking trails of various levels of intensity, from easy short-distance walks to more challenging elevated climbs.

Campers who need a break from hiking can relax around the campground, take in the views and listen to the sound of the wind in the pines.

Facilities

The site has a large group gathering place with picnic tables, grills, a large fire pit and vault toilet and is adjacent to a family picnic area. There is no drinking water available.

The nearby towns of Prescott Valley and Cottonwood have grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, shopping and other conveniences.

Natural Features

The campground is in a secluded site in the tall ponderosa pine trees. Pleasant daytime temperatures and cool mountain breezes make it a nice respite from the summer heat of nearby deserts.

Nearby Attractions

A short drive away is the colorful town of Jerome, an abandoned mining town that has been transformed into an artist and tourist community.

Tuzigoot National Monument, an ancient ruin of the Sinaguan culture, and Dead Horse Ranch State Park, which has mountain biking, canoeing and fishing along the Verde River, are also close by.

Tuzigoot National Monument

Dead Horse Ranch State Park

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • camping
  • picnicking

The land around Playground Group

The ringed pin is this group campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

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