Box Bar Recreation Site

It is a beautiful place to get out of the city life. I love Rio Verde nature. Box Bar campsite has an overnight fee, but there is a free campsite on the right the minute you get on the Bar Box road before the fee Box Bar campsite. The free campsite is about 50 feet from the main road. If you are a bird watcher and sunset lover, this is... more

Campsites are open now as of 2/14/24

This area has no access due to locked gates. We parked in what looked like someone’s access.

We stayed here in April of 22. We chose this place because of it's proximity to Phoenix (we were visiting friends & family in the area) and there were actual trees here. The first afternoon we saw 3 wild mustangs heading to the river. Once you turn off the paved road it 's a short distance to the camping area, but there are a c... more

It’s beautiful and the river is close by. But it’s loud at night. I’ve stayed a couple times and got some sleep, hiked, fished. although during the night you can here generators going, loud music, and cars screwing around.

My German Shepherd and I stayed here for four nights and we had the best time! Right off the river just teaming with wildlife. I must’ve caught at least 10 different birds species. There is also an eagles nest in the reserve that I got some great shots of! I would definitely stay here again. Decent ATT signal. I think there are only a... more

Great place to camp a short distance from the metro area. Right on the fast flowing Verde River. Things could possibly get a little sketchy after a rainstorm, be careful. Three porta potties and a couple dumpsters on sight, no other amenities. There is a 14 day limit but several campers look to have been here for quite some time. ... more

We stayed here for a little over a week and absolutely loved it. Plenty of spots to choose from and access to the river is super easy. We enjoyed taking advantage of the rope swing and taking a dip in the river. The road getting in has a couple of bumps but completely manageable for any vehicle. We would definitely stay here again! The... more

This place was perfect for us. Access is not that difficult and there are a few sites where you are pretty much right on the river. The views are incredible of the river in the surrounding mountains. Dead silent at night. Fairly busy at times for day use. Absolutely perfect spot for us that we would return to.

Enjoyable spot right on the Verde River. Great place to fish (smallmouth bass, roundtail chub) and lots of bird species. Outhouses on site; portable style but clean. Close to McDowell Mountain Park and McDowell Sonoran Preserve. ATT mobile signal good but did not provide much usual service, even with booster. Busy place in evenings and... more