Conservation Legacy · Data Source: Recreation.gov
About
Overview Cutthroat Campground lies at an elevation of 9,000 feet in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. It sits on the shoreline of Big Lake and affords visitors many recreational opportunities in a quiet, scenic setting. Popular activities include trout fishing and hiking. Recreation Named after a species of trout, Cutthroat is adjacent to 450-acre Big Lake, one of Arizona's top fishing lakes. The lake is known for its trout fishing, with rainbow, cutthroat, brook and Apache being the most sought-after species. The recreation area is also popular for hiking, mountain biking, birding and wildlife viewing. Facilities Sites for tent camping only are scattered throughout this small facility and spaced a good distance apart. Some are directly on the waterfront. The basic amenities of restrooms, picnic tables and drinking water are provided, and anglers and boaters have the convenience of a boat ramp. An RV dump station is one mile away. Natural Features The campground is located in a very scenic area, forested with ponderosa pine, spruce, Douglas fir, and aspen trees, which provide ample shade. Summer temperatures are pleasant and cool, a nice respite from the heat of lower deserts. Visitors should come prepared for cool nighttime temperatures and occasional summer rain storms. Nearby Attractions Visitors can explore endless vistas and take part in many outdoor activities in the surrounding Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, which encompasses 2 million acres of magnificent mountain country in east-central Arizona and New Mexico. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.
Around this stay
Nearest surrounding services and recreation within ~25 mi — not on-site amenities.
- 0.2 mi
dump station
Dump station
- 0.3 mi
potable water
Potable water
- 1.0 mi
trailhead
Railroad Cove Trailhead
- 8.2 mi
attraction
Viewpoint
- 0.3 mi
recreation site
Boat launch
Contact & access
- APACHE-SITGREAVES · AZ
- 928-735-7313
Reservations & demand
August weekends are typically reserved about 21 days ahead.
Based on 42 Recreation.gov reservations (Oct 2023–Sep 2024). Historical demand — not live availability.
Outbound provider links only. Roam Atlas does not book sites or show live availability.
Source and verification
Last verified: 10/10/2026
See the Sources tab for provenance detail.