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Dairy Springs Campground

Dairy Springs Campground under tall pines near Mormon Lake
Shaded loop Site with table and ring Ponderosa stand Trail nearby Evening light Kiosk and spigot Camp setup Camp setup Camp setup
Reservable Family Friendly Mormon Lake Area Vault Toilets Water (Seasonal)
Overview

A Mormon Lake-side basecamp with ponderosa shade, reservable sites, and enough room for a normal group weekend.

Dairy Springs is the one I would pick when the group matters more than the destination itself. The sites are structured, the approach is paved, and the campground feels built for arriving with a few people, a kitchen bin, and a plan to stay put for dinner.

Compared with Double Springs, this feels more like the obvious crew base. Compared with Pine Grove, it leans more toward Mormon Lake than Upper Lake Mary. That is the reason to choose it.

Best for Reserved plans, group weekends, Mormon Lake access, and shaded camp dinners.
Watch out for Seasonal water, Friday arrivals, and campsites that feel ordinary if you wanted a lakefront trip.

Best version of the trip: reserve a site that fits the crew, settle in early, and treat Mormon Lake as the nearby outing instead of the whole point.

At a Glance
Region
SE of Flagstaff - Mormon Lake
Elevation
~7,100 ft
Access
Paved to campground
Season
Typically late spring-fall
Sites
Tent/RV; no hookups
Facilities
Tables, rings, vault toilets, water (seasonal)
Reservations
Recreation.gov recommended
Cell
Spotty to decent along corridor
Coordinates (area)
34.9588° N, 111.4695° W
Getting There

From Flagstaff, head south on Lake Mary Road (FH 3) toward Mormon Lake. Dairy Springs is signed; the approach is fully paved.

  1. Top off water and ice before the corridor; campground water should be treated as seasonal.
  2. Expect the FH 3 drive to slow down for elk, cyclists, and weekend traffic.
  3. Use the kiosk to confirm water status, fire rules, and the loop layout before unloading.

If you are meeting people here, pick a clear arrival window. Cell coverage can be good enough to tease you and bad enough to make coordination annoying.

Camping Info
  • Site feel: Developed and practical, better for camp chairs and shared meals than for solitude.
  • Group use: Works well when everyone needs the same obvious base, not separate dispersed pullouts.
  • Water: Seasonal; bring enough for cooking, dishes, and the drive out.
  • Fire plan: Use only when restrictions allow, and keep the shutdown boring and complete.
  • Camp hygiene: Vault toilets are available; still bring sanitizer and your own wash setup.
  • Food storage: Do not leave coolers, trash, or snack bags out while everyone wanders off.
  • Nearby: Mormon Lake viewpoints, short forest walks, and Lake Mary corridor day-use spots.
My Notes

I would use Dairy Springs when I want the campsite to handle the basics while everyone else settles in. It is not the most scenic pick in the corridor, but it is useful in the exact way a group campground should be.

  • Choose over Double Springs: when you want the more obvious basecamp for a few people and a less tucked-away feel.
  • Choose over Pine Grove: when Mormon Lake is part of the plan and Upper Lake Mary access is not the priority.
  • Setup: bring a ground mat for the kitchen; dust and pine debris will find every open bin.
Choose It / Skip It
Good fit
Reserved plans, group weekends, Mormon Lake access, and shaded camp dinners.
Bad fit
Seasonal water, Friday arrivals, and campsites that feel ordinary if you wanted a lakefront trip.
Gear I Used

Gear that actually helped on this trip.

Map

General area map. Save offline if you can.

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