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Powell Springs Campground

Shaded site at Powell Springs Campground
Site Trees and shade Camp road Table and ring Hillside views Trail sign Evening light Road out
Prescott NFFirst-comePrimitiveShadedVault toiletsSmall rigs
Overview

A small, quiet Cherry Road campground with shade, tables, rings, vault toilets, and very little extra noise.

Powell Springs is a low-key Forest Service campground that works when you want shade, a level pad, and an easy overnighter in the Verde Valley/Mingus foothills. Sites sit beneath juniper and pine with decent privacy. It's first-come and fills on fair-weather weekends.

No hookups, usually no potable water - plan to be self-contained. Wind can funnel down the slope in storm builds, but most sites are protected by trees.

Best for
Shaded, simple campground close to Cottonwood/Jerome without the bustle of a state park.
Watch out for
Limited site count, first-come demand, and seasonal closures or fire restrictions.

Best version of the trip: arrive with water, grab afternoon shade, and use it as a quiet Cottonwood/Jerome alternative.

At a Glance
Region
Cherry Rd - Prescott National Forest
Elevation
~4,800 ft
Access Road
Graded dirt spur off Cherry Rd; passable to most vehicles when dry
Best Season
Spring and fall; mild winters, warm summers
Campsites
Small loop w/ tables & rings; FCFS
Facilities
Vault toilets; typically no potable water
Fires
In rings only, when restrictions allow
Cell
Spotty; improves toward higher ground
Coordinates (area)
See map below for the exact pin
Getting There

From the Verde Valley, take Cherry Road toward the foothills and follow signs for Powell Springs. The final approach is a short, graded spur to the loop. Dry-weather access is straightforward; after heavy rain the spur can rut and soften.

  1. Watch for the signed turn from Cherry Rd into the Forest Service spur.
  2. Drive slow - low branches and a few tight bends near camp.
  3. Circle once to gauge shade/wind, then back in and set stakes.
Camping Info
  • Primitive setup: tables, rings, vault toilets; no hookups.
  • Size: works best for tents, vans, and smaller trailers.
  • First-come: arrive earlier on fair-weather weekends.
  • Wildlife: typical high-desert - store food and keep a clean camp.
My Notes

Solid shade and an easy base for Jerome/Cottonwood days. Bring extra water and a simple dinner kit - this is the kind of spot where you eat by lantern and call it.

  • Wind: tuck behind the trees if storms build.
  • Cooking: butane single-burner + windscreen is ideal.
  • Photos: late light through juniper - shallow DOF frames the table and ring nicely.
Gear I Used

Gear that actually helped on this trip.

Map
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