Clear Creek Campground

I want to provide updated information on the nightly pricing for this campground. I had planned to stay 4 nights here. Although this campground is a national forest campground, it is managed by ExploreUS. ExploreUS does NOT accept National Forest/Park passes for a discount. The current rate is $24 for one vehicle. Another $10 if you have a 2nd vehicle not towed behind. A towed vehicle is included in the nightly rate.

There is a camp host on site that keeps the grounds and bathrooms tidied. It's a shady area with a creek and grassy areas. There is nothing wrong with this campground, but it is nowhere near worth $24 per night in comparison with other National Forest campgrounds I have stayed at whose nightly rates are lower.

My rating is strictly based on the value of the nightly rate vs what you get for your money. So I'll be moving on after 2 nights.

We visited this campground on a Friday in late February. The reviewer who claimed this was “Forgettable” must not visit very many Forest Service campgrounds. The staff here were diligent at cleaning up debris blown down after windstorms and cleaning the vault restrooms. There are lots of trees that would provide nice shade on warm days. Walk down the road to the east and you can find a great place for a walk. This is quite close to Camp Verde (about 9 miles from Highway 17 exit). Convenient to several tourist options (Montezuma’s Castle, Fort Verde, Sedona, and Cottonwood) but much cheaper! Yes, it is dirt without much gravel. So that is a concern if there has been rain. However, this area is often quite dry. It is on a Forest Service Road, so expect some potholes and drive accordingly. The campsites are on the smaller size. Big rigs might not fit comfortably. There is a group campsite area if you need accommodation for several RVs.

I arrived late in the day and the road in was a muddy mess from rain, thus my vehicle and trailer became a muddy mess. Not paved whatsoever after you exit the highway. $24 a night. Small sites, ground is pretty much dirt. Minimal to zero gravel or ground cover. Very clean pit toilets, though. New camp host was very nice. Dumpsters for trash. Water spigots are nonstandard and will not allow a purifier between the spigot and water containers, even with a Camco adapter. Overall, my impression is that the campground is nothing to write home about. This time of year, though, is pretty bleak and unattractive here. Yet, the campground serves a purpose, as there’s not much else to choose from in January in Camp Verde. Just came from Tortilla Flats Campground outside Apache Junction, sort of the standard bearer of campgrounds, which had water and sewer hookups plus very clean flush toilets, a paved road all the way through, well maintained and racked sites with a nice layer of gravel, phenomenal camp hosts and spectacular scenery. All for $20 a night. Clear Creek is run by a private company, not the Forest Service. It’s truly an unremarkable campsite. Hard to justify the price given what you get. It’s just a step above a mediocre dispersed site, at least in Arizona. Verizon is a very weak 2 bars. I paid for 7 nights and am leaving after two. Unlikely I would return.

Stayed here for the full 7 days from April 4th thru the 10th 2022. Hosts Kimberley and Michael were very friendly and accommodating. Many folks use this as a home base to visit Sedona which is crowded all the time. It is a small campground with Clear Creek running through it. Very enjoyable! Used my Access Pass, which made the price $9 a night instead of $18. Got 4 bars Verizon w/Weboost.

Camp host is on site. Was really crowded when I pulled in so I made the circle & came back to #4. Has a circle drive to make towing easy. BIG trees, beautiful Berch & Sacymores. #4 butts up against a small part of the creek, perfect for a girl & her dog. We walked along the creek & about 1/4 mile down the road is a big swimming area, nice walk. Sites have fire rings (banned when I was here) with BBQ grates. Cement picnic tables are on sites. The vaulted bathroom was clean and didn't smell the worst I've smelt 😷. You can buy ice from host but there's a $ store right up the road for ice & necessities. I'll be back!

This is a nice, little, forest campground a few miles east of Camp Verde proper. I stayed here about 15 years ago and it hasn't changed much. It is designed for smaller rigs but there are a few sites that will accommodate larger rigs. One converted bus, larger than our 33' Allegro was also in the campground. There is a creek that runs through the campground - we saw one site (I think it was 18) flood on a high wind day.
The toilets were adequate, not super clean and if you're weird about spiders, be forewarned.
No electric and centralized water spigots in a few areas around the campground. Generator hours are from 0600-2200.
The camp host (Dick) will meet you at your site to collect info and fees so there's no need to fill out the envelope. As with all NF campgrounds, exact change or a check are needed.
The weekend filled up the campground, including the the group site(s).
Verizon service was spotty.
Note there is a 7 day limit which is less than most NFS campgrounds.

Nice campground along Clear Creek; camp host was on-site. Some campsites are close to each other, some spaced farther apart. There is also a group camp area.

Sites have a picnic table and ours (#4) had a deep fire ring with grate. The ring was so deep (probably for safety) that our fire was down low and we hardly got heat from it. Our camp site was flat & grassy with a huge tree, and close to the creek, which was nice to hear, but also near dusty FR 626 that goes alongside the campground to the day-use area. Vault toilet bathroom was clean and had lighting at night. Toilet was an environmental composting type.

Interesting areas to explore along the creek, great views all around with wildlife, and a nice trail goes off the day-use area into the surrounding hills.