White Spar Campground

I camped here occasionally during the winter of 19, 20, and 21. I travel for work and three winters in a row I had a contract in Prescott. The last time I camped here I kept hearing a loud repeated thud. When I investigated, it was an obviously impaired young man who was lifting a heavy log, the kind used as a seat in some campgrounds, and repeatedly slamming it into the ground. Middle of winter he was in his site without a shirt and working so hard at lifting and slamming that log, he had worked up a good sweat. Later met a homeless outreach person in town who told me they give homeless (and addicted and mentally unstable) people a tent and a sleeping bag from Walmart and a week at this forest service campground. I’ve never been back here because it’s really not safe at all, especially if I had had kids- no way. Look elsewhere. While this was a great, cheap, quiet campground, a small minority of people have ruined it.

When trees blocked access to our reserved site, the host helped us find a different one. There are many sites that are long enough to accommodate a 40' 5th wheel but tree over hang in the loop roads can cause problems getting to them. There are many options with full shade, partial shade or full sun (site 6 in particular).

The campground is right along Hwy 89. This is convenient but can also be noisy. That said, evenings are quiet. Our original site (#20) would have put us next to the highway. The alternate site (#24) is on the opposite side of the campground and there is less road noise. Power lines run through the site, though. They actually run the length of the campground through several sites. We did experience quite a bit of drive-thru traffic on the weekend. A portion of the campground is closed and we saw many people turn around at the gate. It seems as though they are used to being able to enter at one end and exit the other.

One of the hiking trail heads is 10 yards from our campsite. There are miles of trails here which we love.

We've seen deer and javelina and heard coyotes since being here.

There are water spigots throughout the campground but water was turned off for the season. No electric or dump station. Vault toilets and dumpsters are available.

There were no homeless encampments during our stay and we had no issues with theft, as mentioned in prior reviews. I actually didn't even read those reviews before booking our stay and I'm thankful I didn't. It's a lovely campground.

All of the FCFS sites are now filled with the homeless. This is apparently [per the host] a permanent situation, although the homeless groups supposedly change every two weeks. He said it's because the campground is close to Phoenix and the homeless use it in the summer. I had to make a reservation on the spot and pay the extra $8 just for one night. It's a very pretty campground and I guess the $8 fee is worth it if you want to spend several days. Verizon signal very weak, unable to connect to internet most of the time.
I would like to add that Jeff, the host, was very helpful.

We arrived after dark after delays coming up I-17 out of Phoenix, when we arrived the camp host didn’t provide any help getting to our site. If you come to this campground and are unfamiliar with it, it can be hard to navigate. We ended up getting hung up on a large rock, damaging our campers steps. The camp host just told us we went the wrong way and claims she tried to flag us down when we came in. We ended up having a couple other camper help us back off the rock and down the hill to get backed into our site. Other than. Less than helpful host we have enjoyed our stay so far and we would come back here in the future.

We paid for three nights at a first come first serve site (24). The campground is clean & beautiful with nice facilities. First night was great. Second day we left our table, two chairs & tarp out while we hiked. Came back to chairs & tarp missing. Table was partly taken down, but it complicated so the thieves gave up. Kid you not; a meth pipe was left near the table. Next day we left for the day to come back to a tent city set up in our site. Our proof of payment was removed & new peoples in place. The couple were high & refused to leave. Camp host was sorry, said # 8 was only left. Had to pay again.Turns out local church is dropping off homeless at this campground because it is close to Prescott.

Sites are paved and reasonably level. Adjacent trail system is excellent for mountain biking or hiking. 5 minute drive to town, including a couple of breweries. LazyG Brewery food, beer, & service was excellent!! We went two nights in a row. That said, the pit toilets desperately need to be updated. Not very clean & smelled foul for this time of year (Nov.). The water was turned off and a couple of loops were closed.