State: Arizona
Open all Year: Yes
Number of Sites: 20
Elevation: 6660
County: Graham
Free: No
About: When early settlers ventured up Mount Graham, the Arcadia area was usually as far as they got on the first day. A little later in the history of the Pinaleños, Arcadia was the site of one of several Civilian Conservation Corps camps established in the 1930s to provide jobs for workers idled by the Great Depression. Today, Arcadia Campground is the first campground visitors encounter on their way up Mount Graham by way of the Swift Trail (AZ 366), which was built by those Depression-era workers.
Arcadia Campground is shaded by stands of tall ponderosa pine interspersed with Gambel oaks and Arizona walnuts. Such a diverse habitat makes this an excellent area for bird watching.
The Arcadia Trail starts here and leads up the mountain to Shannon Campground. A one mile spur off this trail leads to the top of Heliograph Peak.
Fees: $10 (2011)
Water: None
Restrooms: Vault Toilets
Directions: From Safford drive south 8 miles on US 191 to AZ 366. Turn right (southwest) onto AZ 366 and drive 11.6 miles to the campground entrance on the right side of the road. Check local road conditions during winter months.