State: Arizona
Open: Seasonal
Number of Sites: 6
Elevation: 5100
Free: No
About: Stewart Campground is the only one of the three lower Cave Creek Campgrounds that you can visit without fording the creek. This is a cool, shady streamside camp where sites are clustered under a healthy stand of Arizona cypress trees, with some picturesque old sycamores closer to the streamside. As with all Cave Creek campgrounds, birdwatching is good right in the campground. Its also close to other areas that are less disturbed and therefore even more productive for adding to your life-list. A short distance upstream from Stewart, the Vista Point Trail climbs above the canyon floor to offer unobstructed views of Cave Creek Canyon. Though this extremely easy stroll has little elevation change, the view it presents is impressive.
Other recreation amenities conveniently close to Stewart Campground include the Silver Peak Trail #280 and Cave Creek Visitor Information Center. The South Fork area, famous for its birdwatching and beautiful riparian forest, is a short drive away. The campground is located on the Cave Creek/Portal-to-Paradise scenic drive.
Fees: $10 (2011)
Water: Yes
Restrooms: Vault Toilets
Directions: From Tucson, take I-10 east 139 miles to US 80 (you will cross the New Mexico border to get to this intersection). Turn right (south) and drive 28 miles, then turn right (west) on the road to Portal, 7 miles. From Douglas, take US 80 east approximately 50 miles to Rodeo, NM. Two miles past Rodeo, turn left (west) on Portal Road.
From Portal, drive west on Forest Road 42 approximately 2.3 miles to Stewart Campground. All roads are paved and suitable for passenger vehicles.
