Babbling Brook, Oak trees and Big Boulders
Lovely creek to cool the toes and splash around in.
Rating: 8/10
Location: This campground is just south of Prescott; time from Tempe is 2 hours.
Getting there: From the Phoenix area, take 17 N to 69 to Prescott, 89 S to left onGurley, R on Mt Vernon Road. Mt Vernon Rd through beautiful old downtown Prescott (very charming), becomes FR 52. 9 miles (20 minutes) out of Prescott to CG, last 1.5 miles is a dirt road. Easily doable in a 2 WD car (which I did), however it becomes a bit rutted as you get closer to the CG—just enough to have a little fun, nothing to be worried about.
Elevation: 6000′
What I liked: Beautiful foliage—oak trees, ponderosa, a great diversity that you find at this elevation. The campground is along Wolf Creek, which, to my great delight, had water in it! Not easy to say that in AZ in mid October. The campground was pretty quiet. Sites were well spaced, did not feel cramped. There are three loops. One is away from the creek (to the right of the road), sites 17-20. These sites: downside is that they are farther away from the creek; upside is that they are farther away from the creek…Therefore, when you’re talking about climbing kids, exploring kids, things for kids to explore, this loop is a bit safer and easier to manage for the little ones: under 5 yo, say. Big boulders to climb and whatnot. It just might be a bit easier for you with little ones on this side so you don’t have to worry about them on the steep creek bank–less maintenance worries for the supervision required with little kids. And if you want your own little private Idaho and you’re with a group…well, snag those four sites and you’ve got your own CG, pretty much.
The other two loops: Loop 2: sites 1-5, loop 3: sites 6-20. My favorite was #4: enchanting with huge interesting boulders, very close to the creek. Scrambling down the rocks to the creek is doable with older kids (over 5–it’s not going to be easy for the tiny kids unsupervised). Once down there, creek is a sweet little babbling brook. There are deeper pools where you could get all the way wet (by sitting in it). Very nice. #3, 5 also good. Same proximity to the creek.
On last loop, (6-20), I liked #10 the most because it closest to the creek (I’m all about how many steps do I have to take to get to the wate) Nice, beautiful site. Again, it’s a scramble down to the creek. No problem for older kids and adults, but not easy for little ones (and therefore more work for parents to police them).
What else I liked: feels secluded since it’s kind of far along the FR 52—off the beaten path. So it feels more isolated and not much car traffic on the road.
Disadvantages: No running water (faucet). Bring your own in. Also, there is ATV traffic—I was told it’s a popular spot for ATVs. So, I guess that a positive mark if you are an ATV rider. I don’t ride ATVs so that is a negative for me because of the noise and the wear and tear they cause at any water crossings (ugly). Detracting factors are: 1) ATV noise, 2) creek is close but that bank is steep, so you can’t see it from site, 3) no faucet.
Amenities: Pit toilets, really cool looking tables, firepits, 20 campsites, National Forest Website states there is a host (they weren’t there when I was). No drinking water.
Mountain biking: I was told that the best biking route would be to continue down FR52, as the road/trail that crosses the CG is very steep in places, with lots of loose gravel. (Of course to us mountain bikers, steep with lose gravel is an invitation—but I didn’t do it myself to assess it in person.)
Occupancy: when I went it was less than 1/2 full on a Friday morning in mid October, 2008.
Websites for more info: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/prescott/recreation/family_cg/lwolfcr.shtml
http://www.arizona-leisure.com/lower-wolf-creek.html
site #3: peaceful and close to the creek
My favorite site: #4. Great climbing boulders, right next to the creek, sweet little spot.
#17 on a secluded campsite loop with more room and privacy and room.
Photos were taken 10/08
