Drift Fence Campground – White Mountain Apache Tribe

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Drift Fence Lake Campground

Drift Fence Lake Campground is definitely a “be self-contained” campground. It’s a long way back if you forget anything here. The 16 acre lake itself is small but beautiful. Surrounded by Ponderosa and aspens, Drift Fence is only a few miles southwest of Reservation Lake on the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation. Rainbow and Brook trout are stocked in spring just after the thaw and the fishing only gets better as the fall approaches. The road is quite rocky after Reservation Lake so make sure you have good tires. A 4 wheel drive or high clearance vehicle helps.

Make sure you bear proof your campsite as this is bear country.

You won’t have much traffic back in the part of the woods.  In fact, if you don’t mind the drive and don’t need any campground amenities and want to get away from everything, this campground along with nearby Pacheta Lake could be one of the best places to camp in Arizona. You will see so many stars here on clear night you might have a hard time finding the usual constellations you normally see from your house. The Milky Way will be perhaps the most pronounced in the summer months when it stretches high above the horizon most of the night. Night photography is crazy good here.

Directions

From Big Lake travel toward Crescent Lake to the north. Take a left at FR 116 toward Reservation Lake. Take a right on Apache Route 20 and pass Reservation Lake approx 3 miles to Drift Fence Lake Campground.

General Notes

  • Elevation: 8970′
  • Season April to October weather dependent
  • Campsites: 10
  • Potable water: Yes
  • Vault toilets
  • First come, first served campground. Reservations are not accepted.