Facilities

Club House

Laundry Room

Swimming Pool

Hot Tub

Fitness Center

Game Room

Rec Hall

Pavilion

Exercise Room

Restroom/Shower

Restroom Only

Shower Only

Restaurant

Groceries

RV Supplies

ATM Machine

WiFi

Dog Park

Cocktail Lounge

Dog Washing Station

Pit Toilet

Snack Bar

Play Ground

Sites

Water

20 Amp

30 Amp

50 Amp

Sewer

Cable TV

Services

Escort to Site

Self-Service RV Wash

Metered LP Gas

Firewood

Fishing Supplies

Pet Supplies

Onsite Rentals

Worship Services

Golf Carts

Fishing Guides

Onsite RV Service

Staffed RV Wash

Fishing Licenses

Complimentary Breakfast

Recreational activities in or near the park

Recreational Activities

Archery Range

ATV Riding

Biking

Boating

Body Of Water

Casino

Climbing

Dock

Driving Range

Fishing

Golf

Heated Pool

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Horseshoes

Kayaking

Lawn Bowling

Mini Golf

Paddle Boats

Pickle Ball

Putting Green

Ramp

Sauna

Shuffleboard

Snow Sports

Splash Pad

Swimming

Tennis

Wading Pool

Water Slide

Water Sports

Water Umbrella

Whitewater Rafting

Policies

RV Age Restrictions

Pets Welcome

Pet Restrictions

Pet Restriction on Quantity

Pet Restriction on Breed

Pet Restriction on Size

No Pets

Tent Camping Allowed

Folding Tent Campers Allowed

No Tents

No Overnight Guests

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Situated on the shores of the expansive Theodore Roosevelt Lake, the Tonto/Cholla Recreation Site offers a quintessential desert camping experience. Operated by the Tonto National Forest, this location is perfect for those who want to disconnect from the noise of the city and immerse themselves in the rugged beauty of Arizona. It provides a <strong>scenic lakeside atmosphere</strong> that draws visitors seeking a quiet retreat rather than a traditional resort-style RV park.</p><h2>Location & Surroundings</h2><p>Located in the heart of the Salt River Valley, the Cholla Recreation Site is nestled within the dramatic landscapes of central Arizona. The area is defined by its <strong>vast water vistas</strong> and surrounding saguaro-studded hills. Because it is positioned directly along the shoreline, guests can enjoy spectacular desert sunsets and dark night skies that remain largely unaffected by city light pollution, making it an excellent spot for amateur stargazers.</p><h2>Amenities & Park Features</h2><p>This recreation site is designed for comfort while maintaining a natural aesthetic. The park provides <strong>paved RV sites</strong> that can accommodate a variety of vehicle sizes, though it is important to check specific length requirements beforehand. Visitors have access to <strong>potable water and vault toilets</strong> located throughout the loops. While it does not offer full utility hookups at every site, the generous spacing and proximity to the water compensate for the lack of modern utility frills.</p><h2>Nearby Attractions & Things to Do</h2><p>The primary draw of this area is undoubtedly the water. Outdoor enthusiasts frequently take advantage of <strong>boating and fishing opportunities</strong> right from the shoreline. For those who prefer land-based activities, the surrounding Tonto National Forest provides miles of trails for hiking and wildlife viewing. History buffs also enjoy the proximity to the Tonto National Monument, where ancient cliff dwellings offer a unique glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the Salado of the region.</p><h2>Who This Park Is Best For</h2><p>The Tonto/Cholla Recreation Site is best suited for <strong>nature lovers and anglers</strong> who prefer a rustic, back-to-basics experience over manicured RV resorts. It is an ideal stop for travelers who value solitude, direct access to lake activities, and the chance to witness the stark beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Those who come prepared to be self-sufficient in their RVs will find this destination to be a peaceful and rewarding escape from the ordinary.</p>



Tonto Cholla Roosevelt is a small unincorporated community located in Gila County, Arizona. It is located in the Tonto National Forest, near the Roosevelt Lake. The area is known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, including fishing, boating, camping, and hiking. The area is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, elk, and bighorn sheep. The area is also home to the Tonto National Monument, which is a preserved archaeological site of the Salado culture.

IMG-114898295722349.jpg

IMG-114898295979482.jpg

IMG-114898296253598.jpg

IMG-114898296502031.jpg

IMG-114898296739463.jpg

IMG-114898297033190.jpg

IMG-114898297282203.jpg

IMG-114898297527085.jpg

IMG-114898297774038.jpg

IMG-114898298009470.jpg

Tonto/Cholla

Discover the Tonto/Cholla Recreation Site in Roosevelt, AZ. Perfect for lakeside camping, fishing, and exploring the scenic Tonto National Forest.

Tonto/Cholla Recreation Site: Roosevelt, AZ Camping Guide

Awesome full service campground within walking distance of the shoreline. Place was a wreck though with bathrooms that were barely usable. Camp host came the next day and was cleaning. So I assume it’s hit or miss. Other than that nice to have showers for the ladies if you don’t have a portable one.

Very nice campgrounds. Even numbered sites are first come first serve. Most sites are somewhat private with bushes between sites. Very nice views of the lake and scrounging mountains. There are no stores anywhere close so pack what you need entirely. We stayed in the buckhorn loop. Each loop has its own camp host. I don’t know who is responsible for cleaning the bathrooms but the woman’s bathrooms at the far end of Buckhorn loop was filthy. The sink looked like maybe someone got sick in it and no one cleaned it up. I have never seen black widows so abundant ever before. There were widow webs in every corner and around the base of the two toilets. And spiders all over. It was scary but I survived. The toilet paper was stocked well and not much trash. But the sink counters and toilets could be cleaned way better. The other bathrooms were cleaner. All were stocked well. Showers work, there is just one button that you push to start the shower it gets warm not hot. It’s barely tolerable. Feels good if you are hot. I would not try the shower in the winter. It would be too cold. I will return to this campsite.

Nice campground with formative host. Was there during a good thunderstorm. Winds blow from every direction 😆 bathroom in my loop was clean, although 1 of 2 toilets was out of service. Landscape is beautiful and there is a really cool path that goes fully around.

Very well maintained Campground with very nice flushing toilet bathrooms and heated water showers.  The spot we picked has a great view of Roosevelt Lake.  Good trails with a more rugged ones that lead down to the lake.  There is a boat ramp and large parking lot in this campground as well.  There is a RV dump station too.

This is a beautiful campground in the low desert. Incredibles scenery all around with the Matazals right there and the lake just beyond the campground.
The only issue we had this past week is that the camp hosts were pretty lazy on cleaning the bathrooms. I'm sure that will change when the Camp Host changes.
They do have flush toilets and showers... But the camp host needs a little motivation.

Wonderful campsite! Went during gov shutdown by radical rep, but they managed to keep facilities extremely clean!
We’re lucky to get spot with a view!

Great views, pretty quiet you can drive to Bermuda beach and enjoy swimming and lake activities. Very easy access.

Great place to camp, near to lake, a large campground with lot of camp sites, all sites have a shaded Ramada seating area, fire pit and plenty of space to put 2-3 tents. Flush toilets and showers available which were clean compared to many other campgrounds we have visited. Had kids playground with swings and slides. Overall it was a good experience for us as a group of 6 families with kids.

Excellent campground with hundreds of sites. February and March it’s cooler and quieter. Nearby there is free camping on forest land, but the campground has shelters and easy access to the water. Pro tip: site 165 is the best in the house. Within just a few miles you’ll find the Roosevelt bridge and Tonto National Monument—both worth a visit. And if you have a day and four-wheel-drive, drive the scenic Apache trail scenic byway.

Cholla Campground is billed as one of the largest solar-powered campgrounds in the United States. Since they don’t have electricity at the campsites, I’m not exactly sure what that means. All the bathroom lights are solar powered, I guess, and they have hot showers. There is, however, a campground host (a retired machinist) who drives around an old riding lawn mower (blade removed) he converted to run on solar power. He is, as you might expect, totally badass.

This area is classic semi-arid desert southwest, with mesquite trees, shrubs whose names are unknown to me no matter how many times I look them up, the iconic saguaro (I learned last year that it is pronounced suh·waa·row) cacti and, of course, cholla cacti. The campground is right on the edge of the largest lake in Arizona, Roosevelt Lake.

the sunsets here are beautiful, the soft light drizzling down each evening to blanket the rust covered Sierra Ancha Mountains that border the lake.

This is an outstanding campground. Quiet, clean and great organized spots. The camp host in Teddy Bear loop was so friendly and informative. The rest rooms were well taken care of and the toilets have real water flushing. There are no water or power hook ups but there are places to dump refuse and also places to get clean water. There are nice showers but we didn't use them. The playground is simple but the kids loved it. We loved it.

Lots of sites with reasonable pricing for amenities like running water/spigots, composting toilet/bathrooms, showers, RV dump site, and more. Great trails to hike and even better views. Right up against the water. Very friendly campers and camp host. I’ll never forget this beautiful place!

Great campground near the lake. Some spots has direct view of the lake. Roosevelt lake is good for large boats but not so great for kayaking or inflatables. It is huge and near shore there are so many trees sticking up may damage you inflatable. There is a trail from campground to boat ramp which is beautiful scenery. Overall great place to camp.

Reviews

Tonto/Cholla