KP Cinega Campground

Access:

Drive 27 miles south of Alpine on US Highway 191 past Hannagan Meadow Resort to a sign that points the way to KP Cienega. Turn east (left) onto the access road and drive 1.3 miles to the campground.

Elevation:

8,960 feet above sea level

Season:

Late spring to early fall

Facilities:

• 5 single unit sites
• Tables, fire rings with cooking grills
• Vault toilets (Handicapped accessible)
• Tents, trailers and motorhomes up to 16 foot

Fee:

No fees

Features and Setting:

At 9000 feet, this is one of the highest campgrounds in Arizona. With that in mind, you might suspect that it's cool up here. Well you would be right, deliciously cool--when it's hot everywhere else. High country tree species such as Colorado Blue and Engelmann spruce, subalpine and corkbark fir and quaking aspen shade these campgrounds. Some of the best mushroom hunting in Arizona can be found here.

Elk, mule deer and wild turkey make regular appearances in the meadows and forests that surround Hannagan and KP Cienega. Black bear sightings happen frequently enough not to be considered rare. In the trees you'll see Abert squirrels, and Steller jays, and if you have a sharp eye you might catch a glimpse of a rare northern goshawk.

KP Cienega is off all by itself, in a green mountain meadow surrounded by tall, slim fir and spruce trees. The campsite has access to a wonderful network of hiking trails that wanders all through this high forest and beyond -- all the way down to the bottom of Blue River Canyon in the middle of the Blue Primitive area. If that's not enough hiking for you, it's only a few miles to Bear Wallow Wilderness area where you'll find native trout swimming in the streams and even more backcountry to explore.

Notes:

• No hookups
• Pets must be restrained or on a leash
• Lodge and restaurant at nearby Hannagan Meadow

USDA Forest Service - Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests
Last Modified:  Monday, 25 June 2007 at 18:54:24 EDT