Wild Cow Springs Campground
2755 Mission Boulevard, Kingman, AZ, 86401, USA
Wild Cow Springs Campground
$8.00 - $20.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Campground fees are $8/night for individual campsites and $20/night for group campsites. All sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Standard Site Fee$8.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$20.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$28.00
Share this campground
Recreation.gov
Provider(928) 718-3700BLM_AZ_KFOWEB@blm.gov
About this campground
Escape to Wild Cow Springs Campground, a hidden gem tucked away in the heart of the Hualapai Mountains where 16 rustic campsites await beneath a canopy of towering ponderosa pines and ancient oaks. This back-to-basics retreat offers the perfect blend of solitude and natural beauty, with each site equipped with fire rings, grills, picnic tables, and access to vault toilets. While you won't find running water or electrical hookups here, you will discover something far more valuable: the peaceful simplicity of mountain camping where cool breezes whisper through the pines and the stars shine brilliantly in the unpolluted night sky.
Wild Cow Springs Campground offers primitive camping with options for tents and group sites. RVs and trailers are not recommended due to road conditions.
Weather and SeasonsWhen summer heat bakes the desert valleys below, Wild Cow Springs becomes a mountain sanctuary where temperatures drop by as much as 20 degrees, creating perfect conditions for hiking, relaxing, and sleeping under the stars. The campground truly shines from late spring through early fall, offering crisp mornings, pleasant afternoons, and cool evenings around the campfire. Winter transforms this mountain retreat into a quiet wonderland where light dustings of snow occasionally blanket the pines, though cold temperatures and potential winter weather make this season best suited for the most adventurous cold-weather campers.
ElevationPerched at an impressive 6,200 feet above sea level, Wild Cow Springs offers a refreshing alpine experience that feels worlds away from the scorching desert below. This lofty elevation brings crisp mountain air, comfortable temperatures, and the kind of deep, restful sleep that only comes with altitude and tranquility.
Natural Features and SceneryStep into a living postcard where majestic ponderosa pines stretch skyward, their vanilla-scented bark and needle-carpeted floor creating nature's own aromatherapy. Graceful oak trees intermingle throughout the campground, their spreading branches offering dappled shade and shelter for both campers and the diverse wildlife that call these mountains home. At 6,200 feet, this mountain oasis provides a dramatic contrast to the desert landscape below, with temperatures averaging 20 degrees cooler—a natural air conditioning system that makes summer camping a joy rather than an endurance test.
Geological RegionThe Hualapai Mountains rise like an island of green from the surrounding desert, creating a unique sky island ecosystem where Wild Cow Springs Campground sits at 6,200 feet elevation. This remarkable geological formation supports a thriving forest of oak and ponderosa pine that seems almost magical when compared to the desert valleys lying more than 3,000 feet below. Here, the convergence of elevation, moisture, and ancient volcanic geology has created a temperate microclimate where mountain meadows and forest groves flourish, offering visitors a refreshing escape where temperatures consistently run 20 degrees cooler than the sun-baked lowlands.
Campsite details
AccessibilityThe site includes an accessible campsite and vault toilet, though one user review criticized the road conditions as discriminatory against disabled campers due to the requirement for high-clearance vehicles.
Sites SizeSites are generally small, with some reviews mentioning limited flat space for tents.
Sites PrivacySites are spaced apart nicely, providing a sense of seclusion. "The camping spaces are spaced apart nicely so that you don't feel that you're on top of each other," noted one camper.
Total Campsites16 campsites
Recommended CampsitesChoose sites with flatter terrain for tent camping, as uneven ground is a common issue. Additionally, sites near large trees offer better shade during summer months.
Reserving a campsite
Stay Limit
14 days
Groups
Group camping is available at $20 per night, but no specific details about the number of people or vehicles allowed are provided.
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed
Site layoutThe campground consists of 16 individual campsites spread out to provide privacy and seclusion.
Open and Closed SeasonOpen year-round.
Walk-in AvailabilityAll sites are first-come, first-served, with no reservation system in place.
Cancellation PolicyCancellations are not applicable as all sites are first-come, first-served.
Accomodation available
GroupGroup campsites are offered for larger parties such as families, schools, or organizations. These sites provide space and facilities to accommodate multiple people camping together.
Amenities available
Fire rings
Food storage lockers
Picnic tables
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
Campers enjoy a variety of activities, including off-road vehicle use, hiking, and wildlife viewing. A stream and large trees provide natural beauty and some recreational opportunities.
Wildlife viewing
Wildlife viewing includes birdwatching and squirrels. "Song birds and squirrels!" exclaimed one camper.Winter Activities
No specific winter activities such as snowshoeing or skiing are mentioned. However, roads are occasionally plowed, making some access possible.Water Sports
Non-motorized water sports such as kayaking or paddleboarding are not applicable in this setting.Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
- Campfires may be restricted during fire bans, which are occasionally enforced. Most campsites are equipped with fire rings and grills.
Hazards
General hazardsPotential hazards include rough terrain leading to the site, wildlife (such as bears), and the absence of water. Multiple reviews caution against attempting the final stretch of road without high-clearance 4WD vehicles.
Weather forecast
67
°F
Nov 11
Tuesday
Partly cloudy
Precipitation: 0%
Strong wind, exercise caution
Humidity: 13%
Very dry conditions, stay hydrated
Wind: 9.7 mph
Strong wind, exercise caution
Partly cloudy
7-Day Forecast
Access to 7-day forecasts tailored to each campground—covering temperature, precipitation, wind, and sky conditions.
Daily & Hourly Insights
View hourly forecasts with expected weather patterns throughout the day.
Temperature Trends
Visualize how temperatures shift over the month to help pick the most comfortable days for your trip.
Precipitation Trends
Plan around rain or snow with monthly visualizations of expected precipitation patterns.
Weather Summaries
Assess conditions with visuals for easier decision-making on when and where to camp.
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Emergency Services
Kingman provides the closest emergency services, including hospitals, police stations, and additional support facilities. Emergency response access beyond Pine Lake may be limited due to the rough terrain.
Good to know
Peak season datesSummer months are particularly popular due to cooler temperatures, averaging 20 degrees below nearby desert valleys.
Trash and recyclingThe site is equipped with bear-proof trash bins. No recycling facilities are explicitly mentioned.
Proximity to water featuresThe campground is near a dry wash, but there is no consistent water feature such as a lake or stream.
Common complaintsFrequent complaints include rough roads, lack of running water, sloped campsites, and ATV misuse within the campground.
Campground Map
2755 Mission Boulevard, Kingman, AZ, 86401, USA
Driving directionsFrom Kingman, travel 14 miles on Hualapai Mountain Road, through Hualapai Mountain County Park into the small community of Pine Lake. Turn right at the Pine Lake Firehouse onto Flag Mine Road, an unpaved one-lane road. From there it is about five miles to the recreation site. High-clearance 4WD vehicles are highly recommended beyond this point. It is not recommended that vehicles towing trailers travel beyond this point.
The road from Kingman to Pine Lake is primarily paved, but beyond Pine Lake, the route transitions to unpaved one-lane Flag Mine Road. High-clearance 4WD vehicles are strongly recommended, and towing trailers beyond this point is discouraged due to the rough terrain and steep switchbacks. Multiple reviews confirm the challenging nature of the last stretch of road, with mentions of ruts, washes, and tight turns.Nearby places
Kingman is the nearest major population center, located approximately 14 miles (around 20 minutes) from Pine Lake. Pine Lake, a small community, is closer to the campground.
Nearby supplies
Groceries, camping supplies, and fuel are most likely available in Kingman, the nearest city with comprehensive services. Limited supplies might be obtainable in Pine Lake.
Camper Reviews
4.1
20 reviews
Wild Cow Springs Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
Overall, campers find Wild Cow Springs Campground to be a peaceful retreat with significant seclusion. It is appreciated for its cooler temperatures and natural beauty but criticized for rough road access and limited amenities.
Review Summaries
Based on 20 reviews
What Campers Love
Campers highlighted the cooler temperatures, beautiful scenery, and peaceful environment. "Very, very peaceful," "secluded, rustic," and "elevation so it's not that hot in the summer," were common...
Based on 20 reviewsShow more
Common Concerns
Complaints focused on the poor road conditions requiring high-clearance vehicles, lack of water, limited site leveling, and inadequate toilet maintenance. One camper noted, "The road is rough and...
Based on 20 reviewsShow more
Pro Tips & Recommendations
Campers recommend using a high-clearance 4WD vehicle to access the site. Another tip: "Look for signs," as GPS directions might be unreliable.
Based on 20 reviewsSeasonal Insights
Summer is a popular time due to cooler temperatures at higher elevations. However, reviews from fall and winter note challenges with road accessibility and fire bans.
Based on 20 reviewsCamper Quotes
"Made it to this campground in my Scion XB! Super desolate!" (Keefe O'Brien). "It stays much cooler than Kingman. This campground is secluded, rustic, and very, very peaceful." (Julie Beaumontt)....
Based on 20 reviewsShow more
Site-Specific Reviews
Site-specific commentary mentions sloped sites and limited flat areas for tents. "Only con is most sites are slightly sloped," noted one review. "Limited for flat surface to put a tent," added...
Based on 20 reviewsShow more
Accessibility Features
One camper criticized the road conditions as discriminatory against disabled individuals. "This is a federal campgrounds that discriminates against the disabled by not providing a road that anyone...
Based on 20 reviewsShow more
Pet-Friendly Features
No specific comments about pets were found in the reviews.
Based on 20 reviewsLast updated August 10, 2025