| There are six campgrounds in Apache National Forest | | | | first four campgrounds is that because the canyon is |
| along the East Fork of the Black River - all within a | | | | narrow with steep walls, direct sun light is limited to |
| few miles of each other. We visited these | | | | late morning thru early afternoon. If you prefer more |
| campgrounds in late November, 2006. The Black | | | | sunlight, try Horse Springs or Buffalo Crossing |
| River is more of a stream than a river - but it's | | | | campgrounds. |
| beautiful, remote and pristine. If you're coming from | | | | Horse Springs is the largest campground of the six |
| Alpine, AZ, as you head south on Forest Route 276, | | | | with two loops (Polecat and Porcupine). Each loop has |
| the campgrounds are in the following order: Diamond | | | | several rows of camp sites with one of the rows |
| Rock, Aspen, Deer Creek, Raccoon, Horse Springs | | | | situated along the river. Camp sites in this |
| and Buffalo Crossing. | | | | campground are a little less secluded and private than |
| All six of these campgrounds are in a canyon that | | | | those in the other five. Views of the canyon walls |
| starts off narrow with beautiful steep canyon walls. | | | | are very pretty and several sites have excellent |
| As you pass the fourth campground (Raccoon), the | | | | views of the river. |
| canyon starts to spread out and the canyon walls | | | | The canyon walls at Buffalo Crossing campground are |
| become less steep. The canyon continues to spread | | | | shallow and the area between the walls is much |
| out and the canyon walls continue to taper off and | | | | wider than the other five campgrounds in this area. |
| become very shallow at Buffalo Crossing campground | | | | Some of the sites are in a beautiful open meadow |
| with views of an open expansive meadow and the | | | | between the canyon walls and some hug the edges |
| river. | | | | of one of the canyon walls forested by tall majestic |
| The views from the first four of these campgrounds | | | | ponderosa pine. Several of the sites in the meadow |
| are very similar. Each of these four campgrounds is | | | | have views of the Black River. Because of the open |
| small with less than 12 camp sites. As the sun hits the | | | | meadow, this campground has lots of sun. |
| canyon walls, the views are gorgeous and the tall | | | | If you like shade, pick a camp site that is along the |
| ponderosa pine trees that spread out along the | | | | shallow canyon wall -- you'll still have a view of the |
| canyon walls are majestic. As you look out between | | | | meadow. The sites located in the meadow have no |
| the canyon walls, you'll see beautiful views of the | | | | shade but are closest to the river. We thought that |
| narrow canyon floor, often dotted with small | | | | each of the six campgrounds in this area had |
| meadow-like areas and beautiful tall ponderosa pine. | | | | beautiful views; but our favorite was Buffalo Crossing |
| Some of the camp sites overlook the river, but river | | | | because of the wide-open expanse of the beautiful |
| views are obstructed from most of the sites by | | | | meadow between the canyon walls that allows a lot |
| surrounding trees and vegetation along the river | | | | of sunshine. |
| banks. | | | | Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Since all six |
| Most of the camp sites are well separated. Even | | | | campgrounds are so close together, I recommend |
| though many of the camp sites don't have views of | | | | that if you visit this area for camping, look at all six. |
| the river, you can still hear the sound of the moving | | | | I'm sure you'll find a camp site that you will think has |
| water which enhances the sense of beauty of the | | | | a beautiful view. We really liked this area and I'm sure |
| area. The overall feeling of the campgrounds is rustic, | | | | you will too. |
| pristine and beautiful. The only downside to these | | | | Happy camping! |