Openings · last 7 days
0
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-232200
When Rainbow (AZ) reopens
Rainbow (AZ)'s openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
2
Openings · last 90 days
2
Only 2 openings in the last 90 days: not enough recent activity for a reliable pattern. A free Campsite Sniper alert watches around the clock instead, and pings you the moment one opens.
02 · Availability Outlook · Sep 18 – Oct 31, 2026 · of 121 monitored sites
Of the 5,324 tracked site-nights (Sep 18 – Oct 31, 2026): 5,324 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative). Of the facility's 121 monitored sites, 87 can be reserved online and 34 are first-come, first-served.
No online availability right now
Of the 5,324 tracked site-nights (Sep 18 – Oct 31, 2026): 5,324 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative). A free alert tells you if any date opens online.
Load status
Sep 18 – Oct 31, 2026Not open online100%
Open site-nights0 / 5,324
Of the 5,324 tracked site-nights (Sep 18 – Oct 31, 2026): 5,324 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative).
Open dates by month
Sep 2026 – Oct 2026No month in range currently shows online availability. 0 open site-nights across the tracked window — these site-nights are on sites not offered for online reservation.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 121 sites| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | SAT Sep 5 | 0 | None open |
| SUN Sep 6 | 0 | None open | |
| MON Sep 7 | 0 | None open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked night.
About Rainbow (AZ)
Overview
Rainbow is the largest campground in the Big Lake Recreation Area in eastern Arizona. Because of its proximity to the lake, size and the many amenities it offers, Rainbow is a favorite for families. Popular activities include hiking, horseback riding and fishing.
Recreation
The campground is adjacent to 450-acre Big Lake, one of Arizona's top fishing lakes. The lake is known for its trout fishing, with rainbow, cutthroat, brook and Apache being the most sought-after species.
The recreation area is also popular for hiking, mountain biking, birding and wildlife viewing. Curious campers can attend educational programs at the recreation area's visitor center.
Facilities
The facility boasts 165 campsites organized into six loops. Four double sites are available for up to 16 people each, which is convenient for larger families, and two single unit accessible sites are also available.
A small store nearby sells gas, food, boat rentals and firewood. A campground host is available on-site for visitor assistance.
Natural Features
Rainbow Campground sits at an elevation of 9,000 feet in the White Mountains. It is a very scenic area, forested with ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, spruce and aspen trees, which provide ample shade.
Summer temperatures are pleasant and cool, a nice respite from the heat of the lower desert. Visitors should come prepared for cool nighttime temperatures and occasional summer thunderstorms.
Nearby Attractions
Visitors can explore endless vistas and take part in many outdoor activities in the surrounding Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, which encompasses 2 million acres of magnificent mountain country in east-central Arizona and New Mexico. Springerville, Arizona is the closest town to the campground.
121 monitored sites34 FCFS sitesRVs up to 180 ftNo hookups121 shadedPets OKMax party 16
Getting there
From Pinetop, Arizona, take Highway 260 east 25 miles to Highway 273 south. Follow Highway 273 south 19 miles to Forest Road 8115 (Big Lake Entrance). Turn right and travel 1 mile to the campground.
Apache-Sitgreaves, AZ928-537-8888
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHiking
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-232200 · facility
Photo gallery
Roll CS-232200 · Rainbow (AZ) · AZ12 frames · facility
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Rainbow (AZ)?
Campsite Sniper's current snapshot shows none of the 5,324 tracked site-nights open for online reservation at Rainbow (AZ). That can mean dates are reserved, closed, not yet released, or offered first-come, first-served rather than online. Campsite Sniper has also detected 2 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 16:19 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Rainbow (AZ)?
Campsite Sniper detected 2 site-date openings here over the last 90 days, none in the last 7. A free alert watches around the clock and pings you the moment one appears.
Which sites at Rainbow (AZ) fit a 35-foot RV?
114 of the 121 sites that support RV analysis have a recorded maximum of 35 ft or more; the longest recorded is 180 ft.
Does Rainbow (AZ) have online availability right now?
As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot, none of the 5,324 tracked site-nights are open for online reservation. That can mean dates are reserved, closed, not yet released, or offered first-come, first-served rather than online. A free Campsite Sniper alert tells you if any date opens online.
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When a match opens, you get a push with a Recreation.gov link so you can review and book it yourself.
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