Sitting at an elevation of 7,000 feet in northeastern Arizona, Springerville offers a host of activities and parks for outdoor adventures year-round. A small town in the White Mountains, Spingerville has a rich history steeped in Native American traditions as evident by the Casa Malpais Ruins. The town is surrounded by state and national parks as well ski resorts, lakes and streams.
Camping
For camping in Springerville, there are only a few options. The only campground within the city limits is the Casa Malpais Campground, located on West Main Street. The campground offers tent sites as well as full-hookup RV sites. Camping is also available in the Apache-Sitegraves Forest as well as the neighboring towns of Eagar, Greer and Saint Johns.
National and State Parks
There are numerous national and state parks near Springerville. Lyman Lake State Park is a 1,880-acre park encompassing a large man-made reservoir. The lake offers boating, and during the summer months there are tournaments, interpretive programs and fireworks. A small herd of buffalo also reside in the park. Less than an hour's drive north is the Petrified Forest National Park, where you can walk among giant petrified wood or visit the Painted Desert and see the multitude of colors that adorn the rock formations.
The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is home to one of the largest stands of Ponderosa Pine in the world. The forest covers nearly 2 million acres and is home to more than 410 species of wildlife. The Sitgreaves features eight lakes, while the Apache National Forest ranges in elevation from 3,500 feet to nearly 11,500 feet and is named after the tribes that settled in the area.
Casa Malpais Ruins
Mysteriously abandoned in 1400 A.D., the Casa Maplais--or "House of Badlands"--is a nationally recognized archaeological site as well as a national historic landmark. Built around 1260 A.D., it is one of the last dated Mogollon sites and houses many unusual features. The Great Kiva is the centerpiece of the site and consists of a painstakingly constricted volcanic rock formation. Travel to the the top of the mesa for stunning views of the entire pueblo.
Activities
Spingerville is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. Just 30 minutes away is the Sunrise Ski Resort with 65 runs over three mountains, a separate snowboarding area, cross country ski trails and a children's area. Just 20 minutes outside of Springerville are the small mountainside communities of Greer and Alpine. Mainly tourist destinations, these two communities feature shopping, dining, and sightseeing opportunities. In the fall, see the amazing explosion of colors that occurs as the trees begin to lose their leaves, and in the winter enjoy skiing and snowmobiling in these quaint towns.
Events
Each year Springerville presents fun and family friendly events. Celebrate the Fourth of July at the annual July 4th Celebration Event, including a parade, rodeo and fireworks at the Springerville airport. In June the White Mountain District of the Modified Motorcycle Association of Arizona presents Ride with the Wolf, a two-day motorcycle event benefiting the American Legion and local food banks. Event includes vendor displays, bike games, live entertainment and a parade. At Christmastime, Springerville hosts the Christmas Light Parade. The parade is held the first Saturday of December and features a visit from Santa Claus.
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