Christmas Recreation Site
Its 13 sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), and camping is free. Christmas Recreation Site is a BLM campground near Winkelman, Arizona.
First-come, first-served
1 / 4Campsite on natural ground that includes a fire ring/grill and a metal picnic table with an extended top to accommodate wheelchair users. Photo: Bureau of Land Management Arizona, Public domain (US federal government work, 17 U.S.C. 105)
- Managed by
- BLM
- Cell service
- No coverage
Gila River access: The site is a put-in for floating the Gila River, usually from May through October when releases from Coolidge Dam run over 300 cubic feet per second, with a take-out at the Town of Winkelman River Park. (blm.gov)
Getting a site
- Managed by
- BLM
- Reservations
- None, first-come
- Fee
- Free
Source: blm.gov, accessed 2026-09-29
Sites and hookups
- Total sites
- 13
- ✓ Toilets
- ✓ Fire rings
On site: Toilets and fire rings.
Source: blm.gov, accessed 2026-09-29
Access and cell service
- Cell service, reported
- No coverage
- Elevation
- 2,058 ft
Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)
- AT&T
- No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE mapped about 0.5 mi away
- T-Mobile
- No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE and 5G mapped about 0.4 mi away
- Verizon
- 4G LTE
Reports on record say there is no cell service here, while the FCC map shows 4G LTE from Verizon at this spot. The map is a carrier prediction; the reports come from people who camped here.
Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection, data as of December 31, 2025
Outdoor coverage each carrier reports to the FCC at this campground's map point, and the nearest mapped coverage within about half a mile. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it. These are carrier predictions, not measurements, and can be wrong either way: real service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle is often weaker. 5G speeds are the FCC's 7/1 and 35/3 Mbps tiers. This product uses the FCC Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the FCC.
33.0604, -110.7227 in Gila. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Common questions
Do you need a reservation at Christmas Recreation Site?
How much does it cost to camp at Christmas Recreation Site?
How many campsites does Christmas Recreation Site have?
Is there cell service at Christmas Recreation Site?
Who manages Christmas Recreation Site?
Around Christmas Recreation Site
San Carlos Reservoir's mapped center point is 14 miles from Christmas Recreation Site in a straight line. Current water level: San Carlos Reservoir water level on reservoirfinder.com.
More campgrounds: camping near Winkelman and campgrounds in Gila.
Sources
- blm.gov (all fields), accessed 2026-09-29
- blm.gov (notableFeature), accessed 2026-09-29
- epqs.nationalmap.gov (elevationFt), accessed 2026-09-29
- broadbandmap.fcc.gov (cellCoverage), accessed 2026-09-27
Photo credits
- Photo 1: Bureau of Land Management Arizona, Public domain (US federal government work, 17 U.S.C. 105)
- Photo 2: Bureau of Land Management Arizona, Public domain (US federal government work, 17 U.S.C. 105)
- Photo 3: Bureau of Land Management Arizona, Public domain (US federal government work, 17 U.S.C. 105)
- Photo 4: Bureau of Land Management Arizona, Public domain (US federal government work, 17 U.S.C. 105)