Arizona · Camping

Airplane Flat

Apr–Oct
best months
  • At 6,600 ft
  • Pleasant Valley Ranger DistrictTonto National Forest

Airplane Flat is a Forest Service campground in the Pleasant Valley Ranger District of Tonto National Forest in Arizona. It sits in the forest's backcountry, and the nearest town is Heber, about 16 miles away. The site is simple, with vault toilets as the only amenity. No fees are required to use it, so it works well as a base for a short stay or a stop on the way to other destinations in the district. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Heber run from highs around 71°F and lows near 39°F in May to highs around 67°F and lows near 36°F in October. Summer highs there reach the low 80s, and winter lows drop to about 20°F. Upper Canyon Creek campground is just half a mile away, and Colcord Ridge campground is about 2.4 miles off. Mountain bikers can head to the Back Alley and Rim Run trails, both roughly 2.4 miles away. Willow Springs Lake Fishing and Boating Site is about 4.5 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Airplane Flat

    Best months: April–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      46° / 20°

    2. Feb

      50° / 23°

    3. Mar

      57° / 28°

    4. Apr

      64° / 32°

    5. May

      71° / 39°

    6. Jun

      82° / 48°

    7. Jul

      83° / 56°

    8. Aug

      81° / 55°

    9. Sep

      75° / 47°

    10. Oct

      67° / 36°

    11. Nov

      55° / 27°

    12. Dec

      46° / 20°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Heber (Black Mesa) Rs, AZ, 16.2 mi away at 6,590 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.