CAMP RENO

NAME: Camp Reno
COUNTY: Gila
ROADS: 4WD
LEGAL INFO: 1
CLIMATE: Very cold winter mild summer
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Winter or Early Spring   		COMMENTS: From 188 at Punkin Center to the area called "Camp Reno" (in reality the general store area) on FR 409 by the forest service is about 3-ish miles. It's fenced in barbed wire and has a sign at the entrance erected by the Boy Scouts. The surrounding areas were severely damaged by the big fire, but finally beginning to show some green again. From 188 take 409 and stay on it, the road will split and one unnumbered road goes down to the wash, the site of a few skirmishes between the soldiers and the Apaches. (a fairly nice shaded spot to picnic) the road you want, bears right.
The true area of Camp Reno, FR 524, is a bit further, depending on the road condition, it'll take 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. You'll need to look to your left when you get to the plateau area of the mesa, look for rock piles. This spot overlooks the area where the general store was located, but you can't access one area from the other because Camp Reno was located on the mesa plateau with a steep hill and a creek bed between. I suspect when the camp was operational, they probably had stairs built to get down to the store. There's not a lot to see in either location, but a lot of history took place there and we always like to imagine what it must have been like. Both areas are open (as of two weeks ago) The electric company has been in there laying underground power lines, so they've smoothed the road out considerably but four wheel drive is still recommended.
REMAINS: Very little if anything

This area was occupied by the United States Army from 1867-1870.Their mission was to check on the Apaches.About 3 miles to the east is an old wash this is where the soldiers battled the Apaches in the battle of Big Dry Wash 1868. Submitted by: Mark Mayhew

Camp Reno was established by the 1st Cavalry in 1867 and abandoned in 1870. It was an outpost of Fort McDowell and was intended to establish a military presence in Tonto Basin and surrounding areas due to the problems settlers and ranchers were having with regular raids by the Apaches. The actual orders from General McDowell to the 1st Cavalry Captain simply stated,
"You will order that, in making these shelters, the commanding officer shall put them up in the order of time prescribed in General Orders No. 39, for the huts to be built at the camp to be established northeast from Fort McDowell, (Camp Reno). The same provisions as to extra pay to the enlisted men, therein made, will apply in the case of the new camp. I have not authorized more permanent quarters than those which the men could make by their own labor, with the materials at hand, because it was not known, nor could it be ascertained at once where permanent posts would be required. The population in this country is so fluctuating (on account of the uncertainty of mining operations), that it frequently happens that before a permanent post is finished the necessity for it has ceased."
Since the Camp was only operational for three years, one would assume that the "necessity for it had ceased" however, it is speculated that because of the remoteness of the camp, the high cost of supplying the camp was more likely the reason for its demise. The 1st Cavalry proved to be effective in curtailing the murderous raids during the three years they were encamped on a mesa at the foot of what is now Reno Pass.
Forest Service maps indicate Camp Reno being located at the foot of the mesa, but in actuality, that is not the correct location. The location marked by a sign is actually the location of Sutter's Store, a general store which was built by locals to supply the needs of the camp and surrounding settlers. Not much remains today of either Camp Reno or Sutter's Store. The area the store was in contains just a few concrete slabs and a spring. The remains of the camp are a bit harder to spot because they aren't marked but you can still see the stones in place outlining the places where the 1st Cavalry had their tents erected.
We hiked the area yesterday and found an old cemetery in the foothills. The entire area was severely damaged by wildfires a few years ago. Although there's not much to see, it's still fun to visit the area and speculate on what it must have been like.
For anyone interested, directions are below.

- Submitted by Laura A


Canp Reno Cemetery
Courtesy Laura A


Canp Reno Cemetery
Courtesy Laura A


This wall was probably used to protect against Apache attacks
Courtesy Laura A


In Actuality this is not Camp Reno but instead is the site of Sutter's General Store
Courtesy Laura A


The Spring at Sutter's Store
Courtesy Laura A

 BACK