Oak Flat Campground

The campground and the surrounding area has been a spiritual site for the Western Apache for hundreds of years. Here the Apache harvest medicinal and basketry plants that grow near the springs and wetlands. They gather for prayer, dancing, and coming of age rituals for young tribal members. The land is managed by the forest service and was supposed to be preserved forever. That changed however, when an Australian mining company bought a nearby mine. New machines and new mining methods will allow deep mining of copper, making the mine the most productive in the country.

The Apaches are concerned that the mine tunnels will cause the land to sink and the mining operation will cause the springs to dry up and the water to be contaminated. The Apaches and other Native America tribes are fighting to get the land preserved as a sacred and historic site. Gatherings and demonstrations are sometimes held in the campground.

A few people were camping when we stopped. Some signs, a teepee, and several wickiups were the only evidence of the demonstrations. This is a well used site so the roads and camping spots are rough. A recent rain filled a large pothole and we didn’t explore the eastern section of the campground. Amenities include tables, fire pits, and vault toilets.

 

The ground is hard packed so rolling is not too difficult. The trails are not accessible but we did walk/roll along Magma Mine Road which is paved but steep with some traffic. Campground  33.30769, -111.05206