Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Roxann Adamsen on June 22, 2009 at 3:00pm

I have to admit that my camping experience in Arizona is woefully low but so far my favorite place is Bear Canyon Lake campground in the Sitgreaves National Forest, just up the hill from Payson. Its right above the Rim. The turn off is off of AZ260. It's actually hard to see the turn off especially from the Phoenix side. You then follow a number of back roads (sorry you'll have to look them up) to the campground, passing by several other campgrounds at the various lakes in the area. The road is gravel/dirt but a low clearance vehicle can make it easily. It is a "rustic" campground with out houses. There is no fee and no campground host. The lake itself is down a short but steep hiking path with several switchbacks so if you plan on bringing any sort of water craft, such as a canoe or kayak, keep that in mind. There are motor boats allowed and there is not boat ramp. The area is beautiful and for the most quiet (unless you have rowdy neighbors). We went up on a Sunday afternoon and stayed till Tuesday. We got there just as the weekend crowd was leaving and got the place pretty much to ourselves (except for the rowdy neighbors which were kind enough to settle down when we asked them to). Anyhow, that's my favorite place thus far in Arizona. More camping trips to follow...

Permalink Reply by Jerry Linton on June 27, 2009 at 9:48am

You should try Pine Grove up by Lake Mary you can reserve it on recreations.gov and they have running water, showers and flush toilets which are kept clean. Very nice area we love to go there.

Permalink Reply by Amber Lawrenz on June 27, 2009 at 11:27am

I love Canyon Creek and Knoll lake. If you go to Knoll lake with young children keep in mind that it takes about 30-40 minutes on a dirt road to get in and out, and the road is very narrow at times and also at times you are inches from the edge of the rim, so back to the young kid part, if they get seriously injured on something it will take about an hour or so to get them to a hospital and there is no cell service for any provider. Canyon Creek is beautiful, there are no fees at either place and the Creek has some great fishing spots. Keep in mind that both of these places, even in the middle of summer get very cold at night!

Permalink Reply by Amber Lawrenz on June 27, 2009 at 11:34am

Also a beautiful place to visit is Lockett Meadow

Permalink Reply by anozira nats on July 9, 2009 at 10:41pm

you must stay up on young road to camp not much down by the hatchery at clear creek

Amber Lawrenz said:

I love Canyon Creek and Knoll lake. If you go to Knoll lake with young children keep in mind that it takes about 30-40 minutes on a dirt road to get in and out, and the road is very narrow at times and also at times you are inches from the edge of the rim, so back to the young kid part, if they get seriously injured on something it will take about an hour or so to get them to a hospital and there is no cell service for any provider. Canyon Creek is beautiful, there are no fees at either place and the Creek has some great fishing spots. Keep in mind that both of these places, even in the middle of summer get very cold at night!

Permalink Reply by Tony Padegimas on August 15, 2009 at 7:03pm

I profile Arizona campgrounds for Examiner.com, and I am always interested in suggestions.

http://www.examiner.com/x-18708-Phoenix-Camping-Examiner

Tony Padegimas

Permalink Reply by Andrew Kurtz on September 17, 2009 at 11:42am

I love the Wet Beaver Creek Campground. It is near Sedona. When you exit from I-17 at Highway 179, go east about 1.5 mile to the campground. There is 13 sites, Pit toilets, a fire pit, table, and water avalable. There is also a great swimming hole right next to the campground. Also the Bell Tral is closeby, with great hikng and more swimming holes along the creek. The creek runs all year and is very cool. It is open year round(no reservations), $15 a night($18 in nearby Sedona) and $6 for a bag of wood, but there is plenty of wood around on the ground if you look around. very easy to get to and most tourists that go to Sedona do not know about it.

Permalink Reply by Michelle Gorel on September 28, 2009 at 12:13pm

Thanks Tony for posting here -- I'm now subscribing to your posts -- very helpful! Michelle

Tony Padegimas said:

I profile Arizona campgrounds for Examiner.com, and I am always interested in suggestions.

http://www.examiner.com/x-18708-Phoenix-Camping-Examiner

Tony Padegimas

Permalink Reply by Bill sweet on January 8, 2010 at 9:53pm

Favorite spot is Area 9350, 2 miles past Woods Canyon Lake on FR 300. Has one pit toilet (brick building). About 50 sites, right on the Rim. Views are fantastic! There is a Camp Host, but no fees. Plenty of room between sites. Second favorite is Dogtown Lake just south of Williams. Pit toilets (brick buildings), water available, waste dump. Very near the lake. I think it's $18.00 a night now. Easy to get to, near town and supplies, but usually very quiet. Excellent hiking opportunities abound nearby. For a rare treat I make the six hour drive up to Reservation Lake in the White Mountains. I like to go early or late in the season, crowds are gone. Scenery is the best in Arizona, fishing is great, and always see a lot of elk and deer. Last time I was up there it was $6.00 a day to camp and $6.00 a day to fish. Purchase permits at the casino in Show Low, or in Whiteriver if you go in the back way.

Permalink Reply by Mike Loftus on May 12, 2010 at 10:08pm

Canyon Creek used to be a geat spot along with Airplane Flat which is on the other side of the creek. In 2002 the devistating fire took most of these campgrounds out and is only now starting to grow back, but the tall pine trees are pretty much gone. The creek is clear and cold and the fish hatchery was spared in the fire, and a nice place to visit.

Amber Lawrenz said:

I love Canyon Creek and Knoll lake. If you go to Knoll lake with young children keep in mind that it takes about 30-40 minutes on a dirt road to get in and out, and the road is very narrow at times and also at times you are inches from the edge of the rim, so back to the young kid part, if they get seriously injured on something it will take about an hour or so to get them to a hospital and there is no cell service for any provider. Canyon Creek is beautiful, there are no fees at either place and the Creek has some great fishing spots. Keep in mind that both of these places, even in the middle of summer get very cold at night!

Permalink Reply by Mike Loftus on May 12, 2010 at 10:24pm

I have camped in alot of the campgrounds in the Payson and White Mountain side of the state. My favorite is Hoyer campground in Greer, Az. Tall pines about 8500' elevation, the small town of Greer 10 minutes down the road. The East Fork of the Little Colorado river runs through this area, so fishing is plentiful along with several hiking trails. The many other White Mountain lakes are a short drive away. The campsite has water but no electricity, new out house restrooms, showers, ampitheater, firewood & ice. There are 100 sites here. Other great spots are Buffalo Crossing which is about 1/2 hour past Big Lake, Canyon Point campground near Forest Lakes, Bear Canyon Lake between Woods Canyon Lake & Knoll Lake.

Permalink Reply by Millie Slattery on July 18, 2010 at 3:36pm

It's a long ride from PHX, but for us it's Lower Log on the White Mountain Apache reservation campground. You can pitch your tent really close to the stream and listen to the water rushing by. There are eagles nesting there - if the campground's not too crowded (last August was amazing!), you can watch the eagles fishing - mama batted about 250 last year, and we were also there when she left the young'uns on their own in September...they wouldn't come home for dinner on time so she just took off and left the nest empty, although she was checking up on them occasionally. This year I've noticed blue herons too. The campground is the rustic (aka outhouse) variety, about 8 miles from the Hondah Casino in Pinetop (fishing store there is where you get your camping/fishing permit - state permit's not valid there). I'm a dutch oven lover so I really appreciate the boulders with 'bowls' in them for the hot coals. Six bucks a night to camp - no running water except for the stream and you'll be sharing your campsite with the cows as they graze by the stream.

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