Fishing enthusiasts will find direct access to Woods Canyon Lake from this Forest Service campground, though the trek requires a 1.3-mile hike from the sites. Crook Campground operates seasonally from late April through early November, accommodating RVs up to 30 feet with water hookups and standard amenities including restrooms and a dump station. The campground features two large ramadas that work well for group gatherings.
Sites sit close to Woods Canyon Road, which generates steady traffic from lake visitors during peak times. Campers exploring the broader region can find campgrounds around Sitgreaves National Forest for additional options. The rough access road requires careful navigation, and weekend crowds are common during the operating season.
Description
Overview
This group campground is situated in a tall ponderosa pine forest, just down the road from the popular Woods Canyon Lake in north central Arizona. The shaded campground is a nice hideaway for large groups with opportunities for boaters, anglers, hikers, families and photographers.
Recreation
Popular activities include trout fishing, hiking, boating, cycling, horseback riding, and photography. Woods Canyon Lake is the most popular of four lakes in the Rim Lakes Recreation Area. Woods Canyon Lake only allows electric boat motors. The paved Meadow Trail borders Crook Campground and will bring you about 1 mile north to Woods Canyon Lake or one quarter mile south to the The Rim Lakes Vista and Rim Trail is just a quarter mile from the campground and leads to spectacular views of the Mogollon Rim and surrounding area.
Facilities
The campground is arranged in two loops in a cul-de-sac design. Each has a group area that can host up to 110 campers and 26 vehicles (parallel parking only). The sites can accommodate both RVs and tents, though some areas are less suited for tent camping. A picnic shelter is located in the middle of the group use area. Groceries are available at the Woods Canyon Store, and a dump station is located near the park. Firewood is available for sale at the store and onsite.
Natural Features
The campground is situated a ponderosa pine forest at an elevation of 7,500 feet. Wildlife viewing includes birds, squirrels, deer and elk. Hikers who venture onto nearby trails are afforded expansive views of the land beneath the Mogollon Rim. The Mogollon Rim, pronounced by locals as "muggy-own," is a 200-mile long escarpment in northern Arizona that ranges between 5,000 and 7,000 ft. in elevation and serves as the geographical divide between the cool high country above and the hot, dry desert below. Summer temperatures can be very pleasant because of the elevation. However, the rainy season often brings afternoon thunderstorms from late June through August. Visitors should come prepared for rain and cool nighttime temperatures.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (928) 535-0181.
Nearby Attractions
Gas, food, and groceries are available in Forest Lakes 9 miles east. The nearest full service community is Payson, Arizona, 34 miles west on Highway 260. Visitors can explore endless vistas and take part in many outdoor activities in the surrounding Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, which encompasses 2 million acres of magnificent mountain country in east-central Arizona and New Mexico.
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Renting an RV to be delivered to your campsite? Make sure your delivery service has a Forest Service special use permit!
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundCrook Campground is located in Arizona
Directions
From Heber: Travel 25 miles west on State Highway 260. Turn right onto Forest Road 300 which is located directly across from the Rim Visitor Information Station. Travel about 4 miles north of State Highway 260 toward Woods Canyon Lake. Turn right onto Forest Road 105 toward Woods Canyon Lake. Watch for signs for Crook Campground. From Payson: Travel approximately 30 miles east on State Highway 260. When you top out on the rim, take the first left onto Forest Road 300 directly across the highway from the Rim Visitor Information Station. Travel about 4 miles north. Turn right onto Forest Road 105 toward Woods Canyon Lake. Watch for signs for Crook Campground.
Coordinates
34.3163889 N
110.9416667 W
Connectivity
T-MobilePossible CoverageVerified by 16 usersLast on 3/27/26
VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 11 usersLast on 3/27/26
AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobilePossible CoverageVerified by 16 usersLast on 3/27/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 11 usersLast on 3/27/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
Drive Time
- 1 hr 54 min from Phoenix, AZ
- 1 hr 55 min from Prescott Valley, AZ
- 2 hrs 5 min from Flagstaff, AZ
- 3 hrs 12 min from Tucson, AZ
