Best Tent Camping near Payson, AZ
Tent campsites around Payson, Arizona offer a mix of established and dispersed options throughout the Tonto National Forest and along the Mogollon Rim. Several dispersed tent camping areas can be found along Forest Road 95 and Rim Road, providing primitive tent sites with minimal development. Molitor Spot Along Rim Road offers drive-in and walk-in tent access in a dispersed setting, while Forest Road 195 Campground provides similar primitive tent camping opportunities with more room for larger groups. Most sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations required.
The terrain at tent campgrounds varies from rocky soil to softer forest floor, depending on elevation and proximity to waterways. Many primitive tent sites lack basic amenities, with campers required to pack in all water and pack out all trash. A review mentioned that "people haven't taken good care of this place. There is a lot of trash everywhere. Definitely bring an extra garbage bag or two and pick some stuff up." Fire restrictions are common during dry summer months, though most dispersed areas allow fires when conditions permit. Vault toilets are available at some established campgrounds like Alderwood and Childs Camping Area, but most dispersed tent sites have no facilities whatsoever, requiring proper waste disposal techniques.
Higher elevation tent sites along the Mogollon Rim provide relief from summer heat with temperatures typically 15-20 degrees cooler than Phoenix. A visitor commented that "the trees at the site provided a lot of shade and places to hang up our hammock," highlighting the natural amenities that make tent camping comfortable in this region. Access to many primitive tent camping areas requires high-clearance vehicles, with some remote locations demanding 4WD capability, especially after rain. Tent campers should be prepared for wildlife encounters including elk, deer, and occasionally bears. The proximity to creeks and small lakes provides fishing opportunities at many locations, though reaching water sources often requires hiking from the campsite. Weekend crowding occurs at easily accessible tent sites, while more remote dispersed camping areas typically offer greater solitude and fewer neighbors.
