225 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping areas surrounding Forest Lakes, Arizona range from developed campgrounds to dispersed sites across the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Several established facilities such as Canyon Point Campground and Aspen Campground offer designated sites with amenities, while areas along Rim Road and Forest Road 171 permit free dispersed camping. The area includes both tent-only primitive spots and RV-compatible locations with hookups. Canyon Point Campground provides electric and water hookups for RVs, while several mixed-use campgrounds accommodate multiple camping styles, including tent sites, RV spaces, and in some locations, cabin rentals.
Seasonal considerations are significant in this high-elevation region, with most developed campgrounds operating from late April through October or November. Many sites close during winter months due to snow and cold temperatures. Road conditions to dispersed sites may require high-clearance vehicles, especially for locations like Bear Canyon Lake and along forest roads. Canyon Point Campground typically operates from April 26 to November 10, while Aspen Campground runs from mid-April through mid-November. Several campgrounds require reservations during peak summer months. "The elevation of 6,200' makes for very pleasant weather most of the year. I have spent Thanksgiving at this location and loved that it got cold at night and a little warmer during the day," noted one visitor.
Proximity to lakes represents a key feature for many campers in the Forest Lakes area. Woods Canyon Lake and Willow Springs Lake are popular destinations accessible from nearby campgrounds. Campers report high satisfaction with the tall ponderosa pines providing shade throughout the area, making summer temperatures more moderate than lower elevations. Several visitors mentioned the quiet weekday experience contrasted with busier weekends. According to reviews, the region offers good opportunities for wildlife viewing, fishing, and hiking trails. Sites farther from highways tend to be quieter, as some campgrounds experience road noise from passing vehicles. Cell service varies significantly across the area, with most dispersed sites having limited or no coverage, while locations closer to Forest Lakes town may have better connectivity.
"It’s just a short walk to Woods Canyon lake. It’s fully stocked over the summer month with trout. They have kayak rentals available also and electric trolling motors are allowed on the lake."
"The lake is in walking distance with rentable boats and swimming. The site was a drive up, with a table and pit."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"And to see the view was just a 20 foot walk. Also we were right by a trailhead so we did have passerby’s but no worries. There is a host that comes around so that feel safe and welcoming."
"The second time we came up we managed to grab a spot on the rim side of the road, spot #30, around noon."
"The sites are similar to other campground around the area. The sites are kind of close together but that’s to be expected."
"Located in the scenic Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in north central Arizona near the town of Heber. Beautiful campground. Very well taken care of. Sites are large and spread out. Very quiet."
from $38 - $260 / night
Check Availability"We are fairly new to camping in Arizona. We decided to go camping last minute this past weekend, so we had no reservations. We found this area randomly, and we were very pleased."
"The views of the room here are really pretty,you get easy access to the lake close by. however this is my second time camping at this location and it’s been very windy both times"
"It's situated right off the highway just below the Mogollon Rim. It's nicely wooded so plenty of shade is available. A lot of the sites, mine included, are situated along the creek. "
"I have been coming here since i was a kid, my parents made sure we come here every year in the summer to enjoy cooler Arizona weather."
from $24 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Only one water source and bathroom near the entrance so plan on a long walk or drive to use facilities if you are on the far end of the campground."
"Unlike some of the more popular lakes in the area, Black Canyon Lake offers more serenity. Don't expect a great fishing experience, however, as the lake is rarely stocked any more."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"I’ve camped here twice and not only it’s great spot for the kids to roam around, it’s also nice having the lake close by."
"Most of the campsites closer to the lake entrance were designed to have multiple tents. There was loud music and gunshots (even though there is no target shooting allowed) well past midnight."
"My dog and I love it up here during an Arizona summer. Nice and cool with the Willow Springs lake nearby. Clean good camping."
"We visited here for a night get away from Scottsdale. It's amazing! We sadly only camped one night."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"For the distance it is away from Phoenix you can beat it ! 2hrs drive time!"
"Just a 1/2 mile on dirt road so that’s nice but the walk in spots for this campsite are SMALL and VERY tight/close together. Not only that but all spots are parallel."
from $18 / night
Check Availability"Great location (Mogollon Dispersed).. The views and surrounding forest are beautiful.. There is a men's & women's outhouse at the entrance to the area."
"There is a lake near by for fishing, has a small store and you can rent kyaks and small boats. Camp sites are not near each other, but within sight. Campfires allowed when conditions permit."
GuideCame up out from the valley to cool off. It's almost 11 at night and its in the 60s. Rheres some sort if building making all kinds of racket on and off but its worth it. No bathrooms no water none of that. It's about maybe a quarter mile up the hill from the parking spot. Not much level area but there's enough for some tents.
ScoutDecent spot next to forest road. Farther from lake mary road, but looks like big rigs use this spot usually
Scout4x4 needed to get out to the point. Beautiful spot with grand views. Very good cell service. Had the place to myself. Pretty windy.
RangerYou will travel over 11 miles of dirt road to get here. Most of it is pretty easy with a few rougher spots here and there. The roads in are well marked. This is a fee area run by the forest service. The fees are cash only-no recreation.gov app use available. I read before I went that there was an issue with the water so I brought plenty. There was signage at the spigots explaining what was going on. I'm glad I brought my own! The campground itself is small but the sites are good sized and well spaced. Plus the thick forest provides a decent amount of privacy. The bathrooms are vault toilets, no showers. There are tables, fire rings & BBQs at each site. There were bear boxes in some sites-I don't know why they weren't in all sites-but there was no evidence of bears passing through. Quiet hours were observed and the hosts were on top of things. There is a footpath from the campground to the lake, roughly 1/2 mile, and of course you can drive down to it. There was no real beach at the lake that I could see, no one was swimming, but there were shaded picnic tables & a bathroom available. Lots of fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding though. Note-no gasoline powered boats are allowed on the lake.
GuideThere is some recent fire damage - looks like controlled burn in area with logging going on in back side of hill but the pull through and camp area with views of valley are gorgeous! please do not build fire rings under trees or right along the cliff edge. The wind rushes up the mountain cliff and the fire danger of both these rings is absurd. Use stoves or portable fire pits since burn bans are almost always on and don’t be stupid starting fires under trees or on cliff face with rushing wind.
Other than that, enjoy these absolutely breathtaking views and cool mountain breezes blowing up the mountains! Please again, don’t build fire rings under trees in the pine mats or along the extremely windy uplift currents of the ridge face.
i have 2 bars of ATT service and starlink worked well pointing north.
None of the marked springs were flowing and all creeks were dry so be sure to bring all your water you may need. There is a cute “potato lake” 2 miles away but it’s more of a mud hole and wildlife tank and not good for water. I hope they get some monsoon rains here soon to recharge the water sources!
ScoutNice spot with a great view. Right on the edge. Recommend higher clearance vehicle for the road in. Limited areas to setup a tent as it’s very rocky. More suited for vehicle setups/small rv’s & vans. Advised, if you have children, the drop off is cliff-like.
Guidelots of dispersed areas for camping, including spots for bigger groups. plenty of forest roads off the main road to blue ridge reservoir, and plenty more off those. fire pits at most sites.
GuideLarge blacktop area between Visitors Center and Library. Lots of train noise. Nothing spectacular but, must needed stop
ScoutSemi private, wooded campsite, paved pad, little hiking trails, bathrooms close, but showers never open. Loved the site we stayed at.
Dispersed camping near Forest Lakes, Arizona offers numerous sites across Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest with varying terrain and accessibility options. The region sits at approximately 7,500 feet elevation, providing cooler temperatures than lower desert areas. Most Forest Roads in the area remain open from late April through November, but high clearance vehicles are required for many dispersed sites.
Fishing at nearby lakes: Woods Canyon Lake provides trout fishing opportunities accessible from multiple campgrounds. "The trout fishing here is top notch. The lake is stocked during the summer almost everyweek but the hold overs in the spring can get pretty huge!" notes a visitor to Aspen Campground.
Hiking the Sinkhole Trail: A moderate trail accessible directly from some campgrounds. "We decided to brave the Sinkhole Trail while we were there. It was very easy and only about ¾ of a mile each way with great tree coverage," explains a camper at Sitgreaves National Forest Canyon Point Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The Forest Lakes area hosts diverse wildlife including elk herds. "Elk wander through the campgrounds in early mornings and evenings," reports a visitor at Aspen Campground. Some areas also have wild horses: "We saw quite a few wild horses in the vicinity" at Black Canyon Rim Campground.
Spacious, private sites: Many campgrounds offer well-separated camping areas. "The sites are well spaced out, friendly hosts, close enough to the lake and the dump out ($7), quiet. The big plus for us was the spacing between the sites and the quiet nature of the camp," according to visitors at Aspen Campground.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds with managed facilities maintain high standards. "The bathrooms are cleaned daily and are very nice. The hosts were very friendly also," notes a reviewer at Black Canyon Rim Campground.
Temperature relief: The higher elevation provides welcome summer cooling. "Always a great place to stay in the summer. Usually about 25 degrees cooler in then Phoenix. Close to lakes and creeks along with hiking trails," shares an Aspen Campground visitor.
Creek access: Waterside sites offer peaceful natural soundscapes. "The creek is stocked with trout and makes for calming background noise!" notes a camper at Christopher Creek.
Fire restrictions: Fire bans are common during dry periods. "Love Christopher Creek as always... no fires allowed so it was pretty quiet which was nice," reports a visitor.
Road conditions: Many forest roads require appropriate vehicles. "The road can be a lil severe in spots but not bad at all. Can definitely tell this place gets a lot of use and there is trash here and there so do your best to pack out EVERYTHING you bring in," notes a camper at Fr 171 Campground.
Weekend crowds: Weekdays offer quieter experiences than weekends at most sites. "We would recommend going here during the week if possible. On the weekend it is packed and right on a dirt road which is like a freeway on the weekend and creates a lot of dust and noise," advises a visitor to Mogollon Campground.
Reservation requirements: Many established campgrounds require advance planning. "We are a fairly new to camping in Arizona. We decided to go camping last minute this past weekend, so we had no reservations," reports a visitor who found Fr 171 Campground through exploration.
Look for campgrounds with creek access: These provide built-in entertainment. "I have been coming here since i was a kid, my parents made sure we come here every year in the summer to enjoy cooler Arizona weather. Now the tradition lives on while my siblings and i bring our families and kids to build new memories. The best part is catching crawdads with our home made fishing poles," shares a Christopher Creek visitor.
Consider tent pad conditions: Some campgrounds have rocky areas requiring preparation. "We did tent camp and I wish we would of brought a rake to remove rocks from our tent site," advises a visitor at Mogollon Campground.
Check for bear-proofing needs: Wildlife protection measures are essential in bear country. "Bear boxes at every site," notes a Christopher Creek visitor, while another mentions "there is a lot of bear activity in the area due to the creek so have to be careful and no leave anything out."
Electrical hookup availability: Limited sites offer power connections. "Nice to be able to connect to electric a few days so didn't have to worry about solar panels," notes a visitor at Canyon Point Campground.
Dump station access: Plan for proper waste disposal. "Have yet to use the vault toilets or dumpsters so no opinion yet. Reserve and FFS sites there is a dumpsite and water, and some of the sites have electric," reports a Canyon Point visitor.
Size restrictions: Many sites have limitations for larger rigs. "Trailers are limited to 22'. No hook ups available but there is a dump station a few miles away at ponderosa!" cautions a Christopher Creek visitor.
Campsite layout considerations: Some campground designs affect RV setup. "The sites are marked and very well separated. The particular site we were at was a bit rocky, but plenty of room for 3 travel trailers, could have fit 4," notes a visitor at Fr 195 Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Forest Lakes, AZ?
Forest Lakes offers several excellent camping options. Fr 171 Campground provides dispersed camping with plenty of space between sites, making it ideal for those seeking privacy. The area is easy to access and perfect for last-minute trips. For a more developed experience, Canyon Point Campground in the Sitgreaves National Forest features well-maintained sites amid tall pines. The campground is located near Heber and offers large, spread-out sites with good shade coverage. Both campgrounds provide a great base for exploring the Forest Lakes area and experiencing the beauty of Arizona's high country.
What is the best time of year to go camping in Forest Lakes, AZ?
The best time to camp in Forest Lakes is late spring through early fall (May-September) when temperatures are most comfortable. Summer offers perfect escape from Phoenix heat, with Aspen Campground providing ideal temperatures for sleeping outdoors or in tents. By late spring, most campgrounds are open and accessible. Fall brings beautiful foliage, and Colcord Ridge Campground offers spectacular autumn views with tall pines and junipers. Be aware that summer fire restrictions are common throughout the Tonto National Forest area. Winter camping is limited due to snow and freezing temperatures, with many campgrounds closing seasonally.
Can I bring my RV to Forest Lakes camping areas?
Yes, many camping areas around Forest Lakes accommodate RVs. Homolovi State Park Campground, located about 2 miles outside of Winslow, offers spacious RV sites with good distance between each. For those seeking full hookups, Oxbow Estates RV Park near Payson provides level spots with good hookups in a quiet, rural setting with trees. Throughout the Forest Lakes area, you'll find options ranging from developed campgrounds with designated RV spaces to dispersed camping along forest roads that can accommodate larger vehicles. Some areas like Rim Road are noted as big-rig friendly. When planning, check specific campground details for size restrictions, hookup availability, and reservation requirements.
What camping amenities are available at Forest Lakes, Arizona?
Forest Lakes camping areas offer various amenities depending on the site. Spillway Campground provides picnic tables, metal fire rings, charcoal grills, and lake access with fishing opportunities and kayak rentals. For those wanting more facilities, Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area near Show Low offers beautiful pine and juniper surroundings with developed amenities while maintaining a sense of isolation. Many campgrounds in the area feature vault toilets, water spigots, and designated fire pits. Some sites are reservable months in advance, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Dispersed camping options are also available for those seeking a more primitive experience with fewer amenities.
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