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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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.
