Best Dispersed Camping near Forest Lakes, AZ
Dispersed camping near Forest Lakes, Arizona offers multiple free primitive sites along the Mogollon Rim. Bear Canyon Lake and Camping Area provides accessible sites with established fire rings but no amenities. Rim Road and Old Rim Road (Forest Road 171) feature spacious dispersed sites set back from forest roads. Several campers note that while the main roads are generally well-maintained, side roads often require higher clearance vehicles. According to reviews, "The main road is a good well-maintained dirt/gravel road. Once you turn off to go towards the sites it is a bit rough."
No drinking water is available at these sites. Visitors must pack in all water and supplies and pack out all trash. Vault toilets exist at some locations like Bear Canyon Lake, but most areas have no facilities. Fire restrictions are strictly enforced during summer months, typically from May through September depending on conditions. Weather in this high-elevation area (6,000+ feet) ranges from pleasant summer temperatures (75-78°F days, 40s at night) to below freezing in winter, with many roads becoming impassable after snowfall.
The standard 14-day stay limit applies to all dispersed camping in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Cell service varies significantly by location and carrier. Sites closer to highways often have some reception, while deeper forest locations have none. Campsite popularity fluctuates seasonally, with weekends and holidays experiencing heavy use. Campers report that Bear Canyon Lake becomes extremely crowded during summer weekends, while more remote forest road sites offer greater solitude. Wildlife encounters are common; proper food storage is essential.