Best Equestrian Camping near Forest Lakes, AZ

All paved driving and campsite parking except equestrian area no hookups they have places to fill water and to dump. Restrooms and showers nice a clean.

Jake from the Dyrt here!  Round Valley Remuda has Electric, water and a Dump Station so you can enjoy your time on this beautiful farm, they even have a horse stall for rent if you want to bring the horses.  Check them out and make sure to share some pictures of your stay on the Dyrt!

This campground has really nice sites, that can accommodate large trailers. Each horse site has two large corrals, a fire pit, and picnic table.  There is water locations around the campground as well as bathrooms. Across the street is the main non horse campground, there is pay showers if needed and an amphitheater there. The trails weren't my favorite, a bit rocky, but were not bad either. The campground is a great location near Payson.

This is a horse campground. Most sites have a small corral. Sites are decent size, easy access. Several sites are a pull through semi circle. Staff is very helpful and kind. Campground is very clean and cared for.

This site is well kept and spacious. And the closest site to Water Wheel which is about ten miles away and Arizona’s best kept secret. I usually set up camp the afternoon before and get up early to make the drive to Water Wheel and get in a day hike. This place has extraordinary water falls and swimming holes. I have probably camped at Mesa Houston more than any other place in Arizona just so I can hike Water Wheel and have never had a negative experience. Payson is beautiful and this camp site is near amenities and great hiking spots.

For every good thing there was a bad. We stayed at Coyote Loop. You can’t fish from the shore because all the dead trees that go out about 10 feet along the entire shore (awesome if you have a boat; I guess). I expected lots of generators and the sound that it makes, myself included. I didn’t expect three campsites to be taken up by the same group of people and here F-bombs all night till 10 o’clock. Then people turn high power lamps on you and everyone for long periods of time because they can afford expensive toys but not a simple flashlight. It was peaceful at 10:00pm and we could hear the lake wildlife. Maybe not a good place to take children. There seem to be one super secret place to dump your trailer water, grey & black. While you can dump there for free; you cannot find it without a treasure map, a devining rod, and a map of the stars. Don’t bother asking the site Camp Host because his directions were equally as cryptic; if you can find them at all. I and to wait to get home and map it so here it is:

PQJV+2J Tonto Basin, Arizona

PROS: Spacious campsites; some have phenomenal views overlooking a canyon. Free entry and a toilet near the entrance. Saw some deer while on a hike and seems like a great area for off-roading in an ATV or dirt bike. CONS: some of the campsites are close to the road and passing trucks can be loud. It was kind of crowded and noisy until late this Memorial Day weekend.

Do you want to get away from the city but only have a vehicle that’s is low to the ground making dirt roads challenging or sometimes impossible? This is the campsite for you. While the site is on a dirt road it has been maintained enough that my typical sedan can get to it easily and the road is paved up until the turn off for the camp site. We’ve enjoyed beautiful sun rises from our camp and had good enough cell service to stream a horror movie. Double check what the fire restrictions are before leaving for your trip! This forest tends to have fire bans or can be completely closed during summer seasons when the fire risks are high. Sometimes you can find wild mushrooms growing which has always been a cool experience to me.

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. This doesn’t make it very convenient unless you are tent camping which we were not. Close to the Mogollon Rim paved path which is amazing, reference the picture for that! The hosts were great...hence why I gave the 4 stars! But I wouldn’t be going back here anytime soon.

Awesome high elevation! Very cool for AZ summers! For the distance it is away from Phoenix you can beat it ! 2hrs drive time!

I 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. However it is right on the rim and has a beautiful view.

Camped here with my son for scouts. Nice campground. You can see so many stars at night, it’s wonderful. We took a 3.3 mile hike to woods canyon lake. There is a marina and boat rentals are available. Camped in a small tent, hung the hammock, and enjoyed nature. The only downside was the constant noise from people in their side by sides running up and down Rim road all day, and into the night. Other than that, the usual “outhouse” type facilities. Running water to fill up containers for camp.

The four stars are mainly for convenience and location. The campground is fairly small and sites are pretty close together. It is pretty nicely maintained though and the host was nice. The road is nearby so it’s not a quite campground. However, it’s just down the street from woods canyon lake and some other really nice places to visit.

Stayed here many times and always a wonderful experience. The campsites are always clean with clean toilets and drinking water. The campsites are pretty spreadout from each other. Woods Canyon Lake is just a short drive away to enjoy hiking and you are within walking distance to the Rim.

We went up and tried our luck in the Forrest lakes area to find a spot with no reservations. Pretty much every site was full but this one. So we ended up there out of necessity. Ended up being a cool little spot with a concrete pad, picnic table, fire pit and vault toilets. Awesome trails that take you around the rim with some awesome views. Would stay again!

Close to Woods Canyon Lake, but very small sites. There is tons of national forest land around with large free campgrounds in Payson. About 600 free sites available between this lake and bear lake. I definitely recommend the free site.

Now we've never camped in the actual campground area so I cannot say but there are plenty of spots along the the way! We always find ourselves coming back to the rim! It's beauty and pure majesty of the area is truly an experience that you never want to leave. Even on the busy holiday weekend we are able to find isolated camping! Hiking, fishing and spectacular stargazing and are some of the many activities the rim has to offer!

Went first weekend after memorial day. Took Friday off to get a Non-reserved spot early as this small ground can fill up quick for the weekend (Half of the sites are reservable through USDA website.) Moderately spaced sites in close proximity to hwy 260, Rim lakes, and general store. Vault toilets, trash, and Water are serviced and firewood can be purchased from the camp host. We took our 9 Month old and 6 year l old and they had a blast.