Best Tent Camping near Forest Lakes, AZ
Looking for the best Forest Lakes tent camping? Find the best tent camping sites near Forest Lakes. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Best Tent Sites Near Forest Lakes, AZ (36)
1. Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground
Forest Lakes, Arizona6 Reviews•30 Photos•95 SavesThe campground is a fishing area with a picnic ground situated in a mixture of ponderosa pine, juniper and pinyon pine. Chevelon Canyon offers spectacular views and opportunities for hiking and fishing. NO trash collection available. This is a Pack-it-in / Pack-it-out area. Take your trash with you when you leave.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
2. Airplane Flat Campground
Forest Lakes, Arizona3 Reviews•41 SavesAirplane Flats Airplane Flat campground is made of dispersed units and set in an open stand of mature Ponderosa pine. Canyon Creek is known for its trout fishing. Arizona Game & Fish Department Canyon Creek Fish Hatchery has self-guided tours. Wildlife includes: Abert squirrel, black bear, mountain lion, elk, turkey and deer. Pack it in, Pack it out.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Picnic Table
3. Lower Tonto Creek
Kohls Ranch, Arizona5 Reviews•31 Photos•74 SavesOverview
The Lower Tonto Creek Campground is tucked away right next to the main highway just south of where the Tonto and Horton Creeks merge. Families may enjoy fishing at both Tonto and Horton Creeks or pass time hiking through nearby Horton Creek Trail or Derrick Trail. The Lower Tonto Creek Campground has a large open-space parking lot and paved walkway makes it accessible with only a light hike to the creek. This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you will be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. You will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as this area has limited or no cellular service. There is no adjacent parking spot to any camp site. Walk-in access only to all campsites (paved sidewalk is provided). Map to campground here. Please note: This campground is right next to Hwy 260 and receives a considerable amount of traffic noise and light throughout the day & night.
Recreation
The union of Tonto and Horton Creeks is at the north end of the Upper Tonto Creek campground. Fishing in both creeks is a popular sport. The trailheads for Horton Creek Trail 285 and Derrick Trail 33 are located in the Upper Tonto Creek campground. Both of these trails access the Highline National Recreation Trail (#31
Natural Features
Located just South of where the Tonto and Horton Creeks merge. Campsites are dotted along a paved sidewalk surrounded by tall Pines, situated just next to Tonto Creek. Please note: This campground is right next to Hwy 260 and receives a considerable amount of traffic noise and light throughout the day & night.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Alcohol
$20 / night
4. Forest Road 195 Campground
Forest Lakes, Arizona2 Reviews•20 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
5. Molitor Spot Along Rim Road - Dispersed
Pine, Arizona7 Reviews•19 Photos•290 SavesWhile much of the Forest is open to dispersed camping, there are several sites set aside as designated dispersed camping sites, listed below. Pick up or download a free Motor Vehicle Use Map to know where it is legal to drive. See Guidelines for information and policies, and Specific Sites for more details and contact information.
Know before you go! Be aware extreme winter weather or flooding risks can necessitate the closure of forest roads at different times of the year. Many forest roads that lead to dispersed campsites may be closed during seasonal road closures, so please check the Forest Road Status web page for more information about the status of forest roads in each District.
Fire restrictions may be in place. During fire restrictions, campfires, fires, and charcoal fires are not permitted in dispersed camping areas. This includes both Stage 1 and Stage 2 Fire Restrictions. Gas operated devices with an on/off switch are allowed. Where can I have a campfire during Stage I Fire Restrictions?
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Dispersed
- WiFi
6. Bearhide Group Site
Sun Valley, Arizona2 Reviews•10 Photos•221 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
- Firewood Available
7. Alderwood Campground
Young, Arizona1 Review•1 Photo•70 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
8. Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground
Forest Lakes, Arizona1 Review•8 Photos•10 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
10. FR95 Dispersed Camping
Pine, Arizona1 Review•6 Photos•41 SavesBe aware extreme winter weather or flooding risks can necessitate the closure of forest roads at different times of the year. Many forest roads that lead to dispersed campsites may be closed during seasonal road closures, so please check the Forest Road Status web page for more information about the status of forest roads in each District.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
Recent Tent Reviews in Forest Lakes
585 Reviews of 36 Forest Lakes Campgrounds
- R
Royce M.
Traveler
Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Campground
Beauty abounds
The entire Mallard loop has generous paved sites. There is a picnic table and nice fire pit. Plenty of paved space to set up. Pines surround each site and provide ample shade. Each site has easy access to the lake. The bathrooms have showers and were spotless.
- SSabrina V.
Guide
Homolovi State Park Campground
Quiet and beautiful
Check in was quick and easy. Camp sites are kept well and clean. Beautiful view on the land/mountains. Visitor center is small but nice w/ friendly staff. A couple hiking trails to some very sacred/historic spots. Watch out for rattle snakes.
- SShawnGuide
Homolovi State Park Campground
Enjoyed the ancient sites
Just a quick stop over, but I made time to check out the ruins.
- HHeatherTraveler
Black Canyon Rim Campground (apache-sitgreaves National Forest, Az)
Awesome site, but…….
Beautiful, huge site! Sites were well spaced. Very quiet campground. The camp host didn’t bother us at all. She was around, just not intrusive. Now the bad. I have been camping in primitive sites for the last 20 years or more. In all those years I have never come across pit toilets as bad as the ones at this campground. We arrived Sunday night. They were really bad, but it was the end of a weekend so I gave grace. On Tuesday the toilets were “cleaned “ out. It didn’t help because no one put chemicals in the pit. The smell of raw sewage was always present in our site.
- Bradley K.
Scout
Molitor Spot Along Rim Road - Dispersed
Views, solitude, and wind!
We arrived around noon on Friday, and within an hour or two there were two others who arrived--but thankfully turned around to find another spot. The views were extraordinary as we parked the Land Cruiser with the Roofnest in the ideal spot to not just soak up the afternoon and evening views, but to be blessed by a great sunrise from inside the tent.
The stars... I mean, wow! The starry sky at night was one of the best we've see anywhere, just stunning.
Felt very safe in the area for our 3 year old boy to explore with us, so if you expect any sheer cliffs or dangerous drop-offs, they aren't really there. There were gradual declines from the top, and they aren't immediately near where you'd park.
We will be back--this was a real gem... but expect wind throughout the night being this exposed!
- DiAnn N.Traveler
Fr 171 Campground
FR171 is one of my favorite spots.
Has 48 spots to camp. Some are great for rv, and some are very rocky. The road along sites are rv friendly. We spent 14 days in July and 20 days total. August went back for 12 days. September, it rained once every day.
- jjohn M.Guide
Clints Well Campground
Nice Forest service campground. Free
A nice campground has about seven spots, sign said it was a fee area. However, the camp host said it was free.
Steve M.
Ranger
Long Lake Dispersed Camping
Worth the challenging drive If you have AWD or 4WD
Pristine and usually unoccupied lake off the beaten path. 17 miles of dirt road from Highway to the lake and the last 7 are truly a challenge for anything other than a slightly lifted vehicle. Four camping areas near or with access to Lake with two of them having boat ramps. Skip the first turn off to the right as that is the very narrow part of the lake and rather ugly. The second turn off has two to four campsites with vault toilets and access to the lake through a boat ramp which allows camping and small trailer access lakeside. The churn out to the right is, Really rough and has very little camping or RV access. One of the pictures shows how rough the road is. I took the fourth turn off which is 747 and has one to two camping sites with a fire pit and good RV access along with a boat ramp. Note that fires are allowed in the fire pits because this is above 6, 000 feet but there is no water or trash. Pack it in, pack it out.
Cas M.Traveler
Tonto National Forest Dispersed Camping at Lake Roosevelt
Coyotes!
Beautiful desert camping, lots of birds and wildlife. I heard coyotes in the middle of the night that woke me up, and was glad for a rooftop tent.
Nick V.Traveler
Milk Ranch Point Road
Easy spot to access
Went down here mid August and it was a beautiful view. Thick tree coverage which hid us from the winds that day / night and the rim was a 200 foot walk away. Able to get there in my Chevy Trax which is front wheel drive only, without any problems. There are there are plenty of spot to pull off into on that forest road. If you don’t get this exact spot just keep driving the road and you’ll find something in no time. A lot of dead trees laying around for firewood, but did need axe and hacksaw to cut size them down. Area had a lot of pine needles on the ground.
Daniel R.Scout
Mogollon Rimn Dispersed, AZ FR 9350
Mogollon Rim Road, FR9350, Arizona
34.335842 - 110.973221
Numbered free camp sites. First come first served. Beautiful cool high country with many overlooks over the rim. 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. We stayed 3 nights while on our way home with our new R-Pod 192 Hood River Edition. We will definately go back again. The guy who came buy later to check us in was super nice and very informative.
Les G.Traveler
Arizona High Country Campground
Very nice location
We had a great site near the rear of the park with many shade trees and plenty of room. In general the sites are quite close together, but the folks were friendly and very helpful.....
- DDave N.Traveler
Take It Easy RV Park
Take it Easy
Nice campground Close to Walmart, Flying J, Standing on a Corner Close to town and restaurant’s Within 2 mile diameter
- AAmber B.Traveler
McHood Park Campground
Enjoyable
The City try’s is best to keep it clean and so do the camps host as we saw both city works and the host walking around picking up trash is a nice little weekend trip for dry camping. The camp host are from Winslow so they are very knowledgeable about the area and very nice and willing to help no matter the circumstances. They do have bathrooms but no showers as they are out of order. Camp sites are right by the water for good fishing or you can park up above if you do not like bugs as they are worse down by the water than on the upper campsites.
Patrick C.Guide
forest road 181
Forest road 181
Nice place to cool of and set up camp. The only reason it's not getting 5 stars is there isn't great views in this area.
- Patrick C.Guide
Old Rim Road/ Forest Road 171 Dispersed
Best views and weather
It rained every afternoon we were there for 3 days, but loved every bit of it. There is a camp host here even though it's free. His name is Steve and is super nice and helpful . He told us some spots in the are alto check out. Will stay here again
- Patrick C.Guide
Fr 171 Campground
Forest Rd 171
Had a great time camping here. The road is easy , don't need any clearance. The views are amazing!
- David Y.Traveler
Forest Road 195 Campground
Wilderness Camping
pretty secluded and pretty remote. sites are of different sizes, anyone can camp, big trailers etc. very quiet except for nature and birds. no Verizon for the most part, nice place to explore.
Lori W.Traveler
Elk Horn RV Park
Great little park
Park is looking great. Great location between Show Low and Pinetop with Highway access.
- JJulie G.Guide
Homolovi State Park Campground
Good campground
We stayed one night at Homolovi and it was nice. Only one bathroom facility. Very cool ruins but we didn’t get to explore too much. It gets hot in summer-be prepared.
- ttroy B.Scout
The Rim
The Rim
Dispersed
- RRaul M.Traveler
Old Rim Road Dispersed Site
Beat the Heat
I wanted to get out of the southern Arizona heat. This place did just that. Only the opposite side of the highway of Woods Canyon Lake and Willow Springs Lake. Both are just a 15min drive. Plenty of room for big rigs (40’+). I brought my 37’ Motorhome and had no problem finding a big enough site. Sites are marked and plenty spread out from other campers. Great views and perfect summer weather.
Robert H.Guide
FR141 Dispersed Site
Weekend on the Rim
A wonderful spot that is secluded and away from the busy FR300 traffic. 8 miles off of Hwy 87. There are no services but close to Kehl Springs Campground where there are restrooms.
There is no cell service but close to the Rim where you have service.
- JJulie G.Guide
Homolovi State Park Campground
Wonderful campground
We had a pull through for one night on our trip. It was an easy hookup. The trails are a 1mile hike from camp. It was hot so we didn’t get all the way. The bathrooms are ok. We didn’t check out the showers.
Monte W.
LegendOld Rim Road Dispersed Site
Spread out sites
Just under 50 sites off the dirt road. All sites have fire rings and are numbered. There were fire restrictions during my stay so definitely look into that beforehand, as with any other place. The sites were nicely spread out. The first few sites were along the rim. The others were within forested areas, well off the dirt road.
Frank J.Scout
Sitgreaves National Forest Canyon Point Campground
Canyon Point Campground
Had a great experience at Canyon Point. Bathrooms and showers are kept very clean. Sites are very clean. Staff was very helpful. Stayed six nights. Have small off-road trailer. Nice to be able to connect to electric a few days so didn't have to worry about solar palels. We were able to get starlink when dishy was set to flat. With senior pass cost was $22.50
Susan W.TravelerSalt River Canyon - Apache Tribe
A hidden gem
This plant is completely Uncultivated so beautiful!
Guide to Forest Lakes
Tent camping near Forest Lakes, Arizona offers a unique blend of rugged beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape into nature.
Tent campers should check out Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground
- The hike to the lake from the campground is a challenging trek, rewarding visitors with stunning views and a serene atmosphere at the water's edge. Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground is ideal for those who enjoy hiking.
- With its secluded sites and the chance to see wildlife, this campground provides a peaceful retreat for nature lovers.
- Campers can enjoy amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, making it a great spot for evening gatherings.
Tent campers appreciate these amenities at Lower Tonto Creek
- This campground features spacious sites with access to essential facilities like toilets and fire pits, enhancing the camping experience. Lower Tonto Creek is well-suited for families and groups.
- The proximity to hiking trails and fishing spots makes it a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore the area.
- Campers can enjoy the shade provided by numerous trees, perfect for relaxing during the warmer months.
Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $20
- Many campgrounds, such as Airplane Flat Campground, offer free camping options, making it budget-friendly for all adventurers.
- At Bearhide Group Site, the lack of reservation fees allows for spontaneous trips without the worry of costs.
- For those willing to pay a small fee, Lower Tonto Creek provides a well-maintained area with amenities that enhance the camping experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Forest Lakes, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Forest Lakes, AZ is Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground with a 3.5-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Forest Lakes, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 36 tent camping locations near Forest Lakes, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.