Tent campsites near Heber-Overgaard, Arizona range from established campgrounds to dispersed locations within the surrounding national forest. Established tent campgrounds include Airplane Flat Campground, which offers designated tent sites with fire rings and picnic tables, and Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground, which provides primitive tent camping with vault toilets approximately 34 miles northwest of Heber-Overgaard in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Forest Road 195 Campground offers dispersed tent sites suitable for those seeking more seclusion and a primitive camping experience.
Most tent camping areas feature fire rings and dirt or forest-floor surfaces for pitching tents. Sites like Airplane Flat include vault toilets, while dispersed camping along Forest Road 195 lacks facilities entirely. Road conditions vary significantly, with some areas accessible by passenger vehicles and others requiring high-clearance 4x4 vehicles. A camper noted that Forest Road 195 has "very rough" roads that are "better suited for larger trucks with ample clearance." Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground offers a unique situation where tent campers must hike approximately 0.8 miles down a steep trail to reach the lake, creating a more secluded experience but requiring additional planning.
The surrounding pine forests provide ample shade at most tent sites, particularly valuable during summer months when daytime temperatures can reach the upper 80s. Many locations offer access to nearby water features, with Airplane Flat situated within walking distance to Lower Canyon Creek, popular for trout fishing. Tent campers at Chevelon Canyon Lake can enjoy a quiet experience with minimal crowds, though the hike back up from the lake is described as "strenuous for most." According to reviews on The Dyrt, "the silence here was stunning—only interrupted by the bugling of elk." Dispersed tent camping areas tend to fill quickly during peak seasons, particularly weekends, so midweek arrival is recommended for securing preferred sites.
"This campground has 6 sites which each have a fire pit (with grill piece), picnic table, and room for 1-2 vehicles. There are two pit toilets on site, no water, trash service, or electrical."
"This is a small very primitive, four space campground off the beaten track. The three nights I stayed here in September, I was the only overnight camper."
"Vaulted toilets are available, picnic tables and fire rings. First come first served. There is a camp host usually... not sure why? Plenty of firewood to gather."
"The spots are spaced out decently."
"Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground is my favorite type of site. 1) vault toilets 2) National Forest location 3) semi established camping sites 4) still classified as dispersed camping."
"Off the beaten path. Spacious and quite with little wildlife"
$20 / night
"My son and I left Mesa around 6:00 PM - we drove up to the campsite - got there just before dark we found an open campsite - we set up our tent started a fire and the enjoyed the evening- Having such"
"I actually like Tonto Creek better as the campgrounds seem a little bit more spacious and the parking lot is huge, paved and is a dedicated space."
TravelerAbsolutely love it here! Clean area, clean bathrooms, concrete spots, Quiet hours 10pm-6am. Grill, picnic table, fire ring. Beautiful beach to swim at and Larry the camp host is very helpful 😊
RangerWe read one review on this campground and it stated the campground was dirt. We pulled up and were taken away by the beauty. So many trees and beautiful campsites. With only 16 campsites, you have your own piece of camping paradise. There is 2 vaulted toilets, very well maintain, and new. There is an easy trail that runs along the campground, maybe a mile and half, easy walk. You can use wood from the forrest or buy some from the host. We did tent camp and I wish we would of brought a rake to remove rocks from our tent site. Our tent is 11ft and fit wonderfully! Plenty of space to put up tent,bbq grill, stove, and have your vehicle along side of you. There are Rv sites there as well. In our spot you could of easily placed a pop up and move it in. There is water at the host area, no cost. Before you get to the campsite there is a general store that has many items if you forgot something. We did wonder down to go find the graces of Scott Stott and Wilson, but we were not able to. We followed the GPS and reviews and people stated it was close to the campground. We walked a good 30 minutes and found nothing. We believe it is in a canyon which we did not feel comfortable hiking down. We road out a crazy storm, and the canyons made the thunder sound like a really mad Greek God. If you enjoy some antiques and thrift stores Heber-Overgaard offer some unique and great stores. Black Canyon Lake is just a shirt trip down the road. beautiful to walk around and lots of room to fish. Lake was low when we went. This campground has made it to the list of favorites!
TravelerWe enjoyed a couple of days car/tent camping at this multiuser campground . We parked on a private shaded pad next to a fire pit and table. Very quiet (mid week). Showers were closed but the bathrooms were spotless. Camp host on grounds firewood for sale. Close by Payson.
LegendStayed here for a night in July 2020 on my way to the Grand Canyon from El Paso, TX. It was very quiet and well kept. The road was freshly paved and even though there’s no trees around, each campsite seemed pretty private.
We stayed in site 40. We had 2 tents but the pad was only big enough for one so we put the bigger one on the paved road over a tarp and it was still comfortable. A hammer was provided to stake down tents.
There was only only building for all the bathrooms and showers but they were nice and clean. Bathrooms had stalls but the 4 showers each had their own rooms for maximum privacy.
Some sites had power and some didn’t. Our site (40) didn’t. I enjoyed walking a few hundred yards down the nature trail by the campsite and watching the sunset. It was beautiful! Cell service was fine (Verizon). I’ll definitely stay here again when I’m passing through.
LegendIf you go during the winter months (that is, if roads are open), you may likely be the only one there! The lake is not very easily accessible for camping but it's an easy hike down for fishing, photography, and simply enjoying nature. Keep your eyes peeled, you may spot a bald eagle. The actual campground is usually crowded with no privacy. Perhaps suitable for a large group. Restrooms, never mind, just bring a shovel and use the woods; it's cleaner. Just don't be disgusting and leave it all out. Leave No Trace, PLEASE. Also, you'll need to carry out all your trash. On a holiday weekend (Labor Day especially) there are so many visitors but otherwise only a few venture out that way. Your best bet for solitude is to drive 2-4 miles passed the campground which will be on your right and find a good dispersed spot. Just bring ribbon or rope to mark a tree from the road in case you need to travel down to Woods Canyon Lake store or out to a Rim viewpoint for cell service.
GuideSo this campground has it all! The creek, bathrooms, paved roads and space! Site's are clean and well taken care of! Bring firewood or buy it from the host because there is none laying around! The creek is stocked with trout and makes for calming background noise! We will be back for sure! $20 a night per site! Group sites available! Bear boxes at every site and trailers are limited to 22'. No hook ups available but there is a dump station a few miles away at ponderosa!
TravelerMany of the photos listed here aren’t correct. There aren’t any paved parking spots that others have posted. Anyhow, I love this place because odds are you will be the only one camping out there. It’s a good 45 minute drive after the pavement ends. Most of the sites have picnic tables and fire rings but are near where you park. We carried our stuff down the canyon about 100 feet to set up. It was kind of dry but there was still water running through. Very secluded place with no one else there. So peaceful. Plenty of firewood. Beautiful meadows as well. We went hiking down the stream a bit and found some smaller bear foot prints so be aware. Some friendly raccoons tried to join us for dinner by the fire as well. There are some vaulted toilets there which was surprising. If you like solitude, this is your spot.
GuideThis campground is reservable on Rec.gov and you can get sites half price with your Lifetime Senior Pass. 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. (the site with my name was really close to the pit bathroom and the smell was intolerable.-fortunately the ranger let me change sites) The sites were dirt. I was tent camping and we did get some rain but not enough to cause a mud issue. All sites have the standard table and fire ring. Normally they have water but when I was there the water pump was broken so I had to drive to another campground to get water. There are no showers. There wasn't a lot of privacy but the sites were far enough apart to make you feel you had plenty of space. This seems to be the case with National Forest campgrounds. There are multiple hiking trails close by and supplies available in the little town of Christopher Creek.
GuideThis place is so peaceful. You can see the mesas in the distance. It's not far from Winslow or Flagstaff. But it's nice and quiet there. It has a wonderful feeling. There are many artifacts so remember to leave no trace and not move or remove anything.
Tent campsites near Heber-Overgaard, Arizona sit at an elevation of approximately 6,500 feet in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. The area experiences distinct seasons with summer highs typically in the 80s, while winter brings snow and freezing temperatures that limit camping options. The Mogollon Rim's pine forests create natural barriers from wind and sun at many camping locations.
Fishing opportunities: At Lower Tonto Creek, visitors can enjoy excellent trout fishing. "Always have to visit the Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery as well, many gigantic 3 foot rainbow trout fishies in the feeding/storage pond," notes Matthew G. The hatchery provides an educational stop between fishing sessions.
Stargazing sessions: The remote location of many camping areas provides exceptional night sky viewing. At Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground, Beth G. reports, "We went during a new moon and the stars were fabulous." Plan your visit around moon phases for optimal viewing.
Creek exploration: Many campsites offer access to seasonal creeks and streams. "Just a cool place to stop at, stretch the legs, use the porta johns, and watch some fish! And might as well take a cool dip in the slow flowing, refreshing Tonto Creek," writes Matthew G. about Lower Tonto Creek. Most water features are most reliable spring through early fall.
Secluded locations: Forest Road 195 Campground offers privacy away from busier sites. David Y. describes it as "pretty secluded and pretty remote. Sites are of different sizes, anyone can camp, big trailers etc. very quiet except for nature and birds."
Wildlife encounters: The forests around camping areas host diverse wildlife. At Alderwood Campground, campers report peaceful experiences with natural surroundings. "We didn't find the waterhole we'd heard about but had a great time regardless! We even were lucky enough to fall asleep to a light rainstorm," shares Emm S.
Spacious campsites: Many locations offer room to spread out. Cameron A. notes about Lower Tonto Creek, "The campgrounds seem a little bit more spacious and the parking lot is huge, paved and is a dedicated space." This arrangement allows for better separation between vehicles and tents.
Road conditions: Access to many campsites requires careful driving. For Forest Road 195 Campground, Sonja T. warns, "The roads off the main are VERY rough. In our Santa Cruz we had to go very slow and careful." High-clearance vehicles are recommended for many dispersed sites.
Limited connectivity: Cell service is unreliable across much of the region. "Cell services leaving Payson for ATT/Cricket was NONEXISTENT for most of the way, especially up in the dispersed areas. Use offline maps, don't rely on internet access," advises Sonja T.
Seasonal availability: Most primitive camping areas close during winter months due to snow and freezing conditions. Alderwood Campground operates only from May to October, while others like Chevelon Canyon Lake typically close by mid-December.
Plan for hiking challenges: Families should evaluate trail difficulties before committing to certain campsites. At Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground, Beth G. shares, "We were not prepared for how long of a hike down it was to the water. According to my watch, it was over a mile and 550 feet of elevation. It is not an easy hike back up."
Consider alternative activities: For families with young children, some locations may prove challenging. Jesse M. reports about Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground, "But we cut our trip short because our kids were covered in dirt, hot, and exhausted. I don't think we'd return."
Pack ample water: The combination of elevation and dry climate increases hydration needs. "Make sure you Pack lots of drinking water and some snacks to keep you going. Because it is a treck!" advises Layne L. Plan for at least one gallon per person per day, with extra for cooking and cleaning.
Site selection timing: Arrive midweek for better camping options at popular locations. "We tried this site but it was full in both sides of 195. Not a site to be found," notes Sonja T. about weekend conditions at Forest Road 195 Campground.
Size considerations: Many tent camping areas can accommodate smaller RVs but have limitations. At Airplane Flat Campground, Gerard R. notes, "Great dispersed campsite. Can't remember how many sites but there are quite a few." The spaces are suitable for smaller trailers and RVs.
Clearance requirements: Monitor road conditions and adjust travel plans accordingly. Some roads may become impassable after rain, and others require high clearance vehicles. Beth G. reports, "There was definitely some rough road the last .5 mile before you reach the camp on FR 169B. Some of it had washed out and there are a few step areas."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Heber-Overgaard, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Heber-Overgaard, AZ is Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground with a 3.5-star rating from 6 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 37 tent camping locations near Heber-Overgaard, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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