Best Glamping near Kohls Ranch, AZ

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.

My dog and I love it up here during an Arizona summer. Nice and cool with the Willow Springs lake nearby. Clean good camping.

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

What a great find! This spot seemed quite unique in comparison to the surrounding camping areas. The town of Mormon Lake was bustling with 4 wheelers and camper trailers, but this "first-come, first-served" camp ground had an entirely different vibe. Of course, it is 4th of July weekend, but campers here were quiet and respectful, observed quite hours. I arrived early, having taken a Thursday off and snagged campsite #11, what I felt was one of the best spots. Sites 10, 11 and 12 are large, with parking for 2 cars and very spread apart. Not near the dumpster (one site is … why they would do that, I don't know). There is a fresh water spigot right across from the site and the restroom is just a short jaunt away. At the moment there is a strict fire ban, so no late night campfires this time around.

The back of the campsite is walled by trees, ready for exploring. The tiny nearby creek can almost be heard from the site, and to the right there is a small field that the Arizona Trail crosses through. I made use of my time her by hiking both directions of the trail straight from the campground. This time of year I also found an ample butterfly population! The hummingbirds were sociable, and the bugs weren't bad, I made it without bug spray but I came across a mosquito or two. 

Just across the street from Mormon Lake - notorious for never actually having any water - this time it also didn't.So … don't expect much as far attractions at this spot. However, just down the road you can visit Upper Lake Mary and play in the slighter quieter area away from the bustle of the main part of the lake. 

The camp hosts are very friendly, the sites are $20 a night per group for 1 vehicle (up to 8 people) and any additional cars are $8 each. There is no recycling - I packed mine up to take home and recycle.  They are dog friendly and I found it really a great spot to camp with a dog. The toilets are decent-ish, cleaned (really as clean as those standard campground toilet pots can be)  and at the moment there is a sanitizer jug with a squirt top outside, which is helpful. I didn't see the nearby Dairy Springs campground but I would DEFINITELY come back to this one. On Thursday night they didn't fill up but about 2pm on Friday all the sites were full.

Do note: Campsite does not have cell service (and I have Verizon). You can walk out to the camp entrance just at the main road and pick up some service there if needed.

This campsite is a bit far away and a good 1/3 of the drive is on switch back fire roads but this campground is worth it.  Large campsites and walking distance to Knoll Lake, very peaceful location in the middle of know where with plenty of trees.  Was advertised as having camp hosts that would sell firewood but this was not the case and it's an hour each way to get supplies so make sure to bring plenty with you.  Drinking water is a must, the water at the campground is barely clean enough for cleaning, unless it can be boiled ahead of time.

Stayed a few years back so do not remember the site number but it was a double campsite, with 2 tables and 2 tent pads.

We didn’t camp at the actual Knoll Lake site. We turned off at FR 752 which is shortly after Babe Haught trail. You have to take it slow heading back since the road is rough. I drive a Hyundai Sante Fe Sport and was fine. Was able to get 3-4 miles back and had just a 1.25 mile hike down to the lake. If you have a truck or high clearance SUV you can get probably a quarter mile away from the lake.

A good amount of dispersed camping spots and it amazingly quiet. The next closest campers were probably a half mile away. Didn’t see any wild life but we definitely could hear a lot. The elk were loud in the early morning. Would definitely recommend this area.

In the middle of FR300. Worth the drive! Woods Canyon Lake is closest ‘store’ so come prepared. Lake, trails, views, and off-roading!

Went on a fishing trip to Knoll Lake with my brothers. The lake was great, plenty of space. Great weather in August. (We did have to take cover from a thunder storm, but it passed quickly). The campsite was great too, not crowded where we set up. Not another campsite in site.

I tent camped right near the lake with a larger group of people. While exploring the area, I discovered many camp areas that were perfect for larger groups. The area we were in is all primitive. No water, electric or toilets. This is a pack in and pack out area. Unfortunately, not all abide to this rule as evidenced by the litter shrewn throughout the areas. So, if you go..please be a good environment steward and take all you waste and trash with you..perhaps even clean up some left behind by others.. We did!

Knoll lake campground is very clean and well kept. Designated areas for tents that were raked up. The bathrooms were cleaner than most restaurants.

Hosts are nice. Amazing place to be! We saw few times elk and deer. Parking can be full jn Summer. Lake is near by. Road is rocky and raw. I has to replace one tires. Beautiful I ll be back!

The campground host was super cool and pointed out some wildlife to us. It was a neat place to camp. Only drawback was the noisy neighbors.

This lake was amazing! We camped a short distance (about a mile up the hill) away from the lake where we had a completely secluded campsite and the boys built an incredible rock campfire pit! It was cool, woods-y and beautiful. There was great hiking and mountain biking right around our site. Side Note: the campsite we choose was a decent drive off the main road and the terrain was quite rugged so I recommend taking a 4x4 or a truck! (aka I did not take my little volvo haha)

This was one of our first camping experiences. We really didn't know what we were doing and ended up not camping within the campground but we were in the dispersed camping area. Lake Knoll was beautiful.

Amazing campground and if you are looking to get away, this is the place. No cell service and very quiet. Takes some time on a rigged dirt road but any car can make it if you go slow. A favorite of ours. At night you can hear the coyotes and sometimes elk bugleing. Beautiful lake within walking distance.

Knoll Lake Campground was a great spot for Me, my fiancé, our two friends and two dogs. We had a great time and the camp site was in great condition. The drive in to the site is very bumpy and takes about 40 min total to get through, but it was well worth it. We had to drive down to the lake which is still walking distance away, but we decided to drive and it was a great call. We were able to set up a spot by the lake and relax and enjoy the beautiful weather. Overall it was a great stay and totally worth the trek through the bumpy roads.

I didn't stay at the campground because I prefer to camp alone. There are lots of dispersed camping along the first road 295 (which leads up to Knoll Lake). Coconino National Forest allows camping up to 300ft from the road. According to the rangers, bears are active in the area so it's important to follow the safety protocols. Spent the day on the lake which is well worth the extra drive to avoid the crowds at Woods Canyon. Found one spot with cell service where you turn off fr300 towards Knoll Lake.

Zero cell service lots of hunters but very secluded only know of hunters by the shots every now and then lake knoll is beautiful lots of Fish !! Five stars but for experienced campers only bring 4wd and a spare tire lots of awesome 4x4 trails and hiking this is camping at its best

Love this area! Twenty plus miles on dirt roads to get in there. Lots of dispersed camping in the area as well. We didn’t stay at the campground...the lake is beautiful but small. Only real negative was the amount of trash piling up along the lake. Keep an ear out for coyotes around sunset!

We put up tent after checking in with the friendliest hosts. This camp ground is get for accessibility. We found a spot close to the bathroom the toilets didn't smell. The lake was beautiful however wheelchair access isn't the greatest. I lucky had my off road tires on. Needed help from the hubby to get down to the lake to go fishing. The wildlife is amazing here great for photography

Very good campground, close to lake and elk often visit the site. Nearby is Willow Springs Lake which is also great!

Love that it's close!

I spent a weekend here in late September. The site was clean, had a nice fire ring, grill and picnic table. There were plenty of trees to hang your hammock on. The hosts were nice and helpful. Bathrooms were well maintained and drinking water was nearby. The best part is the wildlife; birds, squirrels and elk coming through my campsite made my weekend!

Woods canyon lake offers beautiful trails for hikers of all levels.