RV camping near Kohls Ranch, Arizona offers access to the Tonto National Forest at elevations around 5,500 feet. Located between Payson and Heber-Overgaard, the area serves as a gateway to outdoor recreation with temperatures typically 10-15 degrees cooler than Phoenix. Most RV parks in this region feature full hookups, though site sizes and amenities vary significantly between locations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Verde Ranch RV Resort & Cottages provides easy access to the Verde River for anglers. "We really enjoyed our stay. We had an end/corner spot, which felt very spacious. The landscaping was nice with grass between units and trees in some areas," notes one camper.
Hiking trails: The Tonto National Forest offers extensive trail systems within minutes of most campgrounds. At Zane Grey RV Village, "There are hiking trails that lead to a nearby creek, beautiful bird feeders throughout the property, a nice dog run for furry friends and plenty of lush green grass for an impromptu picnic," according to one reviewer.
ATV adventures: The Tonto Basin area provides numerous off-road trails for motorized recreation. A visitor to Tonto Creek Trail RV Park noted, "The park is just minutes from Roosevelt Lake, which was perfect for fishing, boating, and soaking in the views. We also enjoyed exploring the nearby Tonto National Forest trails—ideal for hiking and ATV adventures."
What campers like
Shade coverage: Many RV parks in the area offer tree-shaded sites to escape summer heat. As one camper at Oxbow Estates RV Park observed, "Sites are very level, decent amount of room and very clean. It's all gravel, a bit dusty, but setback well off the highway near several farms so it was very quiet both during the day and especially at night."
Swimming facilities: Pools provide welcome relief during warmer months. A visitor at Verde Ranch RV Resort reported, "We have camped here three separate times for a month each time. It is beautifully landscaped and has large sites, some shaded. They have a great heated pool and hot tub."
Peaceful environment: Many campgrounds offer quiet settings despite their highway proximity. One Oxbow Estates camper noted, "Decided to do a fairly short notice shakedown trip to Payson memorial day weekend. On such short notice the main Payson campground was already full, in searching around I found Oxbow as an alternative. Called up to see if there was availability and Nora the manager was super kind and assisted me in getting a fantastic campsite."
What you should know
Pricing considerations: Campground rates vary significantly by season and site type. A visitor to Payson Campground & RV Resort reported, "We are new to RVing (1st trip) but this place was $129 for a 28' back in 30 amp site. It does have wifi, water, power, and sewer, but that's the same as a hotel."
Dump station availability: Not all parks offer sanitary dump stations. Elk Pines RV Resort lacks this amenity, while most other parks include it with full hookup sites.
Seasonal considerations: Summer thunderstorms and winter snow can impact travel plans. One Zane Grey visitor shared, "The temperature was consistently 5 degrees below the towns of Camp Verde and Cottonwood. However, the trees that provide the shade also may block access to satellites."
Tips for camping with families
Resort amenities: Some parks offer extensive family activities. A camper at Verde Ranch RV Resort shared, "We love this campground! We have camped here around 5 times and always had a great stay. They have a pool and hot tub, mini golf, playground, pickle ball court, clubhouse, and lots of crafts and activities for the kids!"
Space considerations: Site dimensions vary widely between parks. At Payson Campground, one visitor observed, "Our spot was a bit tight with camper & 2 SUVs but we managed. Our stay was the end of April 2024, We're volunteer HAM radio operators assisting with the Zane Grey foot race."
Pet accommodations: Most parks welcome pets but have specific rules. One family at Zane Grey RV Village noted, "HIGHLY RECOMMEND... We explored the insanely well kept/clean park and found an incredible little creek! We threw rocks in it for hours with our 2 little kids. The owner of the park came over and introduced himself. He even made us a fire because he knew we wanted to do s'mores!"
Tips from RVers
Site positioning: Be prepared to adjust your parking position based on hookup locations and shade. At Payson Campground, a camper noted, "Nice fairly quiet well kept. Only complaint spaces are tight if you have slide outs on both sides and the only trash disposal is at the office."
Internet access: Connectivity varies between parks. A visitor to Lamplighter RV Resort simply stated, "Nice park but...No wifi!" indicating the importance of checking this amenity before booking.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds more than others. A Payson Campground visitor observed, "This spot really is nice. It's right in town so if you need anything it's walking distance full hookups and room for some pretty large rigs. Since you are in town you can hear the traffic and the spots are packed pretty close to each other."
