Best Campgrounds near Payson, AZ

This is definitely a great place to come to if you want solitude.

• YOU WILL NEED DECENT CLEARANCE VEHICLE/TRAILER

• I do NOT recommend doing this in a Toyota Corolla. A standard truck clearance is probably fine. No need for 4x4, but good tires are a must. Big Chevy Silverado did great.

The first couple of sites right off the road are big rig friendly. Maybe 500-1000 feet into the road there is a horse pin if you happen to have horses, but your trailer will need a bit of clearance in order to make it to this spot.

If you can, you absolutely should keep going down the main entrance road until you come to the first left turn. Turn left onto a half loop shown on the map. This road takes you to some amazing camping sites that overlook a giant canyon on the left! The farther you go, the better it gets. There was a tree blocking road 3/4 of the way through the loop, but it isn’t a far drive back to main entrance road.

There are plenty of roads to pull of into and go through the little gates to go camping or exploring. Always keep the gates closed. This was a great spot!!! There are probably ~100 total sites on this road with camp fire rings. All very well spaced apart.

Conveniently located to Pine and Strawberry

Payson, Arizona. Off the busy roads so very quiet. Nice level spots, good hookups. Nice clean showers and bathrooms. Situated in a rural setting with trees and farm animals nearby. Very nice helpful staff/owners.

Beautiful views and wonderful location for depressed camping. No services or hook ups of any kind, very rocky and hard. Not many spots i would say about 8 spots and its not very level. the view is worth it. i would not bring a big 5th wheel or anything over 30 feet, road is a little washed out at a tight turn. I made it fine with a 26 foot toy hauler and F250. i noticed a lot of overlanding people coming for a night or 2, i stayed for a week. No posted signs about anything. no camping limit from what i could see, very cool place for hiking.

Arrived on a Monday afternoon and found no other campers but several trucks and OHV trailers parking on the road to the camping area. Made it around them to have my pick of camp sites.

The road goes past the camping area. There are presumably more camping areas down the hill.

The main camping area it the top of a hill where someone cleared all vegetation. Nothing to stop the wind.

There were few level areas. Camping here requires some serious leveling skills.

There is lots of room for longer trailers . HOWEVER, I COULD NOT RECOMMEND IT! This would be an excellent place for R/C jeeps and motorcycles.

The OHV jockeys seemed OK. They did seen somewhat surprised that someone was camping.

Overall the campsite was just a very remote,hilly and sterile dirt parking lot. Lots of garbage, mostly drink containers and tissue paper.

The one good thing was after dark, there was nobody for miles.

We chose this camp ground due to it having full hooks up's. 

Our spot was a bit tight with camper & 2 SUV's but we managed. 

Our stay was the end of April 2024, We're volunteer HAM radio operators assisting with the Zane Grey foot race.

We'll be back in April 2025 to support the event again and have already reserved a spot for our stay.

Easy spot to camp for a night, with pretty good views. Lots and lots of shell casings and related trash, so not great for little kids.

Rough paved roads, but our Recvan did fine. We saw an Elk, it saw us, we walked back quickly. The surroundings are mainly bushes and rocks. Free camping with total solitude. AT&T and Tmobile both show good service. Verizon is unknown.

LoLoMai is our go-to campground. It has an ideal 2h drive distance, is nestled into the oak creek canyon, and secluded from the road. Kids can roam freely. From sitting in the creek during the summer heat, to exploring the nearby wineries, venturing to the parks, or just sitting by the fire enjoying the cicadas sing, there is something nice for every day. The mix of full hookups, cabins and tent camping allows for every style that you might prefer.

Nice location with dispersed camping options. When we were setting up a man came up & warned us that it was a popular spot for Nudists. He was not wrong. Be prepared to run into some interesting people.

Not a fan. Won’t be back with my trailer.

We came up from Phoenix to get away from city life for 48 hours and this place is beautiful. We just got here and I have at least some reception because I’m doing the review from the site. Was it easy to get to, right off the highway, we drove back about a mile into the woods and there was tons of places to camp. Granted it’s early January so that could have something to do with all the open spots. There’s no facilities of any kind. We’re totally Boondocking it with our RV no hook ups just the water we brought and a generator, but I couldn’t be happier so quiet.

Oh yeah. If you are checking the weather, it’s closer to Heber than Payson. Payson low tonight expected to be 37, but Heber is expected to get to 24. Brrrrr

Walking distance to trails (Hangover trail was our favorite) and restaurants. Can’t beat the location. City of Sedona shuttle connect can pick you up directly from campground. Clean bathroom and hot showers. Laundry. Quiet. Overall very happy with our 7 night stay.

The road is totally doable in a minivan or the likes if you have some experience driving on rougher terrain, but only if you are coming in off of hwy 17. If you are in Sedona and decide to take 89A because you don’t want to drive out to hwy 17 like we did you will be met with a side by side trail. It is not a road. We barely made it in a 2025 Subaru Outback wilderness. If you have 4x4 and a solid 12 inches of ground clearance then go for it cause it is fun but damn. We took hwy 17 the rest of the days we camped here and it was a breeze. Beautiful views!