Payson camping areas sit at elevations between 5,000-8,000 feet in the Tonto National Forest, offering temperatures typically 20-25 degrees cooler than Phoenix during summer months. The region features extensive ponderosa pine forests with multiple dispersed camping options along Forest Service roads. Most developed campgrounds remain open from April through October, closing during winter due to snowfall and freezing conditions.
What to do
Fishing access: 15 minutes from Christopher Creek where campers report "the creek is stocked with trout and makes for calming background noise." The small stream offers easy catch-and-release fishing for beginners.
Tonto Natural Bridge: 30-minute drive from Pine. This limestone formation stands 183 feet high with a natural tunnel 400 feet long and 150 feet wide. "Close to the cute towns of Pine and Strawberry. It's also close to Tonto Natural Bridge," notes one Kehl Springs Campground visitor.
Rim Road viewpoints: 20 miles east of Payson. Drive Forest Road 300 for dramatic cliff-edge vistas. "Spectacular View of the valley below," reports a camper at Molitor Spot, adding that it's an "amazing spot that's about 18 miles from Knoll Lake."
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Ponderosa Campground gets high marks for site dimensions. "The sites are large with grill, fire pit, and barbecue," reports one camper, while another notes "D loop has the largest campsites and the most privacy between your neighbors."
Clean facilities: Most established campgrounds maintain well-serviced bathrooms. "The vault toilets were the cleanest I've ever seen, anywhere," writes one Kehl Springs visitor. At Houston Mesa, a camper appreciated that "Amenities were in great condition and our favorite day use river spot is 15 minutes away."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple camping areas offer good wildlife spotting potential. One camper at Little Green Valley noted "we had a recurring group of curious cattle since we were right next to their water hole," while others reported elk sightings near several campgrounds.
What you should know
Fire restrictions: Seasonal bans frequently occur from May through September. "We weren't able to have a fire due to restrictions," notes one Kehl Springs camper, though they observed "other campers ignored the signs."
Road conditions: Many dispersed camping sites require high-clearance vehicles. At FS 609, campers warn "YOU WILL NEED DECENT CLEARANCE VEHICLE/TRAILER" and specify "I do NOT recommend doing this in a Toyota Corolla. A standard truck clearance is probably fine."
Temperature swings: Prepare for significant day-night temperature differences. One camper described camping at Molitor Spot: "It gets cold- low of 30s and windy." Even summer nights can drop below 50°F at higher elevations.
Tips for camping with families
Stream exploration: Christopher Creek offers safe water play areas for children. One longtime visitor shared, "I have been coming here since I was a kid... Now the tradition lives on while my siblings and I bring our families and kids to build new memories. The best part is catching crawdads with our home made fishing poles."
Noise considerations: Not all campgrounds offer equal peace and quiet. At Payson Campground & RV Resort, one family noted "two of the 3 nights there were people so loud is ruined the experience" and that "you can hear the noise from the main road that runs right next to the campground."
Pet friendly options: Multiple pet-friendly camping areas exist beyond those mentioned in the existing description. Oxbow Estates RV Park welcomes pets and is described as "Super sweet. Payson, Arizona. Off the busy roads so very quiet. Nice level spots, good hookups."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Many forest campgrounds restrict larger rigs. Christopher Creek notes a 22-foot trailer limit, while at Houston Mesa, one camper mentions "These spots are fairly large and allow for some large rigs and is located right on the edge of town."
Hookup availability: Most forest service campgrounds lack utilities. One RVer at Ponderosa noted, "We run on solar, so found one of the only spots with enough sun to keep us charged up" while another at Houston Mesa mentioned "No hookups here at all but nice clean bathrooms to use."
Dump station costs: Pay attention to sewage disposal fees. "The dump station costs $10, regardless of camping here or not," reports one Houston Mesa visitor. For full hookups, Payson Campground & RV Resort offers complete services but "spaces are tight if you have slide outs on both sides."
