Searching for the best camping near Payson, AZ? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Find the best campgrounds near Payson, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
$22 - $170 / night
"Recreation.gov app said there were no sites available on a recent Sunday, but a drive through found 3 of every 4 sites open. The web site was more accurate."
"And the closest site to Water Wheel which is about ten miles away and Arizona’s best kept secret."
"This is also right near the dog pin area.
You are off a major road so near by shopping is a breeze but you will not be forced to hear the traffic so no worries there."
"Great place, laundry, pool and close to town. Each spot is level and very clean restrooms. We spent two months there while my husband received treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix."
$24 - $80 / night
"This a very beautiful spot off the highway, but far enough you can’t see or hear the traffic. Not too far out of Payson, about 15 minutes."
"I have been coming here since i was a kid, my parents made sure we come here every year in the summer to enjoy cooler Arizona weather."
"The woods were awesome and very little noise besides cars driving along the road. Thr road was a very easy drive. Only downside is the campsite was very close to the road."
"This is just a dirt road off of the highway."
$22 - $100 / night
"This is one of my personal favorite campsites in Arizona, for many reasons. It's very clean, with drinking water and well maintained toilets/trash facilities."
"The only drawback to this popular weekend campground near the Mogollon rim, is its proximity to the highway."
$50 / night
"Decided to do a fairly short notice shakedown trip to Payson memorial day weekend."
"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."
"I'd recommend driving further in to be away from the noise of the highway. I saw some reviews saying the gate was closed, but it was open when we were there in July 2022."
"Pulled in after 10:30 pm and could tell right away the area was quiet, likely because there’s no highway signage, making it a not-so-obvious place to camp."
"Close to the main highway, road was easily accessible. saw a few other people camping a couple miles away. tons of spots!!"
"Easy to find and off of the highway. Verizon was good. Highway was quite ish."
$8 / night
"Easy access to surrounding areas. Only problem is the proximity to the road with a lot of ATV/UTV and general traffic who seldom follow the speed restrictions."
"Despite evidence nearby of past burning (plenty of dead trees), Kehl Springs campground is situated in a healthy stand of mature ponderosa next to a small meadow, which is fed by the slightly stagnant"
$35 / night
"Beautiful location, Large sites. Camp hosts very friendly. The only downside is it very busy on the weekends. People swarm the place to get away from the heat in Phoenix."
"Friendly Staff, Clean, Well Maintained, and the Lake was great for fishing and kayaking."
ScoutNice area been here 3 days left my camp site to go grab supplies everything was stolen ( tent stove table propane tank) stay far away from Payson az 04/23/2024
TravelerNice campground with lots of space and trees between sites. Pull throughs and pull-in sites. Hosts are helpful. Recreation.gov app said there were no sites available on a recent Sunday, but a drive through found 3 of every 4 sites open. The web site was more accurate. The dump station costs $10, regardless of camping here or not. There IS a lot of traffic noise - and there's a Home Depot across the road from the entrance. Less than 10 minutes from Payson.
TravelerThis is one of my personal favorite campsites in Arizona, for many reasons. It's very clean, with drinking water and well maintained toilets/trash facilities. The camp hosts are very diligent about quiet hours so you can rest assured that the nights will be peaceful. This is also a short drive from Payson so easy access to supplies and at times, cell phone reception if needed.
This is one of the first campgrounds you will find when hitting the Mogollon Rim so it can get warmer due to lower elevation in the summer months. It is a great jumping off point though for exploring other regions of the area and a short drive from the Horton Creek Trail starting point.
This is a large campground and A loop is right by the road so will be very loud with trucks. D loop has the largest campsites and the most privacy between your neighboors.
ScoutThe river was beautiful! The camp spots were close to the river with nice big fire rings. Just like a lot of low desert camping in Arizona it’s dusty and dry with lots of prickly plans. But the trail and the trees near the river were lush. My biggest complaint about the spot was all the garbage everywhere. Come on people, burn your trash or take it home! There’s no need to trip over piles of water bottles & beer cans, cigarette butts, McDonald’s wrappers and plastic bags.
TravelerWe are fairly new to camping in Arizona. We decided to go camping last minute this past weekend, so we had no reservations. We found this area randomly, and we were very pleased. It was easy to access, and dispersed campgrounds lined the road. Tons of space between sites. There were plenty of other campers near us, but it still felt fairly private. The fire pits were well maintained. Our site had a beautiful set up of stones surrounding the pit. The campsite was very clean. The area was pretty, but not spectacular. There is road noise from the highway, but that’s the price you pay for easy access. It didn’t bother us for a quick getaway.
RangerThis place is huge! Nestled in the red rock country of Arizona, this Thousand Trails campground offers a scenic and tranquil escape. The sites are well-spaced, and the amenities include a pool, hot tub, 2 dog parks, hiking trails, river access and clubhouse. Its proximity to Sedona, Jerome and local wineries makes it an excellent choice for those seeking relaxation and exploration.
GuideAll hookups available at all sites. There is a dog park and a walking path along the river in which the dogs took a dip.
GuideThis was just a stop along our route, and we were so bummed we only stayed here one night! Shady, lots of trees, pristine condition of all facilities including dog park, walking trail next to the creek, and large enough sites for our 42' rig. There was live music on night! Furthermore, they were generous and understanding of an emergency situation that happened on the day we needed to leave. The owner even brought my kids popsicles while we packed up! Ask him what he used to do for a living... he'll have a fun telling you about it. Beautiful campground I couldn't recommend more.
GuideWe stayed here in June which is a hot time to camp in Arizona. This campground has Oak Creek running through it which is a great place to cool off. We stayed here while we visited Sedona which is not too far away. Mature trees provide shade at most sites. The mosquitoes were pretty bad which sometimes just a part of camping near water. Clean restrooms and showers.
Payson, Arizona, offers a variety of pet-friendly camping options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy nature with their furry companions.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Payson, AZ is Houston Mesa Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 37 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 198 dog-friendly camping locations near Payson, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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