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.
"We arrived around noon on Friday, and within an hour or two there were two others who arrived--but thankfully turned around to find another spot. "
"A ton of pull offs to choose from and far enough away from other campers. I had service there with AT&T. It gets cold- low of 30s and windy"
$20 / night
"My son and I left Mesa around 6:00 PM - we drove up to the campsite - got there just before dark we found an open campsite - we set up our tent started a fire and the enjoyed the evening-
Having such"
"I actually like Tonto Creek better as the campgrounds seem a little bit more spacious and the parking lot is huge, paved and is a dedicated space."
"The individual campsites here are not really well defined, but there are probably 5-6 fire rings spread out over a pretty wide area."
"Bearhide is a group site located on FS Rd 405A on the way to Bear Flat day use area. I found this on the way there and intend to go with a larger group."
"NOT family friendly...unless you don't mind your tiny humans seeing naked people wandering around. Other than that, awesome place to visit!! Dispersed camping right on the Verde River."
"Trails to a hot spring and next to fossil creek water fall. Vault toilet and camping right next to the river. Watch for bulls roaming the campground!"
"Close to Grand Canyon- BUT not crowded with people. Backcountry camping."
"Off the beaten path. Spacious and quite with little wildlife"
"Exactly what we were looking for with much appreciated privacy and no one else around. Fires were allowed and there was a peaceful spring nearby."
"Our small group (8 people/4 vehicles) had a great time at one of the secluded dispersed sites located off the forest road."
TravelerWe enjoyed a couple of days car/tent camping at this multiuser campground . We parked on a private shaded pad next to a fire pit and table. Very quiet (mid week). Showers were closed but the bathrooms were spotless. Camp host on grounds firewood for sale. Close by 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.
LegendWe spent 3 nights here in February, and while it was chilly, the place was very quiet and the stars were amazing! There are no hookups here, but there are bathrooms with flush toilets (some have showers), and there are faucets with potable water. There's also a boat launch and a few playgrounds for the kids.
There were mostly RVs here, but the waterfront tent sites are amazing if you don't mind walking in from the main parking area (it's not a far walk).
Each campsite has a picnic table with a shaded awning and a fire pit, but you have to bring in your own wood or gather it from the surrounding forest. Saw lots of birds here - cactus wren, quail, finches, warblers, and road runners.
ScoutRight on beautiful Theodore Roosevelt Lake. Nice sites, decently spaced (except 204 and 205 are pretty tight), beautiful 360* mountain views. Well kept. Nick, the host, is friendly and helpful. There are no showers, but there are a few flush toilets. No water hookups, but potable water is available at the restrooms. No electric sites, but we had all the 110 power we needed from our solar panels/inverter system. I’d give this 5 stars if there were a dump station, but there isn’t. The boat launch is very nice.
Traveler
LegendIf you go during the winter months (that is, if roads are open), you may likely be the only one there! The lake is not very easily accessible for camping but it's an easy hike down for fishing, photography, and simply enjoying nature. Keep your eyes peeled, you may spot a bald eagle. The actual campground is usually crowded with no privacy. Perhaps suitable for a large group. Restrooms, never mind, just bring a shovel and use the woods; it's cleaner. Just don't be disgusting and leave it all out. Leave No Trace, PLEASE. Also, you'll need to carry out all your trash. On a holiday weekend (Labor Day especially) there are so many visitors but otherwise only a few venture out that way. Your best bet for solitude is to drive 2-4 miles passed the campground which will be on your right and find a good dispersed spot. Just bring ribbon or rope to mark a tree from the road in case you need to travel down to Woods Canyon Lake store or out to a Rim viewpoint for cell service.
GuideSo this campground has it all! The creek, bathrooms, paved roads and space! Site's are clean and well taken care of! Bring firewood or buy it from the host because there is none laying around! The creek is stocked with trout and makes for calming background noise! We will be back for sure! $20 a night per site! Group sites available! Bear boxes at every site and trailers are limited to 22'. No hook ups available but there is a dump station a few miles away at ponderosa!
TravelerMany of the photos listed here aren’t correct. There aren’t any paved parking spots that others have posted. Anyhow, I love this place because odds are you will be the only one camping out there. It’s a good 45 minute drive after the pavement ends. Most of the sites have picnic tables and fire rings but are near where you park. We carried our stuff down the canyon about 100 feet to set up. It was kind of dry but there was still water running through. Very secluded place with no one else there. So peaceful. Plenty of firewood. Beautiful meadows as well. We went hiking down the stream a bit and found some smaller bear foot prints so be aware. Some friendly raccoons tried to join us for dinner by the fire as well. There are some vaulted toilets there which was surprising. If you like solitude, this is your spot.
TravelerSuper accessible from the Phoenix area, very easy to find. You can choose your own camping spot, and there are many existing stone fire rings and pits that are spaced out decently across the area. The earlier you arrive, the more spots you'll have to choose from; most are filled by sundown. A sedan can easily get across the Flat with some careful maneuvering. Vault toilets are all the way at the entrance of the Flat so plan accordingly. (Or... bring a trowel.)
Lots of families, which means kids, music, and laughter. Never a bad thing, but even if they're not particularly loud, there's no trees or shrubs on the shoreline to dampen the sound and it carries pretty far—especially when kids figure out the lake is basically a giant echo chamber!
The wind can really whip across the lake when it picks up, and it makes it hard to pitch a tent or run a stove. I recommend setting up camp up by the trees if you don't plan on boating/fishing/RV camping to give yourself a bit of shelter from the wind.
No hiking or trails to be had here, but definitely a relaxing, pretty spot.
Tent camping near Payson, Arizona offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, with stunning views and a variety of outdoor activities to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Payson, AZ is Molitor Spot Along Rim Road - Dispersed with a 5-star rating from 7 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 37 tent camping locations near Payson, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
