Camping near Sun Valley, Arizona offers a cooler escape from desert heat with elevations around 5,000-7,000 feet in the pine forests of the Mogollon Rim region. The area experiences temperatures 20-25 degrees cooler than Phoenix during summer months, making it popular for escaping triple-digit valley temperatures. Dispersed camping opportunities exist alongside established campgrounds, with some sites offering direct access to fishing lakes and hiking trails.
What to do
Fishing at Woods Canyon Lake: The Spillway Campground provides convenient lake access for anglers. "This is the only campground on the shores of woods canyon lake! It is small, no trailers over 14 feet. It fills up fast in the summer and the sites are a little close together but it is a beautiful campground," notes one camper at Spillway Campground.
Kayaking and paddleboarding: Early mornings provide peaceful water experiences before day crowds arrive. "Early morning access before day use crowds come is great for quiet early morning kayak or SUP use," writes a visitor about the lake at Spillway Campground.
Hiking to lookout points: The Mogollon Rim offers dramatic views from trail lookouts accessible from campgrounds. "Highly advise taking the trail to the rim to one of the lookouts," recommends a camper staying at Spillway Campground, noting the scenic rewards for the effort.
Wildlife observation: Dawn and dusk bring opportunities to spot elk and other wildlife near camping areas. "Elk wander through the campgrounds in early mornings and evenings," shares a visitor at Aspen Campground, highlighting the natural encounters possible in this area.
What campers like
Cool summer temperatures: The higher elevation provides relief from summer heat. A camper at Aspen Campground notes it's "Usually about 25 degrees cooler in then Phoenix. Close to lakes and creeks along with hiking trails."
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds offer well-spaced sites for privacy. "Sites well spaced out, friendly hosts, close enough to the lake and the dump out ($7), quiet. The big plus for us was the spacing between the sites and the quiet nature of the camp," explains a visitor at Aspen Campground.
Proximity to water: Several campgrounds offer easy lake access for recreation. "Beautiful campground with great weather! These are drive up campsites with great hosts. There was a nicely cleaned out fire ring and a good size flat ground area for our 4p tent," writes a camper at Spillway Campground, noting the short walk to the lake.
Clean facilities: Campground hosts maintain tidy grounds and restrooms. "The hosts were polite, attentive, and clearly take a good care of this area and bathroom facilities which were especially clean," according to a visitor at Sinkhole Campground.
What you should know
Campground popularity: Reserve early for summer weekends when possible. "It fills up fast in the summer and the sites are a little close together," warns a camper about Spillway Campground.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require travel on unpaved forest roads. "Zero cell service lots of hunters but very secluded only know of hunters by the shots every now and then... five stars but for experienced campers only bring 4wd and a spare tire lots of awesome 4x4 trails," advises a visitor to Knoll Lake Campground.
Limited cell service: Most forest campgrounds have minimal to no connectivity. "No cell service and very quiet. Takes some time on a rigged dirt road but any car can make it if you go slow," reports a camper at Knoll Lake Campground.
Pack-in supplies: Some remote areas have no nearby stores or amenities. "Was advertised as having camp hosts that would sell firewood but this was not the case and it's an hour each way to get supplies so make sure to bring plenty with you," cautions a Knoll Lake visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Book sites near playground areas: Some family-friendly resorts offer dedicated play areas. "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!" shares a visitor to Verde River RV Resort & Cottages.
Choose shaded sites: Summer heat requires good tree cover, especially with kids. "The abundance of trees creates a peaceful and shady environment, perfect for escaping the Arizona sun," notes a camper about Houston Mesa Campground.
Educational opportunities: Nature walks offer learning experiences for children. "Our family had a wonderful time at the Moqui Group Campground. The woods are amazing and there were signs posted what to do in case a bear wandered into camp," reports a visitor to Moqui Group Campground.
Morning wildlife viewing: Plan early morning outings to spot elk with kids. "At our site we were down wind from the restrooms so we would catch a smell at time but, it was a short hike to the spillway and follow that to the lake which you could rent boats and skip rocks," mentions a Spillway camper about activities with children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Not all glamping sites in Sun Valley area offer equal RV access. "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," shares an RVer at Payson Campground & RV Resort.
Size restrictions: Some forest campgrounds limit RV length. "This is the only campground on the shores of woods canyon lake! It is small, no trailers over 14 feet," cautions a camper about Spillway Campground.
Off-season benefits: Shoulder seasons offer better availability for larger rigs. "Overall, Houston Mesa Campground is a fantastic choice for families and outdoor enthusiasts seeking a comfortable and scenic camping experience."
Dump station costs: Factor in additional fees for waste disposal. "Close drive to home and nice setup that makes you feel like you are in the woods. No hookups here at all but nice clean bathrooms to use. Dump station was closed while we were here and it looks like they charge to use is when open," notes an RVer at Houston Mesa Campground.
