Camping near Kohls Ranch, Arizona ranges from primitive dispersed sites to family-friendly campgrounds across varied elevations of the Tonto National Forest. Campers can expect significant temperature differences between day and night, with nighttime temperatures dropping 20-30 degrees below daytime highs. Road conditions vary widely depending on recent weather, with some remote locations requiring high-clearance vehicles following monsoon rains.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: At Knoll Lake Campground, you'll find a quieter alternative to more crowded lakes. "Spent the day on the lake which is well worth the extra drive to avoid the crowds at Woods Canyon. Found one spot with cell service where you turn off fr300 towards Knoll Lake," notes Whitney W. The surrounding forest hosts elk that can be heard bugling at night.
Crawdad hunting in creeks: Christopher Creek offers a unique family activity catching crawdads in the creek. "I have been coming here since i was a kid... The best part is catching crawdads with our home made fishing poles (which is a step up from when i was a kid and would catch them with cups)," says Jennifer A. For an easy technique, Marissa J. suggests "a simple slice of protein (bacon, jerky, etc.) tied to a string does the trick."
Hiking to swimming holes: The Little Green Valley dispersed area features a notable hiking trail. "It also has a 7 mile hike to a place called Hells gate that has a swimming hole at the end of the hike. Lotta weekenders come up and hike up there," says Thomas S. This makes for a perfect day trip during summer months.
What campers like
Space between sites: Houston Mesa Campground offers generous spacing for a more private experience. "We love the ample space at each campsite, allowing us to park comfortably and spread out for a relaxing stay. Our kids adore playing in the dirt and exploring the trees," says Brad | Britany B. The campground maintains clean facilities with well-kept bathrooms.
Proximity to water features: Upper Tonto Creek provides camping near Horton Creek. "Great campsites walking distance to Horton Creek trail, has fire ring, table, and level tent area for easy set up," shares Liza C. The creek is stocked with trout for fishing enthusiasts and multiple trails branch out from the campground.
Late-season camping options: Some areas offer camping later into the fall. "This is a great campsite just a short drive from Phoenix. Clean bathrooms that had motion sensor lights for night time use. Clean drinking water and easy access to trash receptacles," notes Penny A. about Christopher Creek, which remains open when higher elevation sites close for the season.
What you should know
Road conditions and access: Reaching some remote sites requires preparation. "We turned off at FR 752 which is shortly after Babe Haught trail. You have to take it slow heading back since the road is rough. I drive a Hyundai Sante Fe Sport and was fine," reports Jay L. about accessing Knoll Lake Campground.
Weekend crowds and noise levels: Certain campgrounds experience significant weekend traffic. "While it was super busy on the weekend, the mid-week peace of this place was priceless," notes Shari G. about Upper Tonto Creek. For quieter camping, midweek visits are recommended at most locations throughout the region.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Facilities range from well-maintained to primitive. "Bathrooms were cleaner than most restaurants," reports Roman R. about Knoll Lake Campground, while at Bear Canyon Lake, Michelle D. warns of "Vault toilets on the 89A loop that are smelly (expected) and full of black widows (beware!)."
Tips for camping with families
Best sites for kids: Ponderosa Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "The site was amazing, tall trees, clean bathrooms, fire and bbq pits, also a bear safe for your food. Firewood is sold here for 8$ and the camp hosts are really nice," says B O. The campground's location makes it a good basecamp for exploring the region with children.
Wildlife experiences for children: Several campgrounds offer wildlife viewing. "Elk wander through the campgrounds in early mornings and evenings. Beautiful place," shares Sharon F. about Aspen Campground. These encounters provide educational opportunities for children.
Creek access points: Christopher Creek offers water play areas appropriate for families. "The creek sits below a small embankment and you have to walk down to it," explains Penny A. This creates a natural barrier that can help parents monitor children's water access.
Tips from RVers
Dump station information: Not all campgrounds offer dump facilities. "Dump station was closed while we were here and it looks like they charge to use is when open," notes Chris P. about Houston Mesa Campground. At Ponderosa Campground, dump stations are available for a fee.
Solar considerations: For those relying on solar power, site selection matters. "We run on solar, so found one of the only spots with enough sun to keep us charged up," shares Shari G. about Bear Canyon Lake. Most campgrounds have dense tree cover, which is great for shade but challenging for solar collection.
Cell service availability: Connectivity varies widely. "Verizon service isn't optimal, but it's manageable," mentions Brad | Britany B. about Houston Mesa, while at Knoll Lake, Jesse S. reports "Zero cell service." RVers working remotely should check connectivity before arrival.
