RV sites near Young, Arizona offer travelers high-country camping experiences at elevations between 5,000-7,000 feet. The Tonto National Forest surrounds much of the area, creating cooler summer temperatures than nearby Phoenix and Tucson. Most campgrounds maintain gravel sites rather than paved surfaces, with varying degrees of levelness on the mountainous terrain.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area around Fr 171 Campground provides chances to see wild horses. "We had wild horses walk by our site," reports one camper, noting that weekdays are significantly quieter than weekends.
Hiking along the rim: The Mogollon Rim offers numerous trails with elevation changes. "This is on the mogollon rim so there is some great hiking and sightseeing nearby. Several lakes close also," notes a visitor to Mogollon RV Park.
Water recreation: Roosevelt Lake is accessible from several RV parks in the region. One visitor to Roosevelt Lake Motel & RV Park mentioned the "awesome views" and "friendly staff," making it a good base for water activities.
What campers like
Peaceful settings: Many visitors appreciate the quiet locations available at Oxbow Estates RV Park. "It's all gravel, a bit dusty, but setback well off the highway near several farms so it was very quiet both during the day and especially at night," one camper reports.
Mountain views: The elevation provides scenic vistas throughout the region. A camper at Tonto Creek Trail RV Park noted: "The grounds are safe and quiet, with beautiful mountain views all around, giving us plenty of space to relax after a day of exploring."
Cell service: Connectivity varies significantly by location. "Great Verizon cell service," reported one Fr 171 camper, while others note spotty reception closer to the Rim. Some RV parks like Lamplighter receive complaints about "No wifi!" according to reviews.
What you should know
Site sizes vary widely: Some parks offer spacious sites while others are quite tight. A visitor to Payson Campground & RV Resort observed: "Nice fairly quiet well kept. Only complaint spaces are tight if you have slide outs on both sides and the only trash disposal is at the office."
Pricing considerations: RV site costs can be higher than expected in this area. "We are new to RVing (1st trip) but this place was $129 for a 28' back in 30 amp site. It does have wifi, water, power, and sewer, but that's the same as a hotel," noted one Payson Campground visitor.
Weather patterns: The high elevation creates unique weather patterns. Fr 171 campers warn: "The wind starts late morning and blows pretty good until well after sun set." Sudden storms can also make unpaved roads challenging as "it can be tricky to get out of mud when it rains."
Tips for camping with families
Look for parks with amenities: Some RV sites near Young offer family-friendly facilities. "Finally a place to camp with the family in Heber-Overgaard. HUGE sites and trails right outside the Campground," shared a visitor to AJ's Getaway RV Park.
Consider noise levels: Campgrounds closer to highways can be noisier. "You can hear the traffic and the spots are packed pretty close to each other," noted a visitor about Payson Campground.
Check playground availability: Limited playground equipment exists at some parks. One visitor mentioned that at Payson Campground, the "playground" consists only of "a metal swing set, uncovered and a small basketball court."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites in the region require leveling blocks. "Some sites are very rocky, but there is a site for pretty much every type of camper," notes a Fr 171 Campground visitor.
Storage options: Seasonal campers can find storage at certain locations. "We store our RV there for the summer. Great 4th of July events in town," shares an AJ's Getaway visitor.
Electrical service variations: While most parks offer 50-amp service, some only provide 30-amp options. "The electrician happened to notice our rig and came over to speak with us and talked about how she had made sure that all wiring was solid," noted an Oxbow Estates visitor, highlighting the variable quality of electrical hookups in the region.
