Elevations around Young, Arizona range from 5,000 to 7,000 feet, creating moderate summer temperatures that attract visitors escaping desert heat. The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest surrounds the area with dense pine forests and several lakes within 30-60 minutes of driving. Campers won't find facilities directly in Young but can access numerous options within the surrounding national forest lands.
What to do
Fishing at multiple lakes: Woods Canyon Lake and Willow Springs Lake provide excellent trout fishing opportunities. "The trout fishing here is top notch. The lake is stocked during the summer almost everyweek but the hold overs in the spring can get pretty huge!" notes a visitor to Aspen Campground.
Hiking to viewpoints: The Mogollon Rim offers multiple trails with scenic overlooks. "Woods canyon lake offers beautiful trails for hikers of all levels," according to a camper at Aspen Campground. Most trails are accessible from May through October, with early mornings recommended during summer months.
Kayaking on calm waters: Knoll Lake provides a quieter alternative to more popular lakes. "We enjoyed a splendid paddle out on the water near sundown, after many power boats were already back up on their trailers," reports a visitor to Windy Hill Campground.
What campers like
Wildlife encounters: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to spot native animals. "Elk wander through the campgrounds in early mornings and evenings. Beautiful place," says a visitor to Spillway Campground.
Access to multiple recreation sites: The network of forest roads connects various camping and recreation areas. "Always a great place to stay in the summer. Usually about 25 degrees cooler in then Phoenix. Close to lakes and creeks along with hiking trails," notes a camper at Aspen Campground.
Yurt camping near Young, Arizona: For those seeking more shelter than tents provide, Timber Camp Recreation Area offers yurts and cabins. "We reserved this spot for a large family gathering and it served our needs perfectly. The spot is in a great patch on Ponderosa Pines in the primarily pinyon juniper surroundings," explains a visitor who enjoyed the yurt camping options near Young.
What you should know
Road conditions vary: Access to some campgrounds requires driving on unpaved roads. "You have to take it slow heading back since the road is rough. I drive a Hyundai Sante Fe Sport and was fine," reports a visitor to Knoll Lake Campground.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between locations. "Verizon service isn't optimal, but it's manageable," notes a visitor to Houston Mesa Campground, while Knoll Lake Campground has "Zero cell service" according to another camper.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather can change quickly. "There was a storm that rolled in (not on the weather forecast!) It came in FAST!" warns a camper at Windy Hill Campground. Pack for temperature swings between day and night, even in summer.
Fire restrictions: Seasonal fire bans are common. "Sucked that we couldn't have a fire due to a fire state-ban," notes a visitor to Knoll Lake Campground. Check current restrictions before your trip as they can be implemented with little notice.
Tips for camping with families
Double campsite options: Several areas offer connected sites for family groups. "We stayed in site 5, which is considered a group site with site 4. Thankfully, we were there with 2 other families," explains a visitor to Sinkhole Campground.
Easy water access: Some campgrounds offer shorter walks to water. "This is a very nice forest camp. Sites are great, semi private. Lake is beautiful, store available," shares a visitor to Houston Mesa Campground.
Safer swimming spots: Knoll Lake provides calmer waters than larger lakes. "We tent camped right near the lake with a larger group of people. While exploring the area, I discovered many camp areas that were perfect for larger groups," notes a visitor.
Bathroom facilities: Most established campgrounds have vault toilets. "Clean vault toilets are available. Firewood is for sale from the host," reports a visitor to Sinkhole Campground about the $18 per night sites.
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Many forest campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. "This is the only campground on the shores of woods canyon lake! It is small, no trailers over 14 feet," warns a visitor to Spillway Campground.
Dump station locations: Plan ahead for waste disposal. "There seem to be one super secret place to dump your trailer water, grey & black. While you can dump there for free, you cannot find it without a treasure map," cautions a visitor to Windy Hill Campground.
Generator noise: Some campgrounds have more generator use than others. "If you like solar camping, this place takes the prize for the most generator impacted site that we've ever stayed in our lifetimes," notes a visitor to Windy Hill Campground.
Hookup availability: For those needing full hookups, options are limited but available. "This place is great for the whole family and there is no trailer year restriction. You definitely cant beat the price and its nice that the rate includes water, electric and sewage," explains a visitor to Mountain Retreat in Heber, which offers yurt and cabin camping near Young, Arizona.
