Samantha
Me and my family are thinking about going camping end of this month, so what are the best places for camping??? My husband wanted to go Payson but I didn't like it, it looked weird. We have a 9 month old baby too so it would have to be somewhere nice and safe... We live in Paradise Valley which is a suburbs of Phoenix and didn't wanna go far, maybe 1.5 hr drive maybe 2 but not more than that. Does anyone know a place that's beautiful and not too hot for camping???
FYI we're looking for developed camp with bathrooms and everything else :).
Answer
Woods Canyon lake
http://www.arizona-leisure.com/woods-canyon-lake.html
http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=34.33256,-110.94170&z=15&t=T&marker0=34.33893%2C-110.79985%2CForest%20lakes%5C%2C%20az.&marker1=34.33256%2C-110.94170%2C19.9%20km%20WxNW%20of%20Mogollon%20Rim%20AZ
Willow springs lake
Canyon point campground
http://www.arizona-leisure.com/willow-springs-lake.html
http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=34.31859,-110.82323&z=16&t=T&marker0=34.33256%2C-110.94170%2C19.9%20km%20WxNW%20of%20Mogollon%20Rim%20AZ&marker1=34.33893%2C-110.79985%2CForest%20lakes%5C%2C%20az.&marker2=34.31859%2C-110.82323%2C10.2%20km%20NW%20of%20Mogollon%20Rim%20AZ
Woods Canyon lake
http://www.arizona-leisure.com/woods-canyon-lake.html
http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=34.33256,-110.94170&z=15&t=T&marker0=34.33893%2C-110.79985%2CForest%20lakes%5C%2C%20az.&marker1=34.33256%2C-110.94170%2C19.9%20km%20WxNW%20of%20Mogollon%20Rim%20AZ
Willow springs lake
Canyon point campground
http://www.arizona-leisure.com/willow-springs-lake.html
http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=34.31859,-110.82323&z=16&t=T&marker0=34.33256%2C-110.94170%2C19.9%20km%20WxNW%20of%20Mogollon%20Rim%20AZ&marker1=34.33893%2C-110.79985%2CForest%20lakes%5C%2C%20az.&marker2=34.31859%2C-110.82323%2C10.2%20km%20NW%20of%20Mogollon%20Rim%20AZ
Best Camping in Arizona?
jancanyon
Hi! My friends and I were going to go hiking in a week to Havasu Falls and then camp out. The only problem is that one girl hurt her back (but already paid for the plane ticket to Arizona). Is there an awesome place to camp in Arizona that doesnt involve hiking 10 miles down a canyon with a heavy pack?
Answer
There are many great places to go camping in Arizona that do not require backpacking. The biggest limiting factor for next weekend is weather since it is already getting a bit warm for camping in the lower desert areas.
The rim country north of Payson is pretty nice. There are a number of small lakes along the rim where you camp out either by the lake or just about anywhere in the nearby National Forest. The few established campgrounds (all of which are pretty 'rustic') will be pretty busy with the three day weekend, but if you don't mind just throwing a tent off the side of a dirt road somewhere out in the forest than your options are pretty limitless. Areas to consider include Woods Canyon Lake, Knoll Lake, Bear Canyon Lake and Will Springs Lake. All are just above the rim, north of Payson. If you are not familiar with the area, than you will need either Forest Service maps (Coconino and Tonto) or the DeLorme Arizona Atlas.
Another neat area that is at nice cool elevations is the area around Aztec Peak in the Sierra Ancha Mountains east of Lake Roosevelt. Along the road from Lake Roosevelt to Heber (AZ288) is a turn off to Workman's Creek and Aztec Peak. Worksman's Creek usually has at least a trickle of water even in summer and at 8,000 feet elevation, Aztec Peak is quite cool in the pines with excellent views. This is pretty far off the beaten path (about 3 hours from Phoenix) and you should have maps with you.
Just about any place that is covered by National Forest will allow you to camp out anywhere you want down a dirt road (unless there are extreme fire restrictions in place). The biggest challenge is find a nice place near water - those places are much more rare in Arizona and will generally be popular with other people too.
Finally, I might note that if you have the money for it, you should be able to hire a helicopter to take your friend down to Havasu village near the falls and campground (there is a helicopter service that routinely takes tourists in and out of the canyon). That way the rest of you could hike in and she could meet you there. Just a thought. A somewhat cheaper option would be to have them pack her gear in on a mule (again, you can hire this service from the Indians) to make it easier on her. The first mile of trail is pretty rough (descending into the canyon), but the remaining hike along the stream bed is long, but not really difficult.
There are many great places to go camping in Arizona that do not require backpacking. The biggest limiting factor for next weekend is weather since it is already getting a bit warm for camping in the lower desert areas.
The rim country north of Payson is pretty nice. There are a number of small lakes along the rim where you camp out either by the lake or just about anywhere in the nearby National Forest. The few established campgrounds (all of which are pretty 'rustic') will be pretty busy with the three day weekend, but if you don't mind just throwing a tent off the side of a dirt road somewhere out in the forest than your options are pretty limitless. Areas to consider include Woods Canyon Lake, Knoll Lake, Bear Canyon Lake and Will Springs Lake. All are just above the rim, north of Payson. If you are not familiar with the area, than you will need either Forest Service maps (Coconino and Tonto) or the DeLorme Arizona Atlas.
Another neat area that is at nice cool elevations is the area around Aztec Peak in the Sierra Ancha Mountains east of Lake Roosevelt. Along the road from Lake Roosevelt to Heber (AZ288) is a turn off to Workman's Creek and Aztec Peak. Worksman's Creek usually has at least a trickle of water even in summer and at 8,000 feet elevation, Aztec Peak is quite cool in the pines with excellent views. This is pretty far off the beaten path (about 3 hours from Phoenix) and you should have maps with you.
Just about any place that is covered by National Forest will allow you to camp out anywhere you want down a dirt road (unless there are extreme fire restrictions in place). The biggest challenge is find a nice place near water - those places are much more rare in Arizona and will generally be popular with other people too.
Finally, I might note that if you have the money for it, you should be able to hire a helicopter to take your friend down to Havasu village near the falls and campground (there is a helicopter service that routinely takes tourists in and out of the canyon). That way the rest of you could hike in and she could meet you there. Just a thought. A somewhat cheaper option would be to have them pack her gear in on a mule (again, you can hire this service from the Indians) to make it easier on her. The first mile of trail is pretty rough (descending into the canyon), but the remaining hike along the stream bed is long, but not really difficult.
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