Secluded Camping in Northern Arizona?

[PhxJosh]

I am to take my newly acquired jeep out camping in a few weeks. I am looking for secluded camping, meaning out in the middle of the woods camping.

I am not sure where to go, I am looking for somewhere within 2 hours driving from northern phoenix/glendale. (Happy Valley/I-17).

I am not really into developed campsites, with picnic tables, and room for only 1 tent usually, there is going to be a good size group of us, and we all like to just be out in the middle of nowhere.

My jeep is stock, so I am not looking to go off-road yet, plus there will be someone with a car with us so we need to go somewhere a sedan can get too.

I was thinking Flagstaff/Prescott Maybe?

What would you guys suggest?

[PhxJosh]

I was thinking at the top of the hill near Ashurst lake? I might go fishing too, anyone ever fish there? I never heard of this lake.

[TERRIERjeep]

try tonto village, its just east payson, all tall pines, we have had 15 people on the second or third left past the town. there are two nice spots with in a 3 minute walking distance of each other one a sadean can get to the other just two wheel drive trucks can get to. its a nice area, no water around but the rain will get to you for sure. map quest it, its not far away.

[STEVE FREEMAN]

woods canyon lake on top of the rim, take fr 300 past lake, tons of undeveloped spots
you can camp at, go to go-arizona.com for info, one of my favorite places to camp.

[PhxJosh]

Isn't payson a 3 hour drive? I went to Knoll lake ant it took like 3 hours.

Does anyone know about campfire restrictions? I know the coconino Forrest has none right now (called friday) but I am not sure about the Payson area.

Forest Lake looks really nice, I want to head up there.

[Twister_ems]

I hear the white mountains are nice this time of year lol. Especially around big lake. Lots of undeveloped little side roads and what not that you can get out and camp on. A fella could get lost up there for days exploring. I was up that way a couple days ago just on a day trip and ran into huge groups of campers everywhere. Fishing on the lake itself isnt bad at all as well as several small lakes in the area. Only thing is its probably atleast a 4 hour drive for you.

[Markos]

Isn't payson a 3 hour drive? I went to Knoll lake ant it took like 3 hours.

Does anyone know about campfire restrictions? I know the coconino Forrest has none right now (called friday) but I am not sure about the Payson area.

Forest Lake looks really nice, I want to head up there.

No it doesn't take that long to get to Payson. It should take under 2 hours to get into the town of Payson. It's only about 80 miles away. Now it could easily take another hour to find a good spot if you are new to the area.


I'm going camping next weekend. I was thinking about Mormon Lake, or possibly something off of the west end of Rim Rd. Hopefully this thread keeps going because I need to think of a spot.

For fire restrictions, keep in touch with the NFS. You should also check with whatever county that you are in.

[slickrrr]

im looking to get up north camping this weekend as well, wanna take the dirtbike and the wife wants to take the dogs, was thinking of the cinders, does anyone know of dispersed camping near the cinders but is dog paw friendly that I can make it to the cinders with a non street legal dirtbike, I.E. campsite with dirt, grass, pinestraw and not sharp little gravel rocks yet you can still reach the cinders ohv area on a dirtbike, or for that matter, anywhere cool that is fun for a dirtbike and jeep friendly

[daniel]

My girlfriend and I are going next month on the 4th to 6th to the Mogollon Rim. i think that is about 3 hours. I dont care how long it take to get there I love camping there. We dont fish or anything I just eat, sleep, beer and whatever

[Brian]

I went over the 4th (what a mad house) camped north of woods canyon lake. Small fires were of but check with FS. We were off 300- 84 was the road we took to get in deeper. I had the Avalanche never put it in 4x4.
Elk all over the place.
http://members.cox.net/magic.brian/1DSC_0012.jpg
http://members.cox.net/magic.brian/84-300.jpg

[dirtbuggy]

went camping and fishing at ashurst middle of june a cool little lake and not far from lake mary (lowers better fishing) was just restocked not too long ago didn't catch anything but didnt fish long kids got bored still had a great time enjoy also close to lake mormon a really good area to go hang out for awhile. good luck

[Markos]

Forgot to ask, what's the day/night temperature on the edge of the rim this time of year?

[Hardline]

Blue Ridge Reservoir

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/mog_rim/blue-ridge-boat.shtml

click on "dispersed camping"

Wayne and I used to take the canoe, paddle past the dam to camp, fishing along the way. Lots of trees.

[m1ndless]

I talked to my girlfriend, and she wants to go near flagstaff, so I think we are going to take the 17 up to lake mary rd and and just find a spot either by ashurst lake or one of the other lakes near there. I called the ranger station and they reccomended the top of the hill right before ashurst lake for dispursed camping, but their actual campsites are nice too, just a nice flat spot, no grills, and only 1 picnic table, we might do that.

I am going the Aug 1st weekend, how cold should it be?

[Tom Jacobson]

Schultz Pass Rd / Mt. Elden Area in Flag. Pretty close to Cinders, top-shelf mtn bike trails, all kinds of places for tent camping.

[Napyhed]

Forgot to ask, what's the day/night temperature on the edge of the rim this time of year?


Check

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/fgz/

for the temps.

[cosninocanines]

The woods are all open and fire restrictions lifted, it does turn cool after the afternoon monsoon so lower elevation folks be sure and bring some warm clothing. Stoneman Lake Road after you are on the dirt is good, Schnebly Hill Road but go East of the interchange and Willard Springs and Kelly Canyon interchanges West of the freeway. We love the Sycamore Whitehorse lake area between Flagstaff and Williams but this will take you out of the 2hr limit. PSMO and come on up.

[Markos]

All:

I'm still sticking with Mormon Lake this weekend for camping. If anyone can recommend an area near the lake, please PM me or respond to this post. I've never been up that way. I see quite a few NFS roads in the area. I'm looking for dispersed camping with no services. My friends' vehicles aren't up to any difficult terrain either. Any suggestions?


P.S. It's a full-ish moon this weekend. Good weekend to camp! :)

[cosninocanines]

There is nothing around the lake take the FS 132 road on the west side of the lake lots of spots but be warned lots of traffic too.

[Markos]

There is nothing around the lake take the FS 132 road on the west side of the lake lots of spots but be warned lots of traffic too.

Thanks for the directions and the warning. We'll find a better spot on Saturday if it's too busy...