New to Phoenix Area (Goodyear) with camping/fishing questions

[ShOOster!]

Hello!

I'm an Air Force guy recently stationed here at Luke AFB (Coming from Vegas). I've just purchased a 97 TJ automatic hardtop in pretty darn good shape, with a 5.5" RE long arm, 1" body lift with swaybar links, stock gears / diffs / axles, 33" A/T tires, on-board air, winch, CB, Wilderness rear rack with farm-jack & a few other goodies.

I'm very new to the off-road scene, with only one mild trail through the White Tanks under my belt (I-10/Watson), but I'm mechanically knowledgable with 17+ years in aircraft maintenance & 10+ years drag-racing/engine building.

I have a 10 year old daughter and girlfriend I'd like to take camping/fishing during Summer vacation, but want my ducks lined up before going. I'm busy shopping for camping/fishing gear & have most of what I need (BassProShops in Vegas and Cabela's here in Glendale are AWESOME!), but you never really know what's needed until you dive in. Most gear will be stored in plastic trunks strapped to a rear hitch-rack (which rises to just below the spare, so it's fairly high-clearance).

My question:

I'm looking for a place with cooler temps (and TREES) where we can set up camp near water & avoid as many other people as possible...especially ones with full minivans. I'm looking for fishing and an actual campfire (Dutch oven cooking).

In other words...an area accessible only by a 4X4 such as mine, but nothing TOO extreme as I don't have fancy lockers or any desire for mechanical/cosmetic damage (yet;).

Also...we're new to the area, so looking for new friends with similar interests...and any other trail/recreation info you feel like sharing.

Thanks in advance!!

Josh

[ArizonaSunshine]

Hello and welcome, not into camping so can't help you there. Thank you for keeping our country SAFE and FREE. mike

[bigdaddy3195]

If work gives me the weekend off, I am planning a camping/fishing trip out at Lake Pleasant (June 11-13). So far its just my family and my buddys family. You are more than welcome to join if we go.

[djui5]

I'm looking for a place with cooler temps (and TREES) where we can set up camp near water & avoid as many other people as possible...especially ones with full minivans. I'm looking for fishing and an actual campfire (Dutch oven cooking).

Josh


Knoll lake. Look it up :)

[MV3]

X2 on Knoll Lake or Bear Canyon. For a little further drive it's hard to beat Big Lake or Hawley Lake for fishing.

[Mike M]

White Mountains, has all you are looking for.

[KRAKER]

I agree with the above. I would also like to add Long Lake and surrounding lakes. Good fishing and pretty quiet.

[azgypsy1234]

wellllllll welcome to the club!! pm krispykritter,,,, tell em your story!! he's got the ultimate run going on during memorial weekend to haglers creek!! you didnt mention what kind of fishing but kris's trip will include trout,,, and probably lots of it! And some good wheelin for your new rig!! very family oriented and a small group!! hey,,, and thx for your service god bless brother!!

[ROCRWLR]

Chevlon canyon lake up on the rim and west fork of the black river, it is 10 miles down a dirt road behind big lake and camping in right on the river

[Sedona Jeep School]

Welcome, and thank you for your service. I have one piece of advice for you, now that you are at Luke: be careful parking! ;)

As for camping with 4-wheeling access only, trees and fishing: Colorado or Montana. :D Seriously, with most of the lakes in Arizona being man-made, there aren't very many that require 4x4 to get there. But there are some spectacular places to camp that require 4x4: Off of the Gen Crook Trail, around Crown King, and Woody Mountain Road to name a few within a couple hours drive. Get a DeLorme Atlas for Arizona and start exploring, and/or join some club runs!

Happy trails,

[ShOOster!]

You guys are AWESOME, and THANK YOU for your posts & messages! I have more than enough information to go on here! Will post pics once I've gone...but for now...looks like a portable poop-tent's on sale at Cabela's (For the girls, of course). Lol.

Looking very closely into Payson...but alas...the girls are afraid of bears & mountain lios now:(

[CHAOSCASE]

put your food and trash up and your chances of meeting a bear or skunk greatly decreases. as for the lion, i've seen one while wheeling up near taylor, but have never seen one while camping! i have been camping in az for going on 20 years now and the biggest problem i've had is the skunks!

[scrapiron]

Don't forget to bring your own rock to sit on at the lakes up here in the summer. Even the hard to get ones can get awfully crowded in the summer. Welcome to the area.

[Bilt4Comfort]

Any rim or white mountain lake is going to be pretty crowded in the summer months...but less during the week than on the weekends...and forget about holiday weekends.

It's a long haul...but Riggs Flat is seldom visited compared to northern lakes. Look it up.

[HvyHau8272]

Look up the East fork of the Black River. It is up near Alpine area and well into the trees, and yes there are parts of it that you can get to that require 4x4. That means you will have it to yourself.

Another spot is Hells Gate up on Reynolds creek if you dont mind hiking...it is well worth the hike for the peace and quite. But when I say hike I mean hike!! Every time (2 times) I have gone up there it has been on horse back with pack horses for camping and it is still a 2 hour ride down and 3.5 to 4.0 hours back out.

Welcome to the club and thank you for your service!