The Mogollon Rim area surrounding Kohls Ranch, Arizona features a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed camping options within the Tonto National Forest. Developed sites like Christopher Creek, Houston Mesa, and Ponderosa Campground provide amenities such as drinking water, toilets, and fire rings, while dispersed areas like Bear Canyon Lake offer more primitive experiences. Most campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some sites like Mogollon Campground also offering cabin options. The region's pine forests and proximity to creeks and lakes make it a popular destination for those seeking cooler temperatures at higher elevations.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping in the Kohls Ranch area. Many established campgrounds operate from April through October or November, closing during winter months. Summer brings relief from Phoenix heat, with temperatures typically 15-20 degrees cooler than the valley. Fire restrictions are common during dry periods, particularly in late spring and early summer before monsoon season. The area experiences significant weekend crowds during summer months, with many campers arriving from Phoenix. Road conditions vary, with some dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles. One camper noted, "This is one of the first campgrounds you will find when hitting the Mogollon Rim so it can get warmer due to lower elevation in the summer months."
Campers consistently highlight water access as a major draw to the region. Christopher Creek, Tonto Creek, and several lakes provide opportunities for fishing, swimming, and cooling off during hot days. Ponderosa pines offer welcome shade at most campgrounds, though sites closer to highways may experience road noise from passing vehicles. Developed campgrounds with amenities fill quickly on summer weekends, while more remote dispersed sites offer greater solitude. According to reviews on The Dyrt, the area provides an excellent escape from summer heat while remaining relatively accessible. "The creek is stocked with trout for fly fishing enthusiasts," one visitor mentioned about Upper Tonto Creek. Wildlife sightings, including deer, are common throughout the region, adding to the camping experience.
$35 / night
"The lake is in walking distance with rentable boats and swimming. The site was a drive up, with a table and pit."
"We found a spot close to the bathroom the toilets didn't smell. The lake was beautiful however wheelchair access isn't the greatest. I lucky had my off road tires on."
"Trailer was about 40 feet from the edge with unparalleled views. I'd stay away from the rim edge on windy days. No worries during our stay."
"And to see the view was just a 20 foot walk. Also we were right by a trailhead so we did have passerby’s but no worries. There is a host that comes around so that feel safe and welcoming."
$24 - $80 / night
"It's situated right off the highway just below the Mogollon Rim. It's nicely wooded so plenty of shade is available. A lot of the sites, mine included, are situated along the creek. "
"I have been coming here since i was a kid, my parents made sure we come here every year in the summer to enjoy cooler Arizona weather."
$22 - $170 / night
"And the closest site to Water Wheel which is about ten miles away and Arizona’s best kept secret."
"Nature's Playground: The campground's proximity to swimming holes, hiking trails, and the charming town of Payson provides endless opportunities for exploration and adventure."
"I’ve camped here twice and not only it’s great spot for the kids to roam around, it’s also nice having the lake close by."
"Most of the campsites closer to the lake entrance were designed to have multiple tents. There was loud music and gunshots (even though there is no target shooting allowed) well past midnight."
"Worth the drive! Woods Canyon Lake is closest ‘store’ so come prepared. Lake, trails, views, and off-roading!"
"This lake was amazing! We camped a short distance (about a mile up the hill) away from the lake where we had a completely secluded campsite and the boys built an incredible rock campfire pit!"
$22 - $100 / night
"This is one of my personal favorite campsites in Arizona, for many reasons. It's very clean, with drinking water and well maintained toilets/trash facilities."
"The only drawback to this popular weekend campground near the Mogollon rim, is its proximity to the highway."
"The woods were awesome and very little noise besides cars driving along the road. Thr road was a very easy drive. Only downside is the campsite was very close to the road."
"This is just a dirt road off of the highway."
$18 / night
"For the distance it is away from Phoenix you can beat it ! 2hrs drive time!"
"Woods Canyon Lake is just a short drive away to enjoy hiking and you are within walking distance to the Rim."
$20 / night
"Sometimes you come across a campground that makes you feel like you are 12 again, just hanging out with the family in the beautiful surroundings of the Arizona Rim Country, roasting marshmallows."
"It was clean, and very well situated near the trail. Though the ground was slightly uneven and parking our truck was a challenge, it was comfortable and well laid out."
TravelerSo I stop here every so often on my way north from Phoenix. It’s a quiet pretty spot right off the interstate. The roads are a little rough but doable. Occasionally there will be a few people back there, I can’t speak for weekend traffic, but I’ve seen some naked people walking around so there’s that too. Caught me off guard and I. Don’t know if that’s a thing or not back there
TravelerThis campground is awesome. It was the perfect refuge for the rainy week. It’s super well maintained. Free drinking water stations and a picnic area for each spot. Quiet and even with a gas station and Home Depot within a 15 min walk it still feels like you’re in the woods especially when the coyotes start howling at night. I wish we would have gone to the horse camp FF spots instead: they are farther away from the road sounds, more spaced out, and we could’ve stayed another night for the same price on the other side. Only difference is pavement roads/sites.
ScoutThe official campgrounds weren’t open for the season yet and the first three camping areas we checked were all full but we got a nice spot at this one. No amenities or anything but we drove over to 9350’s pit toilets in the morning.
LegendJust south of Camp Verde. Easy access from highway. Dirt road. Not too rough. Lots of dispersed camping spots.
Beautiful area. Not many people around in March.
TravelerBeautiful sites directly on the rim with fire rings with grills. Amazing views. All for free. Thank you forest service!
TravelerThis spot is beautiful. Only 15 min from Strawberry and right off the highway. I really wish the road was not so rough because there are some really great spots further in but I was not willing to drive my RV down further so we made the loop our adventure hike.
If you do go down further there is a horse coral. Even beyond that if you stay to the left at the first fork there are some amazing, much flatter spots closer to the canyon look outs.
Guidepretty quiet open area (that doubles as a shooting area FYI) that wasn’t busy on a Thursday night. close to thirteen-mile rock climbing area and hiking trails. need to open gate en route in.
no cell service or amenities
TravelerRoad was slightly rough, but still manageable without a 4WD. Just make sure to drive slowly. Very spacious camp spots & decent phone reception. Only downside was that it was extremely windy at night to the point that it broke one of my poles so my tent collapsed on me, lol. That’s ok because I was looking to buy another tent. Despite that, I look forward to re-visit this area during the summer since the weather should still be pleasant in the daytime. ❤️
RangerIt isn't anything special, but it is relati ely quiet and east to get to. Perfect for a quick overnight.
Camping near Kohls Ranch, Arizona ranges from primitive dispersed sites to family-friendly campgrounds across varied elevations of the Tonto National Forest. Campers can expect significant temperature differences between day and night, with nighttime temperatures dropping 20-30 degrees below daytime highs. Road conditions vary widely depending on recent weather, with some remote locations requiring high-clearance vehicles following monsoon rains.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: At Knoll Lake Campground, you'll find a quieter alternative to more crowded lakes. "Spent the day on the lake which is well worth the extra drive to avoid the crowds at Woods Canyon. Found one spot with cell service where you turn off fr300 towards Knoll Lake," notes Whitney W. The surrounding forest hosts elk that can be heard bugling at night.
Crawdad hunting in creeks: Christopher Creek offers a unique family activity catching crawdads in the creek. "I have been coming here since i was a kid... The best part is catching crawdads with our home made fishing poles (which is a step up from when i was a kid and would catch them with cups)," says Jennifer A. For an easy technique, Marissa J. suggests "a simple slice of protein (bacon, jerky, etc.) tied to a string does the trick."
Hiking to swimming holes: The Little Green Valley dispersed area features a notable hiking trail. "It also has a 7 mile hike to a place called Hells gate that has a swimming hole at the end of the hike. Lotta weekenders come up and hike up there," says Thomas S. This makes for a perfect day trip during summer months.
Space between sites: Houston Mesa Campground offers generous spacing for a more private experience. "We love the ample space at each campsite, allowing us to park comfortably and spread out for a relaxing stay. Our kids adore playing in the dirt and exploring the trees," says Brad | Britany B. The campground maintains clean facilities with well-kept bathrooms.
Proximity to water features: Upper Tonto Creek provides camping near Horton Creek. "Great campsites walking distance to Horton Creek trail, has fire ring, table, and level tent area for easy set up," shares Liza C. The creek is stocked with trout for fishing enthusiasts and multiple trails branch out from the campground.
Late-season camping options: Some areas offer camping later into the fall. "This is a great campsite just a short drive from Phoenix. Clean bathrooms that had motion sensor lights for night time use. Clean drinking water and easy access to trash receptacles," notes Penny A. about Christopher Creek, which remains open when higher elevation sites close for the season.
Road conditions and access: Reaching some remote sites requires preparation. "We turned off at FR 752 which is shortly after Babe Haught trail. You have to take it slow heading back since the road is rough. I drive a Hyundai Sante Fe Sport and was fine," reports Jay L. about accessing Knoll Lake Campground.
Weekend crowds and noise levels: Certain campgrounds experience significant weekend traffic. "While it was super busy on the weekend, the mid-week peace of this place was priceless," notes Shari G. about Upper Tonto Creek. For quieter camping, midweek visits are recommended at most locations throughout the region.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Facilities range from well-maintained to primitive. "Bathrooms were cleaner than most restaurants," reports Roman R. about Knoll Lake Campground, while at Bear Canyon Lake, Michelle D. warns of "Vault toilets on the 89A loop that are smelly (expected) and full of black widows (beware!)."
Best sites for kids: Ponderosa Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "The site was amazing, tall trees, clean bathrooms, fire and bbq pits, also a bear safe for your food. Firewood is sold here for 8$ and the camp hosts are really nice," says B O. The campground's location makes it a good basecamp for exploring the region with children.
Wildlife experiences for children: Several campgrounds offer wildlife viewing. "Elk wander through the campgrounds in early mornings and evenings. Beautiful place," shares Sharon F. about Aspen Campground. These encounters provide educational opportunities for children.
Creek access points: Christopher Creek offers water play areas appropriate for families. "The creek sits below a small embankment and you have to walk down to it," explains Penny A. This creates a natural barrier that can help parents monitor children's water access.
Dump station information: Not all campgrounds offer dump facilities. "Dump station was closed while we were here and it looks like they charge to use is when open," notes Chris P. about Houston Mesa Campground. At Ponderosa Campground, dump stations are available for a fee.
Solar considerations: For those relying on solar power, site selection matters. "We run on solar, so found one of the only spots with enough sun to keep us charged up," shares Shari G. about Bear Canyon Lake. Most campgrounds have dense tree cover, which is great for shade but challenging for solar collection.
Cell service availability: Connectivity varies widely. "Verizon service isn't optimal, but it's manageable," mentions Brad | Britany B. about Houston Mesa, while at Knoll Lake, Jesse S. reports "Zero cell service." RVers working remotely should check connectivity before arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Kohls Ranch, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Kohls Ranch, AZ offers a wide range of camping options, with 253 campgrounds and RV parks near Kohls Ranch, AZ and 115 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Kohls Ranch, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Kohls Ranch, AZ is Aspen Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 26 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Kohls Ranch, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 115 free dispersed camping spots near Kohls Ranch, AZ.
Keep Exploring
