From the valley you can do a quick ride out past Payson to go up in the Mogollon Rim, and for the past few years, this has become my favorite place to spend times outdoor in the summer. There are a few lakes in the Rim Lakes Recreation area, and I am very familiar with Woods Canyon, but I want to explore the other areas. Stop at every scenic overlook to check the views of the Mogollon Rim while making your way to your trail, lake, or camping site, it's worth it! If you are on the main road going to Woods Canyon, stay straight on the dirt road and make your way to Bear Canyon Lake. Its apx 12 miles from the turn for Woods Canyon. I didn't know much of Bear Canyon Lake, but ready to check it out. Parts of the dirt rd can be rough, I have a lil Kia Soul and she made the drive just fine, but if you have a low clearance, it might not be the best. Things I have since learned. Bear Canyon Lake is accessible by foot trails only. There are no boat launches or ramps, no auto access. To get to the shoreline you do have to hike down apx .02 miles with your gear. I did see some folks out on the lake in their boats/kayaks, so I am thinking I am going to give that a try. From the shoreline where I was at the views were pristine. So beautiful. I honestly can't wait to come back and explore this lake some more. read more

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Beautiful walking trail along the rims with beautiful views over the rims. Gentle breeze and beautiful wild flowers. This trail is easy trail and very pleasant to escape from the Scottsdale summer heat. read more

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I've been coming up here since I was a little kid! It's my favorite spot to camp and is such a quick drive from the Valley. The Mogollon Rim is the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau that extends 200 miles from Flagstaff to the White Mountains. My favorite spot for viewing is just north of Payson off highway 260 near Woods Canyon Lakes. You get this amazing view of all the ponderosa pine trees of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. There are a few sight-seeing locations you can park at and just take in the breath taking views. There is also a nature trail called the Rim Lake Vista Trail that you can hike on that lines the Mogollon Rim. It's around 3 miles. Summer time is the best times for wildflowers and you can see some Fall colors in October/November. If you continue on Rim Road, there are a few organized campground sites around Woods Canyon Lake and a general store. If you are looking for a quick getaway from city life, this is a great spot to drive to. read more

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I have been to the Rim Lakes area twice this season already and look forward to yet another visit. This section of Arizona, which is between Payson and Heber, is absolutely stunning! The Mogollon Rim ("muggy-own") is the big attraction. Depending on your location, you will find that the rim extends thousands of feet. You can also find some sheer cliffs here, decorated with dense pines. Lovely. And it is full of campgrounds, lakes and streams along the 260. It is ideal for camping, hiking and trail walking. I have stayed at Sinkhole already, and have also checked out Christopher Creek and Tonto, among others. I am especially fond of the elevation -- 7,000+. That means you get very cool temperatures, and you also get pretty much around the clock access to ponderosa and pine trees. I hear that Woods Canyon Lake is the most popular lake in the Rim. That appears entirely true. The lake, and the are surrounded it, are hugely populated. Total party town. But you can find other, easily accessible campgrounds in the nearby area that are well equipped for those of us who like a more rustic and certainly a more quiet space. And a couple of tips: When driving toward the Rim just outside of Payson, be very attentive to speed posting. There are speed cameras along the highway just outside of the town. Be sure to check out the Rim Lake Vista Trail. The views are stunning! Bear Canyon Lake is less populated than Woods Canyon, but expect a little hike down to the bank. read more

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My group of 4 adults stayed two nights in the Aspen campground from midday Friday to Sunday morning. My only complaint is the children in the campsite next to us were so loud at 6am. We took a walk around the loop and some other campers were being loud late at night too. So if you're looking for a private place to camp, this isn't it. But if you enjoy community and possibly meeting new people, this spot is great! Elk strolled and grazed right into our campsite! It's a beautiful spot to camp in the area! read more

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Beautiful place to come and experience northern Arizona for free. Amazing views and think forests. Leave no Trace.

Rim Lakes is a beautiful mountain lake! We enjoyed the full hike around even when the rain started. It's a great hike but would be a bit hard for bad knees or older people. Our youngest was 7 and she was all over it. read more

Unbelievably beautiful part of the Southwest. I will return to the Mogollon Rim. I will not return to Aspen Campground. Too many campers, too vile toilets, too much to pay, too many rules delivered by too rude hosts. read more

Fantastic place to camp and hike, the host where very nice. Very quiet place at night, we will be back!

Beautiful views, cool pines, amazing outdoor time with family and friends. This place has multiple lakes and campgrounds with friendly staff everywhere you go. If you get a chance to catch an educational show with Ranger Bob do it! read more

Yet another Beautiful Place to go in AZ! The Rim has spectacular views, but is not a place to bring children (Rim only) because of the sheer drop (as is the case with the Grand Canyon). Plenty of camping, fishing, hiking and biking choices here. What is amazing about this area, is that there are paved trails to hike or bike. This is a bike friendly place to go, and wheelchair accessible because it is paved and has wheelchair accessible signs at the trails that we visited. read more

The husband, dog, and I spent the weekend at the Aspen Campground along Forest Road 105, the last left turn before Woods Canyon Lake. It was a beautiful area filled with paved and well maintained trails. We arrived at the campground at night and didn't realized how beautiful the drive or hike along Rim Road was until the next day. The trail is about 1.5 mile from the lake to the Rim, and there is a trail along the rim that we walked for awhile with benches and good stopping points to stop and appreciate the breathtaking view. There are many other campgrounds in the area that all seemed very popular, as well as a couple group areas full of scout troops having fun. Despite it being the first weekend of October, most campgrounds were full and we found ourselves lucky to find one with open lots. Great wildlife in the area, saw some elk walk right by our campsite in the daytime and heard more at night. Have also heard great things about the fishing and saw many renting boats or fishing along the shore. The lake store is open during the day and has pretty much everything you could want for fishing, snacks, and some camping needs. As for the Aspen campground, we definitely appreciated the size and layout of our space. We arrived after dark and were grateful that the self check-in was very straight forward, really just a list of open lots, pick one on a map and leave the payment envelope in the fee tube. This is where we really should have planned ahead(our bad). They only take cash or checks, and it was $18 a night. They were also sold out of wood, and the entire campground is pretty much swept clean of anything more than tiny twigs. This led to a late night trip to a Heber Circle K with little to no cell reception, an adventure in and of itself. Plan ahead and save yourself the city kid embarrassment that was mine that night. Couldn't have asked for nicer camp hosts and friendly "neighbors", made some friends(as did our dog) during walks and everyone kept to themselves for the most part at night. On a side note, clean vault bathrooms. Doesn't seem like much but can make a huge difference if you get a lot near one. We have found our new go to camping spot. We look forward to spending more time there during warmer weather next summer. read more

Me and my family stayed at the rim campground for 2 nights & thoroughly enjoyed it! The campground was clean and beautiful. The host kept it very well ran and regulated. We will definitely be back. Enjoyed the fire pit with the grill, the picnic table and the lantern holder pole. Unfortunately there is only one bathroom in this campground and the campsites are kinda close but we would stay again because it wasn't busy at all so we didn't have any neighbors. read more

This is an awesome recreation area located right on the Mogollon Rim. I mean right there, we had no idea how close until we woke up the next morning and walked a half mile to overlook a 400 to 600 foot drop, with an great trail along the rim leading straight to Woods Canyon Lake (the most accessible of the rim lakes). We stayed in one of the tent camping sites. It was really awesome because a whole bunch of people stayed in the sites that allowed Recreational Vehicles and had amenities. We were looking for less amenities and still got bathrooms (latrine style, nice and clean though!) Water (non-potable but good for cleaning and fire control) and two excellent camp hosts named Mike and Bonnie who had firewood for $3 a bundle which was much drier and nicer than the wood from the store at Woods Canyon Lake ($2 a bundle but it was wet and less split). The site we were in had ample room for tent camping with pads to put the tents on and metal ring fire pits with nice metal picnic tables. It was early September and we heard numerous Elk Bugling all night, might have had a coyote or javelina in the campsite, and saw trees rubbed from bears. A lot of fun and a nice weekend! read more

Best camping & fishing in Arizona, escape the summer heat!