Author: traveloutside.admin

This secluded forest camp offers easy access to two features of high visitor interest.

The first is Knoll Lake, a medium-sized body of water tucked away in a picturesque setting. People come here to fish for trout and tour the lake in small boats.

The second feature of interest near this campground is the spectacular Mogollon Rim, a two thousand foot escarpment that marks the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau. This picturesque plunge from cool highlands to low deserts extends across most of Arizona. The area around Knoll Lake, however, is the home of some of the Rim’s most magnificent views. It provides a scenic setting for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding or just sitting back and enjoying the panorama.

Group Campouts and Events: This campground does not have facilities for large groups or group activities. If one campsite cannot accommodate your group (eight at a single site, 16 at a double site), please call the Mogollon Rim Ranger District at 928-477-2255 to plan your group camp-out at Elks, Moqui, or Long Valley group campgrounds.

 

 

Nearby Activities

• Camping

Directions

Location: About 80 miles southeast of Flagstaff. The elevation is 7,400 feet.

GPS (Map): 34°25’53.4″N 111°05’09.8″W

Access: Drive 55 miles south of Flagstaff to Clints Well on Forest Highway 3 (Lake Mary Road). Turn left (northeast) on to AZ 87, go about 10 miles to FR 95 which is just past the ranger station, turn right and drive 6 miles south to FR 96, turn left and travel 2 miles to FR 321. Turn right and drive 10 miles to FR 300. Turn east (left) and go 4 miles to FR 295E. Turn left again and drive to lake and campground.

Forest Highway 3 and AZ 87 are paved. All Forest Roads are graveled and suitable for sedans. FR 95 is closed during winter.

 

Click on image map thumbnail for larger view.

 

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 34° 25′ 34.3776″ N

Longitude 111° 5′ 37.1256″ W

This secluded forest lake attracts visitors for a number of reasons. Surrounded by ponderosa pines, with a picturesque island in its middle, Knoll Lake provides a scenic setting in which to enjoy your canoe or other small boat. Fishing is good here too, offering rainbow, brown and brook trout.

If the fish aren’t biting, you’ll definitely want to take a tour of the nearby Mogollon Rim. This two thousand foot escarpment marks the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau and drops from cool highlands to low deserts in a picturesque, stomach wrenching plunge.

The lake covers approximately 75 acres and is about 50 feet deep.

 

Directions

Location: 108 miles southeast of Flagstaff on paved and graveled Forest Roads. Elevation is 7,340 feet.

GPS (Map): 34°25’53.4″N 111°05’09.8″W

Access: From Flagstaff take Hwy 3 (Lake Mary Rd) south 55 miles to Clints Well. Turn left (north east) on Hwy 87, go 10 miles to FR 95 which is just past the Blue Ridge office of the Mogollon Rim Ranger District. Turn right and go 6 miles to FR 96 veering left and travel 2 miles to FR 321. Turn right and drive 10 miles to FR 300. Turn left (east) and go 4 miles to FR 295E. Turn left again and drive to Knoll Lake.

 

Click on map thumbnail for larger view.

 

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 34° 25′ 53.3964″ N

Longitude 111° 5′ 9.8088″ W

Situated in a beautiful canyon where water has carved the rock, Jack’s Canyon offers vertical to wildly overhanging routes on compact stone. The majority of the climbing is characterized by steep highly pocketed limestone/sandstone mix cliffs. Route length varies from short “bouldery” twenty foot routes to long “pumpy” routes around seventy feet. On vertical walls, the rock can be bubbly with edges and blocks. If you want to find fun and safe sport climbing on the Coconino National Forest, this is your place. Sport climbing, focused on movement and safety offers the opportunity for large dynamic moves on well protected routes. Fixed anchoring systems here keep climbers safe while minimizing impact to the rock compared to traditional anchoring systems such as pitons and trees. Jacks Canyon boasts 300 routes of what some consider being some of the best sport climbing in the country. Jacks Canyon is a great collaboration between the National Forest and the rapidly growing user group of rock climbers.

The roll-over photos here are from the top of the rim overlooking climbing areas and at the bottom at the creek.

 

Camping: The camping is free and unimproved at the canyon rim, where a 10 minute trail gets you to the routes. Please camp at obvious sites.

Weather: The Weather is great year round with spring and fall offering the best conditions. In the summer you’ll be chasing the shade with temperatures rising to the 90’s F. During the winter, temperatures can get down to freezing and can be snowy, but the sun warms the rock. Chase the sun and you’ll be climbing in tee-shirt and shorts. Watch out for late spring and summer monsoon floods.

Attractions: Climbing, Hiking, Wildlife viewing

Facilities: Toilet (vault type), NO water or trash services (Pack-it-In, Pack-it-Out)

Directions

Location: 30 miles south of Winslow. Elevation approximately 6,100 feet.

GPS (Map): 34°45’20.2″N 111°03’41.3″W

USGS Map(s): Dane Canyon, Blue Ridge Reservoir

Access:

• From Winslow: Take SR 87 south from I-40 approximately 30 miles to mile marker 314. Continue 0.3 mile to dirt road on right. Close gate behind you and follow directions below.
• From Phoenix: Take SR 87 north towards Payson. From Payson, continue on another 60 miles (approximately) towards Winslow to mile marker 313. Continue on 0.7 miles and turn left on dirt road. Close gate behind you and follow directions below.
• Gate Directions

1. Drive 0.3 mile and turn left at the obvious fork 
2. Drive 0.2 mile and turn right 
3. Continue 0.7 mile to trailhead and campground (total 1.2 miles from gate). You’ll see gravel parking and the camping spots will be to your left (same side as toilet)

 

Click map thumbnail for larger view.

 

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 34° 45′ 20.3148″ N

Longitude 111° 3′ 41.4576″ W

Overview

The Elks Group Campground sits among a mix of ponderosa pines and juniper at an elevation of 6,500 feet offering a cool respite from the summer heat of the valley below. This campground facility was designed and constructed by the Winslow Elks Lodge and generously donated to the Mogollon Rim Ranger District. The campground is designed to meet the needs of large groups and can accommodate 300 people, offering picnic tables, grills, and fire pits. There are vault toilets. For every 25 people after the first 50, the group will need to provide additional port-a-pots.

Recreation

Many visitors spend time relaxing and exploring the area. The nearby C.C. Cragin Reservoir and Knoll Lake offers opportunities for water based recreation, while the Arizona National Scenic Trail, General Crook National Recreation Trail, and historic Cabin Loop Trail System offers opportunities for hikers, bicyclist, and equestrian users. There are also several Fire Lookout Towers in the area.

Facilities

The group campground is in a primitive setting on 6 acres. The site has a swing set, horseshoe pit, poles for a volleyball net, flag pole, pavillion, grills, picnic tables, a large fire ring, a 500 gallon water buffalo, trash collection and vault toilets. It is important to know that for every 25 people after the first 50, the group will need to provide additional port-a-pots. The site can accomodate up to 300 people and 50 vehicles.

Natural Features

The campground is in a transition zone where ponderosa pines fade into stands of pinyon and juniper trees. The nearby Mogollon Rim is one of the most striking geologic features in the state. This steep escarpment, measured in thousands of feet, stretches from New Mexico diagonally across two thirds of Arizona and offers sweeping views of the landscape.

Nearby Attractions

The community of Happy Jack, Arizona offers two convenience stores, two restaurants, and a gas station.

Nearby Activities

• Climbing
• Camping
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Wildlife viewing
• Photography
• Mountain biking
• Kayaking
• Canoeing
• Star gazing

Gallery

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Directions

From Flagstaff, Arizona, drive 55 miles south on FH 3 (Lake Mary Road) to AZ 87 at Clints Well. Turn left onto AZ 87. Drive approximately 20 miles to milepost 309.9. Turn left on FR 9717H and drive about one quarter mile to the campground. 

From Winslow, Arizona, drive 32 miles south on AZ 87 for approximately 32 miles. Turn right on FR 9717H and drive about one quarter mile to the campground.

GPS Coordinates; 34°42’32.3″N 111°06’09.4″W

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 34° 42′ 32.2809″ N

Longitude 111° 6′ 9.3570″ W

Clints Well Campground is located near a junction of two major roads which provide access to northern Arizona’s National Forest lands. As such it is close to several features of recreational interest. A short drive from the campground is the scenic Mogollon Rim, the two thousand foot drop-off that marks the southern limit of the Colorado Plateau. Also within easy driving distance are a number of forest lakes known for their excellent fishing. A small community which is springing up at the crossroads provides easy access to services such as a gas station/country store and a restaurant.

Campsites at Clints Well are tucked away in a stand of tall, old growth ponderosas a short distance off the highway. Since access is so convenient, the area is open year-round although after winter storms the campground and surrounding roads may become impassable and are occasionally closed.

Group Campouts and Events: This campground does not have facilities for large groups or group activities. If one campsite cannot accommodate your group (eight people and two cars per site), please call the Mogollon Rim Ranger District at 928-477-2255 to plan your group camp-out at Elks, Moqui, or Long Valley group campgrounds.

Nearby Activities

• Camping
• Picnicking

Directions

Location: 55 miles southeast of Flagstaff. Elevation is 7,000 feet.

GPS (Map): 34°33’18.9″N 111°18’56.3″W

Access: Drive 55 Miles south of Flagstaff on Forest Highway 3 (Lake Mary Road). The campground is just north of the Clints Well intersection.

 

Click on map thumbnail for larger view.

 

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 34° 33′ 18.9000″ N

Longitude 111° 18′ 56.3040″ W

This narrow, winding body of water looks more like a canyon-bound river than a lake. Nestled between forested canyon walls it provides picturesque water recreation in a secluded, wooded setting.

If fishing is your cup of tea, you can catch rainbow, brown or brook trout here, stocked by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. If your taste runs to other types of recreation, the sightseeing, wildlife watching, hiking, and mountain biking here in the canyon-carved uplands of the Mogollon Plateau will make you glad you chose to visit this out of the way lake. 

In 2018, C.C. Cragin Reservoir will become an important water source for the town of Payson, Arizona. Forest thinning and prescribed burning in the area under the Cragin Watershed Protection Project will help protect this valuable water source and improve forest health in the area. C.C. Cragin Dam was built in 1965 by Phelps Dodge, and later transferred to the Salt River Project (SRP). Learn more about the reservoir’s history on SRP’s history of C.C. Cragin dam and reservoir.

 

 

Directions

Location: 63 miles south of Flagstaff on a graveled forest road.

GPS (Map): 34°33’16.6″N 111°11’47.4″W

Access: Drive 55 miles south of Flagstaff to Clints Well on Forest Highway 3 (Lake Mary Road). Turn northeast (left) about 4 miles on AZ 87 to FR 751 then southeast about 6 more miles to the reservoir. All roads are paved except FR 751 which is graveled and suitable for passenger cars in most weather. In wintertime, FR 751 is closed and the reservoir is not accessible.

 

Click map thumbnail for larger view.

 

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 34° 33′ 16.6320″ N

Longitude 111° 11′ 47.4072″ W

The colorful collection of buttes, pinnacles, mesas and canyons surrounding Sedona is famous the world around for its red rock vistas. Over the years, this area has served as the setting of many western novels and movies and has been the subject of uncounted paintings, photographs and other works of art. The remains of ancient wetlands, these crimson cliffs have been carved by the forces of the desert into one of nature’s most magnificent masterpieces.

No matter what you do in Red Rock Country, you’re always sightseeing. Ways to get even closer to all this scenery include: hiking, horseback riding, taking a scenic drive, sliding down a natural waterslide, picnicking, camping, taking lots of photos and fishing in Oak Creek. The Red Rock District includes some 160,000 acres of magnificent splendor.  Some areas require a pass to park, so be sure to check out the information about our Red Rock Pass Program.

 

Get the scoop on the Red Rock Ranger District!

• Recreation Guide [PDF]
• Recreation Maps
• Red Rock Pass Information and find out where to get a Red Rock Pass
• Fee-free Days
• Road Status
• Forest Orders

 

Recreation activities for the Red Rock Ranger District shown in tables:

• Campgrounds
• Trails (A-J)
• Trails (K-Z)
• Wilderness Areas, Boating/Fishing Sites, Scenic Drives
• Picnic Areas, Archaeology Sites, Cabin Rentals and Additional Information

 

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 34° 52′ 10.5600″ N

Longitude 111° 45′ 50.0400″ W

The Mogollon Rim is a rugged escarpment that forms the southern limit of the Colorado Plateau. It extends across the entire forest and provides excellent views within Plateau Country and Desert Canyon Country as well. Dropping as much as 2,000 feet in some areas, the Rim provides some of the most far-reaching scenery in Arizona. Views stretch from its rocky precipice to Four Peaks of the Mazatzals northeast of Phoenix.

Needless to say, sightseeing is a favorite activity along the Rim, but this forest area also boasts a historic system of hiking and horseback trails, a couple of picturesque lakes for boating and fishing, and backcountry skiing for wilderness adventurers. The Mogollon Rim is home to Camp Colley, an outdoor adventure camp at Little Moqui, run by the City of Phoenix, Parks and Recreation.

The photo above (see larger view) was taken by Mark Hickcox, Civil Engineer Tech on the Mogollon Rim District, from the Hutch Mountain Lookout Tower in the summer of 2011. It is looking south-east toward Long Lake.

 

Recreation activities for the Mogollon Rim District:

• Campgrounds
• Trails
• Wilderness Areas, Boating/Fishing Sites, Scenic Drives

More information

• Road Status
• Forest Orders

 

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 34° 33′ 1.0800″ N

Longitude 111° 18′ 54.7200″ W

The Flagstaff Ranger District encompasses nearly 850,000 acres of National Forest lands around the Flagstaff area, from Mormon Lake and Anderson Mesa to north of the San Francisco Peaks. At 12,643 feet, the San Francisco Peaks is not only the dominant feature of the forest area we call the Volcanic Highlands, it’s also the highest mountain in Arizona. Three of the summits that ring this dormant volcano’s now quiet inner caldera are higher than any other mountain in the state.

This mountain is sacred to the native peoples that live in the area and its soaring profile set against a blue Arizona sky serves as a source of awe to contemporary residents and visitors. Views from the summit of the San Francisco Peaks stretch to the Grand Canyon’s North Rim over eighty miles away. Hiking, sightseeing, wildlife watching and skiing are the predominant recreation activities enjoyed in this land of mountains, forests and lava flows.

Flagstaff Ranger District, extends from north of the Peaks to the south. This rolling highland is a land of ponderosa pine forests and pinyon/juniper woodlands clustered around broad prairies and small lakes. Arizona’s largest natural lake, Mormon Lake, is located here. The area is also known for its plentiful wildlife. Large herds of elk roam the forests and edgelands. Bald eagles and ospreys live and hunt around the lakes. Pronghorn antelope graze the prairies.

Principal recreation activities among the lakes and prairies are boating, fishing, camping, and wildlife watching. The area also boasts some excellent cross-country skiing in good snow years.

 

 

Recreation Activities for the Flagstaff District:

• Campgrounds
• Trails
• Wilderness Areas, Boating/Fishing Sites, Scenic Drives
• Picnic Areas, Archaeology Sites, Cabin Rentals and Winter Activities

More Information

• Road Status
• Forest Orders

 

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 35° 10′ 19.2000″ N

Longitude 111° 39′ 43.2000″ W

 

This 11,550 acre Wilderness boasts one of the most diverse riparian areas in Arizona. Over 30 species of trees and shrubs, and over a 100 species of birds have been observed in this unique habitat. The lushness of the riparian area strikes a sharp contrast to the brittle desert that surrounds it. Read more…

View Fossil Creek & Fossil Springs Wilderness photo gallery [Flickr]

 

 

For current conditions, call the
Fossil Creek Hotline 928-226-4611

 

Directions

Location: Fossil Creek is located about 22 miles southeast of Camp Verde (86 miles south of Flagstaff) off paved and dirt roads. Fossil Creek Rd. (FR 708) and Childs Rd. (FR 502) are steep and very rough. These roads may be extremely muddy, slippery, and treacherous after it rains.

GPS (Map): 34°24’24.3″N 111°34’06.4″W

Access via Camp Verde: From Interstate 17, exit 287, turn east on State Route 260 towards Payson and travel 10 miles. Between mile 228 and 229, Forest Road 708 (Fossil Creek Road) will intersect SR 260 on the right, signed as Fossil Creek/Verde River. Travel 14 miles down this rough dirt road (high-clearance 4WD vehicles recommended) to the intersection with Forest Road 502 (Childs Road).

 

Download seasonal recreation guides for Fossil Creek and Fossil Springs Wilderness

 

Mapas y guías de área de permisos de Fossil Creek (Español)

 

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 34° 26′ 55.3092″ N

Longitude 111° 32′ 37.8312″ W