We spend several nights here on the edge of the lake. Enjoyed listening to the water and the birds while siting by the fire. Really great spot for camping. Nice and secluded beaches and peninsulas with beautiful views of the lake and surrounding mountains. A lot of fishermen in boats trolling, lake is well known for bass fishing. Looking forward to return with our kayaks. While in the area we visited the Alamo Dam and made a stop for ice-cream at the ranger store at the Alamo State Park. On our drive there we saw wild burros.

Apache Lake, located in the Tonto National Forest, is a scenic reservoir offering both developed and dispersed camping options. Surrounded by steep canyon walls and accessible via the historic Apache Trail, it’s a hidden gem perfect for camping, boating, and outdoor adventures. The Burnt Corral Campground provides 76 campsites, and visitors can also enjoy secluded dispersed campsites with stunning views of the lake and desert landscape.

Bear Canyon Lake is one place we go most often. There are plenty of places to setup camp and lots to explore. We have never had a issue finding a spot to camp, at times can barely hear anyone around. We pass all the nearest sites near the lake and go past the powerlines where there are plenty of sites spread out. From there it is a bit of a hike to the lake, or short drive. Depending upon the season you can hear elk and coyotes in the area.

Bear Flat is one of the Tonto National Forest's most rewarding and least-visited dispersed camping areas — easy forest road access through the pines near Payson, Arizona, with an old homestead site, a spring-fed canyon trail, wild blackberries and bear country solitude on FR 405 and 405A. Tonto Creek is a short drive away with access to a trail leading to the rugged Hellsgate Wilderness.

Discover the beauty of Arizona along Forest Road 124 in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. This scenic destination features rugged forest terrain, towering ponderosa pines, and open meadows dotted with vibrant wild mushrooms. Visitors can also witness burn scars from the historic Rodeo-Chediski Fire, now blending with vibrant new growth—a powerful testament to nature's resilience. Wildlife you may encounter include wild horses, jackrabbits, deer, foxes, and squirrels.

Black Canyon Rim Road (FR 300) winds through the cool, pine-covered high country of Arizona’s Mogollon Rim region, offering a peaceful escape surrounded by towering ponderosa forests. Located just minutes from Black Canyon Lake and only 12 miles from Willow Springs Lake, this area is ideal for dispersed camping, trout fishing, hiking the historic General Crook Trail, and visiting landmarks like the Pleasant Valley War gravesite. Frequent wildlife sightings—such as wild horses, elk, and bears—add to the adventure in this quiet, off-the-beaten-path destination.

Camping near C.C. Cragin Reservoir offers a unique escape into nature, where you can enjoy peaceful solitude surrounded by rugged canyon walls, serene waters ideal for kayaking, and the thrill of fishing for rainbow trout, all while being immersed in the diverse wildlife and scenic beauty of the area.

Explore the historic ruins of Bradshaw City, a former gold-mining boomtown established in 1863 in Yavapai County, Arizona. Once home to nearly 5,000 residents, today it offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into Arizona's mining past, surrounded by beautiful forested landscapes.

Chevelon Canyon Lake, nestled on the Mogollon Rim in northern Arizona, is a serene, hidden gem offering fishing, hiking, and camping. Accessible via a challenging hike, this narrow reservoir is surrounded by rugged canyon views, perfect for nature lovers seeking adventure.

Colossal Cave Mountain Park has cave tours, hiking & biking, trail rides, camping & picnicking, terrace Café & gift shop. The campsites are tucked among the saguaro cacti and mesquite trees in Posta Quemada canyon. These grounds consist of two large areas, El Bosquecito and La Selvilla, both have water and restrooms. Additionally there are a number of smaller areas totaling 30 individual sites. Camping is first-come, first-served. This is primitive camping. No electricity or RV hook-ups available. are located in El Bosquecito and La Selvilla.

Happy Jack, located in the Mogollon Rim Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest, offers a peaceful escape for dispersed camping. With its cooler summer temperatures, towering pines, and diverse wildlife, it’s a perfect destination for outdoor exploration and relaxation.

This mile-long lava tube cave was formed roughly 700,000 years ago by molten rock that erupted from a volcanic vent in nearby Hart Prairie. The top, sides and bottom of the flow cooled and solidified first, after which the insides of the lava river continued to flow emptying out the present cave.

FR 95 is a 30-mile forest road corridor through the Coconino National Forest below the Mogollon Rim — offering some of the best dispersed camping in Arizona, with nearby access to East Clear Creek, the historic Moqui Lookout fire tower, Blue Ridge Reservoir, water play in Barbershop Canyon, and miles of ponderosa pine backcountry to explore.

Mount Lemmon is the crown of the Santa Catalina Sky Island — a 9,159-foot escape rising from Tucson's desert floor through six life zones to pine forest, dispersed camping, hiking, and the southernmost ski area in the United States, all accessible via the 27-mile Catalina Highway Scenic Byway.

Escape into Arizona’s rugged high country along FR 171 and Young Road, where peaceful pine forests, dispersed campsites, and rim-edge views invite backcountry adventure. Located within easy reach of Willow Springs Lake for fishing and picnics, this quieter alternative to the main Rim Road is perfect for wildlife watching, off-grid camping, and exploring the cool, scenic landscapes of the Mogollon Rim region.

Explore the rugged beauty of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, a UNESCO biosphere reserve where vast desert landscapes meet striking mountain ranges. Discover rare flora, hike scenic trails, and experience the vibrant biodiversity of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert.

Discover Saddle Mountain in Tonopah, Arizona, a hidden gem for rock hounds, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts. This stunning desert landscape offers chalcedony and quartz hunting, vibrant sunsets, petroglyph exploration—perfect for a unique desert adventure.

The Salado Phenomena, 700 years ago, blended ideas of neighboring Native American cultures to emerge a unique and vibrant society. Tonto National Monument showcases two Salado-style cliff dwellings. Colorful pottery, woven cotton cloth, and other artifacts tell a story of people living and using resources from the northern Sonoran Desert from 1250 to 1450 CE.

Discover the awe-inspiring Walnut Canyon National Monument near Flagstaff, Arizona, where ancient cliff dwellings and breathtaking canyon vistas invite you to step back in time. Hike along scenic trails, spot unique wildlife, and immerse yourself in the rich cultural and natural history of this remarkable destination.

Willow Springs Lake is the second most visited lake on the Mogollon Rim — a beautiful 158-acre reservoir set in the ponderosa pine forest at 7,500 feet, offering excellent trout and bass fishing, kayaking, and one of the most scenic shoreline views on the rim.