Knoll Lake Campground

Pictures courtesy of the Coconino National Forest -Knoll Lake Campground.

Campground Overview:

Knoll Lake Campground is located in the Coconino National Forest, Knoll Lake Campground is a remote forest campground situated about 10 minutes from Knoll Lake. The area around Knoll Lake 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. The road leading to Knoll Lake is bumpy but the scenery along the way is spectacular. The rim views along the way are unbelievable. This is a good campground to try when all the other campgrounds in the Rim Lakes area are full.

Campsites:

The campground has about 30 campsites situated under a ponderosa grove near Knoll Lake. Sites can accommodate tents, pop-up campers, trailers, and small motorhomes. Each campsite offers a campfire ring, grill and picnic table. Additional amenities include accessible vault toilets and drinking water are available. A camp host is available at the site.

From Payson, travel east on Hwy 260, turn left on Rim Rd (Fr 300) across from the Mogollon Rim Visitor Center. Continue down Fr 300 for approximately 20 miles, turn left and go 4 miles to Fr 295e. Follow signs and drive to campground

From Flagstaff, drive 55 miles south of Flagstaff to Clints Well on Lake Mary Road. Turn left 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. While the majority of the forest roads in the area are well maintained and used frequently, during snow or heavy rain, a high clearance vehicle may be required. Always use common sense and be prepared.

Campground at a Glance

Nearby Attractions and Activities:

Knoll lake is a secluded forest lake that 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. The lake covers approximately 75 acres and is about 50 feet deep.

The Mogollon Rim (pronounced muggy-own) is a massive escarpment marking the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau. It’s named after Don Juan Ignacio Flores Mogollon, the Spanish governor of New Mexico from 1712 to 1715. The escarpment rises up to 7,700 feet in some locations with much of the land south of the rim lying around 4000 and 5000 feet. The rim was formed by erosion and faulting and is comprised mostly of limestone and sandstone. A few large canyons have been carved into the feature with the most notable being Fossil Creek Canyon and Pine Canyon.

Rim Lakes Recreation Area is one of our favorite summertime locations in Arizona located in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Perched atop the Mogollon Rim at an elevation of 7,700 ft and located just two hours from the Phoenix Valley, this recreational area is a great location where you can “beat the heat” and take part in a host of low-cost recreational activities that everyone in the family can enjoy.

The area is covered with thick forests of Douglas-fir and Ponderosa pine and features three man-made lakes: Woods Canyon, Willow Springs, and Bear Canyon Lakes. The lakes provide much of the area’s appeal. All three are open to boating, swimming, and fishing. Woods Canyon is the most popular and can get quite busy during the summer, especially on weekends. A well-stocked general store and boat rentals are available at Woods Canyon Lake.

Nearby Campgrounds:

Campground full or want to see what’s around? Try one of these campgrounds located nearby