Spillway Campground

Campground Overview:

Spillway Campground is on the shores of popular Woods Canyon Lake near the town of Heber in north central Arizona. Situated in a pine forest with plenty of shade, the campground has individual campsites as well as one group campsite for small gatherings. Given its proximity to the lake, hiking trails and scenic areas, Spillway is a convenient getaway for anglers, boaters, hikers, families and photographers.

Spillway is located in a thick forest of ponderosa pine, oak and Douglas fir at an elevation of 7,500 ft. The campground is situated on the lakeshore overlooking the calm blue waters of 52-acre Woods Canyon Lake, where visitors may see squirrels, deer, elk and a variety of birds. Nearby hiking trails offer views of the Mogollon Rim, a 200-mile long cliff in northern Arizona that ranges between 5,000 and 7,000 feet in elevation and serves as the geographical dividing line between the cool high country above and the hot, dry desert below.

The Rim Lakes Recreation Area is one the most popular recreational areas in Arizona. During the summer months these campgrounds will fill up very early, especially over weekends. Reservations are highly recommend. If you cannot find a campsite, please use the map to locate the dispersed forest road campsites around the area.

Campsites:

The campground is a relatively small facility with 26 individual campsites and one group site that can accommodate up to 25 people. Tents, trailers and small motorhomes up to 16 feet are allowed. The shaded campsites are fairly close together, and some are directly on the lakeshore with a view of the water. Restrooms are provided.

From Payson, travel east on Hwy 260, turn left on Rim Rd (Fr 300) across from the Mogollon Rim Visitor Center. Turn right on Woods Canyon Rd and head towards the lake, follow the signs to the campground.

Campground at a Glance

Nearby Attractions and Activities:

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 Rim Lakes Area enjoys magnificent weather during the summertime. From June to August, daytime temperatures typically range between 68 and 80 degrees with nighttime temperatures falling to between 45 and 59 degrees. Temperatures drop quite a bit in late September with nighttime temperatures often dropping to below freezing. July through early September marks the monsoon season in Arizona with the Mogollon Rim getting more than its fair share of rainfall.

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

The Rim Lakes Recreation Area is connected with numerous trails that bring hikers around the campgrounds, lakes, and also along the Mogollon Rim. Some of the more popular routes include: Woods Canyon Lake Trail, Meadow Trail, Rim Lake Vista Trail #622, and the famed General Crook Trail #130.

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.

Nearby Campgrounds:

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