Aspen Campground

Closed — Closed for the winter season. The campground typically opens around May 1st and operates through October 31st. Some sites become available first-come, first-served in late April depending on weather conditions. Reservations for the upcoming season are available through Recreation.gov.

About

Aspen Campground is a scenic hideaway for anglers, boaters, families, and photographers located in north-central Arizona in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Situated near the shore of Woods Canyon Lake at 7,000 feet elevation, the campground sits in a dense pine and aspen forest with spacious campsites well-spaced from each other. The large facility has 136 campsites composed of four loops in alternating meadow and wooded areas, offering several camping environments from marshy meadows to rocky forest. Woods Canyon Lake is one of seven lakes in the Rim Lakes Recreation Area and one of the most visited. The lake allows only electric boat motors and features a marina with a full-service store offering groceries, boat rentals, and firewood. Popular activities include trout fishing on the lake, hiking the easy 5.2-mile trail around the lake, boating, photography, and wildlife viewing. Deer, elk, squirrels, birds, skunks, and bears are common visitors to the campground. Summer temperatures are pleasant due to the elevation, though afternoon thunderstorms are common from late June through August. Visitors should come prepared for rain and cool nighttime temperatures. The campground's paved roads make for great bike rides, and families can enjoy educational programs given by Forest Service rangers on weekends during the summer season.

Directions

From Payson, take Highway 260 northeast toward Heber. Turn left at the sign for Woods Canyon Lake onto Rim Road/Forest Road 300. Follow for about 5 miles and turn right onto the paved road at the sign toward Woods Canyon Lake. Aspen Campground is about 1 mile down the road on the left.

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