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The Best Camping in Payson

Looking for the best camping in Payson? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Payson. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top camping spots in and near Payson

  • Payson, Arizona

    Cracker Jack Mine OHV Trail

    12.23 mi / 1696 ft gain
    Cracker Jack Mine OHV Trail is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a river located near Payson, Arizona.
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  • Payson, Arizona

    Hike Barnhardt Trail

    4.8
    8 mi / 1912 ft gain
    To get to the trailhead, use the turnoff of highway 87 labeled Barnhardt trail (has a marked sign coming from both Payson and Phoenix). Barnhardt road is just over 4 miles and is unpaved. The road can be driven on by lower clearance cars because the terrain is not too rocky. Once at the trailhead...
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  • Payson, Arizona

    Mogollon Rim via Washington Park

    4.0
    4.32 mi / 1138 ft gain
    This trail begins at the Washington Park Trailhead which meets up with passage #27 of the AZT. You begin traveling northbound as you ascend the great Mogollon Rim. The trail takes you through a gorgeous forest and rewards you with an awesome cliff side view at the summit. 2.25 miles into the tra...
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  • Payson, Arizona

    Hike the Colonel Devin Trail

    4 mi / 1116 ft gain
    The hike will begin at Washington Park in Payson, Arizona. To reach Washington Park, take AZ87 to Forest Road 199 (Houston Mesa Road) and turn east. Continue for 10 miles until you reach Forest Road 64 and turn west. Traveling less than a mile you will turn north on Forest Road 32 and in 3 miles ...
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  • Payson, Arizona

    Cabin Loop: Houston Brothers - U-Bar

    20.48 mi / 2740 ft gain
    Cabin Loop: Houston Brothers - U-Bar is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Happy Jack, Arizona.
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  • Payson, Arizona

    Horton Springs Loop

    4.4
    8.42 mi / 1896 ft gain
    This is a more scenic and bit more strenuous loop hike to the spring, taking in the Derrick Trail, part of the Highline Trail, and the Horton Creek Trail.After parking the cars near Upper Tonto Creek Campground follow the Derrick Trail and hike gently uphill for 1.4 miles through the rim country ...
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  • Payson, Arizona

    Fred Haught Trail

    7.65 mi / 942 ft gain
    Fred Haught Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Happy Jack, Arizona.
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  • Payson, Arizona

    Cabin Loop Trail

    18.82 mi / 2028 ft gain
    People think Arizona is all just desert, but this hike will show you otherwise.  Up on the Mogollon Rim, this trail takes you past old cabins, through lush forest, and near many creeks. Day 1:  (10 miles)  Drive on Rim Road to the General Springs Trail Head.  The cabin marks the start of the tr...
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  • Payson, Arizona

    Mazatzal Divide

    30.73 mi / 5095 ft gain
    Mazatzal Divide is a point-to-point trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Payson, Arizona.
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  • Coconino County, Arizona

    Camp at Knoll Lake

    5.0
    The Campground is seasonal and is located on the left just before the lake. There are 33 well-developed units that offer fire-rings, grills, drinking water and vault toilets. No reservations are accepted and you will need to check in with the camp host. From central Phoenix, take Loop 202 east to...
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  • Payson, Arizona

    Mount Ord Trail

    14.73 mi / 4019 ft gain
    Mount Ord Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Tonto Basin, Arizona.
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  • Pine, Arizona

    Fossil Creek Falls

    4.8
    2.42 mi / 328 ft gain
    The journey is definitely worth it! Don't let the description discourage you from visiting here. This is simply to help you be prepared so that you can enjoy this wonderful place as safely as possible! Fossil Creek Rd can only be accessed from Camp Verde via FH 9 (Hwy 260) and FR 708 due to road...
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  • Payson, Arizona

    Dispersed Camping on Mogollon Rim (FR 9350)

    4.7
    Dispersed camping with a view! With no site fees and no reservations, this camping spot is incredibly popular.  Note that several campsites are bordered by a 200' vertical drop. This area is not recommended for families with young children or people who are uneasy with heights.   All campsites ha...
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  • Happy Jack, Arizona

    Car Camp the Mogollon Rim

    4.8
    The Mogollon Rim is part of the Colorado Plateau in eastern Arizona above Payson. The rim stretches across the Coconino National Forest and at some parts drops off nearly 2,000ft. This area is ideal for over-night car-camping. The expansive vistas above thousands of acres of national forest land ...
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  • Yavapai County, Arizona

    Verde Hot Springs

    3.3
    2.46 mi / 118 ft gain
    The pools at the Verde Hot springs are the remnants from an old resort built in the 1920's.  The resort was a once thriving tourist attraction and also rumored to be one of Al Capone's hideouts.  In the 1960's a fire destroyed the resort only leaving behind the foundation and the thermal pools al...
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  • Yavapai County, Arizona

    Verde River Trail

    14.06 mi / 1260 ft gain
    Verde River Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a hot springs located near Pine, Arizona.
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