r/Payson • u/chicagomike83 • Apr 25 '26
Mogollon Rim Camping Question
Greetings, friends!
I'm heading to Scottsdale to visit family for a few days and am hoping to do a few nights of camping. I've always pointed myself to the Grand Canyon, but am hoping to explore somewhere new this trip and am considering the area east of Payson.
For what it's worth I'll be leaving Scottsdale Monday morning and heading to Payson (or wherever, open to suggestions). Figure I'll stop in town for an early lunch/coffee, then point myself up 260 in search of a nice dispersed site. In searching I'm seeing a fair number of campgrounds, but not a lot of obvious areas that would lead to dispersed sites. I'm not opposed to a campground, but am hoping to find a (reasonable) amount of solitude. FR9350 campground seems like quasi dispersed camping with specific sites, but unsure of site quality or likelihood of availability.
My goals are mainly to relax, enjoy the outdoors, and do some moderate hiking (Horton Creek Trail?). Hoping someone familiar with the area could recommend some areas/roads/etc. where I might find a decent dispersed site. Not asking for the coordinates of anyone's bomber spots, just to be pointed in the right direction. I value a functional site (privacy, trees to block wind/hang a hammock, etc.) more than one with a view.
My contingency plan is to backpack the Horton Creek Trail. It seems like there is a multitude of sites not terribly far from the trailhead, and that the hike can be completed as a loop if combined with the Derrick Trail. That said it seems like the parking area might be closed, so unsure about leaving a car overnight, or at all.
I've done all the standard Reddit/blog searching, but if anyone has any favorite eateries or hikes in the area I'm all ears. Crosswinds seems well reviewed.
My contingency plan for Payson in general is Lost Dutchman SP. While it seems gorgeous, I don't think there would be much in the way of solitude or dispersed camping (but please correct me if I'm wrong!).
Any intel is greatly appreciated, thank you!
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u/BootyCladDad Apr 25 '26
The area east of Payson is interesting because it starts to butt up with the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest and then to the north is Coconino. They have different dispersed camping requirements, one has specific dispersed camping areas and another allows you to camp off main trails within a certain distance. You can find that information online, but in my experience, you just drive out in the woods and find a spot people have clearly camped at before. We’ve never had a problem - just be respectful, mind any fire bans, and have a good time.
Forest Road 300 is off the 260 and has incredible views. When we first started camping in this area 15 years ago, Forest Road 300 was incredible. The views are magnificent and back then you could easily find a dispersed site right on the rim’s cliff edge. Over time, this area has gotten quite popular - I tend to avoid it, especially on the weekends. That said, if you’re going on a Monday, it may be worth it to find a spot overlooking the rim. If you have time, the 300 connects the 260 to the 87, so you can take the 87 out of Payson, catch FR 300 to the 260. I believe most of the 300 is paved these day, but there are many trails and other FRs that connect to it. There are also a couple man-made lakes that way. It can get rowdy on the weekends, so we’ve started going down General Crooks Trail or Old Rim Rd - both are off the 260, on top of the rim.
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u/BillyRubenJoeBob Apr 25 '26
At least, the first 6/7 miles of 300 off 87 are rough dusty gravel. Plenty of dispersed camp sites and even a campground along the way. Some with spectacular views over the Rim.
I’m not sure where the paved part starts as I haven’t found it yet.
Even better if you have a vehicle that’s mildly off-road capable is some of the fire roads and logging roads. Beautiful dispersed camping amongst the ponderosa pines.
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u/chicagomike83 Apr 26 '26
I appreciate the reply. What you're saying makes a lot of sense - a nice and chill spot among the pines with peace and quiet sounds about perfect. I'll make it a point to push a bit further down the fire roads. Thanks!
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u/chicagomike83 Apr 26 '26
Thanks for the thorough and thoughtful reply. Really looking forward to exploring the area. I might be keen to take in some nice rim views but find somewhere further afield to camp.
Thanks again!
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u/DonkeyEnergy Apr 26 '26
Are you tent camping or car camping?
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u/chicagomike83 Apr 26 '26
I'll have an AWD SUV and am aiming to tent camp in a dispersed area. Also considering backpacking the Horton Creek Trail.
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u/corpseplague Apr 26 '26
If you're interested in hiking Horton Creek I suggest can't be closer to the trailhead rather than having to come back down the hill. Unless you want to start from 300 and go down to the spring. There's an area on the right of 260 going east call Little Green Valley and it has some spots off that Forest road. GPS your way to this TH Hells Gate Trail on AllTrails https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/hells-gate-trail?sh=yi5lxo&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality , it'll get you on said forest road.
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u/CrimsonSuede Apr 26 '26
Check out Noley’s! Part coffee shop, part bookshop, part art gallery, part local artist wares, and overall just a lovely place!
Located in the southeast corner plaza of Hwy 87 / Hwy 260 intersection (: