Black Canyon Rim Campground, Payson, AZ

Black Canyon Rim Campground is located in the Black Mesa Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (2 hrs 26 min northeast of Scottsdale, AZ) with an elevation of 7,625 feet. There are a total of 20 campsites including 1 boat site. The campground is normally open from the end of April to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 21 and 45 feet. All sites are currently reservable. There is a fee of $20.00 per night.
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view of entrance to Black Canyon Rim Campgroundview of entrance to Black Canyon Rim Campground

Campsites Available Tonight, Sep 17, 2024 20 FF*

Campsites Available This Weekend, Sep 20, 2024 or Sep 21, 2024 1

Campsite Reviews (60)

4.5 out of 5

5 star
77%
4 star
10%
3 star
7%
2 star
2%
1 star
5%
@LicettH8FB0055 · Camped on Sep 3, 2024 at Campsite #13
I picked the perfect time to camp, as there weren't that many people around. The lake was majestic and the campsite #13 was perfect for me as I was solo Camping. Camp host did a really good job in checking in to see that everything was going well. Overall- I'll def be coming back!
@ThomasM8282631 · Camped on Aug 17, 2024 at Campsite #8
Host was awesome! Extremely welcoming and very helpful! Excellent campsite.
@WilliamH158481 · Camped on Aug 16, 2024 at Campsite #19
Nice views. Can be rocky if your tent camping. Bathroom was clean. Our host was a rude. We did have a lot of skunks visit.
@ShawnaS8462041 · Camped on Jul 10, 2024 at Campsite #10
Camp host was great! Patrolled the area multiple times to make sure we were comfortable and to ask if we needed anything. The bathrooms sparkled. This camp site is one of the cleanest and well maintained on the rim. Thank you!
@AprilL7916355 · Camped on Jun 23, 2024 at Campsite #11
This is the 3rd time we have stayed here and love it. We stayed on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights. All the weekenders had left and it was like we had the place to ourselves. As usual, the camp was neat and clean. We had never met this camp host before. He was so nice. He was always available for any questions we had and would periodically check in with us to see if we needed anything. We will definitely be going back again
@LuisM2988159 · Camped on Jun 20, 2024 at Campsite #16
The site was beautiful with plenty of trees. Having water and containers for trash on site was a big plus. plenty of space in the spots. The only bad thing was the person in charge of the camp that repeatedly inserted himself into our experience by warning us throughout the day of camp rules and complaining about other campers. He shared with me way too much info about experiences with other campers while I was in line at bathroom. I believe he took my respectfulness and quietness as either permission or a chance to intimidate. Is the camp nice. Most assuredly! Will I go there again. Most likely not.
@BilgeK3DFED665 · Camped on May 31, 2024 at Campsite #2
Bob (camp host) was very friendly, attending, helpful and a really nice person to have a conversation with, which is a rare to find all in one together! The bathrooms were pristine (along with the campgrounds) and the camping areas were placed distant enough to give the campers privacy. Overall it was a great experience and were already planning to go back!
@PattiR2E065B07 · Camped on May 13, 2024 at Campsite #1
Beautiful area! Friendly campsite manager named Rob was very helpful.
@SamC2686506 · Camped on Oct 7, 2023 at Campsite #9
Great spot, we had a 24 Toyhauler it was tight getting in there, especially since they didnt really use the loop system for some of the roads.
@ChrisM9524349 · Camped on Sep 17, 2023 at Campsite #8
This is a nice, small out of the way campground up on the Rim. Amenities were sparse, but that's the way I like it. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars were some road noise from a forest service road adjacent to the campground (and at all hours, too?) and noise from someone shooting in the area.The hike down Hangman's Trail is worth it and the story interesting.Most of all, the campground hosts Chick and Wendy were just awesome. They really made this a great visit for me.
@JenniferZ98219 · Camped on Sep 15, 2023 at Campsite #1
This area is my favorite part of AZ to begin with. I love from Christopher Creek up to Heber-Overgaard. This is my favorite campground that we've found, so far. The sites are clean and spacious - much bigger than other sites. The bathroom was really clean - even my 9 year old nephew noticed. Vault toilets are always going to be nasty, but the bathrooms were well stocked with TP, very clean, and trash routinely emptied. The camp host was very nice, and told us about hiking down Hangman's Trail to find the Stott, Scott, and Wilson gravesite, which was worth the hike. Be warned it's fairly steep and very rocky. If you have stability or stamina issues, don't try it. He also told us about some local history going back to the Graham-Tewksbury feud. Very knowledgeable and personable. He also mentioned this was within a mile or two of where Travis Walton claimed to be abducted by aliens, which normally wouldn't bother me, however during a 5 am pit stop, I did see something really odd moving in the sky. Too big to be a satellite, and missing the red lights of a commercial airplane. Not going to lie, I got a little scared. Overall, very happy we stumbled on this gem!
@DavidW7736336 · Camped on Sep 8, 2023 at Campsite #5
Clean and beautiful. Camp host Chick was nice and helpful.
@DesireePD4C15D · Camped on Aug 25, 2023 at Campsite #20
Our host was awesome and so helpful! Campground was clean and had the best time!
@DebbieD9084354 · Camped on Aug 10, 2023 at Campsite #5
It is a great campground that was quiet; we saw wild horses roaming through the area. Camp host was very good and maintained the camp sites well.
@MattB1105534 · Camped on Aug 3, 2023 at Campsite #8
Chick and Wendy were wonderful!
@JulieMFF4EBFDF · Camped on Jul 28, 2023 at Campsite #4
Campsite was clean and spacious. I will definitely be coming back.
@DanielH5239181 · Camped on Jul 14, 2023 at Campsite #1
Host was awesome nice sites.
@Nathaniel746AB · Camped on Jun 24, 2023 at Campsite #16
To close to the forest roads, lots of loud traffic and dust passing by very often.
@MattB1105534 · Camped on Jun 15, 2023 at Campsite #9
Chick and Wendy were the best!
@MikeS6104174 · Camped on Jun 2, 2023 at Campsite #20
The host, Chick, was excellent.
@JaimeK0DE14CA6 · Camped on May 19, 2023 at Campsite #14
Loved the amount of space between sites. Excellent camp host. We will for sure be back!
@Christine79297 · Camped on May 19, 2023 at Campsite #11
Clean campground! Hosts are very nice and the bathrooms are kept very clean and smell good.
@LeeAnnV9381162 · Camped on Oct 7, 2022 at Campsite #1
There was no camp host on site.
@JoseL9196278 · Camped on Oct 6, 2022 at Campsite #3
We rented sites 2,3,4 for our family. Great location, good services and monitoring by the Park Ranger. And, the lake is nearby. However, our sites are close to forest road 300 and the hunters driving by in their four wheel off road vehicles made a lot of noise at night and early morning. Many speeding trucks are also on that road. There should be a speed limit.
@ErikN8335616 · Camped on Aug 29, 2022 at Campsite #12
We had camped previously with a different set of friends outside this campground at free sites nearby off the same forestry road, as those friends had big campers. First time using campground, as we only have a tent; with different friends who have tiny trailer(no bathroom). We had the whole campground to ourselves, so could choose any site once we got there even after reserving a specific site. The host did not seem to be there the 2 days we were. Some sites better than others & it wasn’t busy on forestry road like some other times we have bern there. If busy, better to use lake access side, or campground loop sites if you want quiet. But the majority of sites for bigger groups(we were 4 adults & 1 toddler) or campers are close to main forestry road. Recommend reserving online. Toilets were pit, but Clean, Brightly lit, and not stinky inside with plenty of paper. Trail to them could be hazardous at night, even with a light(better to access by road). Nice to have fire ring with grill grate provided, if not during fire restrictions. Bring good fire starter, as could still be quite damp from rain/previous fire drowning! Small amount of firewood at campground; but not sure if “free”, or for sale; as Host wasn’t there to ask. Thankfully, whoever used our site last left some that lasted us until the end of our 2 days. Well worth the money. Check the weather in Heber before you go, to know what to plan for. Sites on loop could be bad if raining.

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