Rim Campground, Payson, AZ

Rim Campground is located in the Black Mesa Ranger District, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (2 hrs 12 min northeast of Scottsdale, AZ) with an elevation of 7,560 feet. There are a total of 13 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of April to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 32 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. There is a fee of $18.00 per night. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.

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Campsite Reviews (47)

4.0 out of 5

5 star		51%
4 star		17%
3 star		11%
2 star		15%
1 star		4%

@ArtemioO3E118F · Camped on Sep 20, 2024 at Campsite #23

This camp site was awesome. It's close to several lakes and view points. Would highly recommend!

@AshleyA3817646 · Camped on Aug 15, 2024 at Campsite #17

If you are bringing a trailer, you have to park it on the street. Feels more like a parking lot campground. If you are in a tent, should be a better experience as you can set up a tent actually on your campsite.

@CindyR5412447 · Camped on Jul 20, 2024 at Campsite #25

Really loved it here, only setback was that site are way to close to each other, really hated having to run the generator but the gentleman taking care of the campsite was awesome

@MargaretN45036 · Camped on Jun 28, 2024 at Campsite #23

While the location was convenient to getting to the Rim lakes, the experience within the campground was disappointing. Nowhere in the online descriptions did it mention that parking in there is Parallel ONLY, which meant all vehicles, including trailers and RVs, had to park on the edge of the pavement. This was not ideal if you had a trailer you were expecting to be parked off the main traffic area, and made it tight for others driving the circle. It would have been appropriate if the host had greeted everyone upon arrival with the reminder that Stage 2 fire restrictions were in play; not a problem for us, but other sites were either oblivious or defiant about the rules. Be aware there is one two-stall vaulted pit toilet that 26 sites (x4 people per site) were using. Signage is needed to remind about no trash in there and CLOSE THE LID, please. If you are a tent camper--choose your tent placement wisely!! There was a monsoon rain that made ponds out of nearly all the tent sites we could see.The Rim Lakes trail was lovely and not crowded.Overall rating of "meh."

@BrianK7953567 · Camped on Jun 4, 2024 at Campsite #25

Bathrooms can be a little bit of a walk from your camp space. Went during the week early June and it was almost empty. Host was good.

@RichardL555896 · Camped on May 24, 2024 at Campsite #14

Sites are way too close to each other. Bathroom was quite stinky.

@MaryRD17869A08 · Camped on May 22, 2024 at Campsite #18

The host was great

@markc1361143 · Camped on May 19, 2024 at Campsite #19

Be aware that the RV sites here are parallel parking ONLY, no backing into sites. This means RVs and Tow vehicles. Fine print I failed to comprehend.

@CesarM9A1605DC · Camped on Sep 1, 2023 at Campsite #24

Very clean campsites and the host was friendly. This is parallel parking which I was not aware of but still was pleasant.

@PhilipS8287414 · Camped on Aug 26, 2023 at Campsite #18

I love this campground and the host, Larry, is friendly and helpful. I have stayed twice this summer and look forward to future stays!

@genarom876EE5C · Camped on Aug 26, 2023 at Campsite #14

The host (Larry) was great, he made our stay 100% better.

@KishaF2F70B38F · Camped on Aug 25, 2023 at Campsite #26

We had a great time. While close to a road, the noise was not as noticeable as some had said. The campground itself was small and quiet. There were quite a few flies hanging around the toilets, but only during the day so we used other accommodations. Camp host was nice and helpful.

@KristinM315479 · Camped on Aug 25, 2023 at Campsite #18

Loved the camp site and the surrounding area. Our only complaint was that you definitely hear the traffic at night.

@AngeloL7613403 · Camped on Jul 22, 2023 at Campsite #18

I camp a lot throughout the year and this campground is very noisy and not well dispersed. If you are looking for a campsite where you can listen to the sounds of nature, explore, or get away from it all, look elsewhere! The host was friendly.

@ManuelV7D7B21A · Camped on Jul 11, 2023 at Campsite #14

It is always nice to go up north. My one complaint about camping these days is the use of generators by those who just can’t do without A/C or other electronic equipment . The sound of the generators is rather obnoxious and are allowed to be run as early as 6am and as late as 9 or 10pm, I believe. I may consider camping out in a non serviced site or a campground that prohibits the use of generators next time.

@BryannaRC43C5C · Camped on Jul 8, 2023 at Campsite #15

The ranger was very attentive and friendly.

@FrankL5882017 · Camped on Jun 22, 2023 at Campsite #21

have camped at Rim campground several times and each time the site was very clean and maintained by the gracious host, Larry Penny~! He toured the campground several times a day stopping to chat with all the campers giving positive advice or just to say hello.

@TiffanyWEA2F59 · Camped on Jun 12, 2023 at Campsite #23

The campsite was maintained and vault toilet bathrooms were kept clean by the host. There is only one bathroom for 26 sites which becomes very congested as the camp starts filling up. There is one potable water area for the 26 sites. There is a quiet time posted from 10pm-6am. Trash disposal is free at this site, unlike other sites near woods canyon lake. Parking is parallel which means you must park on the road and the road becomes congested as camp starts filling up. On the plus side, this does make leveling the RV easy. For our site, stepping out of the RV was a bit steep because of the slope into camp from the road. Our site was more secluded than many others and was more spacious than many others. Lots of wildlife nearby which was great. We heard elk and coyotes at night. We saw elk very close to the camp during the day. There is a raven missing part of his wing that patrols the camp and likes to destroy cardboard boxes when you aren't watching. There is one hiking trailhead from the camp itself. I don't suggest trying to take mountain bikes down this part of the trail. Lots of thorny bushes and downed trees. There is hiking and biking trails available about a mile or two up the forest road. You can park at the lookout areas. We took our mountain bikes on the crook trail and an elk ran alongside us for about half a mile. Woods Canyon Lake is close by with fishing, kayak rentals, and ice and firewood available for purchase.

@RobertK4087757 · Camped on Jun 5, 2023 at Campsite #26

Nicely spaced out sites. Shady. Nice hiking along the rim trails

@KelseyW14F686A · Camped on Jun 2, 2023 at Campsite #24

We really enjoyed this campground and would recommend it. The campsites on the outer side of the loops back up to forest where the kids played all day. The camp host was very friendly and the camp was full of other families. We enjoyed going to a nearby creek by parking across the bridge on Fish Hatchery Rd. where it crosses Canyon Creek (coordinates for Google Maps: 34°17'15.7"N 110°48'24.1"W). While we were driving to the creek we saw a large herd of sheep crossing the road!

@TerryT6108431 · Camped on May 27, 2023 at Campsite #20

Larry runs a clean camp. He's one of your best. However, 1 bathroom for 24 sites is ridiculous.

@MinnaCC4530A3F · Camped on May 19, 2023 at Campsite #26

This location had a very nice camp host, an older gentleman who is very kind and helpful. I also really liked the location because of its proximity to the rim. This location had potable water, toilets and nicely kept campsites with picnic tables and a fire pit.The surrounding campers were very respectful of other campers nearby. overall, an enjoyable experience, and I will be returning.

@SusanP4870118 · Camped on Oct 2, 2022 at Campsite #18

It was just perfect for our needs

@DebraD6943791 · Camped on Sep 13, 2022 at Campsite #20

Well maintained and hosted National Forest campground.

@RobbinV3335660 · Camped on Aug 31, 2022 at Campsite #15

The host yelled at me and told me that I was supposed to pay. I had booked the spot online and it clearly had a "reserved" sign on it. He apologized profusely, but it was still unpleasant.

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