Mogollon Campground offers a straightforward base for campers who want ponderosa-pine shade, quick access to Woods Canyon Lake, and a short drive to the Mogollon Rim. The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests lists 26 nonelectric sites here, with a mix of reservable and non-reservable inventory, but the unusual parallel-parking layout makes this campground a better fit for tents, pop-ups, and modest-size rigs than for large RVs with curbside slide-outs.
Mogollon Campground at a glance
- Setting: ponderosa-pine forest just outside the Woods Canyon Recreation Area
- Sites: 26 total, arranged in two 13-site loops
- Parking: parallel spaces of about 40 feet; there are no conventional parking spurs
- Amenities: potable water, accessible vault toilets, trash service, picnic tables, grills, fire rings, and a seasonal host
- Season: generally May 1 through the Columbus Day weekend, conditions permitting
- Nearby recreation: Woods Canyon Lake fishing and boating, plus Rim overlooks and trails
The official Forest Service page marked the campground open when checked on October 6, 2026. Seasonal dates and services can change with weather, fire restrictions, or operating conditions, so confirm the current Mogollon Campground status before leaving home.
Getting there and what the road is like
From Arizona Highway 260, turn onto Forest Road 300, also called Rim Road, and travel about five miles to the campground area. The Forest Service places the entrance at approximately 34.32143, -110.95667. The campground is just beyond the Woods Canyon Lake turnoff, and its loop road is gravel; Recreation.gov further describes the approach and campground surface as sandy and gravel.
Forest roads can change quickly after storms or maintenance work. Download an offline map before the trip, watch for washboarding and loose edges, and check forest alerts if rain, snow, or wildfire activity is possible. The map at the end of this guide pins the official campground coordinates rather than a generic Mogollon Rim location.
Choosing a site and fitting your vehicle
All 26 sites use parallel parking rather than back-in or pull-through spurs. The parking space is approximately 40 feet long, and the official reservation page warns that RVs with slide-outs on the left side are not recommended because an extended slide could obstruct the loop road. Cartop tents also need to remain in the roadside parking position instead of being moved into the campsite.
Sites 14 through 26 are listed by the Forest Service as available for advance reservation. For current dates, fees, availability, and site-specific limits, use the official Mogollon Campground reservation page. The Forest Service listed an $18 single-site overnight fee and a $12 additional-vehicle fee when checked on October 6, 2026, but the reservation system is the authority for the price you will actually pay.
Facilities, accessibility, and camp setup
Each site includes a picnic table, campfire ring, and grill. Drinking water, trash service, and accessible vault toilets are available during normal operations. The site page does not promise electric hookups, showers, or a dump station, so plan for a nonelectric campground and verify any essential service directly with the Black Mesa Ranger District before travel.
The accessible toilets are useful, but they do not make every campsite or every part of the sandy-gravel loop fully accessible. Travelers who need a particular surface, slope, transfer space, or route should call ahead and ask about a specific site. The campground’s parallel-parking arrangement is especially important to discuss before reserving an adapted vehicle or long rig.
Woods Canyon Lake and nearby walks
Woods Canyon Lake is about two miles away by the Forest Service description, reached via Forest Road 105. The lake offers fishing and boating, with electric motors permitted. Start with our Woods Canyon Lake boat-ramp and fishing guide for launch logistics, shore access, and current-planning links.
For an easy scenic outing, the nearby Rim Lakes Vista Trail guide covers the paved section, overlook access, and accessibility caveats. Campers seeking quieter shore access can also compare the Spillway Campground and shore-fishing guide, which serves a different, lake-edge camping intent.
Season, regulations, and safety
- Check the forest alert banner and current fire restrictions immediately before the trip.
- Use only the provided fire ring or grill when fires are permitted, and extinguish every flame completely.
- Keep dogs on a leash no longer than six feet and do not leave them unattended.
- Store food and scented items securely; never feed wildlife.
- Expect cool nights at rim elevation, even when daytime weather is mild.
- Bring drinking water as a backup because seasonal systems can be interrupted.
- Confirm Arizona fishing-license and current regulation requirements before fishing at Woods Canyon Lake.
Mogollon Campground works best for visitors who value a small forest loop, essential facilities, and access to several nearby activities more than hookups or lakeside frontage. The 26-site scale and pine setting give it a practical middle ground between developed lake campgrounds and dispersed roadside camping.
Official planning links
- Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests: Mogollon Campground
- Recreation.gov: Mogollon Campground reservations and notices
- Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests alerts and closures
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