Recreation area

Woods Canyon Lake Recreation Area

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest · Arizona — managed by USDA Forest Service

First-come, first-served — no online reservations

About this campground

Woods Canyon Lake is a beautiful, canyon bound, deep lake, with plenty of trout fishing opportunities. At an elevation of 7,510 feet, Woods Canyon offers 55 surface acres, and a maximum depth of 40 feet. This lake is stocked regularly with catchable rainbow trout. A few, large brown trout remain in the lake from stockings years ago. Visitors to Woods Canyon Lake can enjoy a  picnic area (fee), restrooms, and a boat ramp. The Woods Canyon Lake Store and Marina rents boats and sells licenses and fishing supplies. Campers can stay at one of four developed campgrounds (fee). Spillway Campground has 26 sites, each accommodating a trailer up to 16 feet long. Due to it’s proximity to the lake, Spillway fills quickly. Aspen Campground, also within walking distance to the lake, is much larger with 136 sites, and can accommodate trailers up to 32 feet long. Woods Canyon Group and Crook Campgrounds offer group camping by reservation.  Arizona fishing regulations apply. All anglers must hold a valid Arizona Fishing License. The daily bag limit is six trout and unlimited Bass and Catfish. Boat motors are restricted to electric motors only. The Black Mesa Ranger District is a “Pack it in-Pack it out” area. Please remove your garbage from the area when you leave.

Getting there

From Payson, Arizona: take Highway 260 northeast from Payson toward Heber. Turn left (west) onto Forest Road 300 and follow for 3 miles. Turn right at Woods Canyon Lake Road and travel 0.75 miles to the campground on the right side of the road.

Activities

  • CAMPING
  • HIKING
  • FISHING

Nearby federal campgrounds

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.