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Blue Ridge Reservoir

Paddling on the glassy water at Blue Ridge Reservoir
Narrow canyon lake Pine lined shoreline Camp near the pines Boat ramp area Evening light on the water Kayak launch Canyon walls reflection Forest road approach Quiet cove Morning paddle
Dispersed Paddling Mogollon Rim Coconino NF No hookups
Overview

One of the Rim's best paddling lakes: narrow, tree-lined, quiet once you launch, and better experienced from the water than the road.

Blue Ridge lives up to the photos. The water sits down in a tight canyon, the pines crowd the edges, and the lake gets quiet once you move away from the launch. Camping is the less polished part: think dispersed sites nearby, not a tidy campground on the water.

The lake is the point. I would not come here expecting a comfortable developed setup. I would come for an early paddle, cool air, and a camp tucked back in the trees after the day users thin out.

Best for
Kayaks, SUPs, quiet morning paddles, cool pine air, and campers comfortable with dispersed setups.
Watch out for
Limited parking, steep access near the ramp, and almost no cell service.

Best version of the trip: camp back in the forest, launch early, and be off the ramp before wind and day-use pressure build.

At a Glance
Region
Mogollon Rim - east of Clint's Well
Elevation
~6,700 ft
Access
Graded forest road spur, then a steeper final hill to the launch
Season
Late spring through fall - snow can shut it down
Camping
Dispersed sites on nearby forest roads; Rock Crossing is the developed option
Facilities
Very limited - bring what you need
Fires
Only when restrictions allow
Cell
Mostly none - download maps before you go
Coordinates (area)
34.6300° N, 111.1800° W
Getting There

From AZ 87, follow the signed forest roads toward Blue Ridge Reservoir / C.C. Cragin. The main approach is not bad, but the final drop to the launch is narrow and steeper than it looks.

  1. Top off fuel, water, and food before leaving pavement. This is not the place to realize you forgot something basic.
  2. Most dispersed camps are back from the water on side roads. Do not expect to camp right at the launch.
  3. Get there early on weekends or you may end up fighting for parking and hauling gear farther than you wanted.

If it looks like rain, think hard about the ramp road and the trip back out.

Before You Go
Essential Notes
Pack List Reminders
  • Bring all your own water and a way to pack out trash cleanly.
  • PFDs for everybody on the water, even if the lake looks calm.
  • Food storage matters. Ravens and other critters will get into lazy setups.
  • Camp away from the water and use existing disturbed spots.
  • Early mornings are usually the payoff here.
Camping Info
  • Where to camp: nearby dispersed sites on forest roads, not at the ramp.
  • Fires: only in existing rings when legal - drown and cold-out every time.
  • Toilets: limited and not something I would count on without a backup plan.
  • Boating: best for kayaks, SUPs, and canoes - the whole appeal is quiet water and canyon walls.
  • Wildlife: store food tight and assume birds will check your work.
My Notes

This is one of those places where the lake is the reason to go and the camp is just how you make it work. I would rather camp back in the pines and be on the water early than force some awkward setup close to the launch.

  • Parking: keep launch gear simple enough to move in one trip.
  • Comfort: shade tarp and bug spray make evenings a lot better.
  • Timing: first light is the sweet spot - better water, better photos, fewer people.
Gear I Used

Gear that actually helped on this trip.

Map
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