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Sinkhole Campground

Sinkhole Campground in tall pines near Willow Springs Lake
Pines and shaded pads Camp loop and table Short walk through the trees Fire ring and benches Afternoon light in the forest Nearby lake access area Trail textures Quiet pocket site Rim country trees Evening at camp
Mogollon Rim Developed Lakes nearby Family Fishing
Overview

A small Willow Springs Lake Road campground with 26 sites, chip-seal roads, and trail access nearby instead of the direct Woods Canyon bustle.

Sinkhole is the simpler developed choice on this side of the Rim. It sits in ponderosa pine about a half mile off AZ-260 on Willow Springs Lake Road, within walking distance of Willow Springs Lake and close to the non-motorized Wildlife Area.

Choose it over Spillway when you want a smaller campground, back-in sites, and access to Willow Springs without camping right next to the Woods Canyon Lake loop. Choose Spillway instead if the whole point is being beside Woods Canyon water and the lake trail.

Best for Willow Springs Lake, 26-site developed camping, General Crook Trail access, and a quieter alternative to Woods Canyon.
Watch out for First-come loops, back-in sites, monsoon storms, and less immediate lake energy than Spillway.

Best version of the trip: use Sinkhole as the quieter sleep base, then walk or drive to Willow Springs before afternoon wind and lake traffic build.

At a Glance
Region
Payson • Mogollon Rim
Elevation
~7,500 ft
Access
AZ-260 → Willow Springs Lake Road / FR 149
Campsites
26 back-in sites with tables and rings
Facilities
Potable water in season, accessible vault toilets, trash service
Nearby
Willow Springs Lake, Wildlife Area, General Crook Trail
Best Season
May through October
Reservations
Sites 14-26 reservable; sites 1-13 first come, first served
Getting There

From AZ-260, turn onto Willow Springs Lake Road, also signed as FR 149. The campground is close to the highway compared with the deeper Woods Canyon campgrounds, which makes it useful for a clean Friday-night arrival.

  1. Watch for elk at dawn and dusk along AZ-260 and the lake junctions.
  2. Arrive early if you are counting on the first-come sites in the lower-numbered half of the campground.
  3. Walk loops first if you are towing; all sites are back-in and trees narrow the setup decisions.
Before You Go
Essential notes
  • Check current fire restrictions and campground status before you pack wood.
  • Potable water is seasonal, so bring enough to be self-sufficient.
  • Monsoon afternoons can be heavy on the Rim; stake and guy your shelter.
Pack list reminders
  • Warm layers for cool nights around 7,560 ft.
  • Walking shoes or bikes for the Wildlife Area and General Crook Trail side trips.
  • Bin liners and a plan for overflow trash on busy weekends.
Camping Info
  • Sites: 26 developed back-in sites; sites 14 through 26 are the reservable half.
  • Roads: chip-seal roads and spurs inside the campground.
  • Water and toilets: potable water in season, accessible vault toilets, and trash service.
  • Fires: in rings only when restrictions allow; have a plan for no-fire nights.
  • Boating: Willow Springs is the nearby lake draw; check current motor and rental rules before planning around water time.
  • Trails: Wildlife Area routes and the General Crook National Recreation Trail are the real differentiators here.
My Notes

Sinkhole should not read like a Woods Canyon shoreline campground. Its value is being smaller, closer to Willow Springs, and a little more practical for people who want the lake nearby but do not need to sleep beside the busiest water access.

  • Choose this over Spillway: you want Willow Springs, a smaller 26-site footprint, and easier separation from lake-loop traffic.
  • Choose Spillway instead: you want Woods Canyon Lake, the adjacent loop trail, and the fastest possible walk to that water.
  • Photo note: use the pine-loop images and Willow Springs access cues; do not sell this as a lakeside site.
Choose It / Skip It
Good fit
Willow Springs Lake, 26-site developed camping, General Crook Trail access, and a quieter alternative to Woods Canyon.
Bad fit
First-come loops, back-in sites, monsoon storms, and less immediate lake energy than Spillway.
Gear I Used

Gear that actually helped on this trip.

Map
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