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Coconino/Knoll Lake
Overview
Knoll Lake Campground offers a secluded escape within the Coconino National Forest, perched at an elevation of over 7,300 feet. Unlike high-traffic commercial resorts, this destination provides a serene connection to the rugged beauty of northern Arizona. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service, the area is defined by its deep blue waters and the lush greenery of the Mogollon Rim region, offering a refreshing respite from the summer desert heat.
Location & Surroundings
Situated in the remote landscape of Happy Jack, AZ, the park is surrounded by a dense forest of Ponderosa pines, oak, and Douglas firs. The approach involves navigating several miles of unpaved forest roads, which adds to the sense of isolation and wilderness adventure. Visitors are treated to crisp mountain air and frequent sightings of local wildlife, including elk and deer, making it a premier spot for nature photography and birdwatching in a tranquil setting.
Amenities & Park Features
This is a primitive camping experience, so RVers should arrive fully prepared for dry camping. While there are no electrical, water, or sewer hookups, the facility provides essential comforts to ensure a pleasant stay. Key features include:
- Thirty secluded campsites available primarily on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Access to potable water and multiple vault toilets located conveniently throughout the camp loops.
- On-site boat ramp providing easy access for small vessels, canoes, and kayaks.
Each individual site features a sturdy picnic table and a heavy-duty fire ring for evening gatherings under the stars.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The primary draw is the 75-acre Knoll Lake, famous for trout fishing and tranquil morning paddling. Just a short drive away, the historic Rim Road (Forest Road 300) offers breathtaking panoramic views of the expansive Tonto National Forest from the very edge of the Mogollon Rim. Hikers can explore various forest trails that wind through the wilderness, or visit nearby high-country destinations like Bear Canyon Lake for a full day of exploration and lakeside relaxation.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for self-contained RVers who value peace and quiet over modern amenities and paved pads. Because of the narrow and sometimes bumpy forest roads leading to the site, it is best suited for smaller trailers, truck campers, and camper vans rather than large motorhomes. It is a perfect match for outdoor enthusiasts and families looking to disconnect from technology and spend their days on the water or exploring the deep Arizona backcountry.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Gail Wagner
My husband and I stayed at Knolls Lake for 2 days and fell in love with the campsite. The sites are very nice size and very well taken care of. The surroundings are beautiful. We saw lots of paddle boarders and fishermen. We thoroughly enjoyed watching all the little chipmunks running around and a beautiful Jaybird. The camp hosts were absolutely fantastic, we spent a little time sitting around the picnic table and having a great conversation. Last but not least the bathrooms are the cleanest I have ever been in in a campground and they even smell nice. If you’re looking for an awesome campground go to Knolls Lake. You won’t be disappointed. Kudos to the Campground Hosts!!!!!!!
Joshua K
We had a romantic little getaway at Knoll Campground and loved every minute of it. Even with kids running around and dogs nearby, it gave us that cozy, home-like feel. It was a bummer that open fires weren’t allowed, but having a propane setup helped us still enjoy the evening. If you’re looking for a family-friendly spot with clean bathrooms nearby (huge plus for the wife), this is the place. There’s even a water fill station which came in handy. Campgrounds are super affordable $20 a night, or $40 for double sites. Each site has a fire pit, picnic table, and a nice level spot for a tent. Simple, peaceful, and just what we needed. We’ll definitely be back!
Kay Slaughter
T and Art were the best hosts! Such a lovely visit to this campground! The bathrooms were so clean, the campsite so well maintained and so quiet and peaceful! Thank you so much!!
Therese Arcieri
We, T and Art (TArt), will be hosting Knoll Lake Campground this year.(See Facebook page Knoll Lake Campground Arizona). This will be our 5th summer camphosting. We previously have hosted Rock Crossing Campground and The 9350 Campground in the Sitgreaves Forest. Those who have camped with us know that we are chill, and focus on relaxation and enjoyment of the forest. We are often mentioned in past reviews of our previous campgrounds. Knoll Lake Campground is by far the most beautiful campground that we have ever been to. Here are some pics. Follow on Facebook page Knoll Lake Campground Arizona for availability info, weather updates, and more.
Eats Rust
The good: beautiful, quiet, remote, CLEAN outhouses, no wifi. The bad: Be prepared to drive an hour after the pavement ends if your pulling a camper. No store. Cash only. Lake was beautiful but about 20 foot low. The ugly: Absolutely nothing. Thank you T and Art!.... We definitely should have not left early! 😕
Madalyn Mayes
The campground host was very welcoming and informative. They keep it clean and nice there, I would highly recommend it!
skipstang
Off the beaten path for a reason, too far for The riff Raff to mess it up. Clean, spacious, well maintained sites for Campers. Had a great relaxing weekend, will camp here again.
Katie Fluharty
We had a great experience here! The campgrounds were clean and well maintained. Knoll lake was beautiful.
Anthony Launey
Great campsites - clean and we'll kept area. First come first serve but there was plenty of camping sites available even over memorial day weekend. Lake is great for kayaking and trout fishing. We did both. The only draw back is the 21 mile wash board dirt road to get to the campsite.
Paul Nation
We spent one night here on May 26th. It was very clean and well kept. Probably one of the nicest individual camp sites that I have had anywhere. Since it was a Tuesday night early in the season, only a few campsites were occupied, so it was super quiet. It was chilly, lows were around 40. There are several vault toilets that were clean and well kept. We fished in the lake several times. We didn’t catch anything, but that’s probably us and not the lake. It took us about an hour and 10 minutes to drive the gravel roads along the rim into the campground. Roads were nice in some spots and rough in others. I am glad that we made the trek in to this beautiful location.