Kehl Spring Campground

Quick Facts

Elevation: 7,500 Feet

Maximum Length of Stay: 14 Days

Number of Sites: 8

Reservations Required: No

Season: Memorial Day Weekend to September

Fees: No fees

General Location Information

Kehl Spring Campground is located in a picturesque stand of ponderosa pines right at the brink of one of Arizona's most amazing geologic features, the Mogollon Rim. Situated only a short distance from these beautiful shady campsites is the rim. The awe-inspiring Mogollon Rim brings the Colorado Plateau to a halt with an impressive and precipitous drop-off which plunges two thousand feet downward, from forested highland to arid Sonoran desert.

Views from Kehl Spring Campground

Kehl Spring offers phenomenal views in the daytime and the evening. From this high altitude perspective you can enjoy the fabulous views of Four Peaks, the Sierra Anchas, and the Mazatzals. At night, the shimmering lights of Payson illuminate the ground from 2,000 feet below and 15 miles away. Tonto Natural Bridge State Park and Coconino National Forest are both located nearby. These wonderful places offer extraordinary vistas of some of the most beautiful natural scenery in Northern Arizona.

Weather

During the summer days the highs at Kehl Campground frequently get into the 90's. During the evening hours of summer, temperatures sink down into the 60's. Highs throughout the winter are commonly in the 50's, and throughout the evening hours in the wintertime temperatures plunge to the 20's. The month of August is the wettest, so remember to camp dry for tent protection. June is the month with the least moisture. Winter camping in this region can potentially be dangerous because there is always the possibility for an enormous amount of snowfall. Make sure you bring winter hiking gear if you intend to journey into the northern Arizona wilderness during the colder months of the year.

Recreational Activities

No matter what kinds of outdoor activities you enjoy, you'll find plenty to keep you occupied during your stay in this campsite. Some of the most popular activities in and around the campground include:

• Hiking
  • Hells Gate Trail
  • Myrtle Trail
  • The North Peak Trail
  • Horton Creek Trail
  • Highline National Recreation Trail
• Mountain biking
• Fishing
• Boating
• Sightseeing
• Wildlife viewing
• Scenic drive
• Whitewater paddling
  • Tonto Creek
  • Verde River
• Swimming

Facilities

There are eight single unit sites with tables and [[Open Grill Outdoor Cooking Recipes|cooking grills]. Toilets (vault type) are also available at the site.

Notes

Tents, motor homes and trailers under 22 feet are permitted. There are no utility hookups. Pets must always be restrained or on a leash. No horses are allowed in the campground. Only licensed motorbikes may be used for entering or leaving campsite. No drinking water is available, so make sure that you bring plenty of drinking water into the campground.

About the Area

Payson is situated in the scenic center of the mountain country made famous by western writer Zane Grey. Grey often wrote about the area from a small cabin under the precipitous 2,000 foot ridge of the Mogollon Rim. The Payson area is a very popular summer retreat. The spectacular Mazatzal Wilderness is one of the largest in the entire state. IT contains the northern half of the Mazatzal Mountains, which is a rugged range with miles of fabulous hiking trails. Hellsgate Wilderness is smaller, and contains Tonto and Haigler Creeks. These two creeks form very deep, craggy canyons. There are miles of scenic forest roads and trails for hiking and mountain biking.

Other Campgrounds in the Area

• Clints Well
• Blue Ridge
• Rock Crossing
• Knoll Lake
• Houston Mesa
• Lower Tonto Creek
• Upper Tonto Creek
• Ponderosa
• Christopher Creek
• Sharp Creek
• Valentine Ridge.

Directions

From Flagstaff, drive 50 miles south to Clints Well, then proceed 9 miles southwest on AZ 87 to FR 300 (the General Crook Trail). Turn east about 6 miles to the campground.

Contact Information

Mogollon Rim Ranger District

HC 31

Box 300

Happy Jack, AZ

86024

(928) 477-2255

FAX (928) 527-8282

Visiting the Campground

Kehl Spring Campground offers amazing views of the Northern Arizona landscape. This high altitude campground is situated on the brink of the Mogollon Rim and offers many spectacular trails for hiking and mountain biking. White water rapids in the area provide a great place for paddling, and the wildlife viewing is spectacular.