Camping near water, cool weather, closest to Phoenix?

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bluecruiser

bluecruiser

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I am looking for the closest, coolest day time temperature, and near water (lake or stream) place that we can camp this weekend.

Any ideas?

Thanks!!
 
CREEK: At the road's end on FH 284 about 2 miles north of Christopher Creek. The creek is a 30-second walk from the road's end...or even closer to your tent. Very, very shady area...at the Highline Trail...though you'll see other folks.

LAKE: Up on the Rim.
 
From your place the closest would probably be Horse Thief Basin by Crown King? Not sure how/if the fire effected the area?
 
ShottsUZJ100 said:
Where's the water? I don't think you can camp at the Lake can ya? Haven't been there in a long time.
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The last time I was there, camped near the water, but it was a long time ago. Also camped, thought sailing at Lynx Lake further north, a very long time ago.
 
inkpot said:
Lynx Lake used to be a little bit remote, but now days, there are houses right up to the park area. JOhn
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Disappointed, but not surprised, that area has done a poor job of controlling growth. :o
 
Tools R Us said:
Disappointed, but not surprised, that area has done a poor job of controlling growth. :o
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I'm going up to Prescott on Saturday. Maybe I'll swing down Lynx Lake Road to see if the houses surround the lake yet. It's been a couple of years since I went down that road. Used to wheel all over the woods up there. Lots of old mines, digs, and buildings. It used to be so neat to wander around up there.
 
Closes would be Flowing Springs or the Verde via Houston Mesa road north of Pyette where there is 3 camp grounds (all with water) before the road turns dirt. Both areas under 100 miles. Also camping at Camp Verde on the water but may be a little warm.
 
If I kept going north on Houston Mesa road, will I continue to follow the Verde River? I'm looking to get somewhat remote once I get farther north and still be close to the river.

Thanks
 
inkpot said:
Houston Mesa is north east of Payson. The verde is way west of payson, and heads north west to Camp Verde. No where close. Are you thinking of Christopher Creek? John
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The EAST Verde you first cross it about 7 miles north of Payson
 
bluecruiser said:
If I kept going north on Houston Mesa road, will I continue to follow the Verde River? I'm looking to get somewhat remote once I get farther north and still be close to the river.

Thanks
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YOU WANT close, cool, near water, and now you want remote but still close to the water in August...buy Loto tickets better chance.
 
Last edited:
forget close now....how about under 3-4 hours away from Anthem? I might get some Lotto tickets too.
 
Ok that changes things - for cool, youll need to go up on the rim. Maybe camp out in the meadow behind Woods Canyon lake. Short hike to waters edge.
 
Haegler creek off Colcord road on the 260, but you're probably 3+ hours travel time. I haven't been there in 20 years but the last time I saw pix of the place about 5 years back it was still very remote. I've been debating this run for quite some time. I'd hate to send ya out there without scouting it first though since it's been so long.
 
BMAN said:
Haegler creek off Colcord road on the 260, but you're probably 3+ hours travel time. I haven't been there in 20 years but the last time I saw pix of the place about 5 years back it was still very remote. I've been debating this run for quite some time. I'd hate to send ya out there without scouting it first though since it's been so long.
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An excellent choice. When I was there about 1.5 years ago it was still a great place - somewhat remote with a water feature. There were about 4 other campsites in a 1/4 mile from where we were at but spread out enough for privacy. I saw one of the nicest 4X4 willys wagons Ive seen on that particular trip.
 
As a kid, my family used to go out there 3 or 4 times every summer. It was my favorite place in the world as a little kid. The hike upstream to the first waterfall is amazing and further up is a second fall that's not as tall but still very pretty.

I need to get up there again. Used to be that you had to cross the creek twice to get to the best camping spots. I'm sure that's all closed off now but it was deffinately a great place to be in the summertime.
 
Thanks guys..I looked into Haigler Creek some more and that is where we will be going.....I will get some pics...
 
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