Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground is situated deep into Sitgreaves National Forest. The road is slow and takes at least an hour in the best conditions from Woods Canyon Lake Recreation Area. The reward is fantastic fishing and solitude. If you don’t mind hiking, the 3/4 mile hike to the lake is steep but well marked. Chevelon Canyon Lake was created by impounding the waters of Chevelon Creek. Both Woods Canyon Lake and Willow Springs Lake drain into the creek and help fill Chevelon Lake.
Fishing pressure is almost unheard of. Big trout can be caught here year round. Only a handful of people make the hike down to the lake and are rewarded with some of the best fishing in Arizona. Make sure you bring water with you as the hike back is uphill the entire way and you don’t want to forget anything. You can only use artificial lures and flies.
NO trash collection available. This is a Pack-it-in / Pack-it-out area. Take your trash with you when you leave.
There is a visitor center at the intersection of S.R. 260 and Rim Road on the south side of the road as you approach the turnoff to Woods Canyon Lake.
There is no water at the campground.
This campground is far from anywhere, night time skies are just about the darkest you will find, which makes it a great place to check out the glow of the Milky Way Galaxy high above during the summer months. You will even be able to see the farthest thing possible to see with the naked eye, the Andromeda Galaxy, 2.3 millions light years away.
Direction
From Woods Canyon Lake Recreation Area Entrance (where the road turn to dirt) on Forest Road 300 follow Rim Road west for 5.3 miles to F.R. 169 and turn right. Follow F.R. 169 for 13 miles to the turnoff at F.R. 169B. Turn right at the turnoff to the campground.
General Notes
- Elevation: 6800′
- Season: May to October
- Stay Limit: 14 Days
- No fee to camp
- Dispersed campground – first come first served
- No Water, bring your own. You can fill up at any of the Woods Canyon Lake Campgrounds
- Campsite Tables and fire rings
- Information: Black Mesa Ranger District 928-535-7300
- Camp only in designated sites and leave site clean for next visitor.
- No vehicle access to the lake.
