U.S. Forest Service · Sitgreaves National Forest · AZ

Spillway (AZ)

Woods Canyon Lake, AZ SpillwayPhoto · FS Photo
Not publishedStatus
ReservableAccess
28Sites
45 ftMax rig

The place

Spillway Campground is on the shores of popular Woods Canyon Lake near the town of Heber in north central Arizona. Situated in a pine forest with plenty of shade, the campground has individual campsites as well as one group campsite for small gatherings. Given its proximity to the lake, hiking trails and scenic areas, Spillway is a convenient getaway for anglers, boaters, hikers, families and photographers. Recreation Woods Canyon Lake is one of seven lakes in the Rim Lakes Recreation Area, and one of the most visited. Trout fishing (both lake and stream) is a favorite pastime. Keep reading

Woods Canyon Lake only allows electric boat motors. Two other lakes are within a short drive. The Rim Lakes Vista Trail, less than a mile from the campground, and others in the area lead to spectacular views of the Mogollon Rim. An easy hiking trail meanders around the lake, and the paved roads in the recreation area make for great afternoon bike rides. Families might also enjoy attending educational programs given by Forest Service rangers on the weekends. Facilities The campground is a relatively small facility with 26 individual campsites and one group site that can accommodate up to 25 people. Tents, trailers and small motorhomes are allowed - please read information on each individual spur size to determine if your RV will fit in the site. The main campground loop road has a fairly tight turning radius hedged by trees so no RV/trailer over 32' is recommended. Each shaded campsite offers a leveled spur, picnic table, fire ring, and charcoal grill. All campsites, loop road, vault restrooms, and water hydrants are compliant with the Architectural Barriers Act for accessibility. Some sites are directly on the lakeshore with a view of the water. Restrooms are provided. Boat rentals and basic camping supplies are available at the Woods Canyon Store, while the nearest showers are at Canyon Point Campground 10 miles away. Natural Features Spillway is located in a thick forest of ponderosa pine, oak and Douglas fir at an elevation of 7,500 ft. The campground is situated on the lakeshore overlooking the calm blue waters of 52-acre Woods Canyon Lake, where visitors may see squirrels, deer, elk and a variety of birds. Nearby hiking trails offer views of the Mogollon Rim, a 200-mile long cliff in northern Arizona that ranges between 5,000 and 7,000 feet in elevation and serves as the geographical dividing line between the cool high country above and the hot, dry desert below. Summer temperatures can be very pleasant because of the elevation. However, the rainy season often brings afternoon thunderstorms from late June through August. Visitors should come prepared for rain and cool nighttime temperatures. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (928) 535-0181. Nearby Attractions Gas, phone and groceries are available 10 miles east at Forest Lakes. The nearest full service community is Payson, Arizona, 35 miles west on Highway 260. Visitors can explore endless vistas and take part in many outdoor activities in the surrounding Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, which encompasses 2 million acres of magnificent mountain country in east-central Arizona and New Mexico.

The sites · 28

LoopSiteTypeMax rigElectricADA
GRP1group standard nonelectric35 ft
MANAGEMENT SITES001management
MANAGEMENT SITES002management
MANAGEMENT SITES026management
MANAGEMENT SITESXXXmanagement13 ft
SPIL003standard nonelectric45 ftyes
SPIL004standard nonelectric35 ftyes
SPIL005standard nonelectric25 ft
SPIL006standard nonelectric42 ftyes
SPIL007standard nonelectric30 ftyes
SPIL008standard nonelectric25 ftyes
SPIL009standard nonelectric26 ftyes
SPIL010standard nonelectric26 ftyes
SPIL011standard nonelectric26 ftyes
SPIL012standard nonelectric26 ftyes
SPIL013standard nonelectric26 ftyes
SPIL014standard nonelectric26 ftyes
SPIL015standard nonelectric26 ftyes
SPIL016standard nonelectric26 ftyes
SPIL017standard nonelectric22 ftyes
SPIL018standard nonelectric26 ftyes
SPIL019standard nonelectric22 ftyes
SPIL020standard nonelectric26 ftyes
SPIL021standard nonelectric26 ftyes
SPIL022standard nonelectric26 ftyes
SPIL023standard nonelectric26 ftyes
SPIL024standard nonelectric19 ftyes
SPIL025standard nonelectric26 ftyes

Booking

183 daysBooking window before arrival

Recreation.gov default: most campsites can be booked six months prior to arrival date. Most campgrounds go on sale at 7am PT / 8am MT / 10am ET, but not always; check the facility Seasons and Fees tab. Some locations also offer shorter supplemental booking windows.

Book on recreation.gov

Who runs it

Operated by Vista Recreation, a private concessionaire, under permit from the agency.

SRC · Operator link · 2026-08-24

Your representative

This campground sits in AZ-02. This member’s public-lands record →

SRC · U.S. Census TIGER · MTJP Scorecard