Knoll Lake

Its sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), camping costs Single Site: $20 per night (up to 8 people and 2 vehicles), and it is open from Mid-May to Early September. Knoll Lake is a National Forest campground near Payson, Arizona.

First-come, first-served

National Forest · Payson, Arizona

Campsites along a gravel loop road under ponderosa pines at Knoll Lake Campground

A picnic table next to a grill and fire pit at a Knoll Lake Campground site

Knoll Lake, a secluded forest lake ringed by ponderosa pines with an island in the center, on the Coconino National Forest

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Campsites along a gravel loop road under ponderosa pines at Knoll Lake Campground. Photo: USDA Forest Service, Coconino National Forest, Public domain (US federal government work, 17 U.S.C. 105)

Managed by: National Forest
Access road: Gravel

Knoll Lake sits inside Coconino National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com. It sits 0.3 miles outside the boundary of Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests; its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.

Knoll Lake: Trout lake near the Mogollon Rim for fishing, kayaks, paddle boards and small boats. (fs.usda.gov)

Getting a site

Managed by: National Forest
Reservations: None, first-come
Fee: Single Site: $20 per night (up to 8 people and 2 vehicles)

Sources: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-28; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

What's there

✓ Toilets
✓ Potable water
✓ Pets allowed

On site: Toilets, potable water, and pets allowed.

Rules

Stay limit: 14 days
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Generators: Allowed outside quiet hours
Pets: Allowed

Sources: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-28; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Access and cell service

Access road: Gravel
Elevation: 7,493 ft

34.4274, -111.0930 in Coconino. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Open in Google Maps Directions

Season and winter services

Knoll Lake is open from Mid-May to Early September , at 7,493 ft.

Sources: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-28; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Knoll Lake?

No. Knoll Lake is first-come, first-served: there is no reservation system, so arrive early to claim an open site.

How much does it cost to camp at Knoll Lake?

Camping at Knoll Lake costs Single Site: $20 per night (up to 8 people and 2 vehicles).

Is there drinking water at Knoll Lake?

Yes, Knoll Lake has potable water. It also has toilets.

Are dogs allowed at Knoll Lake?

Yes, pets are allowed at Knoll Lake.

When is Knoll Lake open?

Knoll Lake is open from Mid-May to Early September.

How long can you stay at Knoll Lake?

The stay limit at Knoll Lake is 14 days.

Are generators allowed at Knoll Lake?

Yes, outside quiet hours (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.).

Is there cell service at Knoll Lake?

Probably not: the FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows no 4G LTE or 5G from AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon at or within about half a mile of Knoll Lake. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it.

Who manages Knoll Lake?

Knoll Lake is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Around Knoll Lake

reservoirfinder.com · 10 miles

C.C. Cragin Reservoir's mapped center point is 10 miles from Knoll Lake in a straight line. Current water level: C.C. Cragin Reservoir water level on reservoirfinder.com.

Waterfalls nearby

swimholesmap.com · within 30 miles

Nearest to Knoll Lake, in straight-line miles: Waterwheel Falls (waterfall, 12 miles), and Fossil Creek Waterfall (waterfall, 30 miles). Each has its own page on swimholesmap.com.

Reservable Upper Tonto Creek Star Valley · National Forest

Reservable Lower Tonto Creek Star Valley · National Forest

First-come Promontory Pit Road Christopher Creek · National Forest Not on record Fr 169 Campground Christopher Creek · National Forest

More campgrounds: camping near Payson and campgrounds in Coconino.

Sources

apps.fs.usda.gov (all fields), accessed 2026-09-28
fs.usda.gov (all fields), accessed 2026-09-29
broadbandmap.fcc.gov (cellCoverage), accessed 2026-09-27

Photo credits

Photo 1: USDA Forest Service, Coconino National Forest, Public domain (US federal government work, 17 U.S.C. 105)
Photo 2: Deborah Lee Soltesz, USDA Forest Service, Coconino National Forest, Public domain (US federal government work, 17 U.S.C. 105)
Photo 3: U.S. Forest Service, Public domain (US federal government work, 17 U.S.C. 105)
Photo 4: Alan Levine (cogdogblog), CC BY 2.0

First-come, first-served Single Site: $20 per night (up to 8 people and 2 vehicles)

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