Black
Canyon Rim Campground sits a few miles south
from S.R. 260 among scattered pondersosa pines. A good
gravel road leads the way and there are dispered campsites
spread out along the trip in on both sides of the road.
Travel 3 miles past the campground on F.R. 86 and you
will reach Black Canyon Lake. The lake is 78 acres of
underfished water stocked with rainbow trout throughout
the summer months. Black Canyon Lake is an excellent float
tube or pontoon boat lake. Motors are limited to electric,
and there is a small boat ramp for your convienience.
The
Historical grave site of James Scott is nearby. James Scott, Jim
Scott and Billy Wilson were all Hanged to death during the Pleasant
Valley War in the 1880's
A
dump station is located at the Woods Canyon Recreation Area.
The
Rim Visitors Information Center is located at the junction of
the S. R. 260 and Rim Road.
Showers
are located at Canyon
Point Campground 4.5 miles west of the turnoff on S.
R. 260. The charge for using the showers is $3.00.
Gentry Campground (2.3 miles, 9 min)
Canyon Point Campground (7.1 miles, 14 min)
Sinkhole Campground (11.4 miles, 17 min)
Rim Campground (12.6 miles, 18 minutes)
Mogollon Campground (15.8 miles, 24 min)
Colcord Ridge Campground (12.8 miles, 28 min)
Airplane Flat Campground (17.3 miles, 34 min)
Upper Canyon Creek Campgorund (17.8 miles, 36 min)
- Gas, phone, and groceries are available 8 miles west at Forest Lakes.
- Campfire grills and picnic tables
- Vault toilets & garbage facilities.
- Drinking water
- Gravel roads
- Campground Hosts
- Elevation 7600′
- Season – May to November
- Stay Limit – 14 days
- Campsites – 21
- Trailer Limit – 16′
- Access – Dirt Road
- Potable Water – Yes
- RV Dump – Canyon Point Campground or Woods Canyon Recreation Area
- RV Hookups – No
- Campsite grills, tables and fire rings
- Information – Black Mesa Ranger District – 928-535-7300
Fishing Information – Provided by the Arizona Game and Fish Department
If fishing for trout, try power bait from the shore, try power bait or worms. Boaters can try trolling Super Duper or tiny gold Kastmaster lures. When it is hot during the summer, fish a little deeper, but not too deep, between 10 to 20 feet because the lake stratifies in the summer, meaning there is no oxygen at the bottom. The lake is loaded with crayfish, try fishing for big browns int he spring and fall with spinners or lures that imitate crayfish patterns. Lake depth averages 25 feet and can reach up to 40 feet.
Statewide fishing regulations apply and a trout stamp is required. The daily bag limit is six trout, three for unlicensed anglers under the age of 14.
Cow bells or bumble bee’s can also bring good results.
Electric boat motors only at Woods Canyon Lake
I fly fish the lake and notice that many fly fisherman tend to use sinking line with a bead head wolly bugger in olive or black.
I have good luck when the shade hits the shores to the left of the boat dock down the left arm of the lake down along rocky point day use area with small dry flies like a parachute adams or any type of caddis. Large hopper patterns work well also when you hit the water hard with them near the shore.
From
Forest Lakes travel 2 miles east on S. R. 260 then hang a right
at F. R. 300 and head south for 2.5 miles to the campground entrance
on the left.