Such a beautiful campground and the canyon.. Love the drive up there.. Our family fav for summer camping
Beautiful place to stay or just stop in for a hike/swim/picnic/walk around lake.
As mentioned here a few times the smell from the bathrooms was so bad I barely made it past the door before turning around. My lungs burned. I either used the bathrooms by the camp host area, or a hole in the woods behind the campsite.
Other than that this place is absolutely beautiful! Wildlife is abundant (lots of deer) and the lake is second to none.
We had our dogs, so in the evening when there weren’t any people at the lake we let them run free and swim.
We’ll probably be back, once we’re brave enough to face those toilets.
So much fun. Great for kids. Quick walk to the lake. Bring your bikes and your kayaks!
Loved this campground! Beautiful views and great campsite! Enjoyed the lake and the trail around it. Camp hosts were very friendly. Bathrooms were not great and it is a tough drive up in an RV.
Great atmosphere. Slow fishing. Kids kayaked for hours. We saw a number of deer on the drive-in and on the drive out. There were some large crowds that would come in associated with girls groups. But that didn't bother us. They were well behaved. The lake has a number of spots built-in for fishing and enjoying the lake. The campgrounds were clean. The toilets were clean. It was a good experience that wasn't too far from home!
There was water that you could put into containers only.
There was no water for an RV.
No electricity. No sewer dump.
We had a great time at Payson Lakes Campground over the summer. The price to use a campground was affordable - I think about $20 per night if you just have a tent. The campground is a short walk to the lake when you can canoe, swim, paddle board, or fish. No motorized boats and such on the water here! Around the lake are plenty of places to picnic and set up your things to hang out for the day. It was so beautiful! We plan on making this a yearly event to camp at Payson!
Great campground, with plenty to do in the surrounding area. Big East Reservoir is within walking distance and there are some great hikes and other scenery just down the road.
My family and I have been going to Payson Lakes Campground since before I can remember. We've always loved the proximity to the lake and the walking trail around it. The camping sites are well-maintained, but the outhouses are atrocious as of recent years. I don't expect much from "hole-in-the-ground toilets," but the chemicals they add to the already odorous human waste is enough to make your eyes water and your nasal passage burn. It's almost unbearable. If you have to sit a while, take a stroll down to the flushing toilets by the lake. The camp hosts are generally kind, but can be a little cranky if you give them grief. The lake has receded over the years and can be rather gross looking, but we've never had issues. Overall, we love coming to Payson Lakes Campground. I suggest reserving online ahead of time to avoid any hastle, respecting the camp host(s), bringing lots of lake toys, and having lots of fun.
This is a great campground. It is clean and well maintained. The lake it's a short walk away with great areas to do some fishing or swimming. The only warning I would offer is that if you're driving up there in the evening, be careful of the cows in the road up there. They're free range as not scared of cars. At night they can be hard to see.
Payson Lakes Campground has always been a summer staple for my family and me. It's always clean, and the fishing is always phenomenal. Seriously, I can catch four trout an hour with one rod and reel. I don't know how they keep it so well stocked. The camp hosts have always been very friendly, and I have always felt comfortable here. I highly recommend this place to anybody and everybody.