Aspen Campground is a large, beautiful national-forest campground perched high on the Mogollon Rim in Arizona's Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, less than half a mile from the shore of popular Woods Canyon Lake. At around 7,000 feet in a cool pine forest studded with oak and aspen, it's a beloved summer escape from the desert heat, roughly 35 miles from Payson off Highway 260 in the Rim Country of east-central Arizona.

The campground is spacious and well laid out, with about 136 sites spread across four loops that alternate between shady woods and open meadow, and the sites are nicely spaced for a bit of privacy. Its elevation makes for delightful summer weather, with pleasant days and cool nights when the low country below is baking. A marina with a full-service store — groceries, boat rentals, and firewood — sits right at the lake.

There's plenty to do: Woods Canyon Lake is a favorite for trout fishing and quiet boating (electric motors only), an easy trail meanders around the lake, and the campground's paved roads are great for a family bike ride. Wildlife is abundant, so expect to see birds, squirrels, deer, and elk — and note that deer, skunks, and even black bears visit the campground, so store food carefully.

A nightly campground fee applies (around $35 per site, plus a small charge for extra vehicles), and most sites are reservable through Recreation.gov in the busy summer season, so book ahead. Come prepared for cool mountain nights and afternoon monsoon storms. Pack out your trash, follow fire restrictions (which are common here), and enjoy one of the Rim Country's premier places to camp.