Stoneman Lake Dispersed Camping

If you're looking for dispersed camping in Northern AZ, this is a great area. We had a group of 8 campers, and found a wonderful spot with lots of trees, great roads, easy access, and we could walk 1/2 mile and get verizon cell service (right where Lake Mary Rd meets Stoneman lake Rd). we were there on Memorial Weekend, and there were still plenty of areas for more camping, and no one was on top of each other. the only downside was there were lots of Razors/quads driving the roads. We dumped on the way home at the Giant in Payson, AZ which is free. to get supplies, we either had to go 30 miles north to flagstaff, or 10 min to Happy Jack.(but their prices are high. I recommend you just come prepared) One person in our group did a 20 mile mountain bike ride, and we hiked 4 miles every day.

We heard about Stoneman Lake from a couple running an RV park in Camp Verde (thank you Trails End RV park), this was just what we needed after four days in the Apache Junction area, where it had gotten hot enough we had seen two rattlers and numerous sign of more. The cool air, beautiful sunsets, and peace and quiet were wonderful. This time of year there was very little traffic, so even though our site wasn't far off the main road, it was peaceful.
Take exit 306 off of 17 about 10 mi. north of Camp Verde, we drove in 6.2 miles before finding a site we thought suited our 19' tt (all good road).There was a pond being fed by a stream. So much precip this year, all streams were running. Our 3 dogs had a wonderful time, free to roam within camp. Drove to Happy Jack, not sure what is usually there, but one State Forest office was closed, next one ten miles away; did not go. Stopped in Mormon Lake area, looks like nice area if you want/need full hook-ups, great general store BTW, very well stocked with day to day and camping oddities. Mostly did not have cell service, could send text some of the time. We have Google Phones, not listed in options.

The road in is not great. We did camp up the road well past the lake. Lots of traffic with vehicles and a lot of ATV/Razor drivers speeding down the roads. No respect for those camping close. Someone actually dumped their black tank into the water run off ditch on the other side of the road into the site. At least our spot was well away from it.