Open to non-member artists, friends, and family.

Paint with us at the most beautiful lake on the Mogollon Rim surrounded by a dense forest of pine, fir, oak and aspen. The Mogollon Rim, pronounced 'muggy-own,' is a 200-mile-long cliff in northern Arizona, serving as the geographical dividing line between the cool high country above and the hot, dry desert below. Thunderstorms along the Rim are almost a daily occurrence during the Arizona Monsoon Season, providing superb backdrops for picturesque landscapes.

We gather on Tuesday evening at Aspen Campground, site 97, to connect and make plans.

CAMPING

This year, we're trying something different. Instead of reserving the group site, we are asking artists to reserve their own individual campsites.

Campers are responsible for their own transportation, gear, food, water, and fuel. In case of fire restrictions, pack a gas or propane stove.

Bring layers, as temperatures can drop at night.

Suggested Campgrounds

These campsites are popular and fill up quickly.

Aspen
Artists have started to book at this campground, you will find APAP board members at campsites 96, 97 & 99. Try to find a spot near us!

This campground is tucked back into the forest and requires a longer stroll down a hill to reach the shore. Artists who camp here may prefer to drive to one of the 3 parking lots along the shore in order to paint at the lake. Make your reservation here: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232190

Reserve at Aspen

Spillway
This campground is next to the lake and easy to access the shore in a few steps. Make your reservation here: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232203

Reserve At Spillway

Other Campgrounds:

CONTACT

Expect limited cell service at the lake. Look for us at the Aspen campground, you will find APAP board members at campsites 96, 97 & 99.

If you have questions about the trip, please send us an email.

Send a message

PAINTING

Some artists choose to visit for the day rather than camp. We intend to gather in the evenings and share what we created.

Suggested Painting Spots

The shore
The spillway damn
From a boat on the water ;-)
In the surrounding forest

Artists can reach the shore easily from 3 parking lots, the Woods Canyon Lake Trailhead parking lot, the Marina parking lot, and the parking lot by the spillway damn.

Other Activities

Besides painting, there's lots to do at Woods Canyon Lake. Hike around the lake, go fishing, rent a boat, or launch your personally owned boat from the shore. More details here: https://woodscanyonlakeaz.com/

Boat Rentals

GETTING THERE

Please exercise all caution on the roads while winding your way up the Mogollon rim as we will be camping right as Monsoon season begins.

From Payson, Arizona, take Highway 260 northeast toward Heber. Turn left (west) onto Forest Road 300 directly across from the Rim Visitor Information Station, and follow for 5 miles. Turn right at Woods Canyon Lake Road. Spillway Campground is on the right, another 0.75 miles further. Aspen Campground is the next left from there.

Spillway Campground: Forest Service Rd 105, Payson, AZ 85541

Woods Canyon Lake Store and Marina: Forest Road 105, Woods Canyon Road US Highway 260, Mile Marker 282, FR 300, Forest Lakes Estates, AZ 85931

More information about Woods Canyon Lake:

Click the marker to launch Google Maps.