Our annual camping trip is hosted by Rita Goldner.

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.

Gather in the evenings at Rita’s campsite (#20 at Spillway Campground) to connect and make friends over potluck dinners and s’mores. If you can’t stay all three nights, feel free to book one or two nights or just stop by for the day.

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

Send Rita a message

PAINTING

Artists paint throughout the trip, with no set time or location. On the last day, after packing up their campsites and before descending the Mogollon Rim, some artists gather to paint the sweeping views of pine forests and the desert landscapes of the Colorado Plateau from the Rim Lakes Vista Overlook.

Suggested Painting Spots

The lake shore from one of 3 parking lots: the Woods Canyon Lake Trailhead, the Marina parking lot, and the one by the spillway damn. Check for parking fees.
In the surrounding forest
From your campsite
Rim Lakes Vista Overlook

CAMPING

Campers are expected to reserve their own individual campsites and 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.
Expect limited cell service at the lake.
Rita doesn’t mind sharing her campsite with another tenter. Just ask. (#20 at Spillway Campground)

Suggested Campgrounds

These campsites are popular and fill up quickly.

Aspen
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:

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/

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.