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NF Campground Review – Kaibab Lake, Williams, AZ

October 23, 2015 by libertatemamo 13 Comments

Early morning light at Kaibab Lake
Early morning light at Kaibab Lake

A lovely, pine-forested National Forest campground just minutes from the cute town of Williams in N.Central AZ

Link to campground here: Kaibab Lake, Williams, AZ
Link to map location here: Kaibab Lake, Williams, AZ

  1. Site Quality = 3.5/5
    Absolutely lovely sites with just one main ding. The campground is set in the middle of a pine forest, next to a lake and all sites are all paved, either back-in or pull-through (NO hookups). The entire campground was renovated not that long ago and it shows in site size. All sites are huge and extremely spacious. “Official” site limit size is 40-foot, but I really think you could fit any-sized rig (the double-sites are *more* than double-size easily able to accommodate 2 big-rigs and toads with plenty of room to spare). Excellent site separation (lots of space between sites) and absolutely lovely “sitting areas” containing picnic table & fire-pits. Main site issue and really the ONLY ding is site levelness. Unfortunately many sites are rather uneven, some chronically so. Back-in sites are generally more flat than pull-throughs, and I’d say that Loops A & B possibly have more flatter sites than some of the other loops, but it’s really a mixed bag. There are several sites where we would not be able to level at all, even using all 4 packs of our leveling blocks. Sites are arranged in 5 main loops (A-E) plus a group area and a dedicated tent area. All loops are approximately the same in quality, but only Loop A has views of the lake (esp. double-sites #6, #7 and back-in sites #14 and #15 ).
    Note/ This is a pretty heavily forested campground so solar doesn’t work well here. Generators are permitted from 8AM to 10PM.
  2. Facilities = 2/5
    Very basic facilities here. Just pit toilets (nicely clean) and nothing else. NO showers or dump station. There are several potable water spigots around camp, but they are all non-threaded so make sure you have a Water Thief with you.
  3. Location = 5/5
    There is an excellent location. You are in a lovely pine forest surrounded by green, next to a lake and only ~5 mins from Route 66 downtown Williams. The lake was low while we were there (fishing pier was closed), but there is boat access. Williams is a lovely little town with all the shopping, eating, beer you could want, and if you want to visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon you can do it in a day-trip of ~60 miles (each way) or a train-trip from downtown Williams.
  4. Pet Friendliness = 5/5
    Great location for paws. Lots of space to hang around camp, plus you can walk in the forest around the loops. No “specific” hiking trails from here, but there are lots of unofficial trails around the lake and into the forest. Doggie had a blast here.

Overall Rating = 3.9
BONUS ALERT = Camp in the forest only minutes from super-cute downtown Williams!

Summary: We wanted to stop and stock-up in Williams prior to our trip into the Grand Canyon (South Rim) and this forest campground ended up being the perfect spot. It’s dry-camping only, but it’s a huge forested area next to a lovely little lake. All the sites were recently renovated so they are all super spacious (some of the double sites are so long you can easily fit 2 big rigs with toads and room for another) with excellent sitting areas and most excellent separation. Lots of privacy and only faint road-noise from Hwy 64. No hookups though and “official” site size limit is 40-feet, but roads and sites are so spacious that I see no reason why you couldn’t bring 45-footers in here. The main (and really the only big) ding is site levelness. Many of the sites are pretty unlevel and some chronically so. We were able to level our site using 2 packs of leveling blocks, but there were several sites where I don’t think we could have leveled at all. Back-ins are generally more level than pull-throughs and Loops A/B seem to be overall more level than some of the other loops, but it’s a pretty mixed bag. Other than this everything about the campground was great. It’s in a wonderful location only ~5 mins from super-cute downtown Williams, next to a lovely lake (altho’ levels were low while we were there) and within a long day-trip to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon or a shorter day-trip to Flagstaff. We came at the very end of the season (the campground was about to shut down that week-end) so only Loops A & B were still open and all sites were all first-come-first-served, so we had no problems getting in. However during high season (May 6th – Sept 26th) most of the campground is reservable (39 out of ~55 RV sites) and my understanding is that it’s very popular. So, if you want to come in high season I recommend booking ahead. We absolutely loved the huge sites and great separation here, and the entire place felt incredibly peaceful. A great place to stay and we’d definitely come back.

Extra Info: Moderate cellphone signal -> 2 bars of Verizon LTE unboosted, and 2 bars of ATT LTE unboosted (both flickered a bit, and were more stable w/ booster). 63 totals sites of which 5 are tent-only, 55 are RV, 3 are Group. 39 out of 55 sites are reservable in high season, while the rest are first-come-first-serve. Sites cost $20/night (single, no hookups), $36/night (double, no hookups). 50% off with Senior Pass (America The Beautiful) on single sites only. 14-day stay limit. Several potable NON-threaded water spigots around camp, but NO dump station.

View of entrance into Loops A & B. Nice, wide roads everywhere.
View of entrance into Loops A & B. Nice, wide roads everywhere.
View of entrance to Loop A. Trailer is in the huge double site #6 and you can (just barely) see our rig in the background in site #7.
View of entrance to Loop A. Trailer is in the huge double site #6 (entrance to site is on left and the trailer is parked at the “end” of this ginormous pull-through). You can just barely see our rigs in the far background in site #7.
View of our lakeside site #7. This was a double and was MORE than long enough for both our rigs + toad. It was rather unlevel tho' and I had to use 2 packs of leveling blocks on the front.
View of our lakeside site #7 in Loop A. This was a double and was MORE than long enough for both our rigs + toads. It was rather unlevel tho’ and I had to use 2 packs of leveling blocks on the front of “the beast”
Our spacious "sitting area" at the double site. We had a lovely view of the lake thro' those trees.
Our spacious “sitting area” at our double site #7. We had a lovely view of the lake thro’ those trees.
Another view of Loop A. RV in site #8 (nicely flat) on right. The popup in far back left is in site #11.
Another view of Loop A. RV in site #8 (nicely flat) on right. The popup in far back left is in site #11.
View further down Loop A. This is site #15. This one was nicely flat and had a lake view out the front too.
View into start of Loop B. This is site #15. This one was nicely flat and had a lake view out the front too.
View further into B Loop. RV in site #21 on left with empty pull-through #19 behind it.
View further into B Loop. Airstream in site #21 on left with empty pull-through #19 behind it.
Site #26 in Loop B with site 23 behind it. Great separation everywhere here.
Site #26 in Loop B with site #23 behind it. Site separation is just great everywhere here.
End of Loop B. Pull-through site #29 on left. This wasn't even a double, but look how big it is!
End of Loop B. Pull-through site #29 on left with RV in back-in #27 on right. #29 is officially listed as a “single” site, but look how huge it is!
View of C-Loop (closed while we were there). Pull-through site#39 on right with #40 on left behind it.
View of C-Loop (closed while we were there). Pull-through site#39 on right with #40 on left behind it. Both these were unlevel.
End of C Loop. Site #42 on left in back. This was a VERY unlevel site.
End of C Loop. Site #42 on left in back. This was a VERY unlevel site.
Entry to D Loop. Site #46 on right.
Entry to D Loop. Site #46 on right. This was a nice, flat site.
End of D Loop. Pull-through #60 on right.
End of D Loop. Pull-through #60 on right with back-in #61 on left.
E Loop. Site #72 on right with pull-through #71 in back on left.
E Loop. Site #72 on right with pull-through #71 in back on left. These were both decently flat.
Group Camping Area. Sites here look identical to the regular loop sites. Only difference is there are communal "sitting areas". This is #79.
Group Camping Area. Sites here look identical to the regular loop sites. Only difference is there are also communal “eating areas”. This is #79.
View of communal "sitting area" in Group Camping.
View of communal “eating area” in Group Camping Loop.
View of facilities (pit toilets). Multiple of these around each camping loop.
View of facilities (pit toilets). Multiple of these around each camping loop.
View of fishing pier. This was closed while we were here, but folks were still fishing from the lakeshore.
View of fishing pier. This was closed while we were here, but folks were still fishing from the lake shore.
View of campground map. Click for larger size.
View of campground map. Click for larger size.

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« Getting Nostalgic on Old Route 66 – Williams, AZ
Into The Grand Canyon Part I -> Chasing Impossibilities »

We LOooVE Comments, So Please Do

  1. MoHobyDick says

    October 23, 2015 at 9:01 pm

    Great review! This is a popular CG with AZ locals as well as visitors.

    Ten-X NF CG is also very popular as it’s close to the entrance to the South Rim.

    Reply
  2. Jodee says

    October 24, 2015 at 7:57 am

    What a pretty campground! Love the size of those sites 🙂

    Reply
  3. Sherry says

    October 24, 2015 at 6:05 pm

    Another fabulous review Nina. How in the world do you have the time to look at all the sites everywhere you go and comment on them. Sorry to hear about the solar problem in a no hook ups campground. The leveling thing is especially problematic since you have to use propane for your fridge.

    Reply
    • libertatemamo says

      October 24, 2015 at 10:35 pm

      Lots of hours…lots of hours. Each campground review typically takes me 3-4 hours between walking around, photographing, making notes and writing it up.

      Nina

      Reply
  4. Jan Lancaster says

    October 26, 2015 at 7:12 am

    Hi Nina!

    Just wanted to tell you how much my husband and I enjoy your posts. We think of you as the Asphalt Trail Travel Goddess, and we live vicariously through your sometimes poetic, and sometimes hilarious, but always informative and greatly appreciated expertise. You wouldn’t believe how often my hubby or I begin a sentence with, “Nina said . . .”

    We are planning a trip to the Grand Canyon next fall, and we wait with, dare I say it, bated breath, to hear about your latest adventure on the Asphalt Trail.

    Safe travels!

    Reply
    • libertatemamo says

      October 26, 2015 at 8:00 am

      Now that is the absolute BEST nickname anyone has ever given me…ever. I think I may have to start adopting it. I can just see myself now -> “Hello, my name is Nina, but my friends call me the Asphalt Trail Travel Goddess”. It’s superb!!

      Nina

      Reply
  5. 2DogNyte says

    October 26, 2015 at 12:22 pm

    Great review! Look forward to a weekend there in the spring, when the snow-melt has filled the lake!

    Reply
  6. Lindy says

    October 28, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    Hi Nina,
    Thank you for your excellent reviews! I always look forward to reading them. Since this NFS campground did not have a dump station, where did you find one near Williams? Safe travels!
    All the best,
    Lindy

    Reply
    • libertatemamo says

      October 28, 2015 at 1:11 pm

      We just waited to dump until we got to our next stop (Grand Canyon), but Sanidumps shows some dump stations around town:
      http://www.sanidumps.com/rvdumpscity.php?citynum=3461&city=Williams&cityradius=1

      Nina

      Reply
      • Lindy says

        October 29, 2015 at 1:40 pm

        Thank you for that tip on Sanidumps! The best to you Nina!

        Reply
  7. Chris Kuptz says

    July 14, 2016 at 5:25 pm

    We are considering staying here in mid-August 2016, possibly loop B #14. The vehicle restriction for the sites state one vehicle. A second vehicle is charged 50%. Do you know if the motorhome and tow vehicle are considered one if the tow vehicle is attached when entering the campground?

    Reply
    • libertatemamo says

      July 14, 2016 at 10:17 pm

      It should be considered one only. We did not pay extra for our tow when we were there.

      Nina

      Reply
  8. C. Chavez says

    July 26, 2016 at 2:42 pm

    Great review and thank you for posting it. Super helpful! Our family will be staying there for the first time in a few weeks..coincidentally in the same spot you stayed in.
    Thanks again!

    Reply

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