Knoll Lake is the Mogollon Rim hideaway that Phoenix anglers mention in low voices: a small, quiet lake deep in the Coconino National Forest, far enough off the pavement to filter the crowds. The trip from Phoenix runs about two and a half to three hours depending on the route and the forest roads, trading interstate speed for ponderosa country at the end. Groups that go prepared find one of the most peaceful shorelines within reach of the Valley.
The distance and the route
From central Phoenix, the standard routing runs north on I-17 or northeast on Highway 87 toward Payson, then onto the forest road network along the Rim, roughly 130 to 150 miles each way. The final stretch is graded dirt that most passenger vehicles handle in dry conditions but that turns rough and sometimes impassable during storms and spring thaw. Drive time varies more than the mileage suggests: the dirt miles and the Rim roads run slow, so budget a full three hours and be pleasantly surprised. A Phoenix shuttle service round trip with a driver who knows forest roads suits groups whose own vehicles are not up to the washboard.
Forest roads and vehicle choice
The access roads are maintained dirt and gravel, fine for careful passenger cars in dry weather and genuinely demanding after rain or snow. Clearance matters more than four-wheel drive most of the year, but check current road status before departing, because washouts and downed trees close segments with little notice. Carry a full-size spare, extra water, and offline maps, since cell coverage drops out across long stretches of the Rim. Groups arriving in multiple cars should convoy with radios or a strict regroup plan, because losing half the party at an unmarked forest junction is a tradition nobody enjoys.
Fishing and the quiet water
The lake is stocked with trout in season and fished lightly compared with the marquee Rim waters, which is exactly the appeal. Small boats, kayaks, and float tubes do well on the calm surface, with electric motors the norm where motors are permitted. Shore fishing from the campgrounds and day-use areas covers casual anglers without any launch hassle. State fishing licenses and current limits apply, and the season timing follows the forest access window rather than the calendar, so confirm both before promising the kids a catch.
Camping at the lake
Developed campgrounds near the shore offer the classic Rim experience: tall pines, cool nights, and stars that embarrass the Valley sky. Sites run first-come in some loops and reservable in others depending on the season, and summer weekends fill despite the dirt-road filter. Dispersed camping in the surrounding forest gives self-sufficient groups more room at the cost of all amenities. Nights drop cold even in midsummer, so sleeping bags rated below the forecast are the difference between a story and a complaint. Food storage discipline matters in bear country, and coolers live locked and out of sight.
Seasons on the Rim
The practical season runs from late spring, when the access roads dry out, through fall, when the aspens turn and the first storms threaten. Summer monsoons build dramatic afternoon thunderstorms with lightning that clears the shoreline fast, so plan summit-style early starts for on-the-water time. Fall is arguably the finest window: stable weather, golden color, and thinning crowds. Winter closes the equation with snow and gated roads, and the lake waits silently for the thaw. Fire restrictions reshape what is allowed in dry years, from campfire bans to full area closures, so check the forest orders the week of the trip.
Day trip or overnight
The distance pushes most groups toward at least one night, since six hours of driving brackets a short fishing day thinly. Overnighters get the dusk elk, the stars, and the still morning water that day-trippers miss. True day trips work from the East Valley with a pre-dawn departure and modest ambitions: fish the morning, picnic midday, roll south before the afternoon storms. Either way, one vehicle that fits the group and the gear beats a caravan on the dirt miles. Set the return pickup time before leaving the pavement, because nobody wants to negotiate logistics without a signal at dusk.
Frequently asked questions
- How far is Knoll Lake from Phoenix?
- Roughly 130 to 150 miles each way, about two and a half to three hours with the forest-road finish. The dirt miles run slow, so budget a full three hours.
- Can a regular car reach Knoll Lake?
- In dry conditions, careful passenger cars manage the graded dirt roads. After rain or snow the roads turn rough, so check current status before departing.
- Is there camping at Knoll Lake?
- Yes, developed campgrounds near the shore plus dispersed forest camping nearby. Summer weekends fill despite the dirt-road filter, so arrive early.
- What fish are in Knoll Lake?
- Stocked trout headline, fished more lightly than the marquee Rim waters. State licenses and current limits apply to all anglers.
- When is the best time to visit?
- Late spring through fall, with fall arguably finest for weather and color. Monsoon afternoons bring lightning; winter closes the roads with snow.
