Knoll Lake is located at 7,340 feet in the Coconino National Forest on the Mogollon Rim. It is popular for a variety of recreational activities including fishing, boating, paddleboarding, swimming, wildlife watching, hiking, and photogaphy. The drive to Knoll Lake down a dirt road deters many offering an ideal opportunity for those who are looking for seclusion and solitude.
Fishing at Knoll Lake
This secluded 75-acre trout fishery is surrounded by Ponderosa Pines with a small island in the middle that gives the lake its name. Knoll lake is located on top of the Mogollon Rim off Forest Road 300. The lake reaches a depth of 50 feet and is stocked 6 times a year with rainbow trout, but also contains populations of brown and brook trout. Knoll lake also has a one lane boat ramp.
Trout here are caught on a variety of trout baits such as power bait, worms, corn, and salmon eggs. Popular lures includes small rapalas, crickhoppers, small rooster tail or mepps spinners, kastmasters, and trolling with cowbells. Fly fisherman do well with flies such as wooly worms, semi seal leaches, copper johns, and prince nymphs.
Knoll Lake Boating
Knoll Lake provides a scenic setting in which to enjoy your canoe or other small boat. Knoll Lake has a one lane launch ramp and boating is restricted to electric motor or non-motorized boating only. There is no marina or boat rentals available at Knoll Lake.
Knoll Lake Camping
The Knoll Lake Campground is located near the Knoll Lake boat ramp. It is a fee campground with 30 single unit sites (up to 8 people and two vehicles) and 3 double sites (up to 16 people and four vehicles). There are no utility hookups at the Knoll Lake Campground and the sites will accommodate tents, RV's and trailers up to 32' in length. The campgrounds facilities include tables, fire rings, cooking grills, and toilets (vault type). There is a camp host on site, and drinking water is available.
Other campgrounds near Knoll Lake include the FR9350 Campground, the Mogollon Campground, FR9354 Camping area, and the Bear Canyon Lake Camping area.
Mogollon Rim Near Knoll Lake
Knoll Lake sits near the edge of the spectacular Mogollon Rim, a two thousand foot escarpment that marks the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau. This majestic 2,000-foot-high escarpment stretches 200 miles across central Arizona into New Mexico. While sightseeing is the favored pastime along the Rim, it also boasts a world class hiking, mountain biking, horseback trails. The area around Knoll Lake, however, is the home of some of the Rim's most magnificent views. These views provide a scenic setting for the nearby hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails; or just sitting back and enjoying the panorama.
Hiking Near Knoll Lake
Popular nearby trails include the Cabin Loop Trail and the Railroad Tunnel Trail. The historic Cabin Loop Trail can be accessed at the General Springs Trailhead connects the Pinchot Cabin, and Buck Springs Fire Guard Station. The Railroad Tunnel Trail as seen in the below video can be accessed from the top of the Mogollon Rim near General Springs Cabin by making a short .75 mile hike from the edge of the Rim to the tunnel below. The trail is part of the Colonel Devin trail #290 which is accessible from the 300 Road along the Rim near Knoll Lake. The upper trail is a steep descent with sand and loose rock that make it a tricky hike.
Directions to Knoll Lake
To reach Knoll Lake from Payson, take Highway 260 east to the Woods Canyon Lake turnoff. Continue past Woods Canyon Lake down the 21-mile dirt road to reach Knoll Lake and Knoll Lake Campground.