Chevelon Crossing

Chevelon Lake lies north of Heber on the Colorado plateau and from it flows a substantial creek by the same name north all the way to Winslow and the Little Colorado River. Industrious Mormon Pioneers carved a road down through the canyon at a point where fording the river was possible and even attempted to homestead along the banks. The remnants of their community is called Chevelon Crossing and is the perfect place to camp in a VW Bus.

The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is a two million acre wonderland of forests, meadows, lakes and streams. Your stock height bus will have no problem navigating forest roads if common sense is your copilot. This article concerns an area North of the forest proper reached by either of three routes! One can split off the famous 300 road west of Woods Canyon thence to FR 169 and finally to FR504. Or come up from Heber on the 504 or even South from Winslow - either of the last two are employed in the Winter when the 300 is closed to traffic. While en route the plethora of side roads will not escape your attention - you'll be forgiven for detouring but keep in mind that the you're up North now and it gets dark fast. Stay focused, you're almost there...the road gradually descends into a canyon and even though you're only half way down the tops of towering Ponderosas are at eye level. Around the bend and behold: a delightful oasis bisected by a healthy, babbling stream. Camping options are limited in the Canyon. There are several formal sites in the campground and a couple more across the bridge on the East side of the crossing. None are more than a quarter mile from the Forest Service pit toilets and information hut. Chevelon Bend is shown below; can you spot the bus?

One can camp quite close to the water within groves of Ponderosa, Juniper and Black Walnut trees. Firewood is everywhere but given the proximity to the forest try to keep things low key that way. Once setup you'll want to explore: the cliffs on the North bank of the canyon are steep but offer caves and game trails. Watch for mule deer in the mornings and evenings. Walk up stream along the Long Bow North trail and you'll be treated to a large riparian area replete with meandering brooks and an open pond worth taking a dip.

 Trout of all stripes call this place home so bring your fishing rig and try your luck. Osprey and Bald Eagles enjoy plucking their lunch right out of the water...on the far side of the pond is the old homestead area - a large iron pipe protrudes from the cat tail reeds and one will find crumbling foundations here and there. Otherwise there's no sign families ever called this slice of heaven home.

Camping in the North country in February sounds crazy but Chevelon is protected from the cold and snow by the chalky cliffs - and since the feeder road off 300 is closed in winter you'll likely see very few other people. All in all a great little place to relax at 6,100 ft any time of year.