the dyrt
Dispersed
Group
Tent Sites
Fires Allowed
Pets Allowed
Water Unknown
About
Lockett Meadow Campground
This primitive campground offers a scenic view of the San Francisco Peaks and dry camping in the cool aspen trees that surround Lockett Meadow. This is a terrific campground for those who cherish a real mountain camping experience and love to hike wilderness trails. You may catch a glimpse of the natural residents, porcupine or elk or thrill to the song of a hermit thrush that sings his best here. Even black bear have been known to stroll right through groups of picnickers without as much as a glance at their lunches.
The San Francisco Peaks are actually the remains of an extinct volcano, which mllions of years ago shattered and reshaped these great peaks, forming four of the highest individual peaks in Arizona and is home to the only region of tundra in Arizona. Inside the now quiet caldera a lush alpine environment has blurred evidence of that cataclysmic event.
The Inner Basin Trail that leads into the heart of the ancient volcano begins in beautiful Lockett Meadow. Starting at this island of emerald, which is ringed with quaking aspen stands and majestic high peaks, it leads into the mountain’s now quiet Inner Basin. The spring and summer wild flowers add a sprinkling of blue, red and yellow to the peaceful scene. While fall turns the extensive stands of aspen, which cover the steep slopes of the caldera, to solid gold, Winter avalanche tracks streak down the talus slopes exposing remnants of old lava flows which bear witness to the mountain’s turbulent heritage.
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Operator
National Forest
Access
Drive In
Walk In
Contact
Location
Lockett Meadow Campground
is located in
Arizona
Directions
Location : 15 north of Flagstaff in the heart of the San Francisco Peaks.
Directions : Drive northeast of Flagstaff on US Highway 89 for 12.5 miles. Turn left on Forest Road 552, directly across from the Sunset Crater National Monument turnoff. Follow FR 552 for approximately one mile. Turn right at the Lockett Meadow sign and continue to the campground. This dirt road is closed in early spring and late fall due to snow.
This road is not recommended for RVs/trailers due to the very steep, narrow (single lane), and rough road.
GPS (Map): 35°21'33.3"N 111°37'09.7"W
_ Click map thumbnail for larger view. _
[Lockett Meadow Map](http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5312658.jpg)
9 Reviews of Lockett Meadow Campground
Great free site but...
Great place to camp near the pay for sites but it’s near the road and a lot of the sites are on a slope.
Great free site but...
Great place to camp near the pay for sites but it’s near the road and a lot of the sites are on a slope.
Amazing views, but crazy busy
I’ve been to Lockett Meadow several times over the past 4 years and it never disappoints. I have gone both during the first few weeks of October when the leaves are changing color and in the height of summer after the monsoons turn everything green. Both times of the year are beautiful, but Lockett Meadow is always really busy. The camp sites are limited and it is first cone first serve so camping there is really about being lucky or being the earliest of early birds. If you’re sucky enough to find a spot, enjoy because it is truly beautiful up there!
Small hidden gem with spectacular views
The road is slow going, but the camp grounds have spectacular views and hiking. Large camp sites and free camping in the fall until the snow comes and closes the road! If you can make it in the fall, go during the week to avoid the crowds, and enjoy the Aspens
Entrance to the inner basin
Few spaces, 17, amazing views and plenty of room between the sites😎 Fantastic place for hiking and chilling in the pines. Beautiful hike to the inner basin through aspen, or hike to the top of Humphreys the high point of AZ. You can also scramble up sugar loaf, and get signal if you need.
Entrance to the inner basin
Few spaces, 17, amazing views and plenty of room between the sites😎 Fantastic place for hiking and chilling in the pines. Beautiful hike to the inner basin through aspen, or hike to the top of Humphreys the high point of AZ. You can also scramble up sugar loaf, and get signal if you need.
My favorite AZ campground!
This is my favorite AZ campground so far! Beyond beautiful! Small and remote , just perfect but make sure you bring everything you need except for the toilets.
Cool location, hard to get to
The location of this campground is pretty interesting. The low point is that it's hard to get to, especially for most of the year. The first time attempting to get to it in April 2016 was met with a closed road sign. While it isn't a difficult walk, it's a long one to get there. in July 2016 another attempt was made. The road is rough going up, but was done with front wheel drive car easily. Definitely not made for lower cars. The campground itself is very small, so they're taken up easily. If you are unable to camp in the paid lots there are more free lots down at the bottom of the hill.
