Cocino National Forest - Rd. 535

Pumphouse Wash (Forest Road 237) is a popular dispersed camping area in the ponderosa pine forest along SR 89A, midway between Flagstaff and Sedona, Arizona. The area is conveniently located near Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, Flagstaff, Woody Mountain Road, Lake Mary, and a variety of recreation sites. It is a popular alternative to traditional campgrounds for visitors to Oak Creek Canyon and the Flagstaff area. There are four campsite loops, each containing between 11 and 26 signed and numbered sites. The site offers excellent camping opportunities for large groups as well as families and individuals. Most sites offer partial to full shade beneath towering ponderosa pine trees, and are generally flat, making it easy to set up tents or campers. Each site has parking and a campfire ring. There is no trash service, so if you pack it in, pack it out. There are no restroom facilities. Portable toilets are highly recommended. FR 237 and the camping loop roads are well maintained and suitable for passenger cars. [Photo tour from this site [Flickr]](https://www.flickr.com//photos/coconinonationalforest/sets/72157653609006366/show/). [](https://www.flickr.com/photos/coconinonationalforest/albums/72157653609006366 "Camping: Pumphouse Wash \$FR 237\$ Dispersed Camping Area")

Pumphouse Wash (FR 237) Dispersed Camping Area

It is labelled as East Pocket on a map, but known to locals as “The End of The World,” the perfect nickname to describe this climactic viewpoint. Flagstaff sits upon a lofty plateau carpeted in high-elevation pine forest, but just south of town, the bottom drops out. Below a craggy rim of volcanic rock, the land takes a precipitous plunge into an entirely different world of red rock and sandstone towers. This is the realm of Sedona, and End of The World overlooks all of it.



Edge of the World (East Pocket)

Pine Flat Campground is a popular camping spot in scenic Oak Creek Canyon in Arizona's Coconino National Forest. The campground is nestled in a forested canyon near the well-known town of Sedona, Arizona, and its red rock cliffs. The scenery is unmatched, the stream is stocked with trout, and swimming, hiking and birding spots can be accessed from the facility. Recreation There are several hiking trails in the vicinity, with some leading up the canyon slopes to offer sweeping views of the surrounding scenery. The creek is bordered with paths that lead along its picturesque course, offering excellent birding and abundant fishing. Facilities There are 59 single unit sites at Pine Flat Campground, including two accessible sites. Picnic tables, campfire rings and cooking grills, as well as vault restrooms and drinking water, are provided. No hookups or showers are available. Cave Springs Campground, about a mile downstream of Pine Flat, offers coin-operated showers, which guests of Pine Flat are welcome to use. Natural Features The area is a heavily wooded, lush riparian zone. Campsites are located in a shady stand of ponderosa pines in the upper reaches of the canyon. Many of the campsites are located right on the banks of Oak Creek. The creek has crystal clear, cool water that is refreshing on hot summer days. Nearby Attractions The nearest town is Sedona, popular for its red rock vistas, resorts and shopping. One of Arizona's best swimming spots, Slide Rock State Park, is down the road. Campers can also explore the 1.8-million acre Coconino National Forest, which boasts a spectacular variety of scenery and outdoor activities. ADA Access: N

Pine Flat Campground West

Cave Springs sits in the scenic Oak Creek Canyon and is one of Coconino National Forest's most popular campgrounds. The campground is nestled in a forested canyon near the town of Sedona, Arizona, and its famous red rock cliffs. The scenery is unmatched, the stream is stocked with trout, and swimming, hiking and birding spots are nearby. Recreation There are several hiking trails in the vicinity. Some lead up the canyon slopes to offer good views of the surrounding scenery. The creek is bordered with paths that lead along its picturesque course, offering great bird watching and fishing. Facilities Cave Spring is a large campground with 84 campsites, including one tent-only site. All sites have picnic tables, campfire rings and cooking grills. Token-operated showers, drinking water and vault restrooms are provided for convenience. The facility can host RVs, trailers and motor homes up to 36-ft. Natural Features The area is a heavily wooded, lush riparian zone. Campsites are located in a shady stand of ponderosa pines in the upper reaches of the canyon. Many of the campsites are located right on the banks of Oak Creek. The creek has crystal clear, cool water that is refreshing on hot summer days. Nearby Attractions The nearest town is Sedona, popular for its red rock vistas, resorts and shopping. One of Arizona's best swimming spots, Slide Rock State Park, is down the road. Campers can also explore the 1.8-million acre Coconino National Forest, which boasts a spectacular variety of scenery and outdoor activities. ADA Access: N

Cave Springs

## Overview

Fernow Cabin offers a quaint, forested retreat near Flagstaff and Sedona, in central Arizona. The rustic, three-bedroom log cabin is a retired U.S. Forest Service guard station constructed in the 1970s to house firefighters during wildfire season. Now, it offers groups of up to eight people a unique recreation opportunity in a beautiful Southwest setting. The cabin can be accessed by passenger vehicle, however caution required for the last mile; high clearanance recommended. Roads are not always maintained after each weather event. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

## Recreation

The area is a hub for hiking, mountain biking and off-road vehicle riding. The cabin is adjacent to the Sycamore Canyon and Red Rock/Secret Mountain Wilderness areas, which boast numerous hiking trails. Bikes and off-road vehicles are only allowed on designated roads and trails.   
  
Flora, fauna and unique rock formations in the surrounding area also present excellent opportunities for photography.

## Facilities

The cabin has running water from mid-May through mid-October. It also has an indoor shower, hot water heater, solar lights, a small dining area, kitchen, two bedrooms, a loft, wood stove and covered porch. It is furnished with beds and mattresses, dressers and a small dining table with chairs. There is no electricity available. If visiting before mid-May or after mid-October, guests must bring their own water. The kitchen includes a stove, oven, small refrigerator, pots, pans, utensils, dishes, coffee pot. The vault toilet is a short walking distance from the cabin, and an outdoor campfire circle and grill are also provided. The ramp to the front porch is accessible. Firewood and propane are provided (click here for more cabin details ). Visitors must bring their own sheets (two double beds and four single beds) and blankets, or sleeping bags, flashlights, towels, garbage bags, dish soap, dish towels, extra firewood, an axe for splitting wood, and matches and newspaper for lighting the wood stove. There are two picnic tables outside. Lawn chairs are not provided, but are a nice treat for summer months.

## Natural Features

The site lies in a ponderosa pine forest on the Mogollon Rim, a 200-mile slope that ranges between 5,000 and 7,000 feet in elevation. At an elevation of 6,656 feet, the cabin is fairly isolated, offering a private location for visitors to enjoy nature.   
  
The area is characterized by warm summer days and cool nights, with afternoon thunderstorms common from mid-June through mid-September. 

## Nearby Attractions

The nearby city of Flagstaff offers ample lodging, shopping and dining opportunities. Grand Canyon National Park is about a two-hour drive northwest of the cabin.

Fernow Cabin

Situated in the Coconino National Forest, Fort Tuthill is the perfect place for your family or friend getaway. As soon as you pull into the park the feeling of adventure washes over you. From the beautiful Ponderosa Pine Forest to the exceptional mountain views there is no end to the wonderment that surrounds you as you stay with us here at Fort Tuthill. Our exceptional staff is here to help you with whatever you need, from restaurant recommendations to all the happenings nearby.

Want to bring your own tent or RV, that’s great too! We have plenty of sites for you to choose from, great rates, and water/electric hookups for the RVs. Each site has a picnic table and charcoal grill for your cooking needs. All sites are located in the back of the recreation area and are close to the hiking trails. The bathhouse and dump station on site included with rate to guest, but available to non guest for a fee. Be sure to give us a call us to ensure we have the right site for your RV! *During winter, all sites are weather dependent. Please call before you reserve!*

Fort Tuthill Luke AFB Recreation Area

Manzanita Campground is a small, year-round, tent-only facility with campsites that fill up very quickly. Visitors enjoy the campground for its fishing and swimming holes along Oak Creek, beautiful scenery and excellent wildlife watching. Oak Creek Canyon is very crowded, especially on weekends; to get a campsite, it is best to reserve a weekday. Recreation Recreation and relaxation abound in Oak Creek Canyon. Camping, fishing, swimming, wading and hiking are some of the activities awaiting visitors. Anglers have the convenience of creekside campsites, where they can cast a line for trout. Families love driving down the road to nearby Slide Rock State Park, one of Arizona's most popular swimming spots, or trying out several nearby hiking trails. Facilities The campground is very easy to access and has paved parking. It is made up of single-family campsites that are fairly close together. Each site has a picnic table, campfire ring and grill. A campground host is available for visitor assistance. Firewood can be purchased on-site. Coin-operated showers ($4 minimum) are available at Cave Springs Campground just up the road. Campground has 7 first-come-first-serve sites which are often occupied. Campground host is unable to "hold" any first-come-first-serve sites for customers. Natural Features The campground borders Oak Creek in a lush, forested riparian zone with Arizona ash and box elders, gravel beaches and stream-bed boulders. Colorful songbirds add flashes of brilliance to the trees. The creek's crystal clear waters are cool and refreshing on hot summer days. Nearby Attractions The well-known town of Sedona is popular for its red rock vistas, resorts and shopping. Slide Rock State Park is a great local spot for swimming and only a few minutes away. Campers can also explore the 1.8 million-acre Coconino National Forest, which boasts a spectacular variety of scenery and outdoor activities. ADA Access: N

Manzanita

Tall ponderosa pine trees create a rustic "camping in the woods" experience and provide shade on hot summer days. Firewood and ice are available for purchase at the campground. The campground is very busy on holiday weekends and during the County Fair. Nearby attractions are Flag Extreme Adventure Course, the new county Bike Park, Archery Range, Military Museum, Model Railroad Club, Fair Grounds, Equestrian Arena and Cross Country Course, and the Pepsi Amphitheater where concerts are held regularly. Just a few miles away down Lake Mary Road, you will find fishing, water skiing, and relaxation on the beach of Upper Lake Mary. Fort Tuthill County Campground is open for both reservations and a first-come, first-serve basis.

Camping areas include RV and tent sites with picnic tables, fire rings, nearby portable toilets, and water spigots. With nearly 100 sites and 4 Group Areas, there is room for most everyone! There are 8 RV sites with water and sewer hookups. Electricity and shower facilities are not available. Generators are allowed with typical "Quiet Hours" being observed between 10:00 p.m. and 6 a.m. Your pets are always welcome at the campground; however, pets must be on a leash at all times and never left unattended.

Fort tuthill county campground

Coconino National Forest Manzanita Campground

Munds Park RV Resort

Was and good time with the family. We did a lil of everything from hiking to slide rock Haha the kidos really enjoyed that. The wife was bout right away man great times. Went hiking back at the camp site. Got me head back to where it needed to be now time to go back home and grind and progress. Till next time. 

Great and peaceful 

Truthfully this place has a lot of places to camp and be spread out. However I have never been to an area that lacked such etiquette. Seriously so many places to camp but people will come and camp right on top of you even blocking your access to the road out. Most of all though is the trash. It’s so sad driving through here after a weekend of campers, I have honestly never seen anything like this anywhere I’ve ever been. If your passing through and need a quick place to crash just to leave the next morning you will for sure find a spot to sleep. I just do not recommend a weekend out in this area with so many other places to camp near by. 

Kinda sad

Finding true dispersed camping with the growing population of the nearby cities and towns has become more difficult. This area is wonderful because of the access and amount of area to choose you site. There is plenty of usable space and a network of roads for adventure. 

Pros:
Less people
Fairly good roads. 4wd recommended. Some areas were very muddy or rocky. 
Plenty of wood for fires when allowed. 
Wooded areas. Less sun exposure. 
Had cell reception. Enough to watch Netflix. 
Lots of suitable areas to choose for camping. 

Cons:
Need a high clearance vehicle and/or 4wd capable in some areas. 
I wanted a cliff side spot and the area is huge. I could not find one this time. 
Some people that have occupied certain sites have trashed them. 

Cocino National Forest - Rd. 535

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