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Free Camping Collection

Dispersed Camping

Kaibab National Forest

Kaibab National Forest, near Williams, Arizona, is a fantastic spot for those who love the great outdoors and want to experience dispersed camping. This area offers a mix of flat and rocky terrain, making it easy to find a suitable spot to set up camp, whether you're in a big rig or a smaller vehicle.

Visitors rave about the stunning views and the peaceful atmosphere. Many have noted that while it’s close to the highway, the noise isn’t bothersome, especially if you venture further back for some privacy. One camper mentioned, “It’s super easy boondocking with a nice view,” which sums up the experience well. Just remember, it’s a pack-in, pack-out situation, so keep the area clean.

If you’re looking to explore, you’re just a short drive from the Grand Canyon, making it a perfect base for day trips. The surrounding landscape features beautiful junipers and open clearings, ideal for enjoying a campfire under the stars. Plus, pets are welcome, so you can bring your furry friends along for the adventure. Whether you’re here for a quick getaway or a longer stay, Kaibab National Forest has a lot to offer for those seeking a natural escape.

Description

The Kaibab National Forest truly offers something for everyone. If you are anywhere near Northern Arizona, you won't want to miss the chance to visit us! From canyons to prairies, peaks to plateaus, the Kaibab National Forest offers layers of opportunity for peace, solitude & discovery. Whether you are seeking a primitive, dispersed camping experience or something with a few more amenities, Kaibab National Forest has lots of camping opportunities and the option to rent historic cabins.

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Location

Kaibab National Forest is located in Arizona

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

35.21892651 N
112.37776597 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Phone Service
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Kaibab National Forest needs a permit.

Contact

General Info


Reviews

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4.5

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19 Reviews

Reviewed Apr. 27, 2023

Very nice place

pretty flat and a bit rocky but easy to find a spot or clear a spot. Here end of April and lots of people here. Met someone who say she comes here often from Williams and safety never an issue. All wheel drive best. Great views!!!

Sitedrove in far enough to not hear i40
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Lee , April 27, 2023
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Lee , April 27, 2023
Reviewed Apr. 22, 2023

Nice, quiet and easy to get into.

We're in a 31ft class c with a 2 door jeep in tow. I scout a site with the Jeep when we camp on public land. The road straight in is very rocky and the area had about 10-12 rigs already parked. The road immediately to the right was where you get privacy. A pretty level dirt road takes you to some spurs in the Junipers a well as some larger clearings that could fit larger rigs. This area of I-40 is not very busy so the road noise isn't bad. A we only heard a few trains and they were so far away it was kind of pleasant. It's not hard to find privacy if you go look for it. Pack it in, pack it out! Super easy boondocking with a nice view.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Clean Slate D., April 22, 2023
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Clean Slate D., April 22, 2023
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  • (6) View All
Reviewed Dec. 13, 2022

Easy access & beautiful location

I pulled onto the dirt road North of the freeway, and only went a few hundred feet, parking next to an old Pinion pine, and setting up camp there. During normal months, I can see this area being kind of busy, and having to drive a bit further in for privacy, but considering it was December w/ snow on the ground, I was all alone. Beautiful location, with only slight noise from freeway reminding you you’re anywhere near civilization. Highly recommend.

Site?
Month of VisitDecember
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Robert T., December 13, 2022
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Robert T., December 13, 2022
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Robert T., December 13, 2022
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Oct. 29, 2022

Stay on the north side!

Highly recommend staying on the north side of 40. We went to the south side and all though it’s forest land, there were a lot of farms & people living out there (not sure if they were supposed to be)

We ended up on the south side and had to do some serious wheeling to get to our spot off the main road. Overall great time! But would recommend staying on the north side

Sitesouth side of 40
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Benjamin T., October 29, 2022
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Benjamin T., October 29, 2022
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Benjamin T., October 29, 2022
Reviewed Oct. 3, 2022

Reccomend

Quiet and beautiful place close to nature. We stay here for one night, lots of places

Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Aug. 1, 2022

Great spot right off the highway

Nice spot, easy to find. Flat area and easy to access. Not to much noise considering it is right beside the highway. Many spots :)

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Mar. 19, 2022

Nice flat, dispersed area right off the highway

This location is great because it is right off the highway. As soon as you come in off the road there are plenty of large, flat spots or some smaller more secluded ones. It is a little over an hour from Grand Canyon National Park so it makes a pretty easy drive over. Lots of cover between many of the sites. I felt very secluded and only saw a couple of other people on a Friday night. It was great for me, my truck and teardrop trailer. Good Verizon cell service.

Siteunsure-sites not numbered
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Jeffrey F., March 19, 2022
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Jeffrey F., March 19, 2022
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Jeffrey F., March 19, 2022
Reviewed Mar. 15, 2022

Large, flat, distributed camping spot.

North side of I-40 at the Welch Rd exit. It's a large flat area with a number of established camp sites. Although it's close to the interstate, it's relatively quiet. The north side is bounded by an abandoned section of Route 66. Usable AT&T signal.

Siten/a
Month of VisitMarch
Reviewed Sep. 18, 2021

Beautiful

I’ve stayed here twice now and it’s absolutely gorgeous here. Dispersed camping. No trash dumpster. pack in packet out keep it beautiful

Site00
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Jun. 20, 2021

Spacious

I am new to camping however after my recently experiencing my first time, I’m addicted! I have not been to many spots but I really like this one! We got one of the first spots however didn’t even see anyone else after parking until we walked a bit to explore. Fire pit at our location and another one we walked too. a lot of trees around our area!

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Nik W., June 20, 2021
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Nik W., June 20, 2021
  • (4) View All
Reviewed May. 19, 2021

Good free camping

Nice place to pull off the highway and sleep while being sort of close to some cool stuff. People were pretty on top of each other in the first part of the campsites, could tell some had been there for awhile. If you keep driving past all the spots you’ll reach a dirt road. If you turn left and continue down it for a bit you can find some more remote spots, just keep your eye out for the fire pits so you know you’re in an actual campsite. I stayed in a spot that was pretty surrounded by people because I like the company, but even then it didn’t get too loud. Loudest thing was the birds honestly. No toilets, but I did have good at&t cell reception. Would stay again.

  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Jillian , May 19, 2021
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Jillian , May 19, 2021
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Jillian , May 19, 2021
Reviewed May. 13, 2021

Spacious

We rolled in after dark. There are plenty of spaces. There are also plenty of people. This is a big area! The stars were out and shining. The only problem was the highway. The sounds of many semis and various vehicles might lull others to sleep but not me. Bring ear plugs and you will be fine!

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Spencer R., May 13, 2021
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Spencer R., May 13, 2021
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Spencer R., May 13, 2021
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Apr. 19, 2021

Lots of options and great views

If you like a crowd, go north from the freeway. If you want secluded dispersed sites, go south. We went just a mile south and found a great spot just off the road, which is well maintained. Incredible views. We did see a scorpion.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Stephen G., April 19, 2021
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Stephen G., April 19, 2021
Reviewed Apr. 10, 2021

Quiet, Spacey and FREE

My road dog and I have been traveling the country for a few weeks now and this is probably the best campground that we’ve found so far. It’s spacious, there’s not a lot of people and it’s just far enough from the hwy that we can’t hear any traffic. The night sky is lit with millions of stars. It’s a great place to camp, weather you’re in an rv or a tent.

  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Stoney P., April 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Stoney P., April 10, 2021
Reviewed Oct. 6, 2020

Great for an overnight stop! Free and easy up kept roads

Make sure to wear shoes lots of thorns out there. But you can't beat the sunsets because they were very beautiful. Stay in the sand as much as possible. Bring plenty of food and water. It's a free site. I saw lots of RVs and tent campers. I would stay here again. I loved that it was right off the freeway and you did not have to travel far to find a site.

  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Kayla D., October 6, 2020
Reviewed Sep. 21, 2020

Open with no light pollution

This was a last minute stop for us on our cross country trip, great place to stay before going to the Canyon, about 45 minutes away but an easy drive. We arrive late at night around 11:30pm and there were a few RVs and tents. The road was well maintained, my Honda Civic sport did fine on it which is low to the ground. We found a spot but it seems like you could pull off anywhere on the gravel road. The highway is close so if you are looking for total silence, this isn’t you place. We also didn’t go too far back but I would stay there again if I need a quick place to throw up my tent.

  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Taylor B., September 21, 2020
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Taylor B., September 21, 2020
  • Review photo of Kaibab National Forest by Taylor B., September 21, 2020
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Dec. 2, 2019

Free & Quiet

Snow when we arrived at night, but there were a few RVs and campers just north of the exit and off the road. You could head back further and get quieter.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the elevation of Kaibab National Forest?

    Kaibab National Forest is located at 5841 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Kaibab National Forest?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Kaibab National Forest, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Kaibab National Forest?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is good.