Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping

OHV enthusiasts and mountain bikers will find direct trail access from this dispersed camping area in Coconino National Forest, located along Loy Butte Road about two miles from the main highway. The site consists of multiple dirt pullouts that accommodate everything from passenger cars to large RVs, with the terrain mixing forested sections and open areas.

The camping experience here centers around a large dirt lot format where Momo H. observed "about 20 campers in a big dirt lot" that expanded to "60+ campers but quiet the whole night." Most campers arrive in the evening after spending days exploring Sedona or hiking nearby trails. Hot air balloons provide early morning entertainment as they drift overhead during sunrise hours.

Road conditions vary significantly with weather, particularly after rainfall when the dirt surface transforms into what one reviewer described as "wet concrete mud." The main pullout closest to the highway includes portable toilets and tends to fill first, though additional camping areas extend further up the road. Cell service remains available throughout most of the area, and the proximity to Sedona makes this a convenient base for day trips into town.

Access requires navigating about 1.5 miles of rough road conditions, though standard vehicles can manage the route with careful driving. Some designated sites may be blocked with rocks periodically, but ample space typically remains available. The area sees heavy use on weekends, with Katherine J. noting "a lot of off roading that goes on in the area but it stops before dusk." For those exploring the broader region, camping near Coconino National Forest provides additional options.

This spot works best for self-sufficient campers comfortable with primitive conditions and willing to share space with fellow travelers using Sedona as their base camp.

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RV Road Trip Guides

Map & DirectionsSurprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping is located in Arizona near Coconino National Forest Recreation

Detail location of campground
Dispersed Camping

Coordinates

34.823248 N
111.905784 W

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 39 users
    Last on 5/9/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 64 users
    Last on 5/9/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 31 users
    Last on 5/9/26

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 39 users
    Last on 5/9/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 64 users
    Last on 5/9/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 31 users
    Last on 5/9/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Phone Service
  • Alcohol
  • Pets

For Vehicles

  • 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.

Contact

General Info

Drive Time


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Reviews19 Camper Reviews - Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping

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5 Stars

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1 Star

16%
27%
37%
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3.5

out of 5

19 Reviews

Campers regularly cited this free dispersed camping area as convenient for accessing Sedona, though crowds of 20-60+ vehicles are common. Several reviews noted muddy conditions after rain and limited privacy, but most found it quiet overnight.

Reviewed Apr. 19, 2026

Crowded but Scenic

We arrived on a Saturday night, the pullout areas were crowded. Once we located a spot things were fine. Beautiful surroundings. We do notice that many people came back to get their trailers after dinner time. They probably spent the day in Sedona or hiking. About 30% of the pullout areas emptied out after that.so, if you arrive late, there should be room.

Sitedisbursement
Month of VisitMarch
Reviewed Mar. 19, 2026

very crowded

tons of RVs and other campers packed in here. may be difficult to even find a spot. people definitely seem to be living here.

a couple of porta-potty’s available & cell service.

Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping by sophia , March 19, 2026
  • Review photo of Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping by sophia , March 19, 2026
  • Review photo of Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping by sophia , March 19, 2026
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jan. 16, 2026

Camping and hiking

It was a nice quiet place service is minimal but it worked nice place to hike and saw a Roadrunner

Sitethere are no sites just parking spaces
Month of VisitJanuary
  • Review photo of Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping by Robert B., January 16, 2026
  • Review photo of Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping by Robert B., January 16, 2026
  • Review photo of Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping by Robert B., January 16, 2026
Reviewed Dec. 1, 2025

EZ to Find, no Privacy, beautiful sunset

GPS Got me here. Parking area about a half mile in has lots of campers so no privacy. Two porta-potties. Seems likely better spots farther down the road but this is fine for tonight.

Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping by MATTHEW R., December 1, 2025
Reviewed Nov. 25, 2025

Good place for visiting Sedona

It was easy to get to and close to Sedona so very convenient. It was pretty crowded and we came after the rain so some cars were getting stuck in the mud.

Month of VisitNovember
Reviewed Oct. 16, 2025

Not good for tent camping

Just looked like parking lots packed full with rvs and trucks. Not recommended if you are looking for somewhere scenic to relax with your family. We turned around and found some first come first served camping at Pine Flat

Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Oct. 6, 2025

Large parking lot

There were a few trailers/campers setup during the day, but for the most part everyone comes in at night. Good sunrise with hot air balloons. This one is closest to the highway. The others are about 5-15 mins drive up the road with similar setups.

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping by brian C., October 6, 2025
  • Review photo of Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping by brian C., October 6, 2025
Reviewed Jun. 4, 2025

Basic but pretty

Great for a quick and quiet overnight stop, not too crowded for a Saturday night

Month of VisitMay
Reviewed May. 13, 2025

Big dirt lot, lots of campers

We pulled in passing thru Sedona, there were about 20 campers in a big dirt lot. By morning 60 +campers but quiet the whole night. No amenities but it was quiet. Hot air balloons and early morning adventurers made it fun.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping by Momo H., May 13, 2025
  • Review photo of Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping by Momo H., May 13, 2025
  • Review photo of Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping by Momo H., May 13, 2025
  • (4) View All
Reviewed May. 13, 2025

Essentially small dirt parking lots

It's decent, it's free, but they removed the port a potties last week and never replaced them. If you go further in the views are prettier but Thurs through Sat you get the weekend crowd and with that ppl parking right next to you as if it's at the front of a wm parking lot during the day. We even had 2 said weekenders in cars box us in even though we were clearly car campers. I had to reverse a ft and go forward a ft like 15 times to squeeze out and barely managed not killing the plants or scratching their car as im not cool with being trapped by strangers for the night 😅😂

SiteAll 4 campgrounds surprise, windmill, cockscomb, and greasy spoon
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Mar. 26, 2025

Beware of the Mud!

Okay overall - basically a big dirt lot with people constantly coming and going. Please- check the weather before you get here. I have a 2wd van and made the mistake of parking in the back of the lot. It rained for the next several days, and the dirt lot transformed into a mud pit. This is not normal mud - it's wet concrete mud. I was stuck here for 4 days before somehow making it out due to pure desperation. I realize this is all human error on my part, but something to be aware of. FYI - the only way through the mud is the pedal to the medal it the whole time. I won't be back.

SiteBack of lot near the tree
Month of VisitMarch
Reviewed Mar. 25, 2025

Crowded dirt lot on BLM

Dirt lot that gets full every night. Even in March. Close to good OHV areas and only 8 miles south of downtown, which is great.

Month of VisitMarch
Reviewed Sep. 30, 2024

Close to Sedona but busy!

We stayed here for a night and it was great. It was busy but the main reason we picked it was because it was close to Sedona so it was nice and easy for us to go in for a sunrise hike. We stayed in the first pull off lot on the left hand side that didn't have no camping signs (past Surprise), it had a porta potty which was definitely nice to have. Seems like they must block off sites every now and then because some of the ones marked on dyrt were blocked with rocks but still lots of space!

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping by Maddy T., September 30, 2024
  • Review photo of Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping by Maddy T., September 30, 2024
Reviewed Aug. 23, 2024

Good :)

Plenty of space. Drive deeper in (after the forbidden signs) you will see a big tent sign with an arrow pointing left (see pics)

It's called "Surprise"

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping by Ralph S., August 23, 2024
  • Review photo of Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping by Ralph S., August 23, 2024
Reviewed May. 13, 2024

Busy but good spot

Had to drive farther down on the road than marked. Didn’t allow camping in first few lots. Very full but found enough space even arriving after dark. Porta potties were available.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping by Hannah R., May 13, 2024
Reviewed Apr. 5, 2024

Dirt Parking lot

It worked as a place to sleep for the night in our van and the view was rather majestic in the morning but it was very crowded with more than 30 cars and RVs. They did have two porta potties

SiteSurprise!
Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Jun. 13, 2023

This campground is now closed

It has been closed off with rocks. South loy butte is still open. Just an open dirt lot that works for an overnight stop. No fires allowed.

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed May. 30, 2023

Great open area

Great site! This is was my first site I used on my road trip. There is about a 2 mile road from the main road and 1.5 miles of that is rough but my mazda did fine. Just go slow. Had a nice breeze and views of the mountains. There are a lot of off roading that goes on in the area but it stops before dusk.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping by Katherine J., May 30, 2023
  • Review photo of Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping by Katherine J., May 30, 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Loy Butte Road dispersed camping located?

Loy Butte Road dispersed camping, also known as Surprise or West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping, is located approximately 8 miles south of downtown Sedona. The camping area consists of several dirt lots along Loy Butte Road. To reach the camping areas, you'll need to travel about 2 miles from the main road. The area features scenic mountain views and is situated near popular OHV trails. Look for the camping areas past the 'forbidden signs' where you'll see a tent sign with an arrow pointing left indicating the designated camping area.

What are the rules for dispersed camping on Loy Butte Road?

Camping at Loy Butte Road is only permitted in designated areas, with some sections marked with 'No Camping' signs that must be respected. Fires are not allowed in the camping area. The site can accommodate various camping setups including tents, cars, vans, and RVs. While the area has no formal reservation system, it operates on a first-come, first-served basis and can get very crowded, especially on weekends. There were previously porta-potties available, but their presence may vary. The South Loy Butte section remains open for camping, while some northern sections have been closed off.

Do I need a high-clearance vehicle to access Loy Butte Road camping areas?

A high-clearance vehicle is not strictly necessary for accessing Loy Butte Road camping areas, though the road conditions can be challenging. Approximately 1.5 miles of the 2-mile access road from the main highway is rough. Standard passenger cars like a Mazda have successfully navigated the road by driving slowly and carefully. However, be aware that weather conditions can significantly impact road quality—rain can quickly transform the dirt lots into mud pits that may be difficult for 2WD vehicles. If possible, avoid parking in the back sections of the lots during wet weather forecasts.