Little Elden Springs Horsecamp provides dedicated facilities for equestrians visiting Bellemont and Flagstaff. The campground features 15 pull-through sites that accommodate large horse trailers, including four-horse living quarters trailers. Seven water points are distributed throughout the campground for convenient horse watering. The outhouse is exceptionally well-maintained according to campers, with a new pit toilet building installed in 2022. Camp hosts keep the sites in excellent condition and offer helpful information about local riding opportunities. All sites are reservation-only and exclusively for horse and mule campers.
Access to multiple riding trails begins directly from the campground, connecting riders to the surrounding Coconino National Forest trail system. Located near Flagstaff, the camp provides a strategic base for exploring both nearby trails and destinations further afield. Horse owners appreciate the campground's layout, which accommodates large rigs while maintaining a natural forest setting. The campground is typically open seasonally during warmer months when trail conditions are optimal. While the campground does not have formal corrals, the spacious sites allow for portable corrals or highline setups. The peaceful atmosphere among the ponderosa pines creates an ideal environment for both horses and riders seeking trail access in Northern Arizona.
$10 - $25 / night
"Aside from all the other reviews here detailing what a great affordable campground this is, I'll point out that it is literally right next door to the Pepsi Amphitheatre which means walking distance to"
"All amenities are shared so we had access to a large playground, basketball and volleyball courts, the store, and the bathhouse."
"This KOA is very clean and has ton's of amenities on site, very nice showers and bathrooms, some of the amenities are mini golf, pan for gems, trails, go karts, peddle cars, playground, laundry room, store"
"Lots of forest roads to play on near by as well if you have off-road toys."
"Open meadow with trees in the area, with views of the surrounding mountains when the weather permits. Never packed at this location, even during the summer!"
"The road in was dry but had ruts from muddy times but doable with our 26' travel trailer. 20 min drive back to Flag but there is a truck stop close by."
$42 - $84 / night
"Compared to another campground close by that is a little less but we had double the space and trees and a creek behind us. They’re very busy and we were only able to get two nights."
"Sites a little close to each other. Grounds were surrounded by nature and close by main Sedona street. Check in after hours were smooth."
$25 - $70 / night
"They have a lake to fish in and equestrian center to go on horse back rides."
"Dead Horse Ranch is a beautiful Arizona state park."
$34 / night
"The Little Elden Springs Horse Campground is a reservation HORSE/MULE ONLY campground. There are 15 pull-through sites, many that can accommodate 4-horse live-n trailers."
"Nice trails"
"Cool in the Arizona summer, and there are bonfire pits (did not use due to heat/fire warnings)"
"Less busy then FR 525 yet great views and easy drive in."
$20 - $46 / night
"Mormon Lake is an astonishing campground: all in alpine forests, at about 6500’. Mild summer, with cool nights, many escape the heat of PHX up here."
GuideWe stayed here for our first trip with a TT in December 2020. Water and electric hookups. They have a dump station. They have a lake to fish in and equestrian center to go on horse back rides.
LegendDead Horse Ranch is a beautiful Arizona state park. It is also a great home base because it is down the street from Tuzigoot National Monument and close to Sedona and Monetzuma Castle National Monument. It is just outside the charming city of Cottonwood.
GuideThe forest was closed in Northern Arizona so I decided to camp out at Dead Horse Ranch SP. I was pretty pleased overall with my trip. My campsite was comfortable and private enough, considering how close the sites are at this campground. I had some shade trees to help keep my travel trailer cool but definitely needed to run the AC all night in order to stay comfortable. The RV sites here have fresh water and power, but no sewer. There is a dump station at the park entrance that is easily accessible when both entering and exiting the park. I enjoyed fishing, hiking, and bike riding while I was here but had to limit my outdoor activities to the morning hours due to the heat.
One afternoon I went into old town Cottonwood, which is only a couple of miles from the park. It's a great place to visit if you're into antiques or wine tasting.
LegendWow, what an awesome state park! Camping here with little ones was awesome, it had so much to do. The three small lakes are a great spot to fish and lots of shade. A horse stable and playground are nearby. There are 4 camping loops, 1 tent only. The cabins are on a separate road and have so much space and shade between. There is also river access. Close to national monuments and wineries. Not too far from Sedona and Jerome. Lots of day trips close by. We will be back!
LegendWe pulled into our spot at Dead Horse Ranch as the temps crept below freezing. This was our first night ever in a campervan, and we were feeling very fortunate for scoring the last site with electricity.
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It snowed in the night (February) and we woke to discover that the bathhouse was heated with free hot showers. This, combined with dishwashing stations (again with hot water) and friendly campground hosts, made for a lovely stay at Dead Horse Ranch.
The only downside was the lack of privacy between sites - fine for van or RV camping, but not ideal for tenters.
There are a couple of nice trails in the park, one leading into Old Town Cottonwood - try Old Town Cafe for their flaky croissants! Dead Horse Ranch is about 30 minutes from Sedona and fantastic hiking, which we took advantage of all three nights we were there.
Bottom line, this was not a wilderness experience, but Dead Horse Ranch provides nice sites and great amenities, and you can't beat the convenience of the location.
We preferred the Red Tailed Hawk loop to all the others, and really liked sites 57 - 64 for the views and access to trails.
ScoutThis place is a scam! The spots are literally on top of each other. From the front door of your trailer you have 4 feet and then your stepping on someone's sewage line. Then they market all kinds of amenities but they are never even open. The golf carts are only from Thursday at 3 through Sunday. The Cafe is only open Friday through Sunday. The horses... they have a few and there is only 1 ride a day, if you can get a reservation. They have the INDOOR pool closed for the"weather"... it was sunny outside. Not that it is that great anyway. It is so small that you can barely walk around the pool much less sit down. The deck around it is also dirty disgusting. If your looking for somewhere quiet to relax and camp, DON'T go here. It's like grand central station and all you hear at night is the highway. If I was prepared to dry camp, I would have left the second I got there and camped in the woods. Don't let the website fool you like it did me. It was a waste of my vacation.
TravelerFor 5 years we had coming to Dead Horse RV Park. And about 5 to 6 times every year. Easy access to nearby towns.
TravelerThe Little Elden Springs Horse Campground is a reservation HORSE/MULE ONLY campground. There are 15 pull-through sites, many that can accommodate 4-horse live-n trailers. There is a new pit toilet building as of 2022 and 7 water points around the campus.
Here is a link to a video I made of the campground.
https://youtu.be/qtEmtsXoUi0
GuideThis was definitely the fanciest RV park on our trip. And the most expensive. I think it was about $88/night. Compared to another campground close by that is a little less but we had double the space and trees and a creek behind us. They’re very busy and we were only able to get two nights. Even though it was a bit pricey for the size of the site, the place is maintained like Disney… maintenance driving around fixing things, Gardner’s trimming things, and the bathroom gets cleaned everyday and was always spotless. Showers were nice and ended up being close to our site. Most of the staff are friendly and nice, with an occasional slightly grumpy one. It was also very close to downtown which was nice! Not quite close enough we wanted to walk… but a quick drive. The sites were very pretty, nice gravel, and lots of happy birds singing. Overall very happy, just a tad pricey. But it’s just because of the proximity to Sedona.
Little Elden Springs Horsecamp provides dedicated facilities for equestrians in the Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff. The 15 pull-through sites accommodate large trailers with convenient access to multiple riding trails. This horse-only campground features seven water points throughout the grounds and well-maintained facilities, including a new pit toilet building installed in 2022. Located at an elevation of approximately 7,000 feet, the camp offers cool relief from summer heat while providing direct trail access into the surrounding forest.
Trail riding opportunities: Horse owners have immediate access to the trail system from Little Elden Springs Horsecamp. "Access to multiple riding trails begins directly from the campground, connecting riders to the surrounding Coconino National Forest trail system," reports one camper. The network allows for varied terrain and difficulty levels.
Visit nearby attractions: Fort Tuthill Luke AFB Recreation Area offers activities beyond camping when you need a break from the saddle. "Tons of fun stuff for the kids and adults. Bike park is a blast. Also have an adventure course and zip line. Bike park is free ropes course has fee," notes Bryan S.
Explore lava formations: The area's volcanic history provides interesting terrain for day trips. "Looking for a camping spot close to the lava tubes, this is it! Remote and forest setting," says Jared H. about camping options near Bellemont. These geological features create unique landscapes for exploration on horseback.
Well-maintained facilities: Riders appreciate the clean conditions at equestrian campgrounds. "Camp host was very helpful he keeps the sites looking great. The outhouse is the cleanest we have ever seen," notes Jack M. about Little Elden Springs Horsecamp.
Shaded camping areas: The Ponderosa pine forest provides natural cooling. At Canyon Vista Campground, "Beautiful campground with hiking trails, bathrooms and friendly hosts. Conveniently located near Flag and lots of shady sites," according to John R. This natural tree cover makes summer camping more comfortable.
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds in the area offer well-spaced sites. "Well distributed sites. Very clean. Camp host extremely helpful. 10 minutes into Flag," reports Ted M. The layout allows for some separation between camping units while maintaining community atmosphere.
Reservation requirements: The dedicated equestrian campsites require advance planning. As one reviewer notes, "The Little Elden Springs Horse Campground is a reservation HORSE/MULE ONLY campground." Non-equestrian visitors should seek alternative accommodations.
Water availability: While water points exist for horses, human drinking water may be limited. At Canyon Vista Campground, "Limit is 5 gallons per day for each site. A market about 10 minutes SE sells water to fill at a reasonable rate. Can fill into containers or direct into the RV," advises Roger W.
Weather considerations: The area experiences significant seasonal variations. Campgrounds at higher elevations provide relief from summer heat but may close during winter months. "Mormon Lake is an astonishing campground: all in alpine forests, at about 6500'. Mild summer, with cool nights, many escape the heat of PHX up here," notes Paul W.
Look for campgrounds with activities: When traveling with children, Williams-Circle Pines KOA provides numerous options. "Lots to do for kids. Nice wooded sites. Rzr trails in the area and close to lots of fishing. Town of Williams is a tourist adventure and Bearzona is a Blast!!" recommends David G.
Consider cabins for convenience: Several campgrounds offer cabin options for families wanting more shelter. "The military side of this campground has studio cabins, 2 bedroom cabins, yurts, and even hotel rooms for rent in addition to tent spaces," explains Jason H., describing accommodations at Fort Tuthill Recreation Area.
Check bathroom facilities: Restroom quality matters, especially with children. "Vault toilets (one for each binary gender) are kept clean and well stocked with TP," notes Owen M. about Canyon Vista Campground. Some camps also feature motion-sensor lights for nighttime bathroom visits.
Site selection matters: For RV campers, choosing the right site impacts comfort. At Verde River RV Resort, "The spaces are nice and big! I think all spaces are full hookups, but they price the space according to size, whether it has trees, and whether it is along the river," explains Melody M.
Check hookup details: Confirm electrical capacity for your needs. "They do have a few sites with 50amp hook ups. The remaining hook-up sites are 30amp. There is sewer and water at each of the sites as well," reports Derek C. about Mormon Lake Lodge RV Park.
Leveling considerations: Site terrain varies throughout the region. "So unlevel that I ran out of leveling blocks trying to compensate. And the worst part the sewer connection was HIGHER than my TT so every time I had to empty my tanks I had to jack my trailer up higher than the drain," warns Chris N. about challenging sites at Williams-Circle Pines KOA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Bellemont, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Bellemont, AZ is Fort Tuthill Luke AFB Recreation Area with a 4.2-star rating from 21 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Bellemont, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 equestrian camping locations near Bellemont, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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