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Dispersed camping in the Kaibab National Forest - south rim area
IMPORTANT Please note: Camping and campfires are prohibited on National Park land. Camping is only allowed once on National Forest land approximately three quarters of a mile from Highway 64, past the cattle guard. Please make sure you are off National Park lands before setting-up dispersed camp. If possible, use existing campsites to limit resource damage.
Please refer to this document: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5313083.pdf
Please check the website for the most up to date information about closings and bans.
Elevations range from 6,000 feet to over 8,000 feet. The name originates from the profile of a prominent ridge that appears from the distance as a "saddle", horn and all. Vegetation is diverse. It ranges from pinyon pine - Utah juniper in the lower areas to mixed conifers in the highlands. The lower elevations provide valuable mule deer winter range, whereas the higher elevations of the southern portion provide summer habitat for deer and blue grouse. In the upper portion of House Rock Valley a herd of buffalo roam.
Open and close dates are subject to change based on winter weather and snowfall. Please check the website for up to date details each year.
This is a dispersed area with campsites scattered around. Please camp where there is a fire ring and please don't make one yourself elsewhere.
While much of the Forest is open to dispersed camping, there are several sites set aside as designated dispersed camping sites, listed below. Pick up or download a free Motor Vehicle Use Map to know where it is legal to drive. See Guidelines for information and policies, and Specific Sites for more details and contact information.
Know before you go! Be aware extreme winter weather or flooding risks can necessitate the closure of forest roads at different times of the year. Many forest roads that lead to dispersed campsites may be closed during seasonal road closures, so please check the Forest Road Status web page for more information about the status of forest roads in each District.
Fire restrictions may be in place. During fire restrictions, campfires, fires, and charcoal fires are not permitted in dispersed camping areas. This includes both Stage 1 and Stage 2 Fire Restrictions. Gas operated devices with an on/off switch are allowed.
$18 / night
IMPORTANT Please note: Camping and campfires are prohibited on National Park land. Camping is only allowed once on National Forest land approximately three quarters of a mile from Highway 64, past the cattle guard. Please make sure you are off National Park lands before setting-up dispersed camp. If possible, use existing campsites to limit resource damage.
Please refer to this document: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5313083.pdf
Guide
We have been traveling and paying for camp sites as well as using free dispersed camping. THIS HAS BEEN THE BEST IN 3 WEEKS ACROSS THE USA. We went back to this site a week after staying here and got married here! It’s a special spot with spectacular views!
Traveler
Great free dispersed camping immediately outside the Grand Canyon! There are an abundance of sites here, we spent about 45 minutes just picking and choosing our favorite. Please be mindful of the spots that work best for bigger rigs, we just had a tent so we left the pull through spots for the RVs. The sites do have nice fire pits but no established fire rings. There are no facilities here but the Grand Canyon entrance sign which is still outside the park has pit toilets and is very close. We were spending our days in the park so we took our trash to Mather campgrounds over flow parking lot dumpster, otherwise there are gas stations about ten minutes south. We actually found the sites here to be more free of trash then the Mather campground sites we stayed in the two nights before.
Pros -Proximity to Grand Canyon NP -Beautiful high desert forest -Privacy from other campers -Close enough to facilities
Cons -No established fire rings -No facilities -Some litter
ScoutAs of May 1, 2023 the Coconino National Forest Service has closed down many dispersed camping areas around the city of Flagstaff. This area is included in that. You can still drive off-road and explore during the day when the Walnut Canyon National Monument is open, but no camping and no camp fires are allowed.
LegendCould only get one night at the Mather CG in Grand Canyon, so we went boondocking just outside of the National Park in Kaibab NF. It was only a few minute drive from the park entrance, and had nearby access to shops.
This is a primitive campsite so no facilities, bathrooms, water, and pack in pack out. There were a handful of campers here but enough space along the road to find a private spot. There were a few other nearby forest roads that offered dispersed camping but this one had fewer people.
Would certainly camp here again if we can't get a spot in the park.
Scout
This is a good dispersed camping spot with lots of sites and vegetation to keep you hidden. Flat level terrain.
Guide
Nice dispersed camping spot just off the AZT. Plenty of room and nice spots, flat with awesome views north of the San Francisco Peaks.
Traveler
This was one of the quickest and easiest dispersed camping spots I've set up in. In the morning, it's super easy to get back onto the road, hit the trails, or head into Flagstaff.
Traveler
so many spots! If you pull off of 64 and follow the road back to the Kaibab Forrest sign and there are a lot of dispersed camping spots. There are some trails back there too.
Some people left trash so we picked it up, just remember to pack it in and pack it out.
Traveler
Road is well maintained, plenty of dispersed camping spots. We have a 26 ft class c RV and there was plenty of spots for us. There were a lot of ATVs and dirt bikes which were pretty noisy but other than that this place was great. Verizon and ATT both have cell service. 1-2 bars of LTE.
Guideevery summer I go on a road trip thru national forest all over the us and Kaibab is one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen , so much wildlife and elk and obviously the Grand Canyon , such a great camping spot and the sunrise there is like nothing you have ever seen + the crows that live in the Grand Canyon
Traveler
We accidentally stumbled upon this camp spot on our way to the other one we planned to stay at just south of the national park. When we arrived, there was only one van in our proximity. So surprised that this area is a dispersed camping area (read that they are planning to make this spot paid). The best camping area we stayed at in our three weeks road trip.
Ranger
Great dispersed sites. Probably at least 15 or so sites. Most have fire pits and plenty of space. Nothing extra special other than the fact that it’s free camping not even 5 minutes from the South Gate of Grand Canyon NP.
Scout
So many dirt roads to access private, dispersed camp sites. Plenty of tall junipers to get shade and hang a hammock.
ScoutOthers said the same - this campsite is on the North Rim and has dispersed camping right on the edge of the canyon for incredible views (not so close that you worry about your safety). We arrived Wednesday afternoon, and there were only two sites left, so recommend staking your claim early. In early-October, the sun rose around 6:15am, and highly recommend you take advantage of the views this campsite provides by waking up early. Got very cold in the evenings, so pack warm!
ScoutIn order to decrease the risk of wildfires, the city of Flagstaff has placed a ban on dispersed camping within a certain perimeter near the city and this site now falls within this banned zone. A friendly ranger was parked there to divert campers and help guide to other dispersed camping options
GuideSuper easy roads with campfire rings. Big beautiful ponderosa pines. Some noise from helicopter tours and some weird 4x4 jeep tours but not bad at all. We wanted an easy pretty campsite tonight and we found it. Thank goodness for public lands! Keep it better than you found it. If you’ve been dispersed camping on the way to GC and need a shower hit up the camper services area, takes cash only (quarters), 5 mins for 2.50.
ScoutCamped here for two nights in two different spots. Both were great, plenty of distance between me and other campers, quiet and peaceful. There were some motor bikes and ATV’s over the weekend but nothing crazy. Good free camping that is easy to access and peaceful!
GuideFree camping along the rode, we passed about 10 people before coming to a spot from GCNP. Camped next to the watch tower. Our spot was close to road so lacked toilet privacy, but the other spots were farther off the road. Perfect spot to camp and drive 5 minutes into GCNP.
TravelerI’ve been in some pretty bad roads for dispersed camping but this one takes the cake. These are by far the worst roads and not well marked spots for camping.
ScoutThis was the most dispersed camping I think we’ve ever done! We came to see the Grand Canyon and didn’t realize just how many places there would be to stay at! This location is not the only dispersed camping area FYI! You’ll see as your driving among the highway that there is many signs pointing you to national park camping! Exactly as the other reviews explained it, you get to experience the great outdoors with all the animals around! Super cold here, but it wasn’t that bad and we were tent camping! Many people around everywhere you went! Cell phone reception was good-right next to the village. We picked up pizza and beer and enjoyed our night here!
GuideAwesome place nestled in the woods. Tons of open area for dispersed camping. Short drive to town in case you want to grab a bite to eat or forget something.
Scout
Dispersed camping we pulled into late, but met our purpose with campervan. Added bonus next morning to find we were so close to Sunset Crater National Monument. Well worth the time to visit!
TravelerAs others have said, this is situated right in between the Grand Canyon gates and the little town of Tusayan. This makes it super easy to drive into the park for a sunrise hike down into the canyon!
The spots are dispersed really well and we were pleasantly surprised to not have any “neighbors” within sight. It felt like a safe place to leave our tent and several belongings while we ventured inside the park. It was very quiet at night, and the view of the stars on a clear night is incredible here!
If you’re looking for boondocking, this is as good as it comes! It’s hard to believe that fee free places like this still exist!
Ranger
The campground is made up of only dispersed camping areas, and offers some awesome views. However, because it is so close to the city, we found that all of the spots off the dirt road were occupied. People were almost everywhere, so if seclusion is what you’re looking for we don’t recommend :( We arrived there around 8pm so maybe it has something to do with that, but we have never seen this many people in an dispersed camping area. After searching for awhile we ended up settling into a spot, and were met by some unpleasant people (who looked like they had too many drinks) telling us that they were planning on camping there. Overall we ended up finding a spot to put up our tent and we left as soon as the sun rose. Great area, not such pleasant people.
GuideGreat spot for boondocking. Got here an hour or so before sun set and was able to find a secluded spot about 2 miles in. We are driving a Solis and had no problem with the road in. Clean up after yourself. If you're not going to take care of the public land, you don't deserve to stay on it. Simple, don't be a degenerate.
Traveler
Lot's of small spots for boondocking along the road.
LegendPicturesque forest boondocking not far from Flagstaff off of highway 180. Turn onto Forest Road 222 and take the first road on the right. Plenty of "campsites" with existing fire rings and places to park and set up a tent.
There were less than 10 groups in this entire area over Memorial Day Weekend.
Got a little cold at night since it's at decent altitude.
Would definitely stay here again
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