Forest Service Road 761 offers dispersed camping 5 miles from Clarkdale with multiple pull-offs for vehicles of all sizes. The dirt road extends several miles with established sites on both sides, situated at 4,300 feet elevation. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F during daytime hours while dropping to 70-80°F overnight, making spring and fall the preferred seasons for camping in this area.
What to do
Hiking from camp: Access trails directly from Thousand Trails Verde Valley where visitors can explore terrain without driving. "River access is available at site C which we stayed at and our furbabies loved it! Sedona is only 45 mins from here so an even bigger two thumbs up," notes Rebecca N.
Balloon watching: Free camping at Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping provides morning entertainment with aerial views. "Hot air balloons and early morning adventurers made it fun," shares Momo H., while noting the area fills with "60+ campers but quiet the whole night."
Fishing spots: The Verde River offers opportunities for anglers near established campgrounds. According to Fawn C. who stayed at Thousand Trails, "the river is nice a small hike from the camp. Great fishing area."
What campers like
Creek access: Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort provides direct water access from campsites. "Our tent site was literally right next to the creek. And it was a beautiful site surrounded by trees," reports Jordan H., who appreciated this feature during warmer months.
Cell reception: Forest Service Road 761 offers better connectivity than other dispersed areas. Jeffrey F. notes, "I went back over a mile and had good Verizon Cell Service. Beautiful sunset the night I was there. Clearly marked spots with fire rings."
Affordable alternatives: Rio Verde RV Park serves as a budget-friendly option compared to Sedona accommodations. Ashlee G. explains, "We loved Rio Verde RV park - close to Sedona but a fraction of the cost of the RV parks there. We were able to stay for a few nights and took our motorcycle into Sedona to explore."
What you should know
Site competition: Arrive early to secure locations at popular dispersed areas. "We showed up just before sunset on a Tuesday night and drove about 5 miles in. All of the pull-offs had a few campers so we just chose the least crowded," advises Jacs D. about West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping.
Weather considerations: Wind conditions affect camping experience at higher elevations. At Edge of the World, "It's always super windy as you are on the side of a cliff. All dirt if you're on the edge and many trees. Some sites don't have many so bring a canopy just in case," recommends Haley D.
Road conditions: Access to dispersed camping requires careful driving. Regarding Forest Service Road 761, Karine C. shares, "We wanted to go to Greasy spoon but the road was too rough. Nice view on the mountains. There is a lot of abandoned rigs and cars."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Potato Patch Campground provides family-friendly amenities. "We had an amazing relaxing stay, even though we were in a site close to the road. During the night we didn't really hear any traffic. There are clean restrooms and water available. There were easy hiking trails and a lake about 2.5 miles," reports Bill M.
Kid-friendly activities: Resort-style campgrounds offer structured recreation options. At Lo Lo Mai Springs, "They have a playground and swings for the kids! Right on the river, clean facilities, and friendly staff!" according to Derrick.
Spacing between sites: Choose campgrounds with adequate privacy for family comfort. Ellen W. notes about Lo Lo Mai Springs, "A combination of tents and RV's. Beautiful area, playground and swimming pool, right on the creek which is accessible for swimming."
Tips from RVers
Electric hookups: Verde Ranch RV Resort offers reliable power connections that aren't common in forest service campgrounds. "Verde Ranch was an amazing stay for us. The Customer Service and Hospitality was truly why we came back. All the amenities one could ask for," shares Scott and Ariane T.
Site selection strategies: When seeking pet-friendly camping near Clarkdale, Arizona, arrive early for better options. Michael M. advises about Thousand Trails Verde Valley, "The spots are first come/first serve. At registration they will give you a map and highlight which spots are open. It can be tough to decide which section to focus on and which spot to pick."
Road navigation: Access roads present challenges for larger vehicles. Dan K. notes about Forest Road 525, "The road in from Cottonwood is actually easier than the road from Sedona. We tow a travel trailer with a high clearance pickup and did it fine. Amazing views, beautiful area, breathtaking scenery."
