Camping near Coconino National Forest Recreation

Camping around Coconino National Forest offers over 300 diverse campgrounds spanning from Sedona's red rock country to Flagstaff's pine forests, accommodating every camping type from primitive dispersed sites and glamping to full-service RV resorts. The forest's 1.8 million acres provide dramatic elevation changes, creating distinct camping zones from desert floor to alpine environments above 10,000 feet.

West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping leads popularity with over 70 reviews, offering free camping with spectacular red rock views. One visitor noted, "The best dispersed camping options in Sedona Arizona! There are many options off of the main road." The area includes 160+ free dispersed camping spots scattered throughout forest roads, though another camper mentioned concerns about overuse: "You can tell the impact of too many humans on the land, it's quite shocking to see." Developed campgrounds like Cave Springs and Manzanita provide amenities for families and RV campers. Cave Springs offers over 80 sites along Oak Creek starting at around $30 per night, while private facilities like Rancho Sedona RV Park deliver full-service camping with rates from $42 nightly. One reviewer appreciated the upgraded experience: "Compared to another campground close by that is a little less but we had double the space and trees and a creek behind us."

The region accommodates all camping preferences: tent campers find shaded sites along Oak Creek, RV travelers access full-hookup parks near major attractions, and adventurous campers discover remote dispersed locations like Edge of the World's clifftop vistas. State parks like Dead Horse Ranch add another layer with developed facilities and recreational programs. Seasonal considerations vary dramatically by elevation. Lower desert areas near Sedona become extremely hot in summer, while mountain locations around Flagstaff offer cooler temperatures and winter snow sports. Spring and fall provide optimal conditions across all elevations, though popular locations fill quickly during these peak periods requiring advance planning.

Best Camping Sites Near Coconino National Forest Recreation (327)

    1. West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping

    72 Reviews
    Coconino National Forest Recreation, AZ
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 203-2900

    "The best dispersed camping options in Sedona Arizona! There are many options off of the main road."

    "My friend from Maryland came to visit me here in Arizona, I told him we had to go to Sedona so we decided to camp, I heard about forest road 525 and it exceeded my expectations, never saw more stars in"

    2. Rancho Sedona RV Park

    40 Reviews
    Sedona, AZ
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 282-7255

    $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."

    3. Edge of the World (East Pocket)

    54 Reviews
    Sedona, AZ
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 527-3600

    "The road in is bumpy and rocky, but not impossible (a Ford Mustang in the site next to us clearly made it)."

    "It is a bumpy road with large portion of potholes so drive cautiously but once you get to the location you get a number of different spots to camp at."

    4. Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground

    62 Reviews
    Cottonwood, AZ
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 634-5283

    $25 - $70 / night

    "Dead Horse Ranch is a beautiful Arizona state park."

    "The 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. "

    5. Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort

    41 Reviews
    Cornville, AZ
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 634-4700

    $59 - $150 / night

    "We stayed here in June which is a hot time to camp in Arizona. This campground has Oak Creek running through it which is a great place to cool off."

    "Lo Lo Mai Springs has scores of beautiful shaded RV sites, many near the creek beneath the branches of ancient cottonwoods and soaring sycamores."

    6. Cave Springs

    46 Reviews
    Munds Park, AZ
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 282-1629

    $30 / night

    "Tucked into Oak Creek canyon, surrounded by trees, red dirt mountain sides, and a creek this campground is stunning."

    "Location: The location of the campground is perfect for all of the Sedona activities. This campground is only a few miles from the popular Slide Rock State Park."

    7. Manzanita Campground

    25 Reviews
    Munds Park, AZ
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 204-2034

    $30 / night

    "The river access also added to the positives of the spot. My only complaint is that a handful of sites are where you park on the pavement and have to walk down into your actual site."

    "This is pretty close to Sedona (10 minutes) and right along a river that’s fun to wade in (not sure if you can canoe it?), plus long hiking trails nearby."

    8. Pumphouse Wash (FR 237) Dispersed Camping Area

    52 Reviews
    Munds Park, AZ
    16 miles
    Website

    "Highway noise in the distance but not a issue. Peaceful area within the large trees."

    "Google may try to take you all the way through from I17 on FR237...suggest going past to exit 337 and coming back down 89A. The campsites are all on that end of the FR anyway."

    9. Pine Flat Campground West

    34 Reviews
    Munds Park, AZ
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 282-3233

    $30 / night

    "Other than being close to the highway, we love this campground. It is in a heavily wooded forest next to Oak Creek. It has multiple bathrooms and accessible drinking water."

    "What I liked about this was the great hosts (who seemed on constant patrol in their golf cart), the level sites for tents, and the great access to trails."

    10. Schnebly Hill Rd, Fox Borough Dam

    20 Reviews
    Munds Park, AZ
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 527-3600

    "The road from the I-17 entrance was well maintained and can be driven on with any vehicle. I had my Chevy trax (front wheel drive) and made it fine. There are plenty of pull off trails we explored."

    "Exit 226 off of I-17 and head west on Schnebly Hill Rd. There is dispersed camping all along the road for the first mile or two. It is first come first serve."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 327 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Coconino National Forest Recreation

2198 Reviews of 327 Coconino National Forest Recreation Campgrounds


  • G
    Oct. 28, 2025

    White Spar Campground

    Convenient and clean

    Great spot, easy to get to, clean and has the facilities I needed car camping. I'm here mid week.

  • Shirlee A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2025

    Cave Springs

    Packed and not Rv friendly

    The sites are super small and close together. For camping with groups it may work but for RV I do not recommend. Such a tight fit in (we are 32 fr and barely fit in the site)

    No electric or water

    But it is a beautiful forest and creek and super close to slide rock state park which is a plus!!

  • Shirlee A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2025

    Forest Road 525 Camping Area

    Beautiful off grid

    We needed a place to stop for the night and happened to find this gem Such gorgeous Mountain View … quiet … a perfect and safe place to sleep .

  • Jeremy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2025

    Forest Road 525 Camping Area

    Perfect spot to stop for the night!

    Easy to get to, quiet, about 8 other campers and a few tents. Exactly what we were looking for!

  • Sam E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2025

    Forest Service Rd 253 Dispersed

    A Decent Spot!

    First time off roading, didn’t feel like driving all the way out to the Edge of the World. Saw a herd of elk.

    Your basic site, good fire ring, good spots for tents.

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Edge of the World (East Pocket)

    So Worth it!

    I rented a camper van for my desert road trip with my daughter, and read about this spot on Dyrt, the pictures look breathtaking and I really want to try and get here to see it for myself. I greatly underestimated how long it would take to get here as the road was terrible, mostly because it was severely washboard nearly all the way and there were several large “puddles” we needed to navigate around and some muddy spots that made me nervous because we didn’t have any service most of the way if we got stuck. I highly recommend taking a vehicle with good suspension and higher clearance just because it was very bumpy. We didn’t arrive until nearly 10pm, so what looked like an hour drive in my maps, took nearly 2.5hrs.

    Hoping and praying the whole time that I didn’t make a bad decision, and that it would be worth all the trouble, we found the dispersed camping sites and after winding down and enjoying the amazing stars because the light pollution was nearly nonexistent, we went to bed.

    I woke up just as the sun began to rise, and walked toward where I thought the cliff was, passed through some bushes and lo and behold.. a breathtaking view from atop a Canyon at “The Edge of the World” East Pocket, as the sun illuminated the Sedona valley below me… it was so worth “the trouble” 1000 times over! 🥹 The journey, the stars, the view, the canyon at nearly 8,000 ft.. this was my most memorable and favorite part of our road trip.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 22, 2025

    Windmill Camp

    Nice place for a night or two

    I got here around 9pm on a Tuesday evening and it was somewhat full. Pulled into a "spot" and everything was good. I was surprised at how quiet it was. Not a creature was stirring except some crickets. This is just a circle of dirt with a couple of porta-potties. It's not very level, so try and find a level spot if you can. Some beautiful views. Great hiking opportunities. There were some dump trucks that came through the main road around 7 am and I'm sure that is what woke everyone up. There are a couple of trees around the site, but none in the site.

    The only reason I gave 4 stars is because no campfires are allowed. Personally doesn't matter to me, but some people are big on campfires. The porta johns were clean. The entire campsite is trash free! No other services. Any car can access the site and there is space for large RVs.

    Very conveniently located between Cottonwood and Sedona. Visit Belfry Brewing in Cottonwood and get the Ruben it's amazing!

  • Sam E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 22, 2025

    Two Guns Ghost Town

    Pretty nice but with some drawbacks

    GPS coordinates were not exact, no real clear fire rings. No good tent spots, had to pitch tents in the road. Close enough to the highway that the lights from cars are clearly visible. Clearly a drinking spot.

    That said, GORGEOUS views of the sky.


Guide to Coconino National Forest Recreation

Camping near Coconino National Forest Recreation, Arizona, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and diverse camping experiences. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly spot or a secluded getaway, there’s something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Explore hiking trails: The area is packed with trails for all skill levels. One camper at Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground mentioned, “There are a couple of nice trails in the park, one leading into Old Town Cottonwood.”
  • Visit nearby attractions: Check out the beautiful views at Edge of the World (East Pocket). A reviewer said, “This not-so-hidden gem has nothing to offer besides majestic views overlooking Sedona.”
  • Enjoy water activities: At Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort, families can enjoy the river for swimming in the summer. One visitor noted, “A nice river runs through the campground for swimming in the summer.”

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Cave Springs highlighted, “The camp host was very friendly and put me on a waitlist... They have showers and bathrooms as well as multiple fresh water spouts around camp.”
  • Friendly staff: Many campers rave about the helpfulness of the campground hosts. At Flagstaff KOA, one reviewer said, “Nice pleasant staff. Bathrooms were clean.”
  • Scenic views: The breathtaking scenery is a big draw. A camper at Pumphouse Wash (FR 237) Dispersed Camping Area remarked, “It was a very calm night amongst the trees.”

What you should know:

  • Crowded during peak season: Many campgrounds can get packed. A visitor at West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping mentioned, “You can tell the impact of too many humans on the land, it’s quite shocking to see.”
  • Limited amenities at dispersed sites: If you’re looking for a more rustic experience, be prepared for fewer facilities. A review for FR 222 Dispersed stated, “There are no toilets, no trash, and no water hookups.”
  • Weather can change quickly: Be ready for sudden weather shifts, especially in the mountains. A camper at Walnut Canyon Rd Dispersed Camping noted, “Unfortunately we hit some heavy snow in January.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose family-friendly campgrounds: Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground is great for kids. One parent said, “Great area with lots to do and see.”
  • Plan for activities: Look for campgrounds with nearby attractions. A reviewer at Rancho Sedona RV Park mentioned, “It’s a little tight but the grounds are pretty and peaceful.”
  • Bring entertainment: Since some sites can be crowded, having games or activities can keep kids engaged. A camper at Cave Springs shared, “My kids' favorite part was the soft sand base for the site.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A review for Flagstaff KOA noted, “With that said there was enough room for big rigs to maneuver around.”
  • Look for hookups: If you need electricity, check the campground features. A visitor at Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort mentioned, “I enjoyed the creek view and the springs, but the lack of campsite wifi is too much to give this campground my approval.”
  • Be prepared for noise: Some campgrounds are near highways, which can be noisy. A camper at West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping said, “Mild but constant car noise.”

Camping near Coconino National Forest Recreation, Arizona, has its perks and challenges. With the right preparation, you can enjoy a memorable outdoor experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Coconino National Forest Recreation?

According to TheDyrt.com, Coconino National Forest Recreation offers a wide range of camping options, with 327 campgrounds and RV parks near Coconino National Forest Recreation and 175 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Coconino National Forest Recreation?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Coconino National Forest Recreation is West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping with a 4.3-star rating from 72 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Coconino National Forest Recreation?

What parks are near Coconino National Forest Recreation?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Coconino National Forest Recreation that allow camping, notably Coconino National Forest and Prescott National Forest.