Coconino National Forest offers multiple free dispersed camping options surrounding Sedona, with several designated areas along forest roads. Edge of the World (East Pocket) provides tent-only primitive sites with a 4.5/5 rating, while Forest Road 689 accommodates larger vehicles across multiple pull-off spots. Most areas permit fires and allow pets, but Pumphouse Wash notably prohibits both fires and pets despite offering drinking water access. The standard 14-day camping limit applies throughout the forest.
Road conditions vary significantly across sites. Schnebly Hill Road, once popular for dispersed camping, is currently closed to public access. According to one visitor, "Loy Butte Road has about a 2-mile approach from the main road and 1.5 miles of that is rough, but my Mazda did fine going slow." Weather significantly impacts accessibility, particularly after rain. As another camper noted, "Please check the weather before you get here. It rained for several days and the dirt lot transformed into a mud pit. This is not normal mud – it's wet concrete mud."
Backcountry camping areas experience varying levels of crowding, particularly those closer to Sedona. The West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping area on Loy Butte Road functions essentially as packed dirt lots that fill nightly. Fire restrictions are common throughout much of the year, with several sites permanently prohibiting campfires regardless of season. Most dispersed sites offer no amenities beyond the occasional portable toilet, requiring campers to pack in water and pack out all waste.
"The trail is a commitment as it can take 2 hours or so to get up. But once you’re there it’s so nice and peaceful. There are no facilities, you do get decent service near the edge."
"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."
"Due to the ease of access from Sedona and Flagstaff this campground sees a lot of action."
"Campground Review: Couple things to say about this campground... it's dispersed but in numbered lots and unless you have a high clearance 4x4 you must enter from West (89A)."
"Nolan Tank dispersed campground, Coconino forest, FR525 and highway 89a is a nice place. Clean. One port-a-potty. No trash receptacles. No water."
"Bad part is no campfires allowed. A few did it anyways but it was pretty dry. Not the best, but not the worst. Very good jumping off point for MYB though."
"Lots of spots that had existing fire rings. I used my propane fire pit since there were fire restrictions. If you drive down Schnebly hill road there a plenty of sites."
"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."
"No amenities but it was quiet. Hot air balloons and early morning adventurers made it fun."
"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."
"The location was very easy to get to off of the freeway but still had pretty views. There are two spots to park at within reason. It is not meant for anything larger than a camper van though."
"It was the sweet easy spot to spend the night after a long day of hiking Sedona, easy access even when raining, we made breakfast chilled for a little while and then vi tibie our journey more hikes, heading"
"If you take this approach, a 4x4 with high clearance is a must. Bonus if you have some off-roading experience."
"Just follow dirt road all the way down past the water tanks (it might feel wrong, but you’re going the right way!). Several spots with fire pits not far from the Schnebly vista point."
"The drive, while do-able, is not necessarily preferable in something 20+ feet long. Narrow dirt road, closer to one lane than two, and no guard rails."
"Felt very safe, always one or two other cars/trailers in the area, but plenty of trees to feel private. Existing fire pits were very nice! There is a 14 day maximum stay."
"We stayed over the Easter weekend, arrived on Thursday and got a fantastic spot on the edge of the campground facing the mountains."
"Just keep going down the road Also dirt road is full of rocks"
"Many of the dispersed sites were closed but 10 miles out we were able to find an open marked dispersed site at 525C and 9525. Verizon and AT&T both have 2 bars. Beautiful views."
"Free dispersed campground. I saw every type of rig from Class A to tents. The views were the highlight of this location."
GuideDefinitely my favorite campground in the area. There’s shade and more privacy than the other flat ones. It gets crowded on the weekends and there is also a decent amount of people during the week. Be sure to get here before 2pm on weekends.
ScoutQuiet spot with plenty of parking bays; suitable for 30-foot vehicles. The access road is good, though there are a few potholes at the beginning.
GuideThe road up to this is fine for almost all rigs, the turn into the campsite will be tight. They have no camping signs along road 525c, although the map from the forest shows camping is allowed along this road. Make a right on road 9529 and there is a great campsite immediately on the left. It has a circle turn around. Incredible views, great hiking and no one around for miles. The BLM camping on road 525 is crowded. No one on this road. I get the sense they are trying to get people not to camp, but the maps show it is completely allowed. We are here in October and the weather is 70 degrees. Note that when dirt roads get wet, it is a whole different story. Coordinates are 34.87989889666775,-111.94793655703302.
I did buy a wilderness pass from the Arizona forest service. $20 for the year.
GuideThis is a great spot with 360 views and stellar sunsets. There is no shade and it gets pretty warm with the sun beating down. There are quite a few large spots to accommodate big rigs. HOWEVER- I arrived on a Monday around noon and got one of the last spots. Several campers have arrived looking for spots since I got here (it’s Tuesday). This is clearly a popular spot so have a back up plan. All the campers are closer than usual for dispersed camping. But they were all quiet during my time here.
ScoutRoad was rocky in places but manageable. Portapotty is nice to have at a free campsite.
LegendWe have stayed here several times. There are lots of pull offs along the road but be warned if it has been raining a lot of them could get muddy. This time we were here in October and there weren’t too many people but we have camped here in July and it can get pretty crowded and lots of traffic noise on the road from people going to Dogtown lake. Also the road can be a little rough.
GuideLots of places to camp with access to thousands of acres of land to adventure in. You'll need 4x4 to make it into the more remote areas of the land, so keep that in mind. You're also located next to the national monument and I highly recommend doing some of the hikes there. Also, you're about 25min from down if you ever need to resupply.
ScoutNice views lots of spaces smooth track, don’t know what the last review was on about! Would recommend!
Traveler🙂↕️
Dispersed camping near Coconino National Forest Recreation offers visitors access to high-elevation forests with a significant temperature differential from nearby desert areas. Forest Service roads through the pines provide relief from summer heat, with temperatures often 15-20 degrees cooler than Phoenix. Monsoon season (July-September) creates additional access challenges beyond standard road conditions, with afternoon thunderstorms common.
Mountain biking on nearby trails: Forest Road 525 Camping Area provides excellent access to Sedona's trail systems. "E-bike to hiking trails or just walk the road," notes one camper at Forest Road 525 Camping Area, making it practical for both casual riders and dedicated mountain bikers.
Wildlife watching in early mornings: The Nolan Tank area offers opportunities to spot local wildlife. "Lots of wildlife, camp fires were allowed, plenty of trees for hammocks," according to a visitor who camped at Nolan Tank Large Dispersed Area, though current fire restrictions may apply.
Stargazing without light pollution: FR689 provides exceptional night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. "Such an amazing spot for stargazing. We got to drive straight up to the cliff-face and camp out for the night," shares one camper about the dispersed camping experience.
Morning views of red rock formations: Many campers appreciate waking up to scenic vistas. "We woke up to an AMAZING view and it was just a great view over Sedona and the beautiful landscape," reports a visitor at Edge of the World (East Pocket).
Solitude in more remote areas: Schnebly Hill Rd, Fox Borough Dam offers quieter camping away from crowds. "It's quiet, beautiful and temp is perfect but no amenities, nothing very barren most places have fire pits. There's borough dam but can not camp within 1/4 mile of it," explains one camper who appreciated the isolation.
Hot air balloon viewing: Early risers at West Sedona sites can watch balloons. "Hot air balloons and early morning adventurers made it fun," notes a camper at Surprise camp area, adding unexpected interest to the standard camping experience.
Site availability patterns: Weekday arrivals significantly improve site selection. "Crowded all week until about Thursday, but by Friday night it was full again," reports a camper at Nolan Tank Large Dispersed Area, highlighting the importance of timing.
Road conditions after precipitation: Clay soil creates challenging driving conditions. "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," warns a camper about conditions on Loy Butte Road.
Accessibility challenges: Some popular areas have become inaccessible. "Attempted to camp on 3/10 but road to campsites was closed," notes a visitor to Pumphouse Wash, with another reporting "Entrance very rocky and then road was closed to vehicles."
Choose sites with more space between neighbors: Forest Road 689 - Dispersed Site offers better separation between campsites. "Lots of spots the deeper you go. Only need 4x4 if you go off trail," advises a camper, which allows families more privacy.
Pack drinking water: Water access is extremely limited. "No amenities, nothing very barren most places have fire pits," notes a camper at Schnebly Hill Road, emphasizing the need to bring all your water.
Plan for variable conditions: Weather changes rapidly at higher elevations. "We came March 2nd and it's fairly quiet. The weather was in the 70s in the day and the day we got here it dropped to 28 and snowed," reports a Pumphouse Wash visitor, underscoring the importance of preparation.
Road assessment before commitment: Edge of the World (East Pocket) requires careful vehicle consideration. "Though it was a mission to get to the spot, me personally I would say it's worth the effort. It is a bumpy road with large portion of potholes so drive cautiously," advises one camper who made the journey.
Arrive with partially filled tanks: Limited turning space restricts larger vehicles. "If you have a longer setup (like a 5th wheel or RV) you can make it work in about half of the spaces," notes a visitor to Pumphouse Wash regarding site limitations.
Cell service availability varies: Communication options depend on location. "Cell service was ok, not great but it was usable," reports a camper at FR689 Dispersed Camping, while others note stronger signals at sites closer to main roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific dispersed camping areas are available along Forest Road 9559 in Coconino?
Forest Road 9559 in Coconino National Forest doesn't have specifically named dispersed camping areas in the available reviews. However, similar forest roads in the area like FR689 Dispersed Camping offer numerous pullouts suitable for various camping setups, including larger RVs. Many forest roads in Coconino feature narrow dirt paths that may be challenging but manageable for larger vehicles when driven slowly. For specific FR 9559 information, check with the Coconino National Forest Service office before your trip. The Bloody Basin Rd / Agua Fria NM Dispersed Camping area provides a good example of typical Coconino dispersed camping conditions, with sites accessible to most vehicles including standard cars, though some washboards and washed-out areas may exist.
Where are the best locations for dispersed camping in Coconino National Forest?
Coconino National Forest offers excellent dispersed camping options in several areas. Lockett Meadow Dispersed Camping provides vast, breathtaking spaces with plenty of room even for larger rigs like converted school buses with trailers. Another standout location is FS 609 - Dispersed Camping, which offers spacious sites that allow campers to spread out comfortably. The area around Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument also provides numerous camping spots along forest roads. Note that as of May 2023, many dispersed camping areas near Flagstaff have been closed, so it's advisable to check current restrictions before planning your trip. Most dispersed sites in Coconino National Forest are free but follow leave-no-trace principles and be aware of seasonal fire restrictions.
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Coconino National Forest Recreation?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Coconino National Forest Recreation is Edge of the World (East Pocket) with a 4.5-star rating from 59 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Coconino National Forest Recreation?
TheDyrt.com has all 201 dispersed camping locations near Coconino National Forest Recreation, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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