Tent campsites near Coconino National Forest Recreation range in elevation from 4,000 to 8,000 feet, creating significant temperature variations between camping areas. Summer daytime temperatures can reach 90°F at lower elevations while staying in the 70s at higher sites. Winter access becomes limited above 6,000 feet due to snow accumulation from November through March.
What to do
Creek swimming and wading: Manzanita Campground's proximity to Oak Creek makes it popular for cooling off during summer months. The natural water features provide relief from heat while offering family-friendly water activities. According to a camper: "The campground has restrooms, a natural water pool (cold), and 5 mins away from the Sedona natural slides."
Stargazing opportunities: Edge of the World (East Pocket) offers exceptional night sky viewing due to its elevation and distance from light pollution. The cliff-edge location provides unobstructed horizon views for constellation spotting. A visitor noted: "Absolutely absurd views and stars. Cannot recommend enough. Bit of a drive but stick on it and see the view. Worth every second."
Wildlife viewing: Forest Road 535 camping areas feature regular deer sightings, particularly during early morning and evening hours. The Ponderosa pine forest environment supports diverse wildlife. One camper shared: "We were able to see a lot of deer and birds once one of our neighbors left."
What campers like
Temperature advantages: Forest Road 535 offers significantly cooler summer temperatures than lower-elevation sites. The 7,000-foot elevation provides natural air conditioning during hot months. As one camper explained: "At 7000 feet the temps here are at least 10 degree cooler than Sedona area. Pretty setting with the Ponderosa Pines stacked all around."
Cellular connectivity: Unlike many remote forest camping areas, several sites maintain usable phone service, allowing campers to stay connected while enjoying nature. A camper at Forest Road 535 reported: "Solid T-Mobile reception - a rarity in NorthernAZ. Nice hikes and mountain biking."
Sound ambiance: Manzanita Campground features creek sounds that naturally mask nearby road noise, creating a more peaceful camping experience. A visitor shared: "The best part is the closeness to oak creek. Listening to the babbling brook at night is priceless."
What you should know
Vehicle requirements vary significantly: Many forest roads require specific vehicle capabilities depending on recent weather conditions and maintenance status. According to a camper at Schnebly Hill Road: "The road is totally doable in a minivan or the likes if you have some experience driving on rougher terrain, but only if you are coming in off of hwy 17. If you are in Sedona and decide to take 89A because you don't want to drive out to hwy 17 like we did you will be met with a side by side trail."
Weekend crowd management: Popular sites become significantly more crowded on weekends, particularly during summer months. A camper at East Pocket recommended: "The views are amazing, it is an awesome place to visit, but I would recommend against camping, at least on weekends. There are people whose idea of camping is sharing their music with everyone well into the night and can't respect a shared space. It ruins the experience."
Safety concerns: Some dispersed areas contain safety hazards requiring vigilance. A camper at Forest Road 535 warned: "The site is pretty level, but it is heavily littered with broken glass. By the shimmer I've seen on other sites, this is a universal situation. It's not good if you have dogs."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection priorities: FR 240 Dispersed Camping offers family-friendly spaces with adequate room for multiple tents and play areas. A family camper advised: "This was easy to get to, and quick to take a trip into Munds Park or Flagstaff as well. We had a 21 and 31' trailer with us and found a great spot about 6 minutes after hitting the dirt road. It was great scenery with no one else near us."
Noise considerations: Some sites experience recreational vehicle traffic that affects the peace and quiet level. A camper noted: "Had a great weekend out with the Wife and fur kids! Not too noisy all the time but definitely had our fair share of UTV/ATV friends going by all weekend."
Food storage requirements: Wildlife activity requires proper food storage, particularly in more remote tent sites. A camper at East Pocket warned: "Don't forget to put your food and trash away in your car at night. The animals definitely come out at night. There was one right outside our tent smelling the snack we kept with us."
Tips from RVers
Access timing: Forest Service Rd 253 Dispersed fills quickly with popular sites taken early in the day, especially on weekends. An RV camper advised: "Popular amongst trailer campers as this spot is right next to a cellular town and requires no 4x4. Get out there early for the prime spots!"
Size limitations: RV campers should assess site dimensions before committing to forest roads. A visitor cautioned: "Lots of places to camp all over this road. Most size rigs can find a spot but we did see some people trying to take big rigs too far. If you have something big, stop at the gravel part and find a spot."
Road surface awareness: Dispersed camping access roads often feature challenging surfaces that can impact RV comfort. A visitor reported: "Lovely spot! Nice & shady with the trees on a hot summer day. Road from I-17 is quite bumpy but manageable (we were in a camper van)."
