Best Glamping near Coconino National Forest

We stayed here over Labor Day weekend 2019. We had a lot of fun and really enjoyed the most remote yurt, Morning Glory. Morning Glory has great views and several people (staff and other visitors on the trails) mentioned that Morning Glory is the best yurt to stay in since it is both remote and it has amazing views of the San Francisco Peaks. Additionally, Morning Glory is also placed in the middle of a field with a nearby bench which is also really nice and makes this particular yurt feel serene. Arizona Nordic Village, previously known as Flagstaff Nordic Center, has a lodge, front country cabins and yurts (which are all within a few hundred feet of the lodge and nearby the highway), as well as back country yurts that range 1-3 miles away from the lodge (Morning Glory is a back country yurt). For the back country, AZNV offers gear shuttles at an extra cost of $40. However we packed all of our belongings in since we were not staying for more than a few days. Yurts and cabins come with a battery operated light inside, a propane grill and stove next to the cabin, porta potty a few yards away, nearby picnic table, 2 twin sized sleeping mats, and 2-4 folding chairs (2 in small yurts; 4 in large yurts), a small trey table, and stove (and stove brush and pan to clean ash out), and a fire ring. From what I can tell they also give you some firewood and a 7-gallon jug of water to put out your fire. For an additional cost you can purchase additional wood, which I did since I was unaware they would supply some firewood, but we hardly used this since we did not require the stove in the cabin since the weather at night is in the 50’s. We did try the stove out and found that 4 pieces of wood heated the cabin up a considerable amount within the span of a few minutes. After booking you get a confirmation email with details for your trip. The day of check in I got a courtesy call and was told I could stop in the lodge at check in for a nap and more info. The staff we encountered were all super friendly. We were told there is a black bear that roams the area but we did not see it and heard the bear usually does not make its way up to Morning Glory. Additionally, while vehicle are not allowed in the Forrest, Morning Glory is near a Forrest fire road which had some vehicles on it; I’m not sure that this is common— may have been due to the long holiday weekend. Additionally, I believe AZNV has one or two trucks and ATVs they use to help transport gear. Overall, I had fun and would go back. I don’t love paying for camping (We usually do free dispersed camping and pitch a tent), however this area is fun enough I would go back. The yurt experience was on par for what we are used to when it comes to camping, but it was nice not having to pitch a tent, blow up an air mattress, etc. Lastly, they do haul out your trash for you. I do recommend bringing baby wipes since the trails are dusty, and a headlamp for at night.

Cell service: I have Verizon and had four bars at the Morning Glory yurt and service at the lodge— however, service between the two was spotty.

The military side of this campground has studio cabins, 2 bedroom cabins, yurts, and even hotel rooms for rent in addition to tent spaces. There is a nice office with coffee and hot chocolate, a fireplace, movies to rent, and various sundries for sale. There are some great running/walking trails and even a small playground for the kids! When there is enough snow, there is a tube run that is so much fun!

My family and I stayed here in a 34’ travel trailer for one night in late July. To get to the campground, travel thru the county park and follow the signs to Luke AFB recreation area. The campground is part of a larger complex that includes a lodge, cabins, and yurts. All amenities are shared so we had access to a large playground, basketball and volleyball courts, the store, and the bathhouse. The county park itself has playgrounds, an amphitheater, bike trails, and an awesome disc golf course. At each site is a picnic table and a fire pit, with hookups for electric and water. Our site was huge, but others can be a bit tight. Adjacent to the campground is the fairgrounds, which is bordered by an unattractive chain fence. The pump-out station was backed up and unusable while we were there. I’d say the best aspects are the price and the convenience to Flagstaff which is only three miles away. We would stay again.

This place is huge! Nestled in the red rock country of Arizona, this Thousand Trails campground offers a scenic and tranquil escape. The sites are well-spaced, and the amenities include a pool, hot tub, 2 dog parks, hiking trails, river access and clubhouse. Its proximity to Sedona, Jerome and local wineries makes it an excellent choice for those seeking relaxation and exploration.

The campground is being totally overhauled. It looks great so far and the facilities are very clean and nice. there is a nice big pool. the major thing missing are trees for shade and some privacy. there are only a few spots with nice big trees, all other sites have nothing. Which is OK in the Arizona winter, but not when it is still hot.

We were here when it as really slow, not sure what it will like when the campground is full.

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. It is also not too far from Flagstaff if you want to head further north to take in the lush pines of Northern Arizona. Campsites: The campsites were pretty good sized. They all come with a picnic table and fire ring. The campsites that are on the outside perimeter of the campground have more privacy than those on the inner loops. I wouldn't call them private though by any means. Campground Amenities: The Oak Canyon Creek flows through the campground which allows for fishing onsite. There is a large open area to play frisbee or catch. The bathhouse was clean, and costs $4 for a shower. The toilets are satellites. In the morning, these facilities are very busy. There is firewood for sale and a nice small store for necessities. Campground Staff: Everyone that I talked to was incredibly nice and kind. They were very helpful and knowledgable with recommendations on surround area activities.

I will absolutely stay here again and I cannot wait for my next visit!

The Thousand Trails Verde Valley RV Resort is a lovely Thousand Trails RV park located in Cottonwood, Arizona in the Verde Valley. The park is very well-kept and maintained and the staff is friendly and helpful. The premium sites are unbelievably huge in size and have upgraded FHU. The views from them are worth the extra $5-7.50 per night alone! They are level and gravel which makes parking a dream! The amenities here include pool, sauna, community room, shuffleboard, volleyball, basketball, tennis, mini golf, hiking trails, game room, pool tables, horseshoes, ping pong, dog runs, etc. The park is located just down the road from Cottonwood and the historic downtown district. There is a lot of things to do nearby including hiking trails, wineries and vineyards, shopping, historical sites, state parks and more! The only downside we have found to this park is the Wifi. Our signals have been pretty spotty here. This is definitely one of the nicer Thousand Trails parks we’ve been to and we will certainly be back. 👍🏻

For campground videos and more, check out our YouTube channel: Jeff & Steff’s Excellent Adventure.

We've camped at Houston Mesa Campground several times and consistently have a fantastic experience. Here's why we give it 5 stars: 

Amazing Staff: The camp hosts are incredibly friendly and helpful, adding to the welcoming atmosphere. 

Spacious Sites: We love the ample space at each campsite, allowing us to park comfortably and spread out for a relaxing stay. Our kids adore playing in the dirt and exploring the trees. 

Nature's Playground: The campground's proximity to swimming holes, hiking trails, and the charming town of Payson provides endless opportunities for exploration and adventure. Serene Setting: The abundance of trees creates a peaceful and shady environment, perfect for escaping the Arizona sun. 

Clean Facilities: The bathrooms are well-maintained and clean, ensuring a comfortable stay. 

Dry Camping Friendly: We appreciate the ability to dry camp at Houston Mesa, making it a budget-friendly option. 

Heads Up: While Verizon service isn't optimal, it's manageable. Additionally, campsites near the freeway can experience some road noise. However, the convenience of having Home Depot and Walmart nearby outweighs these minor drawbacks. Overall, Houston Mesa Campground is a fantastic choice for families and outdoor enthusiasts seeking a comfortable and scenic camping experience. We highly recommend it and will definitely be back soon!

Beautiful retreat in the Arizona forest. Saw many different birds while there, especially hawks. Could smell skunks but none seen at the campground. Was warned by rangers that bears had been spotted in the area, so keep that in mind with food and trash.

Each site I saw had a good amount of space and wasn't right next to other campsites. We were lucky and got shade in our campsite. Plenty of hiking opportunities nearby, and a caves not too far away.

The restroom facilities were clean and included flush toilets. Showers were available for $3 (coin operated).

Gear Review: This contains a review of the LuminAID Packlight 16 and the LuminAID Packlight Spectra, which were provided to me free of charge***

LuminAID's lanterns are a gamechanger. Seriously. They are incredibly lightweight, bright, float when inflated, and most amazingly are solar powered.

The Packlight 16 resembles a pillow and has several settings depending on how bright you want it. I was able to read a book with the Packlight 16 hanging from the ceiling of my tent. Everyday I set it outside to charge for a couple hours and have yet to see it run out of energy, even when left on the dimmest setting for several hours.

The Packlight Spectra is a fun little box shaped lantern that has seven colors (including white) and a color-changing mode (see the video I included in this review). The first color is red, which is nice when you don't want to scrub your nightvision.

I'll definitely be ordering these for my friends. They are great for hiking and the perfect addition to an emergency kit (when folded the Packlight 16 is about the size and weight of an emergency poncho).

Stayed here for 4 nights. The Mormon Lake area is very nice and secluded. However, the RV sites are so packed together that you barely have room to put out your slides or awnings. They do have a few sites with 50amp hook ups. The remaining hook-up sites are 30amp. There is sewer and water at each of the sites as well. There is a general store on property that has many things from groceries to camping supplies as well. Only the first three rows of sites are wooded, the rest are basically just in an open field.

23 hours ago

Not a lot here. Even without dealing with Covid there is very little to do. Campground is very tight and your neighboring camper is directly facing your front. You basically share your front space and picnic table (if you're lucky enough to get one). There is also no wifi nor cable, not even anything available through an antenna. If you do camp here bring dvds. There are a few radio stations but that's it. Their pizza or restaurant is only on weekends and the salon is closed. Store runs out of coffee in the morning and is not refilled. All in all, find somewhere else.