Rustic camping near Cornville, Arizona provides access to National Forest lands at elevations between 3,500-6,500 feet. The temperature fluctuations can be extreme, with summer daytime temperatures reaching 90°F while dropping to the 50s at night. Red soil conditions become problematic after rainfall, creating sticky mud that adheres to everything from shoes to vehicle undercarriages.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: Forest Road 525 Camping Area offers convenient access to several hiking paths. "E bike to hiking trails or just walk the road," notes one camper at this free location where portable toilets are sometimes available.
Wildlife observation: The pine forest environments around FR689 Dispersed Camping attract various wildlife. "We woke up to an AMAZING view! After breaking down our rooftop tent, we continued down Schnebly Hill Rd (12miles). It leads to Merry-Go-Round and other hikes," reports one visitor.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear night skies reward campers with stellar views. At Nolan Tank Large Dispersed Area, a visitor shared: "Beautiful views, pretty respectful neighbours, and the best of the areas in the Sedona area - the rest of the dispersed camping while closer to the highway are more like parking lots."
What campers like
Red rock panoramas: Many sites offer views of the surrounding landscape. "We parked right past the little grate after you get to the more open space. Quite a few others but we weren't looking for too much room or privacy. Got there right at sunset," notes a visitor to Forest Road 689 - Dispersed Site.
Relative seclusion: Some locations provide more privacy than others. At Schnebly Hill Rd, Fox Borough Dam, a camper reported: "Quiet and peaceful, my closest neighbors that I know of were over a mile away."
Cost savings: All dispersed sites are free, making them popular alternatives to paid campgrounds. Near Sedona, a camper at Surprise, West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping commented: "We pulled in passing thru Sedona, there were about 20 campers in a big dirt lot. By morning 60+ campers but quiet the whole night. No amenities but it was quiet."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many access roads require high-clearance vehicles, especially after rainfall. A visitor to Edge of the World (East Pocket) noted: "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."
Weather preparedness: Temperature swings can be substantial. A camper at Forest Road 525 mentioned: "Snowed last two days and mostly melted - roads a little muddy but made it with a 26ft motorhome no problem!"
Crowds on weekends: Popular spots fill quickly from Friday through Sunday. A camper at Nolan Tank observed: "Crowded all week until about Thursday, but by Friday night it was full again. The road to get to Nolan is long and full of washboards - but an easy drive and any car could do it."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection strategy: Look for established sites with natural boundaries. At Schnebly Hill Dispersed Camping, a camper advised: "The spaces are spread far apart that you don't even notice other people near by. The first 1-2 miles in you can hear the highway noise which wasn't awful when car camping, but if in a tent you will hear it for sure."
Early arrival recommended: Secure spots with better amenities by arriving mid-week. "Large dispersed camping area - the views are good and most people are friendly. Be prepared to get close and comfy in most of the spots. We got lucky and got more of a secluded spot, but the majority were packed in," noted a visitor to Nolan Tank.
Pack sufficient water: No reliable water sources exist at these sites. One visitor to Edge of the World warned: "It is truly for those who like to camp out under the stars and not the glamping experience. It's wonderful if you're willing to make the 20 miles off road trip to get there."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Larger rigs require careful site selection. At Pumphouse Wash (FR 237) Dispersed Camping Area, a camper mentioned: "If you have a longer setup (like a 5th wheel or RV) you can make it work in about half of the spaces."
Leveling challenges: Uneven terrain requires preparation. "We took a few times to find a place level enough to setup our pop-up trailer but with the help of a few pieces of 2x4 we were able to make it work," reported a visitor to Pumphouse Wash.
Cell service considerations: Coverage varies by location and carrier. At FR689 Dispersed Camping, a visitor reported: "Cell service was ok, not great but it was usable. Some hikes and trails in the area. People come to this area for day use hiking as well."
