Best Tent Camping near Flagstaff, AZ

We camp here with a group and reserve the entire D loop. It is a great little campground with large campsites. Many sites have two tent pads. The park hosts are friendly and keep the vault toilets very clean. They don't smell like vault toilets at all. There's lots of shade, but not a lot of foliage between the sites for privacy. If you're looking for seclusion, this may not be the place for you. But it's definitely a quiet campground, and we enjoy our time here with friends. They have a little snack shack where you can but burgers and snacks, even giant snow cones. Bring a fishing pole and a kayak or raft to enjoy the lake. You can't swim in the lake, but our kids love catching frogs and crawdads. To get there, if you're coming from Flagstaff, don't take the exit before Williams like Google will try to take you. Those dirt roads are often flooded, especially during monsoon season where they are impassable. Go all the way into Williams and come in from that route. The roads are MUCH better.

We stayed at this campground for 3 nights in mid-October and recommend this state park for camping in the Sedona area.

Pros:

-all sites in the Blackhawk Loop where we stayed had a level pad for tents (either small gravel or a wood platform), picnic table, and fire pit (though they could not be used due to a fire ban

-can easily fit 2 smaller tents on the tent pad or 1 jumbo family tent

-good amount of shrubbery in between sites so it didn't feel like you were right on top of your neighbors

-driveways have space for 2 cars if needed

-shower house was fairly clean and had hot showers

-dishwashing sink behind the shower house was a nice perk

-usable cell phone service (T-mobile)

-no tent sites with power if you need that.  We filled up an air mattress using the outlet in the bathroom which worked fine.

Cons:

-sites really vary in terms of how far back from the road they are.  Our site (122 in the Blackhawk loop) was a bit back from the road and had plenty of shrubbery, but some don't have as much privacy

-not a ton of water fill up stations, but our loop was pretty small, so it was fine

-you have to pay $15 per night for a 2nd car, which was a little steep, but given the campground is reasonably priced, this was fine

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!

Pine Flat was a very pleasant camping experience just outside of Sedona. We stayed here for two nights in late April. The campground is just off 89A, so there is a bit of road noise (I didn't find it bothersome). There is a loop on each side of the road. We were in site 24, a nice large site along the creek. Sites were fairly close together, ours didn't have much privacy but there were some trees to hang hammocks from which was very relaxing. Campground was very quiet and clean. Toilets were pit toilets, but were very clean. Potable water is available. There are no showers here - coin showers are available at Cave Springs campground just down the road if needed. The camp hosts were very personable and helpful. Firewood was available to purchase at the campground for $7 a bundle. Site was $22 per night. Nice location, convenient for hiking and exploring the Sedona area and just a short distance from Flagstaff as well.

In the off season, this sweet little national forest campground is a quiet oasis in one of the beautiful “islands of the sky” which are scattered throughout Arizona.  Up at 5000 feet, this place becomes a busy retreat for Tucsonians seeking to escape some of the summertime heat, according to the park ranger we spoke too. It's also a haven for birds!

The campground has designated section for RV’s and tents, though they are same price at just $10 per night.  Many pull-through sites are available for larger RV’s, as well as some back in spots. Each site has a HUGE cement picnic table and fire ring and are a nice size with plenty of space between sites. There are trash cans (though no recycling) throughout the campground, and a water spigot near the very clean pit toilets, thanks to the dedicated and very friendly camp hosts.  The tent sites overlook the Parker Canyon Lake and are quite spacious. There are few tent sites for groups too.

There is a nice boat dock, as well as small store near the water that sells snacks/drinks, bait, and a few camping necessities.  You can rent kayaks, paddle boats, SUPs, sailboats and small motorized fishing boats…or bring your own. There is also a nice and easy trail that follows the lake shore for about 6 miles, accessible to both hikers and mountain bikers.  From the lake trail, you can also access the Arizona Scenic Trail (the southern terminus is about 15 miles south of the lake). We also saw quite a few fisherman out enjoying the lake during mid-week.

The closest grocery stores and gas stations are in Sonoita, about 30 miles away.  Cell coverage is limited here as you are very close to the Mexican border – none in RV campground, just a bit of coverage in the tent campground.

In one word views, views for miles some of the best I’ve seen in Arizona. The campground itself is nice so spots not as amazing as others and be prepared to always watch your step because some spots literally are on the side of a cliff. Still plenty of room to set up camp and not worry but 100ft from the cliff side is pretty amazing. Clean restrooms hosts seem to keep campsites and fire pits clean and leave you to yourselves. Close by is a hang glide launch pad and amazing views. Only negative is the road up is unpaved and rough 5-10mph for about 7-10 miles but definitely worth the trip. Electric was struck by lightning a few years back so no hookup but water and toilet and only $10 a night. Stop reading and go👍