The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Fort Defiance. Fort Defiance is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Fort Defiance and user-submitted reviews.
$25 - $35 / night
The Navajo Parks and Recreation Department (NPRD) manages the Cottonwood Campground and collects fees for camping. There are about 90 individual campsites available and 2 group tent sites. Each site includes a parking space, picnic table and grill. There are 3 restroom facilities that include sinks and flushable toilets, but no showers. No hookups are available, but a dumpstation is located in Loop 1. Limited services are available during winter months. GROUP SITES: Reservations for group campsites are required. Sites are for tent camping only. No reservations are accepted for RVs. RVs: Sites cannot accommodate vehicles more than 40 feet, including vehicles-in-tow. Full hookups are available in the surrounding areas of Gallup, NM; Monument Valley, UT; and Holbrook, AZ.
$14 - $20 / night
The campground offers a respite from the heat in a setting of aspen and mature ponderosa pine trees, approximately 6 miles south of Fort Wingate. This is the most recently renovated campground on the Mt. Taylor Ranger District. This area has a rich history of railroad logging, and the original town of McGaffey was built in the vicinity of McGaffey Lake a few miles down the road. Remember to pay attention to road conditions and your vehicle's abilities before driving off of the main road.
$5 / night
$11 - $31 / night
This campground is situated in what was once the historic railroad logging and sawmill town of McGaffey.__ McGaffey Campground was built in 1937 and lies west of the Continental Divide in the Zuni Mountains, at an elevation of approximately 8,000 feet.__ It is the largest of the Mt. Taylor Ranger District campgrounds__and has__a volunteer host on site.__ Mature ponderosa pine trees provide scenic settings and shade, while small hills provide some privacy.__ Follow the road past the entrance, staying to the right to access the Oso and Page overnight sites.__Remember to pay attention to road conditions and your vehicle's abilities before driving off of the main road.__ Please be respectful of our historic heritage as you explore the area.
The Navajo Parks and Recreation Department (NPRD) manages the Cottonwood Campground and collects fees for camping. There are about 90 individual campsites available and 2 group tent sites. Each site includes a parking space, picnic table and grill. There are 3 restroom facilities that include sinks and flushable toilets, but no showers. No hookups are available, but a dumpstation is located in Loop 1. Limited services are available during winter months. GROUP SITES: Reservations for group campsites are required. Sites are for tent camping only. No reservations are accepted for RVs. RVs: Sites cannot accommodate vehicles more than 40 feet, including vehicles-in-tow. Full hookups are available in the surrounding areas of Gallup, NM; Monument Valley, UT; and Holbrook, AZ.
$14 - $20 / night
The campground offers a respite from the heat in a setting of aspen and mature ponderosa pine trees, approximately 6 miles south of Fort Wingate. This is the most recently renovated campground on the Mt. Taylor Ranger District. This area has a rich history of railroad logging, and the original town of McGaffey was built in the vicinity of McGaffey Lake a few miles down the road. Remember to pay attention to road conditions and your vehicle's abilities before driving off of the main road.
$5 / night
Traveler
Some shade. Clean facilities. Close parking even though the park isn’t full this time of year. The Albuquerque Balloon Festival was a couple of weeks ago. American pride shown here! Great camp store.
Traveler
We spent a few nights here. It’s not a big campground and we came in without a reservation. I don’t think reservations are possible? The sites are pretty spaced out and shaded. I think there were about 16 sites total though there might be more. There are clean pit toilets, picnic tables and fire rings. Really nice hiking / mountain bike trails. The aspens are in the trails not the campground
Traveler
Plenty of spaces and happy to get one with shade on my camper. $20, no pass discounts. Reasonably clean, fairly quiet. No complaints
TravelerThis is a great central location to both the north and south canyon road. Self pay at the entrance, $20 a night no services. The park was quiet, well treed and clean. A number of bathrooms, older but clean and well stocked. Lots of garbage pails. Dump station easy to access with working black tank sprayer. Park was 1/3 full by the evening.
Scout
Juste pour vous partager ma mésaventure(Mieux vautêtre averti pouréviter les mêmes erreurs;)) 2 points importants: 1- L'indien Howard Smith(qui ne ressemble plusà la photo de son site depuis de nombreuses années) n'accepte les paiements que sur place en cash- Donc si vousêtes contacter avant, ce sont des pirates! Il est au courant, cela lui arrive régulièrement, mais il considère que c'est pas de sa faute, surtout qu'on est européens, et que les pirates sont tous desétrangers... 2- Hogan- C'est une aventure en soit unique. Mais si je ne pensais pas avoir payer d'avance, j'aurais fait demi-tour. Un lit de camps, une petite planche sur des parpaings avec un matelas qui dépasse... Rien de bon pour passer une bonne nuit en soit! J'ai regretté de ne pas dormir dans ma tente au final. Sachant qu'onétait 6 et qu'on l'avait dit, On peut dormirà l'aise sur ces matelas tachéà 3, pas plus... Les toilettes sont des toilettes de camping car. Le camping en lui même est idéalement situés et les camping car sont donc surement content du séjour.
Ranger
We picked this free area for convenience (easy to get to from I40) and how it looked in photos.
What other reviews say about the start of the road being rough is correct. The wash areas are really poorly maintained. Once you get past this the road is pretty good.
We found a nice campsite and were able to get level in the pickup camper. Stayed two night and enjoyed the beauty.
Some complain about noise form I40, but if you come back into the area you can’t hear it.
TravelerBeautiful grove of trees. Maintenance people apparently not allowed to clean up bugs in bathrooms. Floodlights at night a bit bright.
RangerStayed here for one night on our way up to Farmington. Staff was very pleasant. We paid $41 for electric and water. Site was very nice and flat. Did have showers,pool, Wi-fi and laundry
TravelerWe came on a Sunday in July and there were only 2 other campers there. Very quiet, the only thing missing was electric outlets that only worked in 1 of the 3 restrooms, but that wasn’t an issue. Great place to camp if you plan to visit canyon de Chelly
ScoutNice campground, camp sites are nicely spaced, plenty of shade under the pines, sites have picnic tables and fire pits, clean vault toilets, well maintained campground
TravelerNeeded an overnight stay along Interstate 40 in New Mexico. Check-in was quick and easy, the sites are arranged so that RV doors are not facing the neighbor's sewage pipe, which is something I always appreciate. Most of the sites are pull-through. The park is well laid out and covered with an attractive reddish-brown gravel. The facilities were clean, the staff was pleasant. The park felt safe though the neighborhood around it is economically distressed. The park is family friendly; there is a dog-park, a nice pool, and attractive common area near the office with tables and statuary with a cute bear theme. The only negatives are not under the control of the park: trains pass by frequently day and night, and in the evening the mosquitos are voracious. My wife and I agree that we would return here.
GuideThis was an amazing place. Super family friendly. Amazingly helpful staff. I forgot my airpump for the bed and they gave me one they had so I could use it. Truly nice people.
TravelerI’m actually stuck here as I’m writing this because the rain washed out the road, and everything is so muddy. I was tired and the weather app said only a 50% chance of rain for an hour, but boy was that wrong. A nice spot besides that, close to the highway but far enough away to not have much noise. I would avoid it in the future without something 4x4 though.
RangerClaen vault toilets, well spaced and quiet sites. We'll maintained. No water. No hiking from campground. Some trails and dispersed camping 1/2 mi down road south.
Scout
Most cramped campsite I've ever seen, absolutely no privacy between sites. Staff was unhelpful when we arrived and someone was in our reserved spot (which they require reservations online). We ended up going elsewhere.
Traveler
There were several spots. We did have to drive a couple miles to get away from other campers. Was perfectly fine after a day of cross country driving. Camped in a Jeep.
TravelerThis was a great find along the 40. The road is a bit long but it follows the 40 most of the way and is accessible for most cars. Though lower clearance may need to be careful at certain points. We found that the spots were far apart so we didn't have anyone near us.
I would definitely stay here again.
GuideWe trully enjoyed our stay. Close to the sights. The campground is a little rough along the edges but the sites are great. There is a great hiking trail that starts at the campground and goes to the canyon. Howard the owner is very friendly and a wealth of information.
TravelerWent about 2 miles up the road to find the last good spot. Found a few sites off of the road before this but all occupied. We got a site for 2 RVs that protected us from an impending windstorm. Sites not very level but managed to get the RVs level enough. Thoroughly enjoyed the area. Biked 6 miles up the road. Had cell service (Verizon and T-mobile).
TravelerI stayed at the main camp ground. Some sites were right on top each other. It was clean and well cared for. I was there in April and it was not full, so the sites being right wasn't and issue for me. I didn't take the trails, but by what I could tell they were well marked. If you have the time do explore some beauty in those rocks!
ScoutBeautiful spot hard to find
ScoutStayed for ten days only saw three other campers. Very peaceful, rough in and out but made it with ease. wAtch out if it rains very muddy roads
TravelerPaved roads and pads, picnic tables, picnic fire pits, flush bathrooms, water and sewer (1 per loop), all in a beautifully trees setting. Birds singing. Conveniently located near the visitor’s centre and at the halfway point where you choose the north or south scenic drive.
ScoutGreat Spot! Clean and easy to find. A bit bumpy to access. 2WD will only bring you to the first two sites. We were told from another camper that for all others you will need 4WD . Also it seems the access can become muddy after rain. You will probably need 4WD in that case too.
GuideFound this using this app. Spent three days/ two nights here. Set up by the little canyon and hiked down. Very peaceful.
GuideThe area is beautiful with a winding road that takes you farther if you want to go. I drove in about .25 mile and found a nice spot that others had used as a camp site.
The road getting to Six Mile Canyon is a little rough due to ruts, but we did fine in a Class C. Just went really slowly.
RangerJust off & along the interstate, you’d never know. The valley road cuts through green canyon bluffs and rolling hills with good tree coverage. Lots of fun and scenic driving. Spur trails are good 4x4 drives. The main road is 2wd friendly for a long way, with probably 10-15 camping sites/options along the way. Very beautiful and peaceful.
Camping near Fort Defiance, Arizona, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural experiences. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to unwind and explore.
Camping near Fort Defiance, Arizona, offers a mix of adventure and relaxation. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you can find the perfect spot for your next outdoor getaway.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Fort Defiance, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Fort Defiance, AZ offers a wide range of camping options, with 19 campgrounds and RV parks near Fort Defiance, AZ and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Fort Defiance, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Fort Defiance, AZ is USA RV Park with a 4.5-star rating from 48 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Fort Defiance, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Fort Defiance, AZ.
What parks are near Fort Defiance, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Fort Defiance, AZ that allow camping, notably Canyon De Chelly National Monument and El Morro National Monument.
