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Best Tent Camping near Fort Defiance, AZ

165 Reviews

Tent camping options near Fort Defiance, Arizona include several established campgrounds across the Navajo Nation reservation. Hunters Point Campground, Antelope Lake Campground, and Ganado Lake Campground provide basic sites for tent campers in this high desert region. Most sites are within a 30-mile radius of Fort Defiance, with South Shore Campground and Buffalo Pass Campground situated north of the community. These tent-only areas typically have minimal infrastructure and require campers to be self-sufficient.

Campers should arrive prepared with all necessary supplies as amenities are extremely limited at these primitive campgrounds. None of the area campgrounds offer drinking water, toilet facilities, or trash collection services. Buffalo Pass Campground does feature picnic tables and allows campfires, while most other sites in the region prohibit fires entirely. Access varies by location, with Buffalo Pass offering walk-in tent sites that require hiking gear to reach. The area experiences high desert climate conditions with cold winters, hot summers, and the possibility of sudden weather changes. Permits may be required for camping on tribal lands, though specific requirements are not indicated for these campgrounds.

The tent camping experience in this region offers solitude and undeveloped natural settings. Buffalo Pass Campground provides picnic tables and allows pets, setting it apart from other area campgrounds. A review mentioned "trash everywhere" at Buffalo Pass, suggesting maintenance issues may affect the camping experience. The sites offer a base for exploring the remarkable landscape of the Navajo Nation, with its distinctive geology and cultural significance. Tent campers should practice strict Leave No Trace principles due to the lack of facilities and apparent maintenance challenges. Most of these tent camping areas lack crowds but also lack basic infrastructure, making them suitable primarily for experienced backcountry tent campers comfortable with self-sufficient camping.

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Best Tent Sites Near Fort Defiance, Arizona (7)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Fort Defiance, AZ

165 Reviews of 7 Fort Defiance Campgrounds

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 6, 2022

    Cottonwood Campground

    Nice & Right Outside of Canyon de Chelly

    This is a really nice peaceful campground at the entrance of the Canyon de Chelly National Monument.  Canyon de Chelly is beautiful and amazing and worth going out of your way for.  Be sure to pre arrange with an authorized tour guide, if you want to go down into the canyon. We didn't plan ahead and didn't get to go down, though driving all the way to the end of the canyon (we went along the south side) was beautiful on its own.  Just about each pull off has native vendors selling handmade art and goods.

    $14/night (cash only!) for a tent site, and $5 for day use. Camp fee includes use of dump station and water fill, but heads up that the water is turned off for the winter. Dump station open year round.

    There are flush toilets but no showers. 2 of the restrooms were closed for the winter as well. 

    Sites come with a picnic table and grill, no fire rings (fires not allowed here). There is no privacy or any kind of barrier between sites. It was not a big deal when we were here as there were only a few other campers, but I could see it feeling crowded during busy season. Some sites have a lot of shade and some are in full sun, so there’s something for everyone. 

    Heads up - this is Navajo Nation and there is no alcohol or marijuana use allowed, and there are loose dogs hanging out everywhere. 

    ATT had LTE, and Verizon and TMobile were roaming.

  • Elsa L.
    Sep. 3, 2021

    Cottonwood Campground

    Cottonwood Camphround

    We stayed at this campground at Canyon De Chelly in a 35' Motorhome towing. No hook up but there is a dump station & potable water. Restrooms & showers are available & clean. Barbecue & picnic table at every site. $14 a day. They only accept cash. It was quiet & clean. Great place to stay and explore the Canyon.

  • J
    May. 12, 2023

    Cottonwood Campground

    Canyon de Chelly campground

    Slightly run down campground with clean bathrooms, flush toilets, no showers, no hookups. Dump station with water fill. The dispersed water fills not working. Close to visitor center but no views from campsite. Good shade trees. No problem getting site around 4:30p on a Thursday in May.

  • J
    Jul. 21, 2024

    Quaking Aspen Campground

    Nice campground

    Nice 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

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 6, 2024

    Quaking Aspen Campground

    Great sites no direct hiking

    Claen 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.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2024

    Quaking Aspen Campground

    Nice location

    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

  • Tyler G.
    Jun. 23, 2016

    Quaking Aspen Campground

    Wonderful Base to Explore the Hidden Beauty of the Zuni Mountains

    We used this campground as a starting point for a research trip sampling Precambrian rocks of the Zuni Mountains. I hadn't spent much time in this part of New Mexico, and assumed that the trip was going to be hot and sun-bleached, similar to the desert exposed in nearby Gallup, NM. I was surprised to drive into a beautiful forest just a few minutes off I40.

    The campsite includes basic forest service amenities: pit toilets, picnic tables, and metal-rimmed fire pit/grill sites. What set this apart from other non-hosted campsites for me was the condition of the grounds. The tent camping sites had well maintained, leveled tent pads, maintained gravel roads, and clean facilities. The Sites offered a reasonable degree of privacy, although some of the sites near the middle of the loop road place you in close proximity to your neighbor. The area is moderately wooded with pine and aspen, providing shade throughout the day and easy access to the dirt road that transects the Zuni Mountains, letting you out near the Bandera volcano and ice cave, which is a wonderful drive if you have a high clearance/4x4 and time to drive through.

    We saw abundant wildlife while working in the Zunis, including several brown bears, deer, and elk. While we didn't have any run ins with these guy in camp, be aware that large animals are present in the area and be sure to take necessary bear-proofing precautions.

    Camp fees were $5/night, which is quite the bargain given the well-kept grounds and wonderful scenery. If you're looking for a less-traveled escape from Albuquerque, or just want the chance to explore the under-valued Zuni mountains and western New Mexico landscape (and some pretty interesting geologic features such as orbicular granite), this campground is an excellent place to spend some time on the cheap.

    Photos included are from the Zunis south of the campsite, as I didn't think to take any photos while we were at camp.

  • Q
    Jun. 21, 2019

    Wheatfields Lake Campground

    High traffic low privacy

    Indian Route 12 runs north to south and bisects the wheatfields lake and the main campground areas. Overnight camping and fires are discouraged along the lake but people get away with it. There is sporadic night traffic on the roadway throughout the night and it is sometimes loud. The campsites are hit and miss. Some have old dilapidated picnic tables and along with sandstone fire rings or barriers. The roads to the campsite are not graded and over time roads have been created through campsites with no regard.

    There are 3 compost type toilet facilities at various parts of the lake. No running water. There are some trash receptacles but most leave their trash in piles next to the receptacles because the chutes to the receptacles are about 12x12 and wont accommodate a large trash bag. There are numerous stray dogs in the area that take advantage of the trash piles.

    Fishing: I have only seen small rainbow trout. Stockers from the Navajo Hatchery in Toadlena NM. There is no motorized access to the east side of the lake as it was blocked off years back by metal tube barriers.

    Too many rude fishers and kids running around unchecked. Fiddling with your fishing area and fishing gear.

  • Robert G.
    Jun. 11, 2023

    McGaffey Campground

    Tall trees, far from I40, clean bathrooms

    Great little campground if you love quiet. No hookups whatsoever so fill your water before you get here. The restrooms are some of the cleanest we’ve seen so there’s a big plus! The forest service website says 22’ max trailer but that’s not what we found! I’m in a 38’ motor home and there were NO tight spots at all! Site 10 is back in but we had 30’ to spare. No tow car this time. There’s an east 3 mile trail for those who like to hike/walk. You are 10 miles from I40 so no vehicular noise to deal with. NO cell service - at least AT&T so bring your Starlink if you’ve got it.

Guide to Fort Defiance

Tent camping near Fort Defiance, Arizona, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes and serene environments of the region. With several campgrounds catering to tent campers, you can find the perfect spot to unwind and connect with nature.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • South Shore Campground allows campfires and welcomes pets, making it a great choice for families and friends looking to enjoy a cozy evening outdoors.
  • Buffalo Pass Campground features picnic tables and permits alcohol, perfect for those who want to relax and enjoy a meal in the great outdoors.
  • Wagon Wheel Campground offers a private setting for tent campers, ensuring a peaceful experience away from the hustle and bustle.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • At Antelope Lake Campground, you can enjoy fishing and hiking, surrounded by the beautiful Arizona landscape.
  • Hunters Point Campground provides access to water activities, making it ideal for those who love boating and swimming.
  • Ganado Lake Campground is perfect for wildlife watching, offering a chance to see local fauna in their natural habitat.

Tips for tent camping near Fort Defiance

  • When visiting South Shore Campground, be prepared for a bit of a trek to access the site, as a 4x4 vehicle is recommended for the best experience.
  • At Buffalo Pass Campground, keep an eye out for litter, as some visitors have noted cleanliness issues; bringing a trash bag can help keep the area tidy.
  • For a more secluded experience, consider Black Pinnacle Campground, where you can enjoy a quieter atmosphere away from crowded sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Fort Defiance, AZ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Fort Defiance, AZ is Hunters Point Campground with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Fort Defiance, AZ?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Fort Defiance, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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