Cottonwood Campground offers rustic camping options near Canyon de Chelly National Monument, approximately 10 miles from Chinle, Arizona. Sites feature cottonwood trees providing natural shade during warmer months. The campground operates seasonally from October through April, with tent and RV camping available for $20 per night. No hookups are provided, but the facility maintains flush toilets and a dump station.
What to do
Explore canyon viewpoints: Canyon de Chelly features scenic drives along both North and South Rim roads with multiple overlooks. "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," notes Laura M. from Cottonwood Campground.
Visit White House Trail: This 2.5-mile round-trip trail descends 600 feet into the canyon to ancient cliff dwellings. "Just about each pull off has native vendors selling handmade art and goods," according to one camper who visited the South Rim drive.
Horseback riding: Guided tours into restricted areas of the canyon provide cultural insights. "We road horses with Justin's Horses, and it is really close too," mentions Ann M. from Cottonwood Campground. Tours typically range from 2-4 hours and require advance booking.
What campers like
Proximity to attractions: The convenient location provides easy access to canyon exploration. "This is a really nice peaceful campground at the entrance of the Canyon de Chelly National Monument," says a visitor at Cottonwood Campground.
Cultural experiences: The area offers opportunities to learn about Navajo culture and history. "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," reports Francois T. at Spider Rock Campground.
Seasonal beauty: Fall visitors particularly enjoy the changing foliage. "Well-spaced sites under gorgeous cottonwood trees in bright yellow fall foliage," describes Catherine S., though she cautions those with allergies to be aware.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Water availability changes with the seasons. "Water refill station was closed for the winter," notes Teresa A. who stayed at Cottonwood Campground during winter months.
Cultural regulations: The campgrounds operate on Navajo Nation land with specific rules. "This is Navajo Nation and there is no alcohol or marijuana use allowed, and there are loose dogs hanging out everywhere," advises Laura M.
Limited amenities: Facilities remain basic with no electrical hookups. "The campground could be better, the grasse in the site needed to be mowed," reports Robert A. from USA RV Park who used it as a base for exploring Canyon de Chelly.
Terrain challenges: The desert environment presents specific difficulties. "Be aware there are thorny Goat heads all over, our dog had a tough time," warns Ken K. who camped in early February.
Tips for camping with families
Consider glamping options near Ganado, Arizona: For families seeking more comfortable accommodations, glamping provides a middle-ground solution. USA RV Park offers cabin options approximately an hour from Ganado. "They had all of the amenities I wanted, showers, clean bathrooms, lots of pull through sites, and a pool," reports Mike F.
Plan for hot days: The region experiences significant heat during summer months. "It is sparse and fairly packed. It doesn't have a ton of vegetation as it is in the desert so expect dirty and hot," advises Tom K.
Pizza delivery available: Some campgrounds accept food delivery services. "We were able to get pizza delivered to our RV site which was a big hit with the kids," shares Nicole B. who stayed at USA RV Park while traveling through the area.
Security awareness: Take precautions with valuables. "Be careful what you leave out, theft here is a problem, we had our bumper hitch stolen while we were in town shopping," cautions Robert A.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Larger rigs may face challenges at some campgrounds. "We have a 28' 5th wheel and after looking at the potential spots, had to back our way out. There is no way to turn around," warns Bob & Ramona F. about Spider Rock Campground.
Dump station access: "Dump station easy to access with working black tank sprayer," reports Christine Z. about Cottonwood Campground facilities, noting it was clean and well-maintained.
Level sites: Minimal leveling equipment needed at some locations. "Our site was mostly level so we used our small curved levelers on one side," notes Susan R., though she cautions that sites at USA RV Park are "VERY close together."
Off-season camping: Winter visitors report quieter experiences. "We were here in early February. We had the place almost to ourselves," shares Ken K. about Cottonwood Campground.
