Primitive camping near Gray Mountain, Arizona provides access to high-elevation forests between 7,000-7,500 feet where temperatures drop significantly after sunset. Summer daytime temperatures typically range from 70-85°F, while nights can dip into the 40s even in July and August. The volcanic soil in many areas creates dusty conditions during dry periods and potentially muddy terrain following monsoon rains.
What to do
Visit Grand Canyon's east entrance: Forest Service Road 328 Dispersed camping sits about 10 minutes from Grand Canyon National Park's entrance. "Great spots. Long road with lots of pull offs. I doubt you would have any issues ever finding a spot here no matter how busy it gets. Closest free camping to the entrance of the grand canyon," notes one camper at Forest Service Road 328 Dispersed.
Watch wildlife at dawn and dusk: Early mornings and evenings increase chances for elk and deer sightings. A camper at Coconino Rim Road reports, "We did see herds of elk late in the evenings and early mornings. The ranger that stopped by to check on us was very nice. He said they have to truck water in for the elk now, as there are no longer any natural water sources for them."
Explore volcanic landscapes: The area's cinder cones and lava fields create unique hiking opportunities. "I drove in deeper than the spot listed and found a little place tucked into trees at (35.9710940, -111.8073700). Rutted dirt road, but manageable with most cars. Saw a few off-road vehicles in a week, but mostly very quiet and beautiful," a visitor at Kaibab Forest Dispersed FR 682 shares.
What campers like
Temperature relief: Higher elevations provide cooler conditions than surrounding desert areas. At Cinder Hills Off Highway Vehicle Area, a camper notes, "It's much cooler at night than surrounding areas so a huge plus. Simple dirt road with some bumps and ruts but any 2wd car will be okay."
Spacious isolation: Many sites allow for wide spacing between campers. "When you first pull into the road there's an open lot but if you drive back there are individual marked campsites. They are very private and quiet, some even had spots for campfires. Quick 15 min drive from the east entrance of the Grand Canyon," explains a visitor at Kaibab Forest Dispersed FR 682.
Star visibility: Minimal light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing. A camper at Coconino Rim Road Dispersed Camping mentions "Beautiful trees, nice dark sky with a million stars and a stones throw to the south rim. Would highly recommend."
What you should know
Variable road conditions: Access roads deteriorate after wet weather. At Dispersed Camping around Sunset Crater Volcano NM, a camper advises, "The FS dirt road is a little challenging, but I got through it in my campervan without going into 4-wheel drive. Might be a different story if it's muddy."
Fire restrictions change seasonally: Check current fire regulations before arrival. "Due to the decades long drought, there is usually a fire ban in the area," notes a Coconino Rim Road camper.
Early arrival recommended: Popular areas fill quickly, especially on weekends. "If you stay here on the weekends and plan to go to the park, get up early. The lines are insane! There's plenty of spots, we never ran into not finding a spot and we got in pretty late," advises a Forest Service Road 328 visitor.
Cell service varies by location: Coverage depends on terrain and provider. "AT&T coverage was weird, varying between 4 bars of LTE service, to 4 bars of 4G, to 4 bars of 3G(mostly), to no service and speeds wildly varying as well, ranging from nothing up to about 2 MB/s," reports a Coconino Rim Road camper.
Tips for camping with families
Scout sites before committing: Walk potential camping areas before driving in. "I've been in some pretty bad roads for dispersed camping but this one takes the cake. These are by far the worst roads and not well marked spots for camping," warns a Kaibab Forest FR 682 visitor, highlighting why reconnaissance helps with children.
Pack extra water: No potable water exists at these primitive sites. "Great spots but make sure you have all supplies with you as there is nothing available at the site," advises a regular Forest Service Road 328 camper.
Monitor nighttime temperatures: Evening temperatures drop dramatically, especially in spring and fall. A camper at FR 222 Dispersed notes, "We were here the end of April and it was a little chilly but not uncomfortable. The surrounding forest is BEAUTIFUL and you can get peaks of the mountains through the trees."
Tips from RVers
Length limitations: Many forest roads have tight turns unsuitable for large rigs. "WE CAME, WE SAW, WE LEFT. Contrary to many reviews, we only saw maybe two sites that had sufficient space for our large 44' rig and F250, and the trees at site entrances were too close together, with the clearance under some branches not sufficient for a 14' plus rig," reports a visitor at Lockett Meadow Dispersed Camping.
Leveling challenges: Volcanic terrain creates uneven surfaces. "We have a 36' Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and parked and dropped just past the entrance to the NF, then went to scout for a site that would accommodate us," explains a Coconino Rim Road camper, demonstrating proper site selection techniques.
Dust management: Prepare for significant dust during dry periods. "The sites were large and clean. Very peaceful," notes a Forest Road 307P visitor, but many RVers recommend closing windows during high traffic periods to prevent dust accumulation inside vehicles.
