Matt G.
Ranger
RangerForest Service Road #200 Dispersed Camping
Great spot about an hour from the north rim. Good cell coverage an big enough area to fit any vehicle. Right off main road an the little bit of gravel isnt bad.
Dispersed Camping near Jacob Lake, AZ
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Several forest service roads near Jacob Lake, Arizona offer free dispersed camping in ponderosa pine forest. Roads #247, #225, #257, #248, and #205 all provide accessible primitive sites within minutes of Highway 89A. Most locations have established fire rings but no other amenities except for vault toilets at the Arizona Trail trailhead across from FS Road #257. Cell service is surprisingly good throughout the area due to nearby towers.
Road conditions are generally suitable for most vehicles, with well-maintained gravel surfaces on main forest roads. Several sites accommodate larger RVs and trailers, particularly along Forest Road #247 and #248, though some secondary roads narrow considerably after the first mile. Weather significantly impacts accessibility—these high-elevation sites experience below-freezing temperatures from October through April. A review noted, "Road is rough but drove a 27' RV just fine, we just went slow." The Jacob Lake Inn, offering fuel, food and supplies, is within five miles of most camping areas.
Best Dispersed Campgrounds near Jacob Lake (76)
1. Forest Service #247 Road Dispersed Camping
"The location is literally a few minutes off the 89A, not too hard to miss the service road turn off."
"FS road #247 is a nice gravel road in for about a mile, after that it narrows just past an open area with gravel piles...would not go much past with a TT without a recon first. 3-4 nice sites on the flats"
2. Forest Service #225 Road Dispersed Camping
"This is FS road #225 and from hwy 89a jct on way to Jacob lake about 2-3 miles away."
"Nice dispersed campsite in the ponderosa pines. Easy to access off the main road. Convenient for any adventures in Arizona/Utah border area!"
3. Jacob Lake 89A Dispersed
"Within walking distance of the Jacob Lake Inn (have to walk on the side of the highway but traffic is not bad). It is a beautiful spot, lots of flat level room under the trees."
"Some road noise but easily accessible and great cell service."
4. Forest Service Road #205 Lower Dispersed Camping
"This area was exceptionally clean, even for dispersed camping. I only saw one other person turn off the highway and travel down the road while I was there."
"FS Road #205 at Hwy 89ais also a trailhead for the Arizona Trail. There is a kiosk and a vault toilet of at the trailhead area. The dispersed sites are along FS road #205 as you head west."
5. Forest Service Road #200 Dispersed Camping
"Forest Service #200 road is about 4 miles south of Jacob Lake on Hwy 67. This is a nice flat ridge that is forested and has dispersed sites with good shade and good cell signal on Verizon."
"Spots were fairly easy to find and there were other folks around but not too close. Nice shaded area. You could still hear traffic on the main road but it didn’t bother us."
6. Forest Service Rd #205/225 Upper Dispersed Camping
"This is FS road #205/225 and is the access to an Arizona Trailhead. The FS road is very good graded gravely and runs along a wide flat forested ridge."
"This site offers dispersed camping along forest road with drive up sites."
7. FS Road #257 Dispersed Camping
"FS road #257 is on the Kaibab NF motor vehicle use map (https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/kaibab/maps-pubs/?cid=fseprd490027) as open to public."
"Easy to access spots. The campsite was large and had a big fire ring. Slightly sloping, took some work to find a relatively level spot. Surrounded by pines. Can hear road noise. Att 4G lte, 2 bars."
8. Forest Road 248 Campsite
"Great dispersed sites if you get about 1/2 -1 mi from 89a. The pines offer shade. Great cell service for some weird reason (verizon 4 bars?!)"
"We loved the forest feel and the trail riding as we typically come with ATVs. There is a gas station 5 minutes from the site"
9. Forest Road 248 Dispersed #2
"Free dispersed camping in the pines along forest road 248. Several good sites 1/2 to 1 mi from road"
10. NF 200A Dispersed
"and wind advisory for a few days and this awesome site gives us a breeze without the whiplash of the high winds we can still hear over the tree tops Supposedly there was a tank and flowing water in nearby"
Drive Time
- 1 hr 39 min from St. George, UT
- 2 hrs 32 min from Flagstaff, AZ
- 3 hrs 22 min from Las Vegas, NV
- 3 hrs 45 min from Prescott Valley, AZ
Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Jacob Lake, AZ
163 Photos of 76 Jacob Lake Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Forest Service Road #205 Lower Dispersed Camping
NF 200A Dispersed
Jacob Lake 89A DispersedW
Forest Road 248 Campsite
Forest Service #247 Road Dispersed Camping
Forest Service #225 Road Dispersed CampingJ
Jacob's Pool Dispersed Site
East Rim Camp on Forest Road 611B
Forest Road 611
North Timp Point
NF-22 Dispersed Campsitej
Dispersed Camping Reviews near Jacob Lake, AZ
388 Reviews of 76 Jacob Lake Campgrounds
Tom
ScoutOld Highway 89 Dispersed BLM Site
Stayed multiple nights. Perfect location to nearby attractions / the town of Kanab. I was on arguably one of the closest sites to the Highway and road noise was not an issue. Cell service for T-Mobile: only if you are close to the highway. I recommend turning in off the highway and taking the first right hand turn and following it all the way down (youll drive on what asphalt remains of the old highway) and there a single spot about 1 mile down that road that is nice, private, secluded, and only may have 4x4 going up / down the hill next to you. No other traffic.
- Seren W.
GuideWhite House Free Camping
Spacious and Starry
As others have said the night sky and stargazing is amazing here. We found the road to the sites a bit difficult due to some rain that day but still manageable. I started by parking at the information area and walked the road to make sure it wasn’t too washed out. We loved waking up to the rock formations off in the distance as we did get in after dark.
- JJaime F.Scout
Old Highway 89 Dispersed BLM Site
Super scenic
Level ground. Need clearance to get up to the spots.
Nicole R.GuideHancock Road 64L Dispersed
Perfect Spot
This spot was right off the road but still felt private. There is not a lot of places to camp but there was plenty of room for our truck & trailer. The coral sand was beautiful.
- RRichard J.Scout
BLM Road #71 Gravel Pit Dispersed - BLM
Beautiful panoramic view.
We had to drive through pot holes and across mud and water to get to the sites, but we'll worth it. Some road noise, but not bad.
Brett H.
TravelerMt Carmel Old 89 Dispersed Camping
Large area
Camped Saturday night. Large area. Only a handful of other campers. Great place to star gaze!
tooth W.GuideCorral Dispersed — Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Corral Desert Dispersed
Easy to get to just off highway 89. Surreal views that do not end
Robbey D.GuideVermillion Cliffs AZ 89A
Desert Oasis
Beautiful area, not busy at all. Gas and a small store near by. I highly recommend the local hikes they're worth the drive.
Guide to Jacob Lake
Dispersed camping near Jacob Lake, Arizona sits at elevations above 8,000 feet, creating a cool forest retreat during summer months when desert areas swelter. The ponderosa pine forests surrounding these rustic campsites experience temperature swings of 30-40°F between day and night, even in summer. Winter camping is challenging as snowfall typically begins by late October and can continue through April, with accumulations making many forest roads impassable.
What to do
Hike the Arizona Trail: The Arizona Trail crosses near several dispersed camping areas, with a trailhead and vault toilet accessible from Forest Service Road #205 Lower Dispersed Camping. "There's vault toilets to the left just after you turn right (south) from 89a," notes reviewer Staci W., adding "You're not far from the Jacob Lake Inn if you fancy yourself a hot meal or a pastry when they're open."
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. At Forest Service #247 Road Dispersed Camping, campers report seeing "deer and turkeys nearby," according to Momo H., while others mention hearing wildlife movements after dark.
Stargazing: Clear mountain air and minimal light pollution create excellent stargazing conditions. A camper at Jacob Lake 89A Dispersed mentioned finding "a great private spot under the stars and surrounded by large pines," perfect for nighttime sky viewing.
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Most dispersed areas offer ample room between campsites. At Forest Service #225 Road Dispersed Camping, campers appreciate "nice dispersed campsite in the ponderosa pines" with "large open sites amongst the trees," as Fortune O. notes, "A much enjoyed relief after days in the desert. Nice open wonderfully with plenty of shade."
Good connectivity: Despite the remote forest setting, many sites maintain usable cell service. A reviewer at Forest Service Rd #205/225 Upper Dispersed Camping mentions, "Cell signal is mixed and dependent on your provider and line of sight to Jacob lake area. Verizon and Tmobile worked for me, but my att phone did not."
Moderate temperatures: The high elevation provides relief from summer desert heat. Mark F. at Forest Road 248 Campsite enjoyed "80F summer temps are wonderful with the breeze and shade. Peaceful."
What you should know
Road conditions vary: While main forest roads are generally well-maintained, side roads deteriorate quickly. Benjamin notes at Forest Service #225 Road that "the forest road is clearly marked ahead of time but the road leading south is so rutted it is treacherous for anything low clearance."
Fire regulations: Fire restrictions change frequently based on conditions. Taylor at FS Road #257 Dispersed Camping mentions "This site had a fire ring," but always check current fire restrictions at the Kaibab National Forest website before your trip.
Winter conditions: Snow and freezing temperatures arrive early and stay late. A camper at Forest Service Road #225 notes the area "snows here quite a bit in the winter due to elevation," while another reported that "it gets very cold at night so keep that in mind for camping."
Tips for camping with families
Proximity to facilities: Jacob Lake 89A Dispersed offers convenience for families. Walther D. reports it's "within walking distance of the Jacob Lake Inn (have to walk on the side of the highway but traffic is not bad)" and concludes, "IMO it is better than the campground just up a bit, sure there are no toilets but Jacob Lake campground has pit toilets so are you really giving up much?"
Off-leash pet areas: Some sites provide space for pets to roam safely. Fortune O. at Forest Service #225 Road appreciated being "far enough from the highway and no other campers in sight. We did hear some wildlife in the night, possibly wolves (judging from the hotel we heard) so keep your pets inside at night."
Day trip base: The dispersed camping areas make excellent bases for family excursions. Kevin S. mentions, "About an hour and half to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. Along our trip there, we also went to Vermillion Cliffs/Marble Canyon. Very beautiful, must see places."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For larger rigs, stick to main forest roads. At Forest Road 248 Dispersed #2, mark F. found "several good sites 1/2 to 1 mi from road" suitable for various RV sizes.
Level spots: Most areas have relatively flat terrain, but preparation helps. Laura M. notes, "Spot was flat enough and we managed to scoot around enough and find a flat spot without getting out our levels."
Accessibility considerations: Tight turns and rough roads can challenge larger vehicles. At Forest Service #247 Road, a reviewer advised, "The FS road #247 is a nice gravel road in for about a mile, after that it narrows just past an open area with gravel piles...would not go much past with a TT without a recon first."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best dispersed camping spots near Jacob Lake?
Where are the best dispersed camping spots near Jacob Lake?
Several excellent dispersed camping options exist near Jacob Lake. Forest Service Road #200 Dispersed Camping is located about 4 miles south of Jacob Lake on Highway 67, offering flat, forested sites with good shade and Verizon cell signal. Another popular option is Forest Road 611, which has spots along the road - some on the rim and others in the forest. The area accommodates various camper sizes, though sections near the end require high clearance 4x4 vehicles. Additional quality spots can be found on Forest Service roads #205, #225, #247, and #257, all featuring graded gravel roads with scattered camping opportunities in the Kaibab National Forest.
What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping at Jacob Lake?
What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping at Jacob Lake?
Dispersed camping in the Jacob Lake area follows standard Forest Service regulations. At Forest Service Rd #205/225 Upper Dispersed Camping, camping must be at least 1 mile from designated campgrounds and 200 feet from water sources. FS Road #257 Dispersed Camping is open to public use per Kaibab National Forest motor vehicle use maps. The standard 14-day stay limit applies throughout the area. Campfires are permitted when fire restrictions aren't in place, but use existing fire rings when possible. Practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash. No permits are required, but camping is only allowed in previously used sites. Stay on designated roads and don't create new driving paths.
Is there access to water or other amenities when dispersed camping at Jacob Lake?
Is there access to water or other amenities when dispersed camping at Jacob Lake?
Dispersed camping areas near Jacob Lake typically don't provide amenities. Forest Service #247 Road Dispersed Camping and other nearby dispersed sites lack toilets, water, tables, designated sites, metal fire rings, or dumpsters. At Soap Creek - Dispersed Camping, you'll enjoy beautiful views but no facilities. Plan to bring all necessary water for your stay, as natural water sources are limited and unreliable. The Jacob Lake Inn (not a campground) is the closest location for purchasing basic supplies. Cell service varies by location - Verizon works well in some areas like Forest Service Road #200, but coverage can be spotty elsewhere. For any amenities, you'll need to be self-sufficient or visit nearby towns.
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