Best Dispersed Camping near Kaibab National Forest
Across Arizona's Kaibab National Forest, dispersed camping gives you places to stay without the structure of regular campgrounds. You'll find spots like Kaibab National Forest City Park Campground and the Recreation Area where you can camp in the backcountry, but you need to bring everything you'll need since there are no bathrooms or water sources. Following Leave No Trace practices helps keep these areas natural for everyone. You must camp at least 200 feet from any water or roads, and you can't stay longer than 14 days in one spot. Many forest roads get rough and rutted, so higher clearance vehicles work best for reaching most areas. Bears and other wildlife roam the forest, so hanging food or using bear canisters makes sense. During summer and fall, fire bans often go into effect - always check with the ranger district before planning to have a campfire. These quiet sites let you avoid the crowds you'd find at developed campgrounds. Remember that whatever you bring in needs to go back out with you. The Kaibab National Forest Area State Park has similar wild camping with the same rules. The Grand Canyon sits just 30-45 minutes from many dispersed sites, making day trips easy. Both the Sonoran Desert and Colorado River lie within driving distance for side trips. Sometimes permits are needed in certain areas, so call the ranger station before heading out. Pack extra water - at least a gallon per person per day - since you won't find any sources in the forest. This type of camping works well if you want space to yourself and time in nature.
