Best Campgrounds near Kayenta, AZ

Kayenta's surroundings feature several campgrounds that accommodate diverse camping preferences, with notable sites like Navajo National Monument Canyon View Campground and Monument Valley KOA. The Monument Valley area offers tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin rentals within driving distance of Kayenta. Many mixed-use campgrounds in the region provide amenities ranging from primitive sites with vault toilets to established facilities with showers, while dispersed camping options exist in areas like Valley of the Gods and near Mexican Hat for those seeking more remote experiences.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with some campgrounds accessible via paved roads while others require navigating dirt roads that may become challenging after rainfall. "This has to be one of the best free campgrounds I have ever been to. Paved roads, paved sites and a bathhouse. Plus a fabulous view," noted one camper about Sunset View Campground. Seasonal considerations affect camping experiences, with most sites open year-round but experiencing temperature extremes—summer highs can exceed 100°F while winter nights often drop below freezing. Cell service varies by location, with limited connectivity at more remote sites. Several campgrounds in the Navajo Nation require permits or have specific regulations visitors must follow.

The Monument Valley region draws campers seeking dramatic scenery, with sandstone formations creating distinctive vistas particularly stunning at sunrise and sunset. Visitors frequently mention the exceptional stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. According to one review, "The night sky and the sunset were fabulous!" Campers should note that fire restrictions are common in this arid region, with many sites prohibiting open flames or limiting fires to designated grills. Wildlife encounters may include desert species adapted to the high desert environment. Camping areas throughout the region tend to fill up during spring and fall when temperatures are most moderate, while summer heat and winter cold result in fewer visitors during those seasons.

Best Camping Sites Near Kayenta, Arizona (24)

    1. Gouldings RV and Campground

    40 Reviews
    Monument Valley, UT
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 727-3235

    "If you get to the campgrounds early enough you can set up a tent at the edge. This way you will have a clear view of Monument Valley with no other tents or distractions in the way."

    "Simple but lovely campground with an incredible location, setting, and view.

    We were fortunate to visit in February and had the park nearly to ourselves."

    2. Navajo National Monument Canyon View Campground

    21 Reviews
    Shonto, AZ
    16 miles
    Website

    "Arrived around 5pm and there were several sites to choose from. I went with Site 2 as no one was in Site 1 and it was close to the bathrooms."

    "Rolled in around 2PM, it was nearly empty. Great CG. Staff at the Visitor Center was very friendly."

    3. Hummingbird Campground

    24 Reviews
    Monument Valley, UT
    21 miles
    +1 (435) 444-5714

    $30 / night

    "It was super close to entrance of Monument valley. Soft sand for tents that made it super comfortable and they even have an amazing hike- we did it at sunrise and loved it."

    "Was looking for a spot close to Monument Valley and came across this gem. It is located in the property of a Navajo Family. There are 8-10 spots on their property."

    4. Monument Valley KOA

    24 Reviews
    Monument Valley, UT
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 562-3424

    $45 - $100 / night

    "Good location near the monument valley entrance and the border of utah and Arizona. This place is great and has everything you need."

    "Pros: Super Close to Monument valley, friendly staff, clean 24hr facilities, running water. Beautiful view if the stars and planets."

    5. The View Campground

    19 Reviews
    Monument Valley, AZ
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 727-5555

    $20 - $180 / night

    "The View Campground is located in Monument Valley on the Navajo Tribal land. There is an additional $5 fee to enter the tribal area, in addition to the camping fee."

    "And lucky for us, a high, bright moon made it easy to see and get around, and provided one of the most majestic views of the rock formations i can imagine."

    6. Sleeping Bear Campground

    18 Reviews
    Monument Valley, UT
    26 miles
    +1 (435) 444-7777

    $20 / night

    "Having drove past the packed KOA campground in Monument Vally, we arrived at Sleeping Bear with huge smiles on our faces... couldn't believe what a beautiful location it was and only one other van there"

    "Grill and picnic tables close by. Entire site to ourselves absolutely perfect."

    7. Arrowhead Campground

    6 Reviews
    Monument Valley, UT
    21 miles
    +1 (928) 637-4650

    $30 / night

    "Great little campground, located super close to the entrance to monument valley trail. Each camp has a picnic table, fire pit and little shaded gazebo.

    Only a few (5-6?)"

    "There are a few families close to the entrance to the park that have small campgrounds. From what I can see, this one is the best."

    8. Goosenecks State Park Campground

    31 Reviews
    Mexican Hat, UT
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 678-2238

    $10 / night

    "THE KEY is the drive off road AROUND the edge of the canyon away from the official campground. Plenty of space and you camp right on the edge of the canyon. Incredible views and experience."

    "You get to walk around at the edge of the cliffs."

    9. Dispersed Mexican Hat Camping

    36 Reviews
    Mexican Hat, UT
    39 miles
    Website

    "Better ones if you go down the hill behind Mexican Hat rock next to the river. Lots to explore. Seen a bunch of deer."

    "Road condition: probably want all wheel drive, but you might get to some spots without it

    Fee: there’s a hand-painted sign that says to pay online but it was unclear who manages the site."

    10. Valley of the Gods Dispersed Camping

    47 Reviews
    Mexican Hat, UT
    46 miles
    Website

    "Bathrooms are located next to one campsite but are easily in walking distance of all campsites. Good amount of space in between neighbors so one can choose whether to be private or socialize."

    "I camped right up next to the rooster butte, the rocks there added a degree of privacy. Went on some great hikes around the spot."

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Recent Reviews near Kayenta, AZ

327 Reviews of 24 Kayenta Campgrounds


  • Hans V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Goosenecks State Park Campground

    Amazing river

    Basic but cheap (10 dollar) campsite. Only amenities are pit toilets, camp tables and fire ring. The view down the double meander of the river is scary but nice. Windy when we were there

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Gouldings RV and Campground

    Great Site

    Pull through FHU everything worked as it should extremely clean campground. A little shade level gravel sites. Would absolutely stay here again.

  • Hans V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Hummingbird Campground

    Basic but beautiful

    About half a mile hike to the edge of monument valley for a beautiful view, .but the campground itself also has nice views. Basic amenities (pit toilets & one hot shower). Great Navajo taco cooked by the owners. Even though the big "the view" has nicer views from the campsite itself, this felt much nicer

  • FThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Muley Point — Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

    Beautiful views

    Really nice, totally recommend. The streets are absolutely doable with our 4x4 Jeep Wrangler. As long as you stay on the „main road“ 4x4 should not be necessary. Some sites are accessible without high clearance but these probably fill fast.

  • kathy J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Valley of the Gods Dispersed Camping

    Valley of the Gods dispersed camping area

    Such a beautiful quiet place to stay. Lots of pullouts and all with stunning views! Roads are quite good. We brought our Leisure Travel Unity RV. Did great…just take it slow…and of course, if there’s any rain or wet dirt…don’t go!

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Mexican Hat Rock

    Pretty but mid

    Super awesome view of Mexican Hat. Extremely windy with no wind coverage, super flat and very little privacy. Spots seem more for dry camping with an RV.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Valley of the Gods Road Dispersed

    Milky way!

    Super beautiful spot. The first spots at the beginning of the road were meh, best for an RV not my taste for tent camping as they are super open with little privacy from the road.

    We drove down a bit more towards the sailors and found the perfect spot with no view of the road. AWD AND HIGH CLEARANCE preferred. Heard some cars but didn’t see them, not a big deal. Beware of potential flooding, it was dry when we went but had flooded the night before.

    Very few bugs until nighttime, lots of hummingbirds and lizards. Some wind. Dope view of the milky way at night!

  • Brian P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Valley of the Gods Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful Evening

    We had a great night in August, we got there around 7PM to avoid the heat of the day. Lots of spots and saw very few people, with only a couple groups driving by. The evening was pleasant and the temps got into the mid 50’s. Once the sun set a few bats came out for about 45 minutes then disappeared. Once the moon set that night, the stars were amazing on a beautiful clear desert night.

  • Jennifer R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Sleeping Bear Campground

    Gorgeous views

    I absolutely love this primitive campground. The views are spectacular, it is quiet and secluded. (Some road noise, but it dies down later) I would highly recommend site 7 for the views. We were in a 33ft toy hauler and had no problems with the dirt road and room to pull thru. Dirt pads but fairly level.


Guide to Kayenta

Dispersed camping near Kayenta, Arizona presents unique challenges and opportunities in this high desert region at 5,700 feet elevation. The landscape features dramatic sandstone mesas set against stark desert terrain, with seasonal temperatures that can fluctuate 40-50 degrees between day and night. Camping options range from primitive sites requiring complete self-sufficiency to established campgrounds with varying levels of amenities within a 45-mile radius of Kayenta.

What to do

Hiking local trails: Several campsites offer hiking opportunities with distinctive terrain features. The Navajo National Monument has "very cool trails with information about the Navajo history and culture, and trails are remarkable if a bit challenging," according to Kevin S. who stayed at Canyon View Campground.

Stargazing sessions: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing conditions. At Valley of the Gods Dispersed Camping, Brian P. reports, "Once the moon set that night, the stars were amazing on a beautiful clear desert night."

Wildlife observation: The high desert environment supports specially adapted species. One camper at Sleeping Bear Campground described seeing "Hummingbirds galore. Mule deer, coyotes" during their stay.

Cultural engagement: Some campgrounds offer opportunities to experience Navajo culture. At Hummingbird Campground, Jeanne E. shared, "They made us a delicious Navajo taco dinner which you can request beforehand."

What campers like

Unobstructed night skies: The clear, dark skies consistently rank as a top feature. At Goosenecks State Park Campground, Dan N. wrote, "We enjoyed our dinner while watching the sun set. We didn't end up camping out as we originally intended to because of rain and storm. But other than that, it was all perfect!"

Clean restroom facilities: Sites with maintained facilities receive higher ratings. One camper at Monument Valley KOA noted, "The bath house looked brand new. Very clean. New laundry room too. Very nice, courteous staff."

Relative solitude: Less crowded camping experiences are highly valued. At Sleeping Bear Campground, Jennifer R. shared, "I absolutely love this primitive campground. The views are spectacular, it is quiet and secluded."

Accessibility: Sites requiring minimal technical driving skills are appreciated. At Valley of the Gods, Ashlee T. commented, "Definitely passable with a large camper or a small sedan, though. A bit of phone service, enough to send a text or make a call."

What you should know

Road conditions: Access roads vary significantly based on recent weather. Greg L. advised about Valley of the Gods: "The main road has been improved with a rock cap so less of an issue if area gets wet."

Fire restrictions: Rules about campfires differ between sites. At The View Campground, Annie C. mentions, "No fires were allowed. I didn't use the picnic table or fire pit as I was only staying one night, but it looked like all sites had the same set ups."

Water availability: Most dispersed sites require bringing all water. At Mexican Hat Camping, one camper warns, "No water and a dixi as 'restroom'. Beautiful quiet place. Money gets collected in the evening."

Reservation systems: Some sites operate on a first-come basis while others take reservations. Semi H. from Navajo National Monument reports, "The camp spots are first come, first served. Running water toilets and sinks. Camping luxury!!"

Tips for camping with families

Site selection: Choose locations with some natural barriers. At Arrowhead Campground, Amber commented, "We stayed at #5 for 1 night. #5 is furthest from toilet but also furthest from anyone else. Only 6 sites total making this place very private."

Weather preparation: Temperature swings require appropriate gear. At The View Campground, Elle B. observed, "It felt like most families woke up early for the gorgeous sunrise, packed up, and left before the August heat set in. By 9am, seemed like everyone was gone."

Animal awareness: Multiple campgrounds report wildlife encounters. A camper at Arrowhead Campground warns, "The sites are big, but there is not a lot of shade. A little hiking is possible from the campground."

Activities planning: Having backup options for inclement weather helps. At Goulding's RV and Campground, Daniel L. suggested, "There's another cool rock structure called Mexican hat which is about 30 minutes east and if you drive a little over an hour you can visit the four corners."

Tips from RVers

Site availability: Mid-week arrivals improve chances of securing preferred spots. LeAnn K. from Mexican Hat Camping advised, "Wonderful roads for dry camping. I have a 29ft class C. And free! There is a section that is privately owned when you first come in on the right the rest is free. Do not get it confused."

Hookup considerations: Most sites near Kayenta offer limited services. At Monument Valley KOA, Cynthia K. reported, "We were able to stay on the short pull through row & got a view to die for! Those with small class c, truck camper & tent sites got the front row, which is completely unobstructed."

Leveling challenges: The terrain often requires preparation. Lauren S. at Arrowhead Campground noted, "Accessible with a 28 ft RV, although care needs to be taken when entering the road off the main road as there is a steep gradient on the other side of the ramp. Campground is on red sand so care is needed with parking your RV."

Generator policies: Rules vary between locations. Many dispersed camping areas near Kayenta have no restrictions while established campgrounds may limit hours or prohibit generator use entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Kayenta from Flagstaff and what's the best route for campers?

Kayenta is approximately 150 miles northeast of Flagstaff, typically a 2.5-3 hour drive. The most direct route follows US-89 North through the Navajo Nation, connecting to US-160 East toward Kayenta. Along this scenic drive, campers can stop at The View Campground or explore Navajo National Monument Canyon View Campground, a hidden gem with several available sites and basic amenities. The route passes through picturesque desert landscapes and small communities where travelers can stock up on supplies. Road conditions are generally good, though summer monsoons can occasionally affect travel.

Where are the best camping spots near Kayenta, Arizona?

The best camping spots near Kayenta include Navajo National Monument Sunset View Campground, a free campground located about 18 miles from Kayenta with tent sites under the beautiful Northern Arizona sky. Another excellent option is Hummingbird Campground, which offers incredible views and soft sand for comfortable tent camping, plus proximity to Monument Valley. Other notable spots in the region include Valley of the Gods for dispersed camping and Goosenecks State Park for dramatic canyon views. Kayenta itself provides good grocery stores and supplies for campers exploring these nearby natural wonders.

What RV parks are available in Kayenta, Arizona?

For RV travelers visiting Kayenta, Monument Valley KOA is a well-equipped option located near the Monument Valley entrance. This campground provides all necessary amenities for RVs, though some campers note it's somewhat pricey. Another excellent choice is Gouldings RV and Campground, which offers clean restrooms and proximity to Monument Valley views. For RVers seeking more dramatic landscapes, Goosenecks State Park accommodates trailers and campers right on the rim overlooking the San Juan River, though it lacks designated sites and hookups.