Best Tent Camping near Lake Montezuma, AZ
Tent camping options surround Lake Montezuma with several established and dispersed sites scattered throughout the surrounding public lands. Edge of the World (East Pocket) and Schnebly Hill Road provide tent-specific primitive camping in the Coconino National Forest, with most sites permitting fires and allowing pets. Manzanita Campground offers a more developed tent-only camping experience with amenities like drinking water, toilets, and picnic tables about 20 miles from Lake Montezuma.
Access to tent sites varies significantly based on location, with many requiring high-clearance vehicles on unpaved forest roads. Schnebly Hill Road presents particular challenges as one camper noted, "The road is totally doable in a minivan if you have some experience driving on rougher terrain, but only if you are coming in off of hwy 17." Most dispersed camping areas lack basic amenities like drinking water and toilets, requiring campers to pack in everything needed and practice proper waste disposal. Free dispersed camping is available at several locations including FR 240 and FR 222, though these primitive tent sites typically have a 14-day stay limit per Forest Service regulations.
Sites closer to water tend to attract more visitors, particularly during summer months. Manzanita Campground provides access to Oak Creek with tent sites situated near the water. A visitor commented, "Right on oak creek with good entry to the creek, shaded, and good location from Sedona." This makes it popular for tent campers seeking relief from summer heat. The primitive dispersed camping areas provide more seclusion but fewer amenities. Childs Camping Area offers a more remote tent camping experience near the Verde River, though the 20-mile unprepared road requires careful navigation. Most tent sites throughout the region feature dirt or gravel surfaces with varying amounts of shade depending on elevation and proximity to water sources.
