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Dispersed tent camping options surround Leupp, Arizona, with several primitive tent campgrounds in the nearby Coconino National Forest. Sunset Crater Volcano and the surrounding dispersed camping areas offer tent sites with cinder cone views approximately 30 miles west of Leupp. Edge of the World (East Pocket) and Dispersed Camping Coconino provide free tent camping opportunities with varying degrees of accessibility.
Most dispersed tent sites around Leupp lack basic amenities. Campers should bring all necessary water supplies, as drinking water is unavailable at most primitive tent campgrounds. Fire rings may be present at established sites, but campers should check current fire restrictions before planning trips. Forest Road 9125F tent sites feature soft gravel surfaces where vehicles can easily sink "like sand if you're not careful," according to camper feedback. Access roads to many tent camping areas require careful navigation, with some roads presenting challenges for low-clearance vehicles. Toilet facilities are rare, with Lockett Meadow Campground being one of the few tent campgrounds offering vault toilets.
Tent campers frequently enjoy the solitude and natural setting these primitive areas provide. The dispersed camping zones near Sunset Crater feature open areas with abundant wildflowers in season and views of ancient volcanic features. Coconino Forest sites offer cooling shade from tall ponderosa pines, providing relief during summer months when temperatures in Phoenix and lower elevations soar. Campers seeking primitive tent sites with more privacy should explore the forest roads farther from main highways. Sites at higher elevations provide significantly cooler temperatures, with one visitor noting their campsite was "about 25° cooler than Phoenix and was gorgeous!" Areas close to Flagstaff tend to be more popular, especially on weekends, while more remote tent camping zones offer increased seclusion.
"The trail is a commitment as it can take 2 hours or so to get up. But once you’re there it’s so nice and peaceful. There are no facilities, you do get decent service near the edge."
"I’d definitely recommend patience and a vehicle that you’re comfortable hitting ruts, rocks, etc with depending on which route you choose to take into this location."
"Very upsetting to see most of the sites are littered with trash."
"Picturesque forest boondocking not far from Flagstaff off of highway 180. Turn onto Forest Road 222 and take the first road on the right."
"The sites are spread out, so there's tons of privacy. There was a fire ban in effect when I was there, but there was a fire ring at my site."
"Just outside flagstaff. Ita 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. The sites are spread out."
"The aspens were beautiful and the campsites gave enough spacing for other campers. The meadow is decent, not too big. There is a trail to hike, which is free."
"Great place to camp near the pay for sites but it’s near the road and a lot of the sites are on a slope."
"We checked in with the camp host, who was very kind and helpful, and set up. The creek running by the campsites is amazing. The campground also sells firewood if you happen to forget it."
"The campground has restrooms, a natural water pool (cold), and 5 mins away from the Sedona natural slides."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"The road was primitive but in very good shape. Maybe about a 15 minute drive from Flagstaff. Park next to campsite. Fire ring available 😊😊 very pleased"
"It was about 25° cooler than Phoenix and was gorgeous!"
"This place was great, quiet, lots of space for our kids and dog to explore. The camping is in designated spots only which are really spaced out."
"One of my first options in Flagstaff...now, don't share it or the crowds will come..."
"Decided to drive a bit further and this was sure worth it. About a mile drive up the Forest Service road. Little bumpy but my car did fine. Then plenty of nice spots to the right."
"I stumbled upon this area after catching some fish are ashurst lake. What a gem. The area I stayed is about a mile from the lake."
"We got there around 4 pm on a Saturday and got one of the last spots with a pretty good view. The spots are secluded enough you don’t see or notice your neighbors when you farther down the road."
"We took the Schnebly Hill rd exit in downtown Sedona. We decided not to take the I-17 route because we wanted an off-roaring experience."
"Not too noisy all the time but definitely had our fair share of UTV/ATV friends going by all weekend."
"We found an awesome area to camp in this disperse area closer to Mormon lake. Very quiet and I don't think a car has gone by while being here overnight. There's plenty firewood."
TravelerAbsolutely love it here! Clean area, clean bathrooms, concrete spots, Quiet hours 10pm-6am. Grill, picnic table, fire ring. Beautiful beach to swim at and Larry the camp host is very helpful 😊
LegendIn the off season, this sweet little national forest campground is a quiet oasis in one of the beautiful “islands of the sky” which are scattered throughout Arizona. Up at 5000 feet, this place becomes a busy retreat for Tucsonians seeking to escape some of the summertime heat, according to the park ranger we spoke too. It's also a haven for birds!
The campground has designated section for RV’s and tents, though they are same price at just $10 per night. Many pull-through sites are available for larger RV’s, as well as some back in spots. Each site has a HUGE cement picnic table and fire ring and are a nice size with plenty of space between sites. There are trash cans (though no recycling) throughout the campground, and a water spigot near the very clean pit toilets, thanks to the dedicated and very friendly camp hosts. The tent sites overlook the Parker Canyon Lake and are quite spacious. There are few tent sites for groups too.
There is a nice boat dock, as well as small store near the water that sells snacks/drinks, bait, and a few camping necessities. You can rent kayaks, paddle boats, SUPs, sailboats and small motorized fishing boats…or bring your own. There is also a nice and easy trail that follows the lake shore for about 6 miles, accessible to both hikers and mountain bikers. From the lake trail, you can also access the Arizona Scenic Trail (the southern terminus is about 15 miles south of the lake). We also saw quite a few fisherman out enjoying the lake during mid-week.
The closest grocery stores and gas stations are in Sonoita, about 30 miles away. Cell coverage is limited here as you are very close to the Mexican border – none in RV campground, just a bit of coverage in the tent campground.
GuideAll the other reviews are spot on - Clean sites, fire rings and the hosts are spectacular. Wood/ice available. We stayed in mid October. We were pleasantly surprised that while we weren’t allowed to use the charcoal grill, we were allowed to have a small campfire. Tips for this popular campground:
LegendStayed here for a night in July 2020 on my way to the Grand Canyon from El Paso, TX. It was very quiet and well kept. The road was freshly paved and even though there’s no trees around, each campsite seemed pretty private.
We stayed in site 40. We had 2 tents but the pad was only big enough for one so we put the bigger one on the paved road over a tarp and it was still comfortable. A hammer was provided to stake down tents.
There was only only building for all the bathrooms and showers but they were nice and clean. Bathrooms had stalls but the 4 showers each had their own rooms for maximum privacy.
Some sites had power and some didn’t. Our site (40) didn’t. I enjoyed walking a few hundred yards down the nature trail by the campsite and watching the sunset. It was beautiful! Cell service was fine (Verizon). I’ll definitely stay here again when I’m passing through.
ScoutLong gravel road with plenty of pull offs close and far from it. Nice flat areas for camping. Very upsetting to see most of the sites are littered with trash. Please remember to practice “Leave No Trace” principles, disposing of trash and human waste appropriately, so we can all continue to enjoy the places we love so much. :)
LegendAfter four failed attempts to find a place to land for the night (two campgrounds not yet open for the season in mid-April and two dispersed sites that would not have been navigable in our low clearance van), we would have camped just about anywhere! Fortunately there were spots available here and we were greeted by a super friendly and welcoming camp host. Sites were all flat with tent pads; most had decent privacy between sites. All have fire rings, large picnic tables in good shape, grills, and lantern hooks. Vault toilets were clean. Artesian well that some reviews said the water quality was questionable; camp host says she drinks it but others do not. We filled up our water jugs and will give it a go. If it weren’t for the proximity to the road (89A) and the noise that goes with it (site 18 you might as well BE in the road!), I would have given this place 5 stars! For $11 (50% off with senior pass), this place was perfect for us!
LegendThis is a nice, modern campground in a state park that features stone ruins. I visited the Homolovi 1 and 2 sites. They were mostly rubble, but there were some intact walls and a large storage pit.
The campground is large, and sites are nicely distanced from one another. However, there is very little shade or privacy. When I visited in June, there were also high winds. These died down after dark, but made setting up the tent a fun challenge. Each tent site had a paved driveway. This was nice, but made tent stakes placement a little awkward. I had to tie one line to the picnic table.
Bathrooms were clean and modern, with hot and cold water.
GuideThis place is so peaceful. You can see the mesas in the distance. It's not far from Winslow or Flagstaff. But it's nice and quiet there. It has a wonderful feeling. There are many artifacts so remember to leave no trace and not move or remove anything.
ScoutI found the most beautiful spot here on the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. The sites are spread out, so there's tons of privacy. There was a fire ban in effect when I was there, but there was a fire ring at my site. Several sites along the road offer stunning views of the San Francisco Peaks.
Dispersed camping areas near Leupp, Arizona offer a rustic retreat at elevations between 5,000-7,000 feet. Most sites sit among ponderosa pines within Coconino National Forest, providing natural shade during summer months when temperatures average 15-20 degrees cooler than Phoenix. The volcanic landscape creates unique camping terrain with cinder cones and ancient lava flows visible from many sites.
Hiking to volcanic features: Camp near Sunset Crater Volcano NM for easy access to unique geological formations. "There are many dispersed areas around Sunset Crater Volcano NM. I stayed off FS road 545B. There was a meadow nearby with a lot of Ponderosa pines," notes Bill, who camped in the area.
Stargazing from elevated sites: The Edge of the World dispersed area provides excellent night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. Camper Lewis M. shares, "Absolutely absurd views and stars. Cannot recommend enough. Bit of a drive but stick on it and see the view. Worth every second."
Wildlife observation: Early mornings offer the best chances to spot local fauna. "Great place for hiking and at least trying to spot elk," reports Scott K. who camped at Coconino Forest Road sites. Morning hours between 6-8am typically provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
Escape from summer heat: The higher elevation camping areas provide significant temperature relief. "It was about 25° cooler than Phoenix and was gorgeous!" notes Sydnee G. about Coconino Forest Road 9125F, confirming the area's reputation as a cooling retreat.
Secluded camping spots: Many dispersed areas offer good separation between sites. At FR 222 Dispersed, Suzy J. found "one of the most scenic dispersed campsites we have found... Our neighbor was visible through the trees, although we never heard them."
Proximity to water features: Some camping areas near Leupp provide creek access. Holly R. notes that at Manzanita Campground, "The creek running by the campsites is amazing. The campground also sells firewood if you happen to forget it."
Road conditions vary significantly: Many access roads require careful driving. "The road is a soft gravel that you can easily sink in like sand if you're not careful," warns a camper about Forest Road 9125F. For Edge of the World, Angel T. advises, "It is a bumpy road with large portion of potholes so drive cautiously."
Limited facilities at dispersed sites: When tent camping near Leupp in undeveloped areas, you must be self-sufficient. "No bathrooms, no RV hook ups, whatever you bring in you take out. It's truly for those who like to camp out under the stars and not the glamping experience," explains Angel T. about Edge of the World.
Fire restrictions common: Check current fire regulations before your trip. During high fire danger periods, restrictions are strictly enforced. "When I went no campfires were allowed so I used a propane stove," reports one camper about conditions at Freidlein Prairie.
Choose established sites for amenities: Lockett Meadow Campground offers more facilities than dispersed options. "Great for family camping! The app didn't say there was a camping fee so we were not prepared to pay. There is a overnight fee of $18," notes Sapphira G., adding, "Our kids built a little fort and was safe for our baby to crawl around."
Prepare for wind: Some higher elevation sites experience significant wind, especially at cliff-edge locations. "It (the wind) was loud at night," warns a camper about Lockett Meadow. At Edge of the World, Haley D. notes, "It's always super windy as you are on the side of a cliff."
Plan for temperature swings: Daily temperature fluctuations of 30-40 degrees are common. Pack layers for everyone, especially for spring and fall camping. "We were here the end of April and it was a little chilly but not uncomfortable," reports one camper about their tent camping experience near Leupp.
Site selection for larger vehicles: Some dispersed areas can accommodate RVs despite rough roads. At FR 240 Dispersed Camping, Robert P. shares, "We had a 21 and 31' trailer with us and found a great spot about 6 minutes after hitting the dirt road."
Dust management: Position RVs away from main forest roads to minimize dust. "You want to be off the road as the dust from atv and cattle trucks can get thick," advises Tony B. who camped at FR 240 with a 27-foot trailer.
Cell service for remote work: Some areas maintain usable connectivity despite remote locations. "Verizon and ATT both have cell service. 1-2 bars of LTE," reports Drew R. about FR 222 Dispersed camping, making it viable for those needing to stay connected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Leupp, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Leupp, AZ is Edge of the World (East Pocket) with a 4.5-star rating from 59 reviews.
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