Best Tent Camping near Munds Park, AZ

Tent campers in the Munds Park area of Arizona can choose from numerous dispersed sites within Coconino National Forest, where Edge of the World (East Pocket) and FR 240 Dispersed Camping offer tent-friendly terrain with scenic vantage points. Located primarily along forest service roads, these primitive tent areas provide varying levels of seclusion, with some sites offering dramatic views overlooking canyons and Sedona's red rock formations. Most tent camping options sit between 6,000-7,000 feet elevation, creating cooler summer temperatures compared to nearby desert regions.

Access to tent-only camping areas typically requires driving on dirt and gravel forest roads that range from well-maintained to rough and rutted. Many sites have established fire rings, though seasonal fire restrictions are common during dry periods. "The drive itself is an adventure, but doable in just about any car if it hasn't rained, or isn't going to rain," noted one visitor about East Pocket. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for reaching the more remote walk-in tent sites, particularly after rain when roads become muddy. Most dispersed tent camping areas lack amenities like drinking water, toilets, or trash service, requiring campers to pack in all supplies and pack out waste. Cell service varies significantly by location, with higher elevation sites often having better connectivity.

Tent campsites throughout the region offer varying levels of privacy depending on distance from main forest roads. Areas farther from the highway provide deeper seclusion and reduced traffic noise. According to one camper, "We scanned the entire place on my Honda Accord sedan just fine. Just go slow and be mindful of the terrain for rocks and bumps." Pine forest covers much of the terrain, providing natural shade and wind protection for tents. Walk-in tent sites are typically less crowded than drive-in areas, especially on weekdays. Summer thunderstorms can develop quickly at these elevations, making proper tent staking essential. Most dispersed camping areas in national forests follow a 14-day stay limit, though this is rarely enforced in more remote tent camping zones.

Best Tent Sites Near Munds Park, Arizona (32)

    1. Edge of the World (East Pocket)

    53 Reviews
    Sedona, AZ
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 527-3600

    "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."

    "The road in is bumpy and rocky, but not impossible (a Ford Mustang in the site next to us clearly made it)."

    2. Manzanita Campground

    25 Reviews
    Munds Park, AZ
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 204-2034

    $30 / night

    "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."

    3. FR 240 Dispersed Camping

    5 Reviews
    Munds Park, AZ
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 527-3600

    "This was easy to get to, and quick to take a trip into Munds Park or Flagstaff as well. We had a 21 and 31’ trailer with us and found a great spot about 6 minutes after hitting the dirt road."

    "Not too noisy all the time but definitely had our fair share of UTV/ATV friends going by all weekend."

    4. Forest Service Rd 253 Dispersed

    5 Reviews
    Munds Park, AZ
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 526-0866

    "Popular amongst trailer campers as this spot is right next to a cellular town and requires no 4x4. Get out there early for the prime spots!"

    5. FR 222 Dispersed

    35 Reviews
    Bellemont, AZ
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 527-3600

    "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."

    6. Forest Road 535

    5 Reviews
    Munds Park, AZ
    10 miles

    "Worth driving in about 1.5 miles. The road is pretty good as far as FRs go. Solid T-Mobile reception - a rarity in NorthernAZ. Nice hikes and mountain biking."

    7. Schnebly Hill Road

    3 Reviews
    Munds Park, AZ
    5 miles

    "There was quite a bit of traffic on the trail, but drive up from Sedona is worth it because the views are simply incredible!"

    "The road is totally doable in a minivan or the likes if you have some experience driving on rougher terrain, but only if you are coming in off of hwy 17."

    8. East Pocket in Sedona

    2 Reviews
    Sedona, AZ
    9 miles

    "There are people whose idea of camping is sharing their music with everyone well into the night and can't respect a shared space. It ruins the experience."

    "There is a high wind advisory until tomorrow night but other than that what a great site."

    9. FR 535 Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Munds Park, AZ
    10 miles

    "Plenty of spots right as you start but we chose to drive back a little further which was also higher in elevation. Our spot was about 3 miles off the main road and we had an epic view."

    10. Ewe Tank

    1 Review
    Munds Park, AZ
    3 miles
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Tent Camping Reviews near Munds Park, AZ

1322 Reviews of 32 Munds Park Campgrounds


  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2024

    Kaibab Lake Sites And Group Areas

    Very nice wooded lake camp near I40

    We stopped here because it is conveniently located between Los Angeles and Colorado. At 7000 feet not too hot. Sites are well separated and level. Great place for an overnight stay. Or longer if you like to fish or just enjoy the quiet. No swimming in the lake. But boats and fishing are allowed. We saw several Osprey fishing in the lake successfully. Only vault toilets, but they are clean. Campground hosts are friendly. Some spigots for water. There is a tent only section with no generators. Also a group area. 5G T-Mobile. Quiet.

  • Donna V.
    Apr. 8, 2022

    Houston Mesa Campground

    Nice and quiet

    We enjoyed a couple of days car/tent camping at this multiuser campground . We parked on a private shaded pad next to a fire pit and table. Very quiet (mid week). Showers were closed but the bathrooms were spotless. Camp host on grounds firewood for sale. Close by Payson.

  • A
    Oct. 23, 2020

    Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground

    Nice state park for camping

    We stayed at this campground for 3 nights in mid-October and recommend this state park for camping in the Sedona area.

    Pros:

    -all sites in the Blackhawk Loop where we stayed had a level pad for tents (either small gravel or a wood platform), picnic table, and fire pit (though they could not be used due to a fire ban

    -can easily fit 2 smaller tents on the tent pad or 1 jumbo family tent

    -good amount of shrubbery in between sites so it didn't feel like you were right on top of your neighbors

    -driveways have space for 2 cars if needed

    -shower house was fairly clean and had hot showers

    -dishwashing sink behind the shower house was a nice perk

    -usable cell phone service (T-mobile)

    -no tent sites with power if you need that.  We filled up an air mattress using the outlet in the bathroom which worked fine.

    Cons:

    -sites really vary in terms of how far back from the road they are.  Our site (122 in the Blackhawk loop) was a bit back from the road and had plenty of shrubbery, but some don't have as much privacy

    -not a ton of water fill up stations, but our loop was pretty small, so it was fine

    -you have to pay $15 per night for a 2nd car, which was a little steep, but given the campground is reasonably priced, this was fine

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 23, 2019

    Lakeview Campground (Az) — Coconino National Forest Recreation

    Nice respite from the Sonoran Desert heat

    In 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.

  • Leesa
    Oct. 19, 2020

    Pine Flat Campground West

    Pro tips...

    All 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:

    1. Since the first come sites are booked by midday...come early and talk to the hosts about who is scheduled to leave that day. You can then pre-pay for your chosen site and go to town until after checkout time (1:00pm).
    2. Best first come sites: Site # 4, no doubt. It’s farthest from the highway and farthest from other tent pads. The heavy tree canopy keeps you in the shade and is near the river. Site # 3 is also good, but gets full sun mid afternoon and is closer to the bathrooms.
    3. Bring your telescope or binoculars. Set up a star gazing perch at night.....it’s spectacular. The downside of the first come area....both tents and RVs (generator noise) will be side by side. It’s very popular for families: we had a home schooling family on one side and a generator(RV) on the other. Busy as to be expected in this area, especially in October.
  • Jake-lela C.
    Jul. 30, 2019

    Mingus Mountain Campground

    #mingusisamust

    In one word views, views for miles some of the best I’ve seen in Arizona. The campground itself is nice so spots not as amazing as others and be prepared to always watch your step because some spots literally are on the side of a cliff. Still plenty of room to set up camp and not worry but 100ft from the cliff side is pretty amazing. Clean restrooms hosts seem to keep campsites and fire pits clean and leave you to yourselves. Close by is a hang glide launch pad and amazing views. Only negative is the road up is unpaved and rough 5-10mph for about 7-10 miles but definitely worth the trip. Electric was struck by lightning a few years back so no hookup but water and toilet and only $10 a night. Stop reading and go👍

  • E
    May. 3, 2021

    FR 222 Dispersed

    Bittersweet

    Long 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. :)

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 18, 2019

    Pine Flat Campground West

    An unexpected gem!

    After 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!

  • csey R.
    Jul. 6, 2022

    Houston Mesa Campground

    Houston Mesa Campgrounds AZ

    • Great location
    • close to Phoenix
    • close to Payson
    • close Tonto Natural Bridge
    • close to undian ruins, creeks, hiking, and fishing
    • we came the day after July fourth Independence Day! Many of the holiday campers did not clean. Leave no trace! The Campgrounds stewards slow to cleaning campsites.
    • overall camp host are great and helpful and the campsites nice

Guide to Munds Park

Tent camping near Munds Park, Arizona, offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying a variety of well-reviewed sites. Whether you prefer a peaceful retreat or a more social atmosphere, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • FR 222 Dispersed allows pets and has fire pits, making it a great choice for those who want to enjoy a campfire with their furry friends.
  • Manzanita Campground features drinking water and picnic tables, providing a more structured camping experience while still being surrounded by stunning scenery.
  • Freidlein Prairie Dispersed Camping is free and does not require a permit, making it an accessible option for spontaneous camping trips.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $25

  • FR 240 Dispersed Camping is a free option, perfect for budget-conscious campers looking to enjoy the great outdoors without breaking the bank.
  • Soda Springs Road offers a low-cost camping experience, ideal for those who want a quick stopover after exploring the Sedona area.
  • Ewe Tank is another free option, providing a simple camping experience without the need for reservations.

Tips for tent camping near Munds Park

  • When visiting Dempost, arrive early to secure a good spot, as it can get busy during peak seasons.
  • Be prepared for varying weather conditions at Forest Service Rd 253 Dispersed, especially during monsoon season when some areas may become flooded.
  • If you’re looking for a quieter experience, consider Schnebly Hill Road, where you can enjoy breathtaking views while still being close to nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Munds Park, AZ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Munds Park, AZ is Edge of the World (East Pocket) with a 4.5-star rating from 53 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Munds Park, AZ?

TheDyrt.com has all 32 tent camping locations near Munds Park, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.