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Best Tent Camping near Petrified Forest Natl Park, AZ

254 Reviews

Some of the best camping is in northeastern Arizona where campers can take in the sites at Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook, AZ. Tent campers and RV owners can stock up on supplies in the small city before setting up camp in one of the many campgrounds in the area. Campsites offer all of the amenities you expect to find, along with areas for those who want to rough it. Wander the trails through the Rainbow Forest and stop in the museum to see the extensive paleontology exhibits. Campers can also tour an ancient Pueblo village and marvel at the petroglyphs on Newspaper Rock.

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Best Tent Sites Near Petrified Forest Natl Park, Arizona (7)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Petrified Forest Natl Park, AZ

3 Photos of 7 Petrified Forest Natl Park Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Petrified Forest Natl Park, AZ

254 Reviews of 7 Petrified Forest Natl Park Campgrounds

  • JohnandLisa R.
    Aug. 23, 2018

    McHood Park Campground

    Great place!

    Absolutely 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 😊

  • Elizabeth G.
    Jul. 26, 2020

    Homolovi State Park Campground

    Beautiful and convenient

    Stayed 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.

  • Gerard R.
    Jul. 7, 2020

    Chevelon Crossing Campground

    Off the grid!

    Many of the photos listed here aren’t correct. There aren’t any paved parking spots that others have posted. Anyhow, I love this place because odds are you will be the only one camping out there. It’s a good 45 minute drive after the pavement ends. Most of the sites have picnic tables and fire rings but are near where you park. We carried our stuff down the canyon about 100 feet to set up. It was kind of dry but there was still water running through. Very secluded place with no one else there. So peaceful. Plenty of firewood. Beautiful meadows as well. We went hiking down the stream a bit and found some smaller bear foot prints so be aware. Some friendly raccoons tried to join us for dinner by the fire as well. There are some vaulted toilets there which was surprising. If you like solitude, this is your spot.

  • Chloe D.
    May. 28, 2018

    Homolovi State Park Campground

    Quiet of the desert

    This 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.

  • Alex M.
    Jun. 16, 2022

    Homolovi State Park Campground

    Great campground in a desolate place

    This 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.

  • Andrew S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 11, 2025

    Petrified Forest Campground

    Great spot near the highway that feels remote

    Host was responsive and provided great directions, location was close to the Petrified Forest and 100% boondocking. Plenty of space to spread out and relax, awesome sunset and sunrise views. Unfortunately we were there during a fire ban, so no campfire for us, but still had a great evening. It is an open area so be careful with the winds if you have a lighter, top heavy rig. Only complaint would be the neighbors aren't the most tidy, trash was blowing around from their compound.

  • Tiffany B.
    May. 12, 2022

    Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Campground

    5 star if you pick the right sites

    We booked the last site available so I think with some careful reviewing of site map and asking over the phone about specific needs this is a 5 star spot, but it isn’t particularly pop up friendly. There are primitive tent sites and an assortment of electric + sites. The grounds are gorgeous, lots of space around the lake, so so so very quiet and clean. We have a small pop up. Generally we chose more primitive or small electric only sites. No rigs like ours were in the tent area so not sure if that is an option. Almost ALL the spaces are side by side shared double lots in the cinnamon teal loop. At least 40% - amazing if you’re group camping, but I like my space and privacy. Quiet hours 8pm- 7am. Showers/toilets in each loop. No outlets in bathroom for hair drying etc. showers were cold after minute 2 and each unit was a full bath so also cold and wet. None of this would matter at a cheap site but a hook up is $65/night. Surrounding town is cute with amenities. Visit The House for a meal.

  • Beth G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2023

    Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground

    Off the beaten path- but be prepared to hike to the water

    Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground is my favorite type of site. 1) vault toilets 2) National Forest location 3) semi established camping sites 4) still classified as dispersed camping.

    There isn’t any potable water at this site or trash. Bring your own water. Pack it in, pack it out.

    The sites are large in the camp site area. We were there on a non-holiday weekend and it stayed busy. The sites are first come, first serve and free. We camped in site #1 which had 2 fire rings, a metal picnic table, and large trees to provide shaded areas throughout the day. In mid-September, highs were mid 70 degrees Fahrenheit and lows were in the mid 50s. Our whole group commented on how nice the weather was on this trip.

    We went during a new moon and the stars were fabulous.

    There was definitely some rough road the last .5 mile before you reach the camp on FR 169B. Some of it had washed out and there are a few step areas. We had no issues with our group of stock 4x4 pickup trucks and Subarus. Our neighbor at the next campsite over even had a Fiat.

    As for the lake, we were not prepared for how long of a hike down it was to the water. According to my watch, it was over a mile and 550 feet of elevation. It is not an easy hike back up. It’s almost all non stop elevation gain and extremely rocky. We brought our mini bike and didn’t dare take it down to the water. We ended up on carrying 1 kayak down to the water because no one wanted to have to hike it back up. It took 2 fit men, 90 mins to bring that kayak back up from the water the day we left. We even had a kayak cart. We were very jealous of the people with quads. Our group only caught 1 small trout but we met other people that were having better luck. Note: live bait is not permitted.

    I would go back, but I wouldn’t even try to kayak or paddle board again. I’d just take our time walking to water and brining a picnic to the lake. Maybe just cast a few lines from the shore.

  • Marion D.
    Mar. 24, 2018

    Holbrook/Petrified Forest KOA

    Average Campsite

    The Holbrook KOA is conveniently near Petrified national forest, which makes it an easy place to set up camp because of it's proximity. The campsite was somewhat under construction and it looked like they were adding some additional campsites which is exciting. They offer plenty of amenities (running water, electricity, wifi and playgrounds for the kids.

    All of the tent campsites are right next to each other, so you will get to know your neighbors pretty well. When I went I was the only person tent camping which made it great for privacy. My only issue with the campsite is the location of where the tent camps are set up, it is really close to the I-40, you will hear truckers and other cars drive by while your sleeping at night which made it difficult to fall asleep. I think it would be better if they moved the tent camping to the other side of the park that way your farther away from all the highway noise.

Guide to Petrified Forest Natl Park

Tent camping near Petrified Forest National Park offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes and rich history of Arizona's high desert. With a variety of options available, campers can enjoy both solitude and adventure.

Affordable Tent Camping Options

  • Prices for tent camping typically range from free to around $25 per night, depending on the location and amenities.
  • At the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area, camping is free, but requires a hike-in, making it perfect for those seeking a true backcountry experience.
  • The Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground offers a more structured environment with no fees, but be prepared for a hike to access the lake.

Activities for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Unique Local Attractions

  • The Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area is home to one of the largest deposits of petrified wood in the world, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past.
  • Route 66 runs nearby, allowing campers to explore the historic highway and its iconic landmarks while enjoying the natural beauty of the area.
  • The stunning night sky at the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area provides an incredible stargazing experience, especially during a new moon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Petrified Forest Natl Park, AZ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Petrified Forest Natl Park, AZ is Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area — Petrified Forest National Park with a 4.7-star rating from 7 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Petrified Forest Natl Park, AZ?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Petrified Forest Natl Park, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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