Are you planning a dispersed camping trip to Prescott National Forest? We've got you covered. The Dyrt provides you with a diverse selection of places to camp, from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Arizona camping adventure.
Dispersed camping is camping outside of developed campgrounds. In contrast to camping in developed campsites, dispersed camping is more primitive, and generally has no amenities such as trash collection, water or toilets.
The Prescott Basin is an area immediately south and west of Prescott, Arizona and encompasses approximately 59,000 acres (about 4% of the Prescott National Forest).
Prescott Basin has a high percentage of wildland-urban interface, a mixture of undeveloped and developed land. The popularity of the Prescott Basin, has contributed to resource impacts such as accelerated soil erosion, damage or loss of vegetation, displaced wildlife, increased fire risk, and accumulation of trash and human waste.
To help prevent unacceptable resource damage from dispersed camping, Forest Service resource managers have designated sites, established stay limits, and limits on building and maintaining campfires.
This spot is located in the Prescott Basin.
The Prescott Basin is an area immediately south and west of Prescott, Arizona and encompasses approximately 59,000 acres (about 4% of the Prescott National Forest).
Dispersed camping is camping outside of developed campgrounds. In contrast to camping in developed campsites, dispersed camping is more primitive, and generally has no amenities such as trash collection, water or toilets.
A map of the area can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3797787.pdf
This spot is located in the Prescott Basin.
The Prescott Basin is an area immediately south and west of Prescott, Arizona and encompasses approximately 59,000 acres (about 4% of the Prescott National Forest).
Dispersed camping is camping outside of developed campgrounds. In contrast to camping in developed campsites, dispersed camping is more primitive, and generally has no amenities such as trash collection, water or toilets.
It is labelled as East Pocket on a map, but known to locals as “The End of The World,” the perfect nickname to describe this climactic viewpoint. Flagstaff sits upon a lofty plateau carpeted in high-elevation pine forest, but just south of town, the bottom drops out. Below a craggy rim of volcanic rock, the land takes a precipitous plunge into an entirely different world of red rock and sandstone towers. This is the realm of Sedona, and End of The World overlooks all of it.
This spot is located in the Prescott Basin.
The Prescott Basin is an area immediately south and west of Prescott, Arizona and encompasses approximately 59,000 acres (about 4% of the Prescott National Forest).
Dispersed camping is camping outside of developed campgrounds. In contrast to camping in developed campsites, dispersed camping is more primitive, and generally has no amenities such as trash collection, water or toilets.
The Prescott Basin is an area immediately south and west of Prescott, Arizona and encompasses approximately 59,000 acres. Camping and campfires are allowed only at Designated Campsites, and in developed campgrounds, within the Prescott Basin. During fire restrictions, campfires are not allowed in these designated dispersed camp sites.
Dispersed camping is camping outside of developed campgrounds. In contrast to camping in developed campsites, dispersed camping is more primitive, and generally has no amenities such as trash collection, water or toilets. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd764808.pdf
The Prescott Basin is an area immediately south and west of Prescott, Arizona and encompasses approximately 59,000 acres (about 4% of the Prescott National Forest).
Prescott Basin has a high percentage of wildland-urban interface, a mixture of undeveloped and developed land. The popularity of the Prescott Basin, has contributed to resource impacts such as accelerated soil erosion, damage or loss of vegetation, displaced wildlife, increased fire risk, and accumulation of trash and human waste.
To help prevent unacceptable resource damage from dispersed camping, Forest Service resource managers have designated sites, established stay limits, and limits on building and maintaining campfires.
Camping and campfires are allowed only at Designated Campsites, and in developed campgrounds, within the Prescott Basin. During fire restrictions, campfires are not allowed in these designated dispersed camp sites.
Remember:
• Recreational camping is allowed in developed and designated dispersed campsites; however, residing on National Forest Lands is not allowed. • Camping in designated dispersed campsites is allowed for 7 days in a 30 day period. • Campfires in provided fire rings only in designated dispersed campsites. • Do not put cans, bottles, or aluminum foil into fire rings. • Use only dead and down wood for campfires. • Be safe in the forest. Make sure your campfire is dead out!
We stayed here for a night and it was great. It was busy but the main reason we picked it was because it was close to Sedona so it was nice and easy for us to go in for a sunrise hike. We stayed in the first pull off lot on the left hand side that didn't have no camping signs (past Surprise), it had a porta potty which was definitely nice to have. Seems like they must block off sites every now and then because some of the ones marked on dyrt were blocked with rocks but still lots of space!
Dirt lot, good for Rv's. Super windy and the grounds too hard for tent stakes, a single tree in the middle. Its a place to sleep. Portapotties available
Very easy to stop by when we where om the road and just needed a place to sleep. Open fields gave a nice view. Very close to the highway so easy to stop and continue our journey. Stayed in an rv, so the level surface was nice.
All in all good place to stay for the night.
Pretty exposed. No shade. Lots of fire ants so I wouldn’t suggest tent camping here. I have the option of car camping. So that works. And there’s a nearby rest area on I-17 to use the restroom, though it’s a bit of a drive. Right near montezuma’s well which is one of my favorite monuments. It’s hot. Be prepared.
beautiful views! super duper underrated and conveniently close to sedona access: 3stars (for my car, yours will do way better lmao) easy to find on the map! not a difficult road (at first), but gravelly for sure. i drive a 1995 ford f150 2 wheel drive and found that after 2-3 miles in, the road up to the overlook becomes too steep and rocky for my truck to climb, but a 4x4 definitely can do it! if u have a car like mine take it nice and slow and you will do just fine :3 business/safety/people: 5stars! not a SINGLE other camper here and i arrived on a friday night! its like i have the whole desert to myself. all you hear are crickets and very very distant highway sounds. maybe its because i came in early september but this is by far the most quiet of blms ive ever been to sites: sites are easy to back in and most come with rock firepits! in the site im at, people left piles of firewood close to the pit which was an amazing help bc i arrived so late
the only con that i can think of is that there r a lot of bugs (ants and moths especially), which doesnt bother me at all but for some it could be a little annoying. if you have full cover (tent, rv, camper, van, etc) then do not worry at all, but i camp in the bed of my truck so its a lil different for me.
if u want solitude come check this place out !
Plenty of space. Drive deeper in (after the forbidden signs) you will see a big tent sign with an arrow pointing left (see pics)
It's called "Surprise"
Lots of lit up trucks and dirt bikes coming through the night I stayed but the views and rock formations were cool to check out with my dog.
I came here 2 months ago and I found this place suitable for camping. We had a great time grilling food and playing slope games.
Stayed here one night. It’s relatively nice to be so close to 40. The road is a dirt road, so just making sure that’s listed. I parked relatively close to the highway (there’s about 15 campsites) so there was a lot of highway noise, one of the only reasons I’m giving 4 star. If you drive further back there are more secluded spots that might have less noise… wouldn’t recommend driving too far back if you have a big rig. Road may be muddy if there’s been a lot of rain, but it was very well maintained while we visited. Camping up to 14 days is permitted.
GPS - 35.21893, -112.37746
We set up the tent and the tent was stolen. A bunch of homeless people living there. Won’t recommend it.
So this spot was only about 25 minutes from Sedona and it was pretty great. You could hear the hum of I17 but not loud at all. Road was well maintained and the spots had fire pits. Lots of flies buzzing around but nothing biting
Dispersed Camping Sedona
We went to 3 different places, all were shut down due to poor road conditions. This place was by far our favorite site during our 2 week road trip.
Secluded dispersed camping in the woods just outside of the town Crown King. 4x4 is recommended, campsites are not accessible when snowfall has occurred. Beautiful wildlife including deer always nearby.
The camp site was beautiful but no amount of bug spray or candles keep the small no-see-um misquotes away! They look like gnats but don’t be fooled we were covered in bites and itching hours later. It was insane my dog was covered in millions.
My son and I needed a place to camp after exploring the Sedona area. We arrived late in the day and so missed the heat. Set up with a tent, cooked dinner over a campfire. The stars were awesome!
Next morning the heat came on quick. No shade, no water, etc. but we weren't here to stay. Packed and back on the road by 9am.
Probably not a great spot for multiple days, at least when the creek is dry (it was when we were there)
Nice spot, pretty clean. Pretty easy to get to. There is a dirt road leading up to it. I think most size rigs could make it.
This could have been the most beautiful site. The stars were amazing and the sites are generously large BUT the dirt road the site are off of is some kind of rodeo for fast four wheeling with loud music and louder engines. All night complete with a scream at 2am. The site we stayed at had about a box of rusty nails and enough glass someone must have been throwing bottles just to break them all. Not great for my tent bottom.
Boondocking off a forest rd. There are a number of camping spots off a forest rd. Most are level. Good cell reception. There's a lake that has a nice trail and campground.
This place is really uneven, there’s literally nothing around. Do not recommend unless it’s an emergency stop and you need to spend the night there.
High clearance 4x4 needed. A little road noise, but the view make up for it.
11 sites are marked off that you are able to camp. I lucked out and got site #11 which was well separated from the other sites. The other sites are relatively close together. Only down part about my site was it was at the end of the dirt road and had many cars turning around near my site. Picked up a little bit of trash from previous campers. There was quite a bit of toilet paper around the site which was not cool.
Lot of pull offs to pick from but it’s very limited spacing. You’re going to be mere feet from the road so it’s not a long or wide open pull off. The area was quiet though and clean. Fellow campers passing by were friendly and mindful of noise as they drove down the nearby road. I had Verizon signal, two bars. There were two fire pits ready for use, be sure to bring your own wood!
It’s a nice spot. There are bunch of sites along the Thumb butte trail. But, if you want to camp on the weekend, you’d have to arrive pretty early to grab a site.
Beautiful views, pretty respectful neighbours, and the best of the areas in the Sedona area - the rest of the dispersed camping while closer to the highway are more like parking lots
Had to drive farther down on the road than marked. Didn’t allow camping in first few lots. Very full but found enough space even arriving after dark. Porta potties were available.
Open area with space for about 10+ RVs/tents. Was nice and quiet with great views around the area. Could walk the immediate area. Had clean portable outhouses.
Had cell service (Verizon and T-mobile).
Camping near Prescott National Forest, Arizona, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin, there’s something for everyone in this stunning area.
Camping near Prescott National Forest, Arizona, is a great way to enjoy nature and create lasting memories. Whether you're hiking, fishing, or just relaxing, this area has something for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Prescott National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Prescott National Forest is Prescott Basin - Ponderosa Park Road Dispersed Camping with a 3.7-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Prescott National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 95 dispersed camping locations near Prescott National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
