Dispersed camping near Prescott Valley, Arizona offers backcountry experiences between 5,000-7,000 feet elevation in the Prescott National Forest. The region's transition zone between desert and mountain ecosystems creates a diverse camping environment with pine forests at higher elevations and juniper-chaparral at lower sites. Seasonal temperature variations make spring and fall ideal for tent camping, while summer brings afternoon thunderstorms and winter occasionally delivers snow at higher elevations.
What to do
Mountain biking on forest trails: At Enchanted Forest Trail Campsites, trails provide excellent riding opportunities. One camper noted, "Mountain biking trails are pretty sweet. Well-groomed and challenging. Better trails than Thumb Butte. Lots of variation with mountain lanes covered with shade and wide open."
Swimming in Oak Creek: Located about 40 miles from Prescott Valley, Manzanita Campground offers creek access for cooling off. A visitor mentioned, "The creek running by the campsites is amazing" and another camper shared their experience: "The Creek is gorgeous, clean water thats great for a morning plunge."
Stargazing at higher elevations: Clear nights provide spectacular night sky viewing, especially at more remote sites. One camper at Edge of the World (East Pocket) shared: "We got to drive straight up to the cliff-face and camp out for the night. We woke up to an amazing view and it was just a great view over Sedona and the beautiful landscape!"
What campers like
Secluded tent sites: Many appreciate finding private spaces away from crowds. A camper at Copper Basin Campsites stated, "Quiet, surrounded by trees, trail's nearby. You need a little clearance to get into camp 7 but nice to be away from the road."
Cooler temperatures: The higher elevation provides relief from desert heat. According to a visitor at Crown King Area: "Escape the desert heat" with "amazing weather all year round, but extremely limited travel available while snow is on the ground."
Natural water features: Streams and lakes add to the camping experience. A Manzanita camper shared: "One of the highlights was the nearby creek, which was perfect for unwinding and added a peaceful ambiance to the whole experience."
What you should know
Road access challenges: Many dispersed sites require appropriate vehicles. At FDR79 Trittle Mountain Road Dispersed Camping, a camper warned: "This would be really difficult to get back too if you are in a big rig or don't have a lot of clearance. The road isn't well maintained."
Wildlife precautions: Animals may visit campsites, especially when food is present. One camper cautioned: "Do be careful with your food and trash totes. Javelina got into mine on the second night, so for the rest of my stay, everything was in the van and it was a little unpleasant."
Trash issues: Unfortunately, some sites suffer from litter problems. A visitor noted: "Unfortunately there's been a lot of homeless and left behind trash when we stay we always leave with bags and bags of trash. We can complain about the problem or be part of the solution."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with natural attractions: Water features keep children entertained. A camper at Edge of the World mentioned: "Incredible place to camp. The views are some of the best you'll get for sure."
Check site levelness: Many dispersed sites have uneven ground. One camper observed: "Trittle Mountain Road advertises 16 campsites BUT most of them are clustered in groups of 2 or 3 and we found that a lot of the people occupying them would intentionally take up all of the spots for 1 RV/group."
Consider campground noise levels: Road noise affects some sites. A Copper Basin camper reported: "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."
Tips from RVers
Cell service for remote work: Connectivity varies widely across sites. A camper at Crown King Area (Horsethief Basin lake) shared practical advice: "Gorgeous easy dirt road ~27 miles from i17/Bumble bee. (There's also a much more difficult trail from lake pleasant that requires very experienced off-roading 4x4)."
Site spacing considerations: Not all dispersed camping areas provide adequate space. At Enchanted Forest Trail Campsites, one RVer noted: "I would not bring a travel trailer or larger rv in but tent or van camping spots. Nice trees and trails. Verizon is doable even with the tall pines. Quiet considering the closeness of the campsites."
Camp supply planning: Remote locations require self-sufficiency. A camper reported about Crown King Area: "The main city of Crown King has a general store with essentials and a 1 pump fuel station. Prices are steep so best advised to fill up on gas and supplies before heading up."
