Best Dispersed Camping near Prescott, AZ
Searching for a dispersed camping spot near Prescott? Dispersed camping is the perfect way to get off the grid. Each dispersed site offers quick access to one or more of Prescott's most popular destinations.
Best Dispersed Sites Near Prescott, AZ (100)
1. FDR 373 Thumb Butte Loop
Prescott National Forest, Arizona8 Reviews•28 Photos•173 SavesThis 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
- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
2. Prescott Basin - Ponderosa Park Road Dispersed Camping
Prescott National Forest, Arizona9 Reviews•17 Photos•68 SavesDispersed 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.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
3. Senator Hwy Dispersed Camp Site
Prescott National Forest, Arizona8 Reviews•24 Photos•244 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
4. Edge of the World (East Pocket)
Sedona, Arizona48 Reviews•172 Photos•3069 SavesIt 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.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
5. FDR80 Sundance Road Dispersed Camping
Prescott National Forest, Arizona6 Reviews•19 Photos•277 SavesThis 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.
- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
6. Bloody Basin Rd / Agua Fria NM Dispersed Camping
Cordes Junction, Arizona15 Reviews•56 Photos•145 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
7. Prescott National Forest Dispersed
Prescott, Arizona6 Reviews•22 Photos•109 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Dispersed
8. FDR79 Trittle Mountain Road Dispersed Camping
Prescott National Forest, Arizona4 Reviews•9 Photos•60 SavesThis 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.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
9. Prescott Basin Dispersed Camping
Prescott National Forest, Arizona4 Reviews•2 Photos•85 SavesThe 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.
- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Firewood Available
- Alcohol
10. Forest Road 689 - Dispersed Site
Rimrock, Arizona19 Reviews•30 Photos•190 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
Recent Dispersed Reviews in Prescott
356 Reviews of 100 Prescott Campgrounds
- J
Jake S.
Guide
Rimrock Dispersed Site
Dispersed site 30 mins from Sedona
Decent dispersed spot, the road in is old asphalt with some big dips and holes but mostly avoidable. Bunch of rocks sticking up in the dirt as you drive around the loop of the campsite but my truck was fine. Stayed here a couple times, first time was almost a week and second time was a few days. Can hear a little bit of highway noise but mostly white noise which I did not mind.
Chelsey W.
Traveler
Flower Pot USFS Dispersed
Beautiful and quite place
Quiet and calm vibe. Found some random deer hooves at my site which is a little strange but otherwise it was perfect
- Chelsey W.Traveler
FR689 Dispersed Camping
Beautiful location with an unsettling energetic vibe
The area was really beautiful. I had a pretty strange experience, however. I arrived late at night and once I finally found a camping space, there was a truck that pulled up after me, parked about 10 feet away and the person just sat in the truck without ever getting out. At first I thought, they're just Sharing the space, but then I started to feel very unsettled- like they were watching me or something. As a single female, this is something that was fairly uncomfortable. They sat there for at least an hour, never moving and finally drove away. The next morning I saw this elk skin was draped over the fence behind me and hooves along the fence as well.
William M.Guide
Old Airstrip Camping & Staging Area
Worth the trip
The road in is a little rough, but ok. Two week stay limit, but that's pretty standard for BLM properties. There's no facilities so be prepared. Good level land and plenty of room. Wild burros wander through occasionally, and coyotes make their presence known as well. Fantastic views and quiet atmosphere, so far. Been here two nights and plan to stay for at least another week.
Jeremy W.Traveler
Bloody Basin Rd / Agua Fria NM Dispersed Camping
Very convenient stop between phoenix metro area & Sedona
Dirt road is a bit washboard but very manageable by any vehicle.
Spots line the road to the left & right as you travel down the road. cell Service can be excellent or poor depending on site you choose (avoid the ones in the dips/valleys if its a concern for you)
No facilities, just good ol’ convenient Arizona boondocking.
I came in mid December and there were only a handful of others.
- DDavid S.
Scout
Schnebly Hill Road
Don’t climb the road from town. Acess this camp from HWY 17
The climb from Sedona was a bit torturous for my poor 3” lifted Tacoma. The road has intentionally been unmaintained to make it spicy for the paid ORV tours. Around dusk, I saw a guy come in from 17 and start dropping down towards town. He had Honda Goldwing strapped in the bed of his pickup. He made it a few hundred yards down and decided to go back the way he came.
- TTheodore B.Scout
Schnebly Hill Dispersed Camping
Convenient
I enjoyed the creek view and the springs, but the lack of campsite wifi is too much to give this campground my approval. The lack of wifi, especially when there is no cell coverage, is unbelievable. Had FHU, but again the connectivity is not existent, even being close to Sedona.
Edited by slope game 2 days ago
Glyn P.Guide
Nolan Tank Large Dispersed Area
Clean but close neighbors
There’s some sweet spots and some not so sweet spots. There are ports potties which are nice. Bad part is no campfires allowed. A few did it anyways but it was pretty dry. Not the best, but not the worst. Very good jumping off point for MYB though.
- Glyn P.Guide
Senator Hwy Dispersed Camp Site
Not too shabby
Pretty decent selection of sites. Some are right on the road, but others are tucked away quite nice. Less than 10 mins from town, but you wouldn’t know it. Roads in are a breeze with only a few sites where having more clearance might be nice. Enjoyed our stay other than one night where our neighbors got a little wild. Sites aren’t that close but at 100 decibels it doesn’t matter.
- JJason W.Guide
North Mingus Mountain Basecamp on Forest Road 413
Hard to find, but very nice!
This was not an easy place to find. We came through Jerome and took 89A S all the way through. If you get to Potatoe Patch campground you are very close, but make a left off 89A South to get to these spots instead of a right (where the fee site Potatoe Patch campground was closed)
- JJason W.Guide
Nolan Tank Large Dispersed Area
Too many people
All the individual locations are blocked. You need to stay in group dispersed camping areas. If you get there later, good luck finding a spot. If you like neighbors, this is for you. The views are very nice in morning. Expect tons of red dirt everywhere.
- William M.Guide
Bloody Basin Rd / Agua Fria NM Dispersed Camping
Nice spot
Dirt road in but very drivable. Lots of available places to pull off and camp. Beautiful scenery. In sight of I17 but no sound from it at all. No available shade but my solar set up needs full sun, so it's perfect for me. Will definitely come back
- William M.Guide
Badger Springs
Wouldn't suggest
As soon as I got there, I got the dog out and what do we immediately find? Used drug needles littering the ground around a fire ring. Definitely not somewhere I'd feel comfortable staying the night.
- KKristen P.Scout
Forest Service Road 761
Homeless Camp
Got in late and while driving around trying to find a spot, we encountered some strange people. One man half dressed walking around with a flashlight, wondering what we were doing. There may be some campers but there was a large number of homeless people when we went. Very crowded area. Ended up moving on to different spot.
- MMarcela M.Scout
Bloody Basin Rd / Agua Fria NM Dispersed Camping
Perfect spot
Approachable, very good spot near the highway, also with a camper van.
Julie M.Guide
Arizona State Trust Land FSR 761 Dispersed
Quiet spot
At the start of the road there are a couple of large areas where there were multiple vans parked but we kept going further down until we found a spot on our own. It was flat and we had a nice quiet night.
- William M.Guide
FS 618 Dispersed
Very nice site
Paved road right up to the site. A little noisy from the traffic, but doable. Good flat ground, fire ring, and plenty of available fire wood.
Steven R.Scout
Enchanted Forest Trail Campsites
Garbage Everywhere!!
My dog was laying in cigarette butts. At least it's free
Hannah N.Traveler
Forest Road 689 - Dispersed Site
Good spot outside of Sedona
Keep driving down the road and space will open up wider. We parked right past the little grate after you get to the more open space. Quite a few others but we weren’t looking for too much room or privacy. Got there right at sunset.
- Cliff R.Scout
Forest Road 9549
Camping Nolonger Allowed at this site.
10-21-2024 Went to site. No camping signs now posted. Road is now a designated OHV trail known as "Outlaw OHV Trail".
- Cliff R.Scout
Greasy Spoon Dispersed Area
Great views !
We camped there for several days in Oct.2024. Road was rough but solid. Most any size rig could access this site. Good Verizon signal. Our biggest disappointment was the red dust. It got into all our rigs and is a mess to clean up. Overall it's a good site.
- SSherry M.Traveler
Arizona State Trust Land FSR 761 Dispersed
Great spot near Sedona
Great spot 5G Verizon service quiet and alone can have fires.
- RRobert B.Traveler
Beaverhead Flats Road Dispersed Camping
Close to Sedona
Easy to find off Beaver Flats rd. The camp areas are pretty spread out which was nice. Decent shade from some Juniper trees and we could barely hear the road from our campsite. Some of the sites are pretty clase to the road though and are probably fairly noisy. I’m guessing there are about 7 sites total. It’s not the type of place for a big motor home or a big trailer.
Kerri W.Traveler
Senetor Highway Dispersed spot 5
Do Better
We left late from Phoenix on the Senator Highway from Meyer and we should’ve stopped while we were ahead. We ended up at the North end just outside of Prescott in the dispersed sites. Disgusting. Every single site looked like this one. We’ve got a RTT so thankfully it was a quick set up for the night and we’re outa here. If we’d have had adequate trash bags (a dumpster would’ve been ideal) we’d have spent the next few days cleaning up. If you pack it in pack it out. It’s real easy. That all being said- if you’ve got a large group with sxs and you enjoy the Senator, this is definitely the perfect spot.
Maddy T.Guide
Loy Butte Road
Close to Sedona but busy!
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!
Resin M.ScoutWindmill Camp
Its free,
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
- NNikolaj A.Traveler
Welch Road
Great location easy access
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.
Guide to Prescott
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Prescott, Arizona, where nature meets tranquility. This area offers a variety of spots for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle while enjoying the great outdoors.
Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Prescott, Arizona
- Always pack out what you pack in; many sites, like FDR 373 Thumb Butte Loop, emphasize the importance of leaving no trace to keep the area clean for future visitors.
- Be prepared for limited amenities; for instance, Senator Hwy Dispersed Camp Site has no water or toilets, so bring your own supplies.
- Arrive early to secure a good spot, especially at popular locations like FDR80 Sundance Road Dispersed Camping, which can fill up quickly during peak seasons.
Scenic Views for Dispersed Campers
- Experience breathtaking sunsets and stunning views at Copper Basin Campsites, where the natural beauty is complemented by the serenity of the surroundings.
- Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and beautiful forested areas at Woodchute Wilderness, perfect for those seeking a quiet retreat.
- Capture incredible night skies at Senator Hwy Dispersed Camp Site, where the lack of light pollution allows for stunning stargazing opportunities.
Activities While Free Camping Near Prescott
- Hiking enthusiasts will love the trails accessible from FDR 373 Thumb Butte Loop, offering various routes for all skill levels.
- For those interested in wildlife, North Mingus Mountain Basecamp on Forest Road 413 provides opportunities to spot deer and other animals in their natural habitat.
- Fishing and kayaking are popular activities near Prescott National Forest Dispersed, where nearby lakes and rivers offer a chance to relax and enjoy the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Prescott, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Prescott, AZ is FDR 373 Thumb Butte Loop with a 4.3-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Prescott, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 100 dispersed camping locations near Prescott, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.