Top Free Dispersed Camping near St. Johns, AZ

Looking for the best dispersed camping near St. Johns? With The Dyrt, it's easy to find peaceful dispersed camping near St. Johns. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Arizona excursion.

Best Dispersed Sites Near St. Johns, AZ (14)

Showing results 1-10 of 14 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews In St. Johns

38 Reviews of 14 St. Johns Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Timber Mesa Trailhead
    Oct. 18, 2024

    Timber Mesa Trailhead

    Haunted with a kill site

    Great fire pit and some flat spots for a tent. The highway got quieter in the middle of the night for a little while. We stayed right next to some ruins and all three of us had wild dreams about ghosts, ghost horses, and animals. The next morning we found we were only a few steps away from a mountain lion kill site! WOW! So many kinds of animals. Elk. Coyote. Cow. Sheep. You name it! It was an exciting way to spend the evening. Enjoy!

  • p
    Camper-submitted photo from Concho lake
    Oct. 16, 2024

    Concho lake

    Ehh

    Got here at night and found it quite easily. Not the most scenic as the lake is dried up and the highway is visible (and audible). Trash cans were overflowing with trash, and a few of the sites were trashed as well. I also think I saw human poop by the bushes. At around midnight some guy came by our tent asking if we knew where the portopotties went, and said the site we were at is where he usually stays…

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pratt Lake Dispersed
    May. 24, 2024

    Pratt Lake Dispersed

    More of a pond than a lake

    Nice quiet area. Small lake. Didn’t fish, so unsure. No amenities at all, which is fine. Road is a little rough going in, in places.

  • Twan M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Concho lake
    Mar. 30, 2024

    Concho lake

    Concho Pronto

    Great, great free camping. ~20 sites, most official sites have concrete pads & trashcans but a few more primitive spots just have driveways & rock campfire rings. Great Verizon Service. WINDY. Pretty, too.

  • Elizabeth J.
    Camper-submitted photo from Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
    Nov. 8, 2023

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    Safe with amenities

    Easy to find and park, lots of campervans and RVs set up, slabs, picnic tables , seemed like 30 watt power outlets but didn't work when I tried to plug in (makes sense, it's free!) Store opens in the am with bathrooms, big dumpster, beautiful stars

  • Monte W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Concho lake
    May. 28, 2023

    Concho lake

    Peaceful and quiet

    Stayed here for a couple nights towards the end of May. There were a few other people camping while I was here but it was very quiet. I would estimate there are about 10 sites. Most appeared to have garbage cans. There were two port o potty’s that were not too bad. There were lots of cattle free range grazing around the lake. I was able to find fire wood around for a fire but it was a little challenging finding larger pieces of wood, I would probably bring some wood of my own if I ever returned. Overall it was a great place to stay for free especially since there aren’t lots of campsites in this area. Directions were accurate.

  • Ray L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Concho lake
    Mar. 9, 2023

    Concho lake

    Mixed emotions.

    Reviews say this place is clean but it is Disgusting. The porta potties aren’t even worth trying to use and there was garbage EVERYWHERE. I would still almost give it 4 stars because when I was there it was nearly empty, but the one other person who was there blasted loud music all day and night and was clearly on drugs. Not great, not bad. Would I stay here again? Yeah I guess so. Definitely a mixed bag.

  • Untrammelers B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
    Mar. 8, 2023

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    Quiet and Safe and Quirky

    Running with the Route 66 theme, this area is really cool! Sleep amongst the dinosaurs and teepees and cruise the rock shop in the morning! Located at the entrance of the Petrified Forest, this is a quiet spot at night. There were four other campers and each of us had a picnic table. We were on the gift shop side but the museum across the street also has spot and theirs have electricity (they have locks on them but I think you go into the museum before 5pm to have them open them and pay for the electric?).

  • N
    Camper-submitted photo from Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
    Dec. 21, 2022

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    Easy spot near the NP

    Dirt lot with about 20 spots for RVs, trailers, campervans, or any other self contained camper. They don't allow tent camping because there are no bathrooms available. Dumpster was in the lot for trash. Reading other reviews they mentioned no electric, at this site, but there are boxes next to each campground with 30amp outlets. My camper doesn't use shore power, so I wasn't able to test the boxes. Attached a photo of what the outlet looks like if anyone wants to give it a try. There are paid sites across the road specifically for anyone who needs an electric hook up.

    Overall was quiet, but we also went on a day in December and there was noone else at the campground.

  • Jillian B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
    Oct. 22, 2022

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    Decent free spot

    A free spots a free spot! There were about 8-10 spots to pull in to with picnic tables. Only one bar Verizon and att. We got there around 6 and got the last picnic table spot. Dumpster onsite which is nice! Right outside the petrified forest entrance so great if you are going there.

  • Lawrence P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
    Apr. 10, 2022

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    Great place to Boondock and close to the entrance!

    What a wonderful place to stay for a few days and close to the Petrified Forest! Plus it is FREE! 

    It's not much but if you are Boondocking for a few days or just wanna stay overnight, this is a great place to stay! I'd say get there before 5pm-ish as it starts to fill up due to people leaving the park. There a few spots that have covered picnic tables and the rest are out in the open. It's a gravel/dirt base for the most part and leveling is pretty easy!

    FYI, there are NO hookups of any kind here. So be prepared ahead of time. The associated campground across the street has "electric only" for$15, if you need it.

  • j
    Camper-submitted photo from Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
    Mar. 30, 2022

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    Can’t beat the price!

    Right outside the South Gate of the Petrified Forest National Park. They offer free camping with no hookups for self contained rigs. Water is available at city hall if needed. They even have a dumpster so getting rid of trash is easy.

  • Edward K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
    Mar. 29, 2022

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    Two gift shops, two campgrounds

    There are two gift shops with camping areas here. The Petrified Forest Gift Shop on the left heading into the park, has 10 sites with 30amp electricity and a picnic table. $15.98/night. The Crystal Forest Museum on the right has free RV camping. Each site has a picnic table. The owner of the Petrified Forest Gift Shop just purchased the Crystal Forest Museum (which is still closed) and is still allowing free camping on that property. Fires are not allowed in either campground.

  • Joseph H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
    Mar. 24, 2022

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    Close to Petrified Forest NP with no frills

    This is simply a place to park overnight that allows for great access to the national park. The owner was a bit short when I checked with her about the spot, but other than that, no issues. There's no power, water, or anything else, so you'll need to be self-contained. They do have covered picnic tables at each of the spots, which was nice. I'd recommend this to anyone visiting the park!

  • Heather E.
    Camper-submitted photo from Concho lake
    Jan. 4, 2022

    Concho lake

    Beautiful clean spot

    Stopped here prior to visiting the petrified forest. What a clean, quiet, gem. The lake was frozen over which made for tons of fun for us throwing rocks and listening to the ripple. I’d say there is at least 10 spots. Port-o-potty there and trash so please continue to keep this clean free site just that way!

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
    Jul. 16, 2021

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    Self contained only

    If you want to be close to the petrified forest national park this is it. You can see the gate to the park it is an old event park that went under and now you can use for free. There is a paid area where you can get electricity but it is just a parking lot

  • T
    Camper-submitted photo from Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
    Jul. 3, 2021

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    Simple but free

    Used the free RV parking. There is a $15 with electric hookup version across the road too. The free site is strictly for fully contained campers. No car overnights, no tents. The museum/gift shop is stocked with tons of petrified wood pieces for sale. Bring lots of cash though… 😉

  • L
    Camper-submitted photo from Concho lake
    Jun. 29, 2021

    Concho lake

    Pretty but closed due to fires

    Close to high way pass mile marker 369 - Due to fire danger in the area currently it’s closed.

  • L
    Camper-submitted photo from Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts
    Jun. 4, 2021

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    Cheap spot with Electric

    Rv spots are on the side of the gift shop parking lot. They have 30 Amp hook ups for only $15/night. The gift shop closes at 5pm so you need to be there before then or you will be without power until they open in the morning and you can pay then.



Guide to St. Johns

Camping near St. Johns, Arizona, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Fishing: Many campers enjoy fishing at Big Lake Campground. One camper said, "The scenery is beautiful. The weather was beautiful and the fishing was good."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Lyman Lake State Park Campground. A visitor mentioned, "The views are always amazing, and the weather was perfect."
  • Wildlife Watching: Campers at Rainbow Campground often spot deer and other wildlife. One reviewer shared, "We even had visits from deer, a very bold skunk, chipmunks, squirrels, and blue jays."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Campground. A reviewer noted, "Show and bathroom facilities are clean and nearby."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy sites at Holbrook/Petrified Forest KOA. One camper said, "The sites are wide and level. Nice amenities include the chairs, table, and fire pit."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpful staff at OK RV Park. A visitor remarked, "The staff were very friendly and making a reservation was easy."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts, do not have drinking water or electric hookups. A camper mentioned, "Store opens in the am with bathrooms, big dumpster, beautiful stars."
  • Road Noise: Campers at Holbrook/Petrified Forest KOA noted that while it's convenient, you can hear some freeway noise. One reviewer said, "You can hear some of the freeway noise and an occasional train."
  • Reservations Recommended: Popular spots like Rainbow Campground fill up quickly. A visitor advised, "It's recommended to make reservations at least 4 days in advance."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids, like Show Low Lake Campground. One camper said, "The hosts are incredible," making it a welcoming place for families.
  • Explore Nature: Encourage kids to explore the outdoors. A camper at Lyman Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "There is only one designated bathhouse building, so if you park far, you’ll be walking a ways."
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Many campgrounds have quiet hours, like Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Campground, which are from 8 PM to 7 AM. A reviewer noted, "Quiet hours 8 PM-7 AM."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: RVers at OK RV Park appreciated the spacious sites. One camper said, "They took us to our site and it was huge."
  • Laundry Facilities: Look for campgrounds with laundry options, like Holbrook/Petrified Forest KOA. A visitor mentioned, "The laundry area was clean and reasonable."
  • Be Prepared for Weather: Campers at Big Lake Campground noted the weather can change quickly. One camper said, "The wind picked up in the evenings to about 10 mph, but then was calm around 9 PM."

Camping near St. Johns, Arizona, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near St. Johns, AZ?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near St. Johns, AZ is Concho lake with a 4.3-star rating from 11 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near St. Johns, AZ?

    TheDyrt.com has all 14 dispersed camping locations near St. Johns, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.