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Best Dispersed Camping near St. Johns, AZ

50 Reviews

Dispersed camping opportunities are available near St. Johns, Arizona within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Free primitive camping can be found along several forest service roads, with notable sites including Concho Lake dispersed area, National Forest Road 117C, Carnero Spring Road, and Beehive Spring Camp. Most sites are located on public land managed by the U.S. Forest Service, with some areas accessible via maintained dirt roads while others require high-clearance vehicles.

Access roads in the region vary significantly in quality and maintenance. Forest Road 117C features rutted sections that become muddy following snow melt, requiring careful navigation and potentially 4WD capability during wet conditions. Many dispersed sites lack amenities, with no drinking water, electrical hookups, or permanent restroom facilities. Some areas like Concho Lake include basic amenities such as trash cans and portable toilets. Fire restrictions frequently apply during dry seasons, with some sites permitting campfires while others strictly prohibit them. Campers should verify current fire regulations before visiting, as restrictions change seasonally.

The dispersed sites near St. Johns provide opportunities for wildlife viewing and solitude, particularly at higher elevations in the forest. Beehive Spring Camp sits at approximately 9,200 feet elevation, offering cooler temperatures but cold nights even in September. A visitor noted that "logging trucks are noisy during the day" on some forest roads. At Concho Lake, a camper observed that "there are at least 10 spots with cement pads for vans or smaller RVs in some spots, and fire pits." Wildlife is abundant in certain areas, with one review mentioning "prairie dogs and bunnies galore" around Concho Lake. These primitive camping areas are particularly valuable since established campgrounds are limited in the immediate vicinity.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near St. Johns, Arizona (15)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near St. Johns, AZ

30 Photos of 15 St. Johns Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near St. Johns, AZ

50 Reviews of 15 St. Johns Campgrounds

  • j
    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.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 6, 2022

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    Love Places Like This!

    This is an old dirt lot with several sites for overnight RV parking, which the gift shop allows for free for a night as long as you are self-contained. No tent camping or sleeping in your car allowed (because there are no restrooms available). 

    Each spot has a picnic table and a few have a shade structure as well.

    The other side of the street has more sites available for $15/night and they include power hookups. No other amenities available here. 

    These lots are just outside the Petrified Forest NP south entrance and it’s so convenient to stay here if you’re going to be visiting the park. We stopped at the gift shop to make sure we were good to park here for the night and also to make an obligatory “thank you” purchase. They have lots of jewelry, petrified wood pieces (ranging from cheap to crazy expensive for the large polished pieces), clothing, gifts, stickers, etc. They also sell beer for $3/can but all they have is Budweiser. 

    Good-ish cell reception here. AT&T had 3G, Verizon had LTE, and T-Mobile was roaming as always.

  • Abby M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2020

    Concho lake

    Good one night stay

    Stayed one day on my way to Reno. Nice spot along the highway. You can hear vehicles but in a van, barely heard it. There’s prairie dogs and bunnies galore, which was a nice bonus. Clean porti potties and decent AT&T signal. I only checked out one loop but place has as least 10 spots. Some have cement pads and fire rings. No picnic tables that I saw.

  • Bob & Ramona F.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 15, 2021

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    What do you want for FREE?

    Located just before south entrance. FREE ("Boondock") camping on East side. Electric (no water) for $15 on West side. We picked East as Solar gives us all the A/C we need! Gift shops to explore on both sides. SEVERAL abandoned cars in front of shops to "chum for patrons".... Great place to stage before a day of exploring. Not sure I'd stay more than 2 nites but a night before and nite after visiting the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert is perfect! Just make sure to spend some $ at the gift shop if you stay for free.

  • Irene L.
    Oct. 1, 2017

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    Touristy but right next to Petrified Forest National Park

    The Petrified Forest National Park does not have its own car camping campground (there are only backcountry backpacking sites, requiring permits, gear, walking, skills, etc). This rather touristy campground is right outside the National Park. It is pretty basic and incredibly it is totally free. It does have electric hookups for a small fee, The sites are large and out in the open with no shade...dismal in the hot AZ sun! There’s a teepee village you can also use, would be a big hit for kids. The gift shop has some snacks and lots of interesting geological trinkets. At night it is beautifully dark.

  • Rene F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts

    Lots of spots with slabs to the left looking at building.

    Was going to stay the night before, but needed a real bed. So I stopped this morning. It is tight next to south entrance of Petrified national forest.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 26, 2024

    Mud Spring

    Quiet Area, several lakes not far

    Quiet place not far off a Forest Service Rd.

  • Lawrence P.
    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.

Guide to St. Johns

Dispersed camping opportunities near St. Johns, Arizona extend throughout the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest at elevations ranging from 6,000 to 9,200 feet. The area sits at the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau, characterized by pine forests and scattered meadows. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F during day, dropping to 40-50°F at night, with snow possible from November through April.

What to do

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The Painted Desert within Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area offers unique animal sightings. "We saw a very wary herd of pronghorn antelope" along with "so many kinds of animals. Elk. Coyote. Cow. Sheep. You name it!"

Fishing in alpine lakes: Small mountain ponds like Pratt Lake Dispersed provide rustic fishing spots without crowds. A camper noted it was a "nice quiet area" though it's "more of a pond than a lake."

Stargazing in dark skies: The remote location creates exceptional night sky viewing. At Petrified Forest, campers report "you can see the Milky Way" and it's "so quiet, my husband said all he could hear all night was his tinnitus."

What campers like

Solitude and remoteness: Timber Mesa Trailhead camping provides isolation with "easy to get to, close to town, clearly marked trails and roadways. Hiking views were spectacular."

Geological exploration: The petrified wood deposits are substantial in this region. One visitor described Petrified Forest as "a gorgeous place with the highest concentration of petrified wood known to man."

Wildlife encounters: Carnero Spring Road offers "fun wildlife viewing" with opportunities to camp "in the clearing by the lake" where "some traffic came through but not bothersome."

What you should know

Road conditions vary significantly: Many forest roads become challenging after precipitation. At National Forest Road 117C, campers warn "don't try to make it to the shared coordinates soon after a snow melt. Grateful for our GoTreads. Road is rocky and rutted in places."

Weather preparedness essential: The high elevation means significant temperature swings between day and night. Pack accordingly, as one camper at Beehive Spring Camp noted "at 9200 ft elevation got cold at night in September."

Services are minimal: Nearly all dispersed sites lack facilities. For Carnero Spring Road, a visitor noted "no amenities, must be self-contained."

Permit requirements: Some areas require permits. At Petrified Forest, "permits are free and easy to obtain. Ask for a wilderness hiking booklet as well, it's very well made and can help orient yourself."

Tips for camping with families

Accessible spots for beginners: Concho Lake offers family-friendly dispersed camping with some basic facilities. "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."

Educational opportunities: Wildlife viewing becomes a learning experience. "There were lots of cattle free range grazing around the lake" at Concho Lake, while another camper mentioned enjoying watching "prairie dogs and bunnies."

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year for dispersed camping in St. Johns, Arizona?

The ideal time for dispersed camping around St. Johns is late spring (May-June) and early fall (September-October) when temperatures are moderate and conditions are most comfortable. Summer days (July-August) can be quite hot, though elevations near Fish Creek Camp and National Forest Road 117C provide cooler options. Winter camping (November-March) is possible but challenging due to cold temperatures, especially at night, and potential snow at higher elevations. Monsoon season (July-September) brings afternoon thunderstorms that can create flash flood hazards in washes and difficult road conditions on dirt access roads. Spring offers wildflower displays, while fall provides stunning color changes in deciduous trees at higher elevations. Check weather forecasts and road conditions before heading out regardless of season.

Where can I find dispersed camping near St. Johns, Arizona?

Several dispersed camping options exist near St. Johns. Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts offers free dispersed camping for self-contained vehicles just outside the south entrance of Petrified Forest National Park. The location features a dirt lot with about 20 spots, some with picnic tables and shade structures. Another option is Concho Lake, which provides dispersed camping spots along the highway with portable toilets. For those seeking more remote experiences, the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest has numerous dispersed camping locations on forest service roads, particularly in the areas north and east of St. Johns. Remember that most dispersed sites require you to be self-contained, as facilities are typically minimal or non-existent.

Are there any free camping areas near St. Johns with water access?

Yes, there are several free camping areas with water access near St. Johns. 5 Mile Wash BLM Dispersed offers free camping with seasonal water access depending on rainfall. For reliable water access, Pratt Lake Dispersed provides camping opportunities near a small lake. While most dispersed sites don't offer running water, some locations like Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts mention water availability at nearby city hall for campers. During spring and early summer, seasonal creeks and washes in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest may provide natural water sources, though these should be filtered or treated before use. Always bring your own water supply, as natural sources can be unreliable depending on seasonal conditions and drought status.

What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping around St. Johns?

Dispersed camping around St. Johns follows standard Forest Service and BLM regulations. At Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area, you must obtain a free backcountry permit from the visitor center after paying the park entrance fee. Most dispersed camping areas require campers to be self-contained, with many sites like Mud Spring prohibiting tent camping due to lack of restroom facilities. The standard stay limit is typically 14 days within a 28-day period. Pack-in, pack-out principles apply, and campers must maintain at least 100 feet distance from water sources. Campfires may be restricted seasonally, especially during fire danger periods. Always check current regulations with the Springerville Ranger District of Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest before your trip.

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