Sedona, Arizona's surrounding landscape features a diverse range of camping options within the iconic red rock terrain. Established campgrounds like Cave Springs and Manzanita offer developed sites along Oak Creek, while free dispersed camping can be found at West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping and Schnebly Hill Road areas. Within 30 minutes of downtown, campers will find everything from primitive tent sites to full-service RV resorts with hookups. Dead Horse Ranch State Park in nearby Cottonwood provides year-round camping with amenities like showers and electric hookups, serving as a popular alternative when Sedona sites fill up.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, particularly for dispersed camping access. Schnebly Hill Road presents challenging terrain when approached from Sedona, with multiple campers noting the route requires high-clearance 4WD vehicles. "The climb from Sedona was a bit torturous for my poor 3" lifted Tacoma," reported one visitor, while others recommend accessing the same areas via I-17 for easier travel. Seasonal considerations include summer heat, winter snow at higher elevations, and monsoon storms that can affect road conditions. Fire restrictions are common during dry periods, particularly in dispersed camping areas. Cell service remains reliable near established campgrounds but becomes spotty in remote locations.
Oak Creek access represents a significant draw for many campers visiting the area. Rancho Sedona RV Park receives consistently high ratings for its creek-side location, with one visitor noting, "The creek is lovely to sit in or swim in and chill down." Several campgrounds feature mature shade trees that provide relief during hot weather. Crowding remains a common concern, especially at free dispersed sites. A camper at West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping observed it was "more crowded than I thought, a local ranger in Cottonwood warned us 'that place is starting to look like an RV park.'" Despite popularity, most visitors report the spectacular red rock views and proximity to hiking trails make the experience worthwhile.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
"Good location for dispersed camping near Sedona. Only about a 15 minute drive to town and the popular hikes. Was very crowded but not bad if you find a spot away from the groups."
"Clean, wide open space. 15 min from Sedonas tourist area. Quiet at night. Several had ATVs so not sure how quiet in daytime."
"Dispersed camping down a long, dirt road overlooking beautiful canyon and Sedona red rock. Rock fire rings at some sites, but signs indicated camp fires were not allowed."
"This is an awesome spot if you're looking for great views of Sedona. The road to get to the campsites is long and can be rough in spots. Watch out for cattle and deer when driving down the dirt road."
$42 - $84 / night
"Nice RV Park close to Cottonwood and Jerome and only 30 minutes away from Sedona. Quiet area and well kept that also has Park Model cabins available."
"We stayed in the adults only section near ish to the creek. Very shady, and really good sized spaces. The creek is lovely to sit in or swim in and chill down."
$25 - $70 / night
"The three small lakes are a great spot to fish and lots of shade. A horse stable and playground are nearby. There are 4 camping loops, 1 tent only."
"There are a couple of nice trails in the park, one leading into Old Town Cottonwood - try Old Town Cafe for their flaky croissants!"
$30 / night
"The campground sits on Oak Creek, and is in the perfect location where you are far enough away from Sedona city center to have some peace and quiet, and within an amazing setting of red rocks, tall pines"
"Tucked into Oak Creek canyon, surrounded by trees, red dirt mountain sides, and a creek this campground is stunning."
$59 - $150 / night
"The campground is beautiful with trees everywhere and most campgrounds are close to the creek. Just 15 minutes away from Sedona and Cottonwood, about 30 minutes away from Jerome!"
"We stayed here in June which is a hot time to camp in Arizona. This campground has Oak Creek running through it which is a great place to cool off."
"Due to the ease of access from Sedona and Flagstaff this campground sees a lot of action."
"Lots of campsites available and a good location between Sedona and Flagstaff. It tends to fill up quick, at least in the summer months."
$30 - $45 / night
"Our host welcomed us and informed water and toilet located."
"Other than being close to the highway, we love this campground. It is in a heavily wooded forest next to Oak Creek. It has multiple bathrooms and accessible drinking water."
$30 / night
"Right on oak creek with good entry to the creek, shaded, and good location from Sedona. A little close to the road, but the sound of the creek helps with that. Host was very friendly also."
"The river access also added to the positives of the spot. My only complaint is that a handful of sites are where you park on the pavement and have to walk down into your actual site."
"Love this site but I highly recommend getting to it via route 17 unless you are very comfortable with off-roading."
"Beyond my location got VERY rocky, like, larger rocks sticking up all over the place, and I’m traveling alone, so I stopped here. I have a Subaru Forester."
GuideVery crowded (may have been due to spring break?), with cars parking very close by making makeshift spots. About 5 miles of gravel-ish road and some potholes as you enter the camping area itself.
Please put where you find water in the review if you find it! I ended up filling water bladders w a grocery store fill up station lmao.
Nice to be so close to trails.
ScoutStayed here for a few nights and had an excellent time for what it was. It's a relatively small lot but much more quiet and intimate than Surprise closer to the highway. Two clean portapotties onsite which was very appreciated. Spots for tent camping. Ground isn't super level for vehicles. Neighbors were very quiet and respectful for the most part. Beautiful sunsets in the area. About 10 minutes out from Sedona and 20 minutes out from Cottonwood which has a Walmart. Road to get up here was a little rough but still doable in my sedan while going slow. Beautiful stars. Vehicles come past sometimes, presumably to get to the further campsites, but overall a pretty peaceful spot, at least in the Spring.
GuideThis is a nice place and was very quiet during the week. Things went south Friday evening when the OHV and very loud party crew showed up. You could hear/feel the boom from around a half mile. The OHV s were non-stop from sun up to well after dark. The boom finally stopped around midnight. The road in is very rough and rocky.
RangerI just wanted to get something free and close to the West fork of oak Creek. This fit the bill. I was able to get into this site in my Honda Civic, although it is a little bit rough and you need to drive carefully. There were several other people staying nearby. There is some noise from the highway but it isn't bad and there isn't a lot of traffic. And it is in a fairly thick ponderosa Forest
TravelerWe stayed over the Easter weekend, arrived on Thursday and got a fantastic spot on the edge of the campground facing the mountains. Sites were clean, nights were very quiet, and very dark when the moon was not out. One drawback was during the day the dirt road that runs by the campground gets busier with group ATV riders, and vehicles.
GuideThis is a very well run RV park. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The park is well laid out and tidy. The ambiance is like nothing else I’ve seen…especially at night. Many entertainment options on-site.
TravelerNot far off the main road there is a lot of spots available. The road is in good shape. Keep driving for more secluded spots but good ones fill up quickly on a weekend.
TravelerThis campground is awesome. It was the perfect refuge for the rainy week. It’s super well maintained. Free drinking water stations and a picnic area for each spot. Quiet and even with a gas station and Home Depot within a 15 min walk it still feels like you’re in the woods especially when the coyotes start howling at night. I wish we would have gone to the horse camp FF spots instead: they are farther away from the road sounds, more spaced out, and we could’ve stayed another night for the same price on the other side. Only difference is pavement roads/sites.
ScoutWe were in need of a spot for one night and asked the ranger in the visitor center where they recommended. They pulled out a map and showed us this road which has 5-10 dispersed sites. We found one tucked in the trees and it was magical. Fit our 35 foot bumper pull and truck no problem. The road is graded nicely and is wide.
Camping near Sedona occurs at elevations ranging from 3,900 to 6,500 feet, creating significant temperature variations between seasons and locations. The lower Oak Creek areas can reach 100°F in summer while higher forest service roads near Schnebly Hill remain 15-20°F cooler. Fall brings ideal camping conditions with daytime temperatures in the 70s and nights in the 40s, making it the most sought-after season for camping at Sedona AZ.
Fishing at Oak Creek: Visit Dead Horse Ranch State Park for family-friendly fishing opportunities with stocked lagoons. "There are about eight small cabins as well. This park offers a much needed break from the Arizona heat in the spring and summer months. The 'lakes' are really more like ponds but plenty large enough to fish in as is the Verde River, running through the park," notes one camper.
Winery exploration: Several wineries operate within 15 minutes of Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort in Cornville. "Just 15 minutes away from Sedona and Cottonwood, about 30 minutes away from Jerome! There's 2 Vineyards down the road that we enjoyed... DA Ranch was absolutely beautiful and our favorite," shares a visitor.
Stargazing opportunities: Higher elevation sites offer exceptional night sky viewing, particularly at Pine Flat Campground. "Bring your telescope or binoculars. Set up a star gazing perch at night.....it's spectacular," recommends a camper. Most dispersed sites away from town lights provide darker skies, with best viewing from September through April when nights are longer.
Natural swimming spots: Cave Springs offers access to several swimming holes along Oak Creek. "There's a swimming hole on the creek nearby. The hosts are very helpful and keep the place looking really nice. It's an idyllic spot with sycamores, oaks, and pines," explains a visitor. Sites nearest to water access typically fill fastest in summer months.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings provide opportunities to see local wildlife, with many campers reporting rabbit sightings. At Dead Horse Ranch State Park, one camper noted "Spent the afternoon watching bluebirds in the trees outside my RV and woke up to cottontail rabbits hopping around."
Less crowded alternatives: Several campers recommend exploring camping options in Cottonwood, just 20 minutes away. "When making a reservation make sure you find spots with shade. Great location to see area towns," advises a Dead Horse Ranch visitor. Some campers report having better luck securing weekday reservations at popular sites rather than weekends.
Road accessibility challenges: Edge of the World (East Pocket) requires careful vehicle preparation. "The rocky trail ended with a flat tire on our truck (as we were hauling our truck camper). We were looking forward to the views, but we were forced to turn back," warns one camper. Another notes, "Though it was a mission to get to the spot, me personally I would say it's worth the effort... It is a bumpy road with large portion of potholes."
Seasonal concerns: Winter camping brings snow at higher elevations. One Manzanita camper reports, "Just next to the stream, perfectly secluded with decent bathrooms. However don't recommend going in the winter, there was an unexpected snowstorm and our tent collapsed, our mistake!" Higher elevation sites can see snow October through April.
Campground crowding: Competition for sites is intense, especially on weekends and during peak seasons. A Forest Road 525 camper states, "Overcrowding has ruined this place. 95 percent of all spots were closed off for camping, and the few spots that were available had multiple ppl in them." Weekday arrivals increase chances of securing a spot at popular locations.
Playground access: Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort offers family-friendly amenities not commonly found at other area campgrounds. "Play ground and swings for the kids! Right on the river, clean facilities, and friendly staff!" shares one visitor. Another adds, "Our kids loved this place... Kids rode bikes all over. There's a store that seeks a bunch of stuff."
Easy hiking trails: Several family-appropriate trails with minimal elevation gain exist close to campgrounds. "We have a 5, 3 and 1 year old so had to keep it mellow. But the nature walks they had were great for that age group and was just enough to not burn out the kids," reports a Dead Horse Ranch camper.
Creek access considerations: When staying at creek-side campsites, be aware of changing water levels. At Manzanita Campground, one camper notes, "We stayed at campsite 12 which seemed to be the closest to the creek. The views were great as well as the host." Creek water is typically coldest in spring during snowmelt and warmest in late summer.
Hookup availability: Rancho Sedona RV Park provides full service options close to downtown. "Full hookups and nice sites. RR clean and fairly close, dependent on where in park you are located but not a far walk," mentions one camper. Another notes, "There are a lot of rules here but it is what's keeps this place clean and comfortable."
Parking considerations: Site dimensions vary significantly across campgrounds. "Sites are tight, but with the layout, fences, and trees it does not feel crowded," explains a Rancho Sedona visitor. For larger RVs, Pine Flat Campground requires careful maneuvering as "the road through camp is a one-way single lane road and pretty narrow with boulders on the sides."
Quiet hours enforcement: Many established campgrounds enforce strict quiet hours. According to a Rancho Sedona camper, "This place is located right in the heart of Sedona, the bathrooms were clean, sites are shaded with lots of trees around. I gave it 4 stars because they are a little ridiculous with the quiet times, they don't like you coming and going in vehicles after 10 pm."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find free or low-cost camping options near Sedona?
For budget-friendly camping near Sedona, dispersed camping offers the best value. Schnebly Hill Road provides free camping with incredible views, though the western portion closer to Sedona is quite rocky. For easier access, approach from I-17 using exit 320. Another excellent free option is Forest Road 689 - Dispersed Site, located about 25 minutes from Sedona with well-maintained roads and established fire pits. While you might hear distant highway sounds, it's minimal and doesn't detract from the experience. Both locations require self-sufficiency with no amenities, so bring all necessary supplies including water. Remember to practice Leave No Trace principles and check for any seasonal fire restrictions before your trip.
What are the best campgrounds in Sedona for tent camping?
Sedona offers excellent tent camping options with beautiful red rock views. Manzanita Campground stands out as a premier choice, situated right on Oak Creek with good water access, ample shade, and a friendly host. The location is convenient to Sedona while providing a natural creek-side setting. Another solid option is West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping, located just 15 minutes from town and popular hiking trails. While it can get crowded, finding a spot away from groups provides a more secluded experience. Both locations offer the quintessential Sedona camping experience with different atmospheres – developed creek-side camping at Manzanita or more rustic dispersed camping with easier access to town at West Sedona.
What is the best time of year to go camping in Sedona, Arizona?
The ideal seasons for camping in Sedona are spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) when temperatures are moderate and comfortable. During these months, daytime highs typically range from 60-80°F with cool, clear nights – perfect for enjoying outdoor activities and stargazing. Summer (June-August) brings intense heat often exceeding 90°F, making activities challenging unless planned for early morning or evening. Winter (December-February) offers a unique experience with fewer crowds at locations like Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground, though nights can drop below freezing. For the most pleasant experience, consider camping at Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort during transition seasons when you can enjoy amenities like the creek, pool, and hot tub in comfortable weather.
Are there any waterfront camping sites near Sedona with fishing access?
Yes, several campgrounds near Sedona offer waterfront sites with fishing opportunities. Rancho Sedona RV Park sits along beautiful Oak Creek, providing access to swimming and fishing in a professionally managed setting with concrete pads and excellent amenities. The creek offers a refreshing place to cool off and try your luck fishing. For a more rustic option with state park amenities, Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground features three small lakes that are great for fishing, with plenty of shade and facilities. Located in Cottonwood about 30 minutes from Sedona, this park combines waterfront access with family-friendly amenities including playgrounds and horse stables. Both locations provide different waterfront experiences while maintaining relatively easy access to Sedona's attractions.
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