Camping spots near Shonto, Arizona center around the high desert plateau of Navajo Nation land, with elevations ranging from 6,000 to 7,300 feet creating notable temperature variations between day and night. Most campgrounds close to Shonto operate seasonally with limited water access during colder months, and visitors should note that many sites prohibit alcohol consumption and open fires when camping on Navajo land.
What to do
Hiking native trails: At Navajo National Monument Canyon View Campground, campers can access well-maintained hiking trails with cultural significance. "The visitor center has super friendly staff and lots of history on the Pueblo natives... The camp spots are first come, first served. Running water toilets and sinks. Camping luxury!!" noted one visitor.
Take guided tours: Monument Valley offers Navajo-led excursions from several campgrounds in the region. "We decided to stay here to make it easy to tour Monument Valley. Nice campground that isn't too busy. Great views of nearby mesas," reported a visitor to Monument Valley KOA.
Watch for wildlife: The desert ecosystem supports surprising wildlife viewing opportunities. "We chose the perfect time to visit, no crowds, easy access to camping, wild asses all over the place. Watch out for them in the early morning," cautioned a Canyon View visitor. Other campers report rattlesnake sightings, requiring caution when selecting tent sites.
What campers like
Stargazing opportunities: The remote location provides exceptional night sky viewing. "We pulled in after 10pm to find several open Campgrounds. Road off the highway is 50mph and very smooth," reported one Canyon View visitor. Another camper at Sleeping Bear Campground noted, "Luckily it was a clear night and we got to view the milky way."
Cultural exchanges: Many sites offer authentic Navajo experiences and food. At Hummingbird Campground, "The lady host was very kind and cooked also a real Navajo Taco for dinner. I really reccomend it!" Another visitor added, "Dinner from the hosts is highly recommended, very tasty!"
Digital connectivity: Despite remote locations, several campgrounds offer surprising connectivity. "2-3 bars of reliable T-Mobile 3G/LTE. Faucet (Running Water) is still OFF. Enjoyed a very quiet night under the stars," noted a Sunset View visitor. At Hummingbird Campground, "The WiFi was good, they turned it off overnight."
What you should know
Water availability varies: Many campgrounds have limited or seasonal water access. "Faucet (Running Water) is still OFF," reported a Canyon View visitor in May. At Roam America Horseshoe Bend, facilities are more reliable but different issues arise: "The restrooms, although lovely, were CHRONICALLY out of toilet paper and paper towels. We learned to bring our own."
Weather conditions require preparation: The desert climate brings temperature extremes and wind. "It was VERY windy when we were there, but we were able to position our van so that cooking, etc. wasn't an issue," noted a camper at The View Campground. Another camper warned about "high winds for sure so canopys might not be able to be put out at times."
Reservation systems vary: Many campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis with evening fee collection. "First come, first serve. Money gets collected in the evening," explained a Sleeping Bear visitor. "We arrived around 5pm and there were several sites to choose from. I went with Site 2 as no one was in Site 1 and it was close to the bathrooms," reported another camper.
Tips for camping with families
Campground selection matters: Choose sites with appropriate facilities for children. "We spent 3 nights here in June, 2023. Everything was immaculate. The main check in building (with a little shop) was pretty upscale. And the bathhouses were great too," noted a visitor to Roam America Horseshoe Bend.
Wildlife awareness: Teach children about desert wildlife safety. "Beware, the first campsite I tried to camp at, was the last one in the row and was full of rattle snakes. So I agreed they owned that spot and moved on to another spot," reported a Canyon View visitor.
Consider temperature swings: Desert camping means preparing for both hot days and cool nights. At Page Lake Powell Campground, one camper noted the "nice and clean camp spots with good WiFi, hookups and a nice grass spot," providing comfort during temperature extremes.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions exist: Some campgrounds limit RV length. At Canyon View Campground, signs warn against vehicles longer than 27 feet for trailers or 28 feet for motorhomes. A visitor to Sleeping Bear Campground reported, "We were in a 33ft toy hauler and had no problems with the dirt road and room to pull thru. Dirt pads but fairly level."
Limited hookup options: Full-service RV sites are available at select locations only. "Pull through FHU everything worked as it should extremely clean campground. A little shade level gravel sites," noted a Gouldings RV and Campground visitor. At Monument Valley KOA, "It's a large clean campground w a very nice view, lots of little markets, a pool, showers etc."
Watch for uneven sites: Many desert campgrounds have sloping sites. At Roam America Horseshoe Bend, a visitor cautioned, "Note: many of the sites are sloping so be ready to level a bit." Another noted, "Also, note that the sites are up on curbs. We grounded out our hitch several times when pulling in or out."
