Best Tent Camping near Winslow, AZ
Dispersed tent camping options dominate the Winslow, Arizona region, offering primitive sites within the Coconino and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Long Lake Dispersed Camping and Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground provide established tent sites with minimal amenities, while Forest Road 195 and FR95 areas allow for more remote backcountry camping experiences typically 30-60 minutes from town.
Tent campers should bring all necessary supplies as most sites lack potable water, trash collection, and other basic services. The final stretches of road to Long Lake Dispersed Camping and Chevelon Canyon Lake require high-clearance vehicles, with recent visitors noting the last 7 miles to Long Lake being "truly a challenge for anything other than a slightly lifted vehicle." Vault toilets exist at some locations like Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground, but many dispersed areas have no facilities whatsoever. Summer monsoon seasons can create difficult access conditions on forest roads, particularly July through August.
Forest Road 195 and FR95 areas offer secluded tent camping with significant distance between sites. A camper described FR95 as having "a lot of shade and places to hang up our hammock," though they noted dealing with wasps during their visit. Sites near Chevelon Canyon Lake require substantial hiking to reach the water, with one review mentioning "a 45-minute hike down through the canyon" that is "a trek" to return from. Tent sites typically feature simple fire rings and relatively level ground suitable for tents, though minimal site preparation has been done. During peak summer weekends, the more accessible sites fill quickly, but midweek visitors often find complete solitude even at established campgrounds, particularly at higher elevations where cooler temperatures attract campers seeking relief from summer heat.
