FS 609 - Dispersed Camping, near Flagstaff, Arizona, offers a rugged escape into the heart of the Coconino National Forest. This area is perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in nature, with plenty of spots to set up camp away from the hustle and bustle.

The location is known for its beautiful scenery and wildlife, including elk that you might spot while driving in. Visitors have mentioned that the roads can be rough, so a high-clearance vehicle is recommended if you plan to venture deeper into the area. As one camper noted, “The roads are very rough from the beginning,” but the payoff is worth it with numerous spots to pull off and camp.

While there are no amenities like drinking water or toilets, the freedom to have campfires and the absence of reservations make this a laid-back spot for those looking to disconnect. Reviewers appreciated the spaciousness, allowing for a more private camping experience. Just keep an eye out for the subtle turn-off to the site, as it can be easy to miss.

If you're up for an adventure, FS 609 is a solid choice for a weekend getaway. Just remember to pack out what you pack in, and enjoy the peace and quiet of the forest!

FS 609 - Dispersed Camping

Strawberry is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Strawberry. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Strawberry

The Best Camping Near Strawberry, Arizona

Camped out here for a night. Very easy road to drive on and there are plenty of options to pitch a tent! Surprisingly not crowded at all. I would go back!

Cozy Dispersed Area

I was very surprised of how easy it is to get here. Just right off the highway. The road is overall pretty easy to drive. There are some spots that I would only go over with a truck or higher clearance vehicle. We have a traverse and it did just fine. Lots of places to camp! 

Perfect getaway 

Car camped with the dog. The area was nice and the spots had fire rings. Maybe a little rocky for tent camping so bring a rake. The dirt road was too uneven for a sedan, would recommend some clearance. I have T-Mobile and had full bars of 5g. 

Nice spot!

Cool little place right off the highway. Road keeps going back with more and more areas to disperse camp. If you plan on going deep, definitely recommend a 4x4 as the road gets really rough. 

Cozy Spot

Looks like a cool spot, but there's currently a gate across the road. 2/3/2022

Road is closed

I was very skeptical about visiting this campsite at first, because I felt the information that I could find online was minimal. After visiting, however, I would definitely recommend this campsite to anyone. It was spacious enough to spread out from other campers. It was lovely to be right in the middle of the forest. I'd recommend driving further in to be away from the noise of the highway. I saw some reviews saying the gate was closed, but it was open when we were there in July 2022. Important things to note: This campground is located in the Coconino National Forest, please follow their rules and fire restrictions. No reservations are necessary for this campground. We found service to be a little spotty, but not impossible. Dogs are allowed. The turn in was pretty subtle, so definitely keep an eye out for it and use Google Maps over Apple Maps, because Apple Maps has no idea where this site is! All in all, I would visit again!

Perfect Getaway

Really beautiful, convenient camping area off the side of the highway. (Lots of elk by the road, so keep your eye out for that on the drive.) Lots of campers in tents and with fires. Would have been perfect but I was in my Prius and the road was very uneven. I've taken my Prius on dirt roads a lot, but this one was just way too uneven for a low-clearance vehicle. Def dinged up the bottom of my car a little bit.

Not for low-clearance

The roads are very rough from the beginning. Lots of spots to pull off and camp. Better to drive in during the daylight. 

Need high clearance vehicle

Hard to find if just looking for signs. Great scenery

Road not marked or maintained

We pulled into our stop as the sun was setting.  Drove back about a quarter mile ona 4wd road.  Had a few gun shots and elks during the night. 

Nice forest 

This is definitely a great place to come to if you want solitude. 

- YOU WILL NEED DECENT CLEARANCE VEHICLE/TRAILER

- I do NOT recommend doing this in a Toyota Corolla. A standard truck clearance is probably fine. No need for 4x4, but good tires are a must. Big Chevy Silverado did great. 

The first couple of sites right off the road are big rig friendly. Maybe 500-1000 feet into the road there is a horse pin if you happen to have horses, but your trailer will need a bit of clearance in order to make it to this spot. 

If you can, you absolutely should keep going down the main entrance road until you come to the first left turn. Turn left onto a half loop shown on the map. This road takes you to some amazing camping sites that overlook a giant canyon on the left! The farther you go, the better it gets. There was a tree blocking road  3/4 of the way through the loop,  but it isn’t a far drive back to main entrance road. 

There are plenty of roads to pull of into and go through the little gates to go camping or exploring. Always keep the gates closed. This was a great spot!!! There are probably ~100 total sites on this road with camp fire rings. All very well spaced apart. 

Conveniently located to Pine and Strawberry

Photos of FS 609 - Dispersed Camping

Real photos from real campers