Within Coconino National Forest, this dispersed camping area provides free overnight stays in an off-highway vehicle zone northeast of Flagstaff. The US Forest Service manages this drive-in site where campers can set up anywhere along the network of OHV roads that branch off the main access route.
The area functions as an active OHV zone, which means dust from passing vehicles can be significant during busy periods. "Came towards the end of Memorial Day weekend and it was fun to see the RVs go by but the dust was too much for us," notes one camper. Despite the traffic, the expansive layout offers plenty of space to spread out. Cell service coverage varies throughout the zone, with signals appearing in scattered pockets rather than consistently.
Road conditions allow access for rigs of all sizes, though the dusty environment and vehicle noise may not suit every camping style. Some visitors use the area as a staging point for exploring nearby attractions, including potential back-country access routes. The Bonito campground sits about three miles west for those preferring developed facilities.
Pack extra water and plan for dusty conditions, especially during peak OHV seasons when vehicle activity increases throughout the day.
Description
The Cinder Hills is a scenic recreation area enjoyed by many off-highway vehicle enthusiasts. Its numerous volcanic cinder cones and craters surrounded by a ponderosa pine forest environment gives the area its unique value. Due to a growing interest in this area for off-highway vehicle recreation, additional management direction is needed to protect sensitive resources and to provide for continuing use of this recreation.
Approximately 13,500 acres in the Cinder Hills has been designated for off-highway vehicle recreation. Management emphasis is for the use of 2-, 3-, and 4-wheel vehicles. Within the 13,500 acre area, portions will have use restricted to a relatively dense network of designated routes which will be identified at a later date. Generally unrestricted use will be on areas devoid of vegetation or with sparse vegetation and without such things as sensitive plants, archaeological sites, critical wildlife habitat, excessively steep slopes, or visually sensitive areas.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Dispersed CampingCinder Hills Dispersed Site is located in Arizona
Coordinates
35.35420411 N
111.48813855 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
VerizonNo Coverage- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Cinder Hills Dispersed Site needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 24 min from Flagstaff, AZ
- 1 hr 37 min from Prescott Valley, AZ
- 2 hrs 12 min from Phoenix, AZ
- 4 hrs 10 min from St. George, UT
