289 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping around Flagstaff ranges from established campgrounds to basic forest sites with no amenities. Dead Horse Ranch State Park Campground has good-sized spots and puts you right by the Verde River for fishing or paddling. You can also camp at Homolovi State Park Campground, which has some interesting historical ruins and hiking paths nearby. Many people use Flagstaff as their home base when visiting the Grand Canyon since it's not too far away. The trees at many local campgrounds give good shade when the Arizona sun gets strong in summer. Most developed sites have bathrooms and drinking water available. If you want something more basic, you can find dispersed camping throughout Coconino National Forest. The Sonoran Desert and Colorado River aren't far if you want to check out different landscapes. Most campers come in spring and fall when the weather's nice and there aren't as many people around. Winter camping works too, but nights get pretty cold. If you're bringing an RV, several campgrounds have electric hookups and places to dump waste tanks. Since Flagstaff sits at a higher elevation, it stays cooler than Phoenix and other lower areas in Arizona. You'll probably see some wildlife while you're camping, and many people bring binoculars for birdwatching. The camping options here work well whether you want a campground with facilities or just a quiet spot in the woods.
"Access to great hiking and the views are incredible. You are literally at the base of the mountain. Close to nearby shopping and restaurants plus downtown Flagstaff is only minutes away."
"Just a short drive outside of flagstaff and you’re in a beautiful camp tucked in the tall spruce trees. We stopped here on our way to the Grand Canyon to enjoy the scenery and rest."
from $100 / night
Check Availability"Great spots in between flagstaff and Sedona. Literally 10 minutes from flagstaff. Campfire pits. If you’re coming from flagstaff, there’s a left turn lane to take you into the area"
"Lots of campsites available and a good location between Sedona and Flagstaff. It tends to fill up quick, at least in the summer months."
"This spot had good cell service with Verizon and AT&T, nice hiking or biking trails, and was within walking distance of the national monument and Flagstaff. Would definitely stay here again!"
"Not super dispersed, but the access road is accessible to most vehicles. However, some side road pulloffs are definitely better suited for 4WD vehicles."
"Picturesque forest boondocking not far from Flagstaff off of highway 180. Turn onto Forest Road 222 and take the first road on the right."
"It’s within 10 miles from Flagstaff. Good road that doesn’t require 4WD. Plenty of spots for tent camping and also big rigs. My buddy and I both have service with different providers."
"All amenities are shared so we had access to a large playground, basketball and volleyball courts, the store, and the bathhouse."
"This a great location with easy access to I-40 & I-17. They were able to accommodate us with no reservation. Clean park with lots of activities. Easy access to flagstaff."
from $10 - $25 / night
Check Availability"Location: The location of the campground is perfect for all of the Sedona activities. This campground is only a few miles from the popular Slide Rock State Park."
"Tucked into Oak Creek canyon, surrounded by trees, red dirt mountain sides, and a creek this campground is stunning."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"The whole forest has tons of great spots, and it’s a great stop on the way to Sedona from Flagstaff."
"We found this location on the Dyrt and it did not disappoint. The road was definitely unpaved, but not as bad as I expected it to be."
"Several trails right from the campground. Only 5 miles from Flagstaff. Car traffic can be heard during the day, but very quiet at night."
"Good forest service camp close to Flagstaff. Sites are spread out and there were a variety of camper types there. Can hike or rock climb nearby. Price is now $26."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Pine Flat was a very pleasant camping experience just outside of Sedona. We stayed here for two nights in late April."
"Great camping location for being close to Flagstaff and Sedona. The camp sites are right next to the road though. That would be the only complaint. But everything else is great!"
from $30 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Close to flagstaff great road in and out ."
"We used this spot to pull off and sleep just north of Flagstaff. The roads were clear and easy to traverse."
TravelerNice tree covered campground.
T-Mobile is 4 bars and 5G service
However the sites are very close together, narrow campground road and many trees made getting into my site extremely challenging. When making your reservation don’t fudge on your camper length because there is no room for error.
TravelerBusy on weekends people driving all sorts of off road vehicles all over the place.. Quiet and peaceful during the week. Deep cinders sand in spots 4wd recommended. Went for a little walk and found another campsite nearby. Soon we will lose access here as well. I am gonna pick up some but I have no way to haul all this out. Blood boiling.
LegendWe stayed here recently and wanted a spot between Grand Canyon and Sedona
The campground is fairly well kept up and they were actively working on checking sites after people left for to make sure everything was clean but the bathhouses and showers were clean at first glance and overall decent but the showers had thick layer of dust on walls between them, the laundry room floors were dirty and machines weren’t cleaned super well
Sites are gravel but most are fairly uneven and require leveling
The staff were super kind and friendly
We would stay here again if we were in area
GuidePulled in late and most of the good spots appeared to be taken. Drove down the road aways and found a spot that was fine. Pretty chewed up by logging vehicles. I could see it being difficult to maneuver if it was wet.
TravelerA wonderful place to camp out at. The creek is beautiful, the camp sites and bathrooms were all very clean. Had drinkable water, firewood, and ice. The hosts were amazing and very nice. Was quiet when we arrived on Thursday, with no neighbors on either side of us, but by Friday had neighbors on both sides. But not too much of a problem as we were leaving on Saturday. Only downside, was how close to the road it was, and how close the sites were to each other, those two reasons are why we rated it 4 stars. Despite that, we would totally go again.
GuideI got here on a Friday at 3. The initial spots by the road entrance had large RVs, but driving down the road I found a great flat spot with shade and meadow views. It was very quiet and no spots close by.
ScoutQuiet and a cool place to stay we pitched our tent and had no issues
TravelerFlagstaff Rv is a wonderful place to stay. So relaxing and spacious. Love the quiet. Very nice area to have campfire with family or friends, few drinks or smores and hot chocolate very cozy. Nice pup park with wood chips and bench. Let's don't forget the walking or just hiking trails. Many out side back of park. Found many different trees and fun things to check out. I would not only stay here again, it will be my new stop when I come through. The manger in office was very nice and helpful friendly staff. Best we have stayed at since on road last 6yrs.
TravelerNice road and quiet there is a fire pit made out of rocks. It seems to be a few people here camping. It is very quiet here.
Dispersed camping opportunities surround Flagstaff at elevations ranging from 6,900 to 8,000 feet, creating naturally cooler summer temperatures than lower Arizona regions. Many free sites in Coconino National Forest feature ponderosa pine forest coverage with high desert terrain accessibility. FR 222 Dispersed Camping area offers established sites with existing fire rings despite having no developed facilities.
Hiking at Canyon Vista: Canyon Vista Campground provides trail access directly from the campground. "There are small hiking trails and a little over a mile long loop trail. There was a picnic table and single vault toilet," notes Krista Z., who camped at Pumphouse Wash Dispersed Camping Area.
Explore Oak Creek: Cool off during summer months in the water near Cave Springs Campground. "A short walk to the creek. There's a swimming hole on the creek nearby," explains Victor R. The campground sits "tucked into Oak Creek canyon, surrounded by trees, red dirt mountain sides, and a creek," making it easy to enjoy water activities.
Visit Walnut Canyon National Monument: Base yourself near the monument for hiking opportunities. "I loved this campsite due to its proximity to the three National Monuments near Flagstaff: Wupatki, Walnut Canyon, and Sunset Crater Volcano," says Angela G. who stayed at Walnut Canyon Rd Dispersed Camping. "Each monument is only 10-25 minutes away."
Stargazing opportunities: The clear mountain air and minimal light pollution create excellent night sky viewing conditions. "Bring your telescope or binoculars. Set up a star gazing perch at night.....it's spectacular," advises Leesa who stayed at Pine Flat Campground.
Cooler temperatures: Flagstaff's elevation provides relief from Arizona's summer heat. "When there is enough snow, there is a tube run that is so much fun!" shares Jason H. from Fort Tuthill Recreation Area, highlighting the seasonal temperature variations that allow for winter activities as well.
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer decent spacing between campsites. At Cave Springs Campground, "Most of the spots have ample room so that you can only hear your neighbors if they are yelling," according to Victor R., who appreciated the natural separation.
Fire restrictions: Seasonal fire bans are common during dry periods. "We were told we couldn't use the charcoal grill, we were allowed to have a small campfire," noted Leesa about Pine Flat Campground. Check current restrictions before your trip.
Access road conditions: Some dispersed camping areas require careful driving. "The road in is rocky, I came in very slowly in a Toyota sienna van, just be careful for sharp rocks," advises Norman H. about Pumphouse Wash Dispersed Camping Area. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for some locations.
Cell service varies: Coverage depends on your specific campsite location. At FR 222 Dispersed, Drew R. notes "Verizon and ATT both have cell service. 1-2 bars of LTE," but other areas may have limited connectivity. Canyon Vista Campground reports "3 bars" on AT&T.
Weather can change quickly: Temperature fluctuations are common. "The weather was in the 70s in the day and the day we got here it dropped to 28 and snowed," reports Norman H. about his March stay at Pumphouse Wash. Pack for multiple weather conditions.
Campgrounds with activities: Choose sites with built-in recreation options. "Fort Tuthill has a nice office with coffee and hot chocolate, a fireplace, movies to rent, and various sundries for sale. There are some great running/walking trails and even a small playground for the kids!" recommends Jason H.
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds experience more noise than others. At Edge of the World (East Pocket), camper Angel T. appreciates "The peacefulness, the beautiful scenery," noting "it's worth the effort" to drive 20 miles off-road for the quiet setting.
Look for campgrounds with shade: Summer sun can be intense despite cooler temperatures. Norman H. notes many Pumphouse Wash sites "have stone fire pits. Lots of spots to explore," with good tree coverage for protection from direct sunlight.
Size-appropriate sites: Select campgrounds that accommodate your specific rig. At Woody Mountain Campground, Chris S. found it was "quite challenging getting a 40' 5th wheel into the area but once there, was quite comfortable." Check site dimensions before booking.
Utilities and hookup options: Not all campgrounds provide equal services. Robert O. notes that Woody Mountain "only offers 30 amp service," while Andrew H. mentions that at Cave Springs, "the water stations do not allow you to fill up your RV as there's no hose adapter."
Dispersed RV sites: For boondocking, FR 222 Dispersed is popular. "We have a 26 ft class c RV and there was plenty of spots for us," says Drew R. Suzy J. adds, "It is accessible with any vehicle and large RVs," making it a reliable dispersed option for larger rigs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best camping spots in Flagstaff, Arizona?
Flagstaff offers exceptional camping options for all preferences. Bonito Campground — Sunset Crater National Monument is a gem just 15-20 minutes from Flagstaff with clean sites, tree coverage, fire pits, and proper bathrooms for $27-30 per night. For those seeking free dispersed camping, FR 222 Dispersed provides picturesque forest sites off Highway 180 with existing fire rings and plenty of space, even during holiday weekends. Other excellent options include Coconino Forest Road 9125F (just 15 minutes from town), Freidlein Prairie Dispersed Camping, and Canyon Vista Campground. Most dispersed sites around Flagstaff feature fire rings and reasonable road access, offering an affordable way to enjoy the area's natural beauty.
Are there camping spots near water in Flagstaff?
While Flagstaff itself is not known for abundant water features, there are camping options with water access in the surrounding area. Coconino National Forest off Lake Mary Rd provides dispersed camping opportunities near Upper and Lower Lake Mary, about 15 minutes from Flagstaff. These sites offer privacy and access to fishing and water activities. Canyon Vista Campground doesn't have natural water features but does provide drinking water from a tank. For more significant water access, you may need to venture slightly farther to areas like Oak Creek Canyon between Flagstaff and Sedona. Most campgrounds in the immediate Flagstaff area are focused more on forest settings than water proximity, reflecting the high desert landscape of the region.
Is there tent camping available in Flagstaff?
Yes, Flagstaff has abundant tent camping options. Pinegrove Campground offers a mix of private and open tent sites perfect for summer getaways from Phoenix heat, with meadows ideal for kids to play. For those who prefer dispersed tent camping, Pumphouse Wash (FR 237) Dispersed Camping Area provides excellent spots just 10 minutes from Flagstaff with established campfire pits. Many dispersed areas throughout Coconino National Forest accommodate tents with varying levels of privacy. Developed campgrounds typically provide amenities like tables and toilets, while dispersed camping offers more seclusion but fewer facilities. Most tent sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early is recommended, especially on weekends.
What are the best family-friendly camping sites in Flagstaff?
Flagstaff offers several excellent family-friendly camping options. Williams-Circle Pines KOA stands out with resort-level amenities perfect for families, located about 35 minutes from Flagstaff and providing a convenient base for Grand Canyon trips. Edge of the World (East Pocket) offers beautiful forest sites with plenty of space for children to explore. Families also appreciate Pinegrove Campground where kids can play in meadows, catch bugs, and ride bikes around the campground. For those wanting more facilities, Bonito Campground provides clean sites with proper bathrooms and friendly staff. Most family-oriented sites around Flagstaff feature fire pits, picnic tables, and space for games and activities, though reservations are recommended during peak summer months for developed campgrounds.
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