This was the first place I’d ever dispersed camped and I was so comfortable! I find myself back here often even if just for a picnic.

The spots are a good size and nicely spaced. When it’s busy, you can see that there are people/vehicles in distant spots, but it still feels private. Some spots go deeper than others where the road is visible but dirt and dust is not a problem. There seems to be a pretty even amount of tent, car, and RV campers at the sites.

The location is great too. It’s close to town without feeling like it, across the street from Sunset Crater, and just under Locket Meadow campground and the Inner Basin trailhead. The scenery is beautiful, but my favorite views are from the drive on the mountain up the road.

Cell service can be spotty. It will be great in one area and nonexistent nearby. There’s no amenities immediately available, but there is a bathroom up the mountain at the trailhead.

I had planned on camping on FR 328, but I had also planned on arriving much earlier than I did! I passed by Bedrock City (old Flinstone theme park) and felt there was no option but to go in. I wasn’t too worried as it was a Sunday evening, but upon arriving at 328 it was completely full! I then went to 302, which was also full.

I was now in a position where the sun was setting, I didn’t know where to sleep, everyone had also decided to camp on a Sunday night, and I was in a panic. I was slowly driving trying to spot any forest road I recognized and ended up here. There weren’t many spots but luckily I made myself fit into one.

The spots weren’t too big and the trees seemed rather sparse despite also appearing less trafficked. It was fairly loud throughout the evening with the airport nearby and the wide range of animal noises I was shocked to hear so close. There was howling on and off (mostly on) throughout the night and a few audible periods of leaves and branches cracking under the paths of animals I was too scared to identify.

The area I chose had a small fire pit and backed up to some rugged forest behind a hill. It felt private enough and safe enough to avoid driving through the night and I was able to get situated before it was dark. Overall I would not choose to stay here again unless it was the only option. There are worse things, but there are also much better things!