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Tent Camping Near Sedona Az

What Is Dispersed Camping

Sedona, AZ Free Camping! Boondocking in Arizona (Dispersed Camping)

Dispersed camping is essentially free camping on open land, and it comes with its own set of pros and cons. Also known as primitive camping, it is most commonly available on publicly-owned U.S. taxpayer land, also referred to as BLM land .

You wont find dispersed camping areas anywhere within national parks, city areas, private property, protected wilderness, etc. Camping at a designated campground, for example, is not dispersed camping. The links below can tell you where to find said land around each U.S. city area and how to best preserve the land youre staying on.

What are the advantages? No crowds, no costs, no formal campgrounds, no reservations. Since they are located outside populated city limits, dispersed camping areas are almost always exponentially more beautiful, remote and exciting to stay atyoure actually having the authentic outdoor experience that you came for . Talk to any experienced outdoorsman, and theyll tell you that dispersed camping is the only option they look for on an adventure.

With a great experience comes great responsibility. Know your comfort level in the wilderness and choose wisely. The best campsites Ive ever stayed at have ALL been on primitive/BLM land. At the same time, for brand new outdoorsmen and women with families, this may not be the best option. If you decide to go and youre new to this, read and have a copy of the instructions below.

Resources

Best Places To Camp In Sedona

Sedona is one of the best places in the US to go camping. The natural red rock formations, forests, and creeks make for a picturesque experience you cant find anywhere else. On top of the natural beauty of Sedona, there are also many different outdoor activities you can enjoy during your visit. Take a hike on the many different paths, hop in a Pink Jeep for an off road adventure, or take a walk along the creek beds for a relaxing escape. Sedona will always be a great place to go camping, and there are many locations for you to check out!

What People Are Saying About Rancho Sedo Rv Park

Everyone can enjoy the sweet singing birds and the peaceful river noises from their spot. In the night, you can enjoy the Milky Way from your lovely and clean campsite with bent trees. Sabine, Google Review ,

Location

Image Source:https://www.campbase.com/phot…

With reasoble prices and a location right by the famous creek, Oak Creek Mobilodge is the perfect place to enjoy your Sedo vacation. Youll enjoy lounging in the shade and walking to the shuttle to get to the heart of Sedo. You can swim, fish, and relax on Oak Creek all day right outside your Sedo campsites.

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Forest Service Road 618

Distance to Sedona: 19 miles/37 minutesCell Service: Limited Service

Forest Service Road 618 has a large swath of dispersed camping near Sedona, AZ. It is in what is called the Wet Beaver Wilderness Area and is on the same road as Sedona Horseback Rides by M Diamond Ranch.

There are paid camping locations nearby if you decided you want something a little more formal. You can find the Lawrence Crossing Campground and the Clear Creek Campground not far from Forest Service Road 618.

There is nothing special about the FR 618 dispersed camping sites, but it is only 9 miles from Sedona and mostly just a pull-off on the side of the road.

Fort Tuthille County Park

Bell Tent Glamping on Navajoland

Price: around $30

Miles to Downtown Sedona: 25 miles

Why We Love It: Cool temps baby! This campsite is located much higher than Sedona. Even though youll be 25 miles from Sedona, if youre traveling during the summer this site will keep you cooler than the others.

A few sites have water & sewer hook ups, but there is no electricity available at individual campsites.

Whats the Word: 4airstreamers on Campendium says, The campground is pretty because its set right inside a gorgeous forest of pines. The roads are dirt, but theyre wide and big rigs can get through easily. Some spots have full hook-ups, but ours did not. Ours was also listed as a back-in site, but its a pull through

Sedona Camping Vibes Score: 6.3/10 High elevation means cool temps!

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Dispersed Camping Near Sedona Arizona

The following list contains the 11 best dispersed camping areas surrounding Sedona, Arizona.

The Sedona dispersed camping map below gives an overview of each sites location with a full description included in the following section. Enjoy!

Looking to find more dispersed campsites? Check out The Dyrt PRO to get campsite reviews, offline maps, and the best map layers for finding public dispersed camping!

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One of the most popular dispersed camping areas near Sedona is Schnebly Hill Rd. The road connects Sedona with Interstate 17 to the east via a rough and rugged 4WD road. Along the route youll find some excellent dispersed camping options, with most of the good sites located closer to I-17.

Access from I-17 is easy, with campsites appearing almost immediately off the highway. If youre coming from the Sedona side youll need to drive quite a ways along the road before reaching the area where camping is permitted. The road on the Sedona side is also much more rugged, so only those with 4WD, high-clearance, and some experience driving rocky roads should come from this way.

Regardless of which side you enter from, the campsites here have beautiful views, are well spaced, and make an excellent free place to spend the night.

Dont forget to bring water, as there are no sources along the road.

Distance to Sedona: 18 milesRestrooms: NoMap

Although these are designated sites, dont expect any water or restroom facilities.

How Will Your Donation Be Used

  • Improvement projects like playgrounds, restrooms, and other infrastructure to improve park experiences
  • Repairs to existing buildings and structures within the parks, including historic structures.
  • Trail maintenance and construction
  • Park operational costs, including supplies and equipment to maintain the park.

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Forest Service Road 535

Distance to Sedona: 17 milesRestrooms: NoMap

Forest Service Road 535 is located north of Sedona on Highway 89A, opposite of the Pumphouse Wash dispersed camping area. Camping is permitted along the road once off the highway for several miles. For more peace and quiet head a bit further back before setting up camp.

This area is noted for often having a lot of trash and some loud, partying campers, so it is not our first recommendation for dispersed camping near Sedona. If you do opt to camp here, please be sure to be respectful of other campers and pack out all your trash.

This is a dry site, so youll need to bring your own water.

Dead Horse Ranch State Park

Van Life Dispersed Camping Must Haves | Sedona Arizona Red Rocks

Why you should camp here: A huge campground with reservable sites, cabins, and its own set of trails

  • Reservations accepted: Yes
  • Campsite Type: RV, Trailer, Tents, Cabins
  • RV hookups: Yes

A bit south of Sedona in the town of Cottonwood is the family-friendly Dead Horse Ranch State Park. With hundreds of sites available, including several ADA-accessible sites, this is a great place to post up for your week in the southwest.

If youd rather not rough it in a tent, the campground has several cabins for rent. The rentals are small, single-room units but can accommodate four people and are heated for those cooler nights!

With over 20 miles of shared-use trails in the park, you will have plenty to explore right outside your campsite. Of course, if you are looking to head up into Sedona, its only 20 miles down the road. The ancient pueblos at Tuzigoot National Monument are also close by.

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Forest Road 535 Blm Camping

Location: Flagstaff, AZ 86001

The roadway is long and also has numerous outdoor camping places offered within the initial 5 miles. The weekend will certainly draw crowds, yet the weekdays remain incredibly slow.

This totally free camping site splits the difference. It’s located in between Sedona and Flagstaff. In addition, situated at a greater altitude, Forest Road 535 will certainly keep you cool throughout the day.

Turquoise Triangle Rv Park

This fenced-in campsite offers you a private space to enjoy stays of various lengths. The campground is surrounded by cottonwood trees and offers peaceful campsites near the Verde River.

Although inconsistent in some areas, Wi-Fi is available. Onsite amenities include complete RV hookups, bathrooms, showers, laundry rooms, and helpful personnel who are on call around the clock.

Taking in the scenery aside this location offers a variety of activities, such as fishing, swimming, and kayaking around The Verde River. Neighborhood shops and eateries are close to the park for those memorable moments.

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Best Tent And Rv Camping In Arizona Northern Region

Wouldnt it be great if both the best tent and RV camping in northern Arizona could be found in one centralized location? Wellit can, and it’s near water to help you cool off, play or catch some dinner! Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood is a great place to call home for a weekend or a week. There are several exciting recreation options as well as full-service tent and RV campgrounds near the water. If you want a different camping experience, try staying in one of the cozy camping cabins. Plan your trip and make your reservations today!

What People Are Saying About Camp Avalon

VIDEO: Hot Air Balloon Landed At Our Campsite! Sedona, AZ FREE Camping ...

We really enjoyed the river and our dog did too. Fellow campers were mellow, friendly and clean up after themselves, which is a huge plus. Will be returning. Richard, Google Review

Location

Image Source:https://www.tripadvisor.com/H…

The Rio Verde RV Park is in a perfect location nestled on 30 acres by the Verde River. Explore the woods or relax in the shade and enjoy a short 15-minute drive to Sedona. Rio Verde offers uplifting activities and a mindful traveling experience.

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Where Can You Stay In Sedona Arizona If No Campsites Are Available

There are many high-end hotels in Sedona. Depending on the quality and price range you are looking for, there is likely a hotel that will fit your needs. If you are looking for more of a Bed and Breakfast experience, the Sedona Heritage Inn is a great option. They offer beautiful rooms and an wonderful breakfast each morning. Another great option is the Cottonwood Suites. They offer spacious one-bedroom suites with full kitchens and living areas. This can be a great option if you are traveling with family or friends and want to be able to cook meals together.

If you don’t want to spend money on a hotel, there are also plenty of camping options in Sedona. Below are some of the types of hotels available.

No matter what your budget or travel style is, there is a perfect place to stay in Sedona. So don’t let the lack of campsites keep you from experiencing all that this beautiful place has to offer.

Dispersed Camping In Sedona Map

Note: You can view an interactive version of this dispersed camping map online here.

The Coconino National Forest Service has one of the most useful dispersed camping maps I have ever seen. The map has all the Sedona BLM camping roads labeled making it very easy to see where you can and cannot disperse camp in the Sedona Arizona area.

We have listed and visited the majority of the most common and well know dispersed camping locations as outlined but you could spend many days exploring many miles of trails throughout the area that allow for dispersed camping.

You can use Google Maps and the Coconino National Forest map simultaneously to help direct you where you want to go and to determine where dispersed camping starts and stops. The map itself is fairly easy to read and understand if you have some map experience and if you do not it is not super difficult to understand so dont be discouraged.

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Loy Butte Road / Forest Service Road 525

Distance to Sedona: 10 milesRestrooms: NoMap

Loy Butte Road is one of the most popular and easiest to access dispersed camping areas around Sedona. Located southwest of town, camping is permitted for several miles along this beautiful dirt road as it winds its way through Red Rocks country.

The area is very popular with ATVs and dirt bikes so you can expect a bit of noise, especially the closer you are to the highway. The road starts off very smooth, so the sites you see after turning off are best for RVs and larger trailers. If youre in a vehicle with decent clearance, head back a ways to find some of the better sites.

Loy Butte Road does not have water or restrooms, so be prepared to be self-sufficient camping here.

If you decide to camp here we highly recommend hiking the Loy Canyon trail as the trailhead is located near the end of the road.

The Best Free Camping In The Entire Usa

Boondocking Sedona, Arizona. The best FREE camping!

We love camping across this amazing country. And, we really love it when its free. Heres our list of the 20 Best Free Campsites in the USA.

If you havent tried free camping before, also known as boondocking, take a look at our beginners guide to boondocking filled with everything you need to know to get started.

Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers that love to score the best site! Simply enter your email below.

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Why Youll Love Rancho Sedo Rv Park

Rancho Sedo is beautifully maintained and includes spacious sites, clean facilities, laundry, volleyball and, fielded areas. The park has all the amenities you could want. Not only is it close to shopping, dining, and the local Sedo nightlife, but youll also enjoy all the watersports and adventurous activities of the area. These include swimming, watersports, mountain biking, hiking trails, and more.

Forest Service Road 618/689

Distance to Sedona: 9 milesRestrooms: NoMap

Located just east of where Highway 179 meets Interstate 17 southwest of Sedona is the Forest Service Rd 618 dispersed camping area. The campsites here are well spaced out giving you a bit of privacy from your neighbors. This is a convenient place to camp if youre interested in exploring Montezuma Castle National Monument, which is just up the road.

The sites here are not much more than a dusty pull off from the main road, but they are easy to access and much less crowded than some of the other sites in and around Sedona. As you might expect, there is no water source in the area so youll need to bring everything you need.

Distance to Sedona: 80 milesRestrooms: Vault toiletsWater: No, but may be able to get water from adjacent creek.Crowds: BusyMap

Although a bit of trek from Sedona, the Childs Dispersed Camping Area remains a very popular option in the region. These are designed dispersed campsites situated right along the Verde River and close to Verde Hot Springs. A soak there is highly recommended! These arent private site and you should expect many other campers will be close by. For that reason, please keep noise down and take care to pack out all of your trash.

To get here from Sedona take I-17 south to Dugas Rd. Follow the road for ~35 miles to reach the camping area. Note that the last mile or so of the road is pretty rouge. For this reason we recommend 4WD or a high-clearance vehicle.

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Camping For Free In Sedona Az

Sedona, which is encircled by forest service territory, has a lot of fantastic spots for free scattered camping. Bear in mind that camping is really only authorized in designated sites, and therefore there is no overnight camping in the Red Rocks region.

While boondocking, you should always explore ahead and check out the route before driving down it with your trailer. Circumstances are subject to change, and some routes may not be suited for heavier vehicles.

Loy Butte Road is a fantastic spot for free camping near Sedona. The route is bumpy, but the vistas are spectacular. In addition, it is adjacent to the Palatki Native American ruins.

Off Forest Road 525 in the Coconino National Forest is among the nicest inexpensive camping places near Sedona. Because this region is quite popular with RVers, you might just have to venture several miles down the road to find an open spot. There are also plenty of parking spots along the road, so if its a Saturday and Sunday or holiday, youll be able to locate a spot to call yours alone. Slow down since the road is bumpy. Bigger rigs may be able to drive down the road, however, it is recommended that you walk the road first before continuing to drive your RV along with it.

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