For rock climbers, the nearby Vista Loop Trail accesses a climbing area known as Le Petit Verdon aka the Pit.įisherman will have to drive to get to water, but it’s a mere 10 minute drive to reach Upper Lake Mary. Hikers and mountain bikers will enjoy access to the nearby Sandy’s Canyon Trail, which connects to the Arizona Trail and ultimately leads to the beautiful Fisher Point. It’s a great spot if you want to keep your options open between exploring Lake Mary and Ashurst Lake while staying within a half-hour of Oak Creek Canyon’s upper reaches. Of the campgrounds located off Lake Mary Road south of Flag, the Canyon Vista Campground is the closest to town. Why you should camp here: Pleasant mountain views with direct access to hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing. Canyon Vista Campground Photo: Coconino National Forest While, reservations aren’t accepted at the Bonito Campground, the adjacent O’Leary Group Site can be booked in advance. The adjoining Wuptaki National Monument and its ancient ruins is a mere half-hour drive away, while its just over an hour to reach Desert View at the Grand Canyon South Rim. Otherwise, the park is easily accessible by car, although parking can be a nightmare on busy summer weekends. This place is so out-of-this-world that astronauts used to practice for moonwalks out here.įor those that like to move about on foot, the 1.7 mile-long Lava’s Edge Trail connects the campground to the monument’s main hikes: Lenox Crater Trail and Lava Flow Trail. The surrounding landscape is dramatically defined by the nearby cinder-cone volcanoes and night-black lava flows. A well-kept, paved-access campground, Bonito is tucked under a canopy of old-growth Ponderosa Pine, keeping the campsites mostly shaded from the summer sun. While the Bonito Campground is run by the Coconino National Forest, it’s located literally right outside of Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Why you should camp here: Chill among Ponderosa Pines and ancient lava flows, with easy access to Sunset Crater & Wuptaki. Bonito Campground Photo: Coconino National Forest If you’re not into campgrounds and want to know about dispersed camping options near Flagstaff, scroll down to the next section. Of course, the local KOA offers reservations and RV hookups too, but I can’t bear to include it. If you want to use RV hookups, Fort Tuthill is your only option. If you’re looking for campgrounds where you can reserve in advance, jump down to the Pinegrove Campground and Fort Tuthill County Park Campground - they’re the only two on the list allowing reservations. Related Read: 17 Best Arizona Swimming Holes to Hit This Summer Flagstaff’s Best CampgroundsĬampgrounds are your best bet if you want amenities like on-site water, pit toilets, etc. Whether your traveling from across the country (or the world), heading up the hill from somewhere hot, or just a local trying to explore more, here’s the low down on the camping spots at your disposal around Flagstaff. Flagstaff is also a hub for regional travel, serving as a jumping off point for visiting the Grand Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon, the Petrified Forest, and much more. In fact, during the summer months, the forest surrounding Flagstaff is one of the top camping destinations for folks escaping Phoenix and its blistering desert heat. Tucked up the Arizona high country, Flagstaff is prime camping territory for both local Flagstaffians and out-of-towners.
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