Arizona Camping

As you might expect, most of this outdoor living migrates from the desert to the cool mountains and back, depending on the weather. And like the campers, this article will also migrate from the desert to the pine forested Coconino Plateau.

Arizona sees a lot of desert camping between October and March. Some are winter visitors and many are Arizonans out enjoying their state.

Desert camping is popular with winter visitors. They come to Arizona's warm deserts in their RV's by the thousands. Many choose to experience Arizona camping in desert RV parks and campgrounds in central Arizona and along the Colorado River, rather than in the larger towns.

If you dream of  winter camping and it looks like the photo below , then Central Arizona is the place for you.

Arizona camping means camping on the open desert for some adventurous types. They love staying on the open desert near small towns or desert bass lakes. There's lots of room.

Boating, hunting, fishing, rock hounding, hiking and just plain "getting out" lures many Arizona residents to camp in the open desert and around our desert lakes. 

Sedona and the nearby Verde River Valley lures a number of visitors in the spring and fall transition months.

Arizona camping changes when the desert heats up. A mass exodus occurs with the changing season.

Winter visitors head for home.

Local campers head for South of Flagstaff. The green forests and meadows are soothing to the eyes of desert dwellers.

Our cool temperatures, trout waters, and open camping in the four unique districts of the Coconino National Forest are powerful magnets for Arizonans and visitors.

South of Flagstaff offers a lot of choices for the outdoor living set. Pictured above is an open camping area (we call it dry camping) in the Coconino National Forest. 

These areas are favored by those with self-contained trailers and motor homes. These areas are also favored by large groups, including clubs, church groups, and for family reunions.

Camping in these open areas allows your group to get off by yourselves, and away from others.

  South of Flagstaff also offers many improved campgrounds, many by lakes or streams. Water, picnic tables, fire pits or grills, toilets, and other improvements are available.

Arizona camping  by fishing lakes and streams offers several forms of recreation in addition to the camping and fishing.

You can watch the bald eagles, ospreys and herons that make their homes around some of our lakes.

Hiking or just short nature walks are popular, and mountain biking the trails around many campgrounds is always a treat.

Rock climbing is strenuous, but it is attracting more and more participants each year.

One word of caution however, please don't ride ATV's around and around the roads within the campground. ATV riding is restricted to traveling to and from camp.

Improved campgrounds tend to be favored by tent campers, and those with tent trailers or small campers.

Arizona camping is a frequent activity for many. It also holds a powerful attraction to... full time camping nomads, occasional campers, and those looking for a cheap vacation.

Arizona camping has something for all of us. It's nice that the forest is huge and there's enough room for all.

A Google search using the keyword phrase campgrounds + arizona state parks returns interesting listings and ads. The keyword phrase az blm campgrounds also is productive.

Here is a press release concerning camping near Fossil Creek...

 

February 22, 2010 USDA Forest Service Coconino National Forest   New Camping and Campfire Regulations for Fossil Creek Sedona, Ariz. – As students and families anticipate warm weather and head for water during Spring Break, the Forest Service is helping visitors prepare for changes at Fossil Creek, one of Northern Arizona’s more popular swimming and camping sites. If you are going to Fossil Creek, the Forest Service wants you to know about new camping and campfire regulations that will affect your visit there.  Specifically, to help protect Fossil Creek, beginning March 8, 2010, campfires will be prohibited throughout Fossil Creek and camping will be limited to certain areas away from the creek.  Big changes for Fossil Creek began in 2005 with the decommissioning of the Arizona Public Service Hydro-electric dam and the return of full flows to the creek. Then in 2009 Congress designated Fossil Creek as a National Wild and Scenic River. The Coconino and Tonto National Forests are working together to maintain and protect the area’s special values. “Fossil Creek is incredibly beautiful and became popular really fast,  so it’s no wonder that it’s being loved to death,” said Red Rock Ranger District Recreation Staff Officer Jennifer Burns. “Unfortunately, we’re seeing its beauty eroded from impacts of tens of thousands of visitors wanting to get close to the clear pools and lush vegetation.” Officials say trees are being chopped down for firewood, human and pet waste is threatening water quality, streamside vegetation is being trampled as new trails are created and the ground is littered with waste, glass, trash and ash. “We are very concerned about the threat of wildfire to the creek and nearby communities,” said Burns. “Last summer we put out over 200 abandoned campfires.”  As the Forest Service works with the public to create and implement a long-term Comprehensive River Management Plan, officials and volunteers will be on site informing visitors of current and anticipated changes in how the area is managed for recreation. “Until we get a long term plan worked out,” says Burns, “we have to stop the trashing of this treasure. We hope visitors understand these interim management changes are meant to buy us time.” Because Fossil Creek is one of only two Wild and Scenic Rivers in the State, the Forest Service will be including Fossil Creek in a national Respect the Rivers campaign to connect people to their riparian environments, return watersheds and rivers to a healthy state and call on the public to become stewards of such national treasures. For more information about Fossil Creek or how to help protect the area, please go to: www.coconinoforest.us, www.redrockcountry.org, or www.tonto www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/home.shtml or call the Red Rock Ranger District at (928) 282-4119 or the Payson Ranger District at (928) 474-7900.

Also, you can find any relevant Forest Service press releases regarding seasonal Arizona camping openings, restrictions, or closures, and...

I leave winter closure press releases posted long term for your information on that same page. 

Visit the Flagstaff Campgrounds Page.

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