Sedona is one of the most exciting and unique places in the southwest, and definitely one of our favorite places to visit in Arizona. The area offers a tremendous amount for visitors to experience, and adventures here feel like you’re on another planet. You’re not going to be able to tackle all of the things on your to-do list while in Sedona, so plan to spend a few days. If you’re looking for a place to stay, we’ve found five amazing camp sites worth checking out in Sedona. Let’s get started!
Where Is Sedona?
Sedona is 120 miles north of Phoenix, Arizona. The area is just shy of 4,500 feet in elevation, providing cooler temperatures than Arizona deserts.
Many visitors visit Sedona on their way north out of Phoenix as they head toward Grand Canyon National Park. If you can spend a few days before or after experiencing the mighty Grand Canyon, Sedona is worth stopping to see.
What Makes Sedona So Special?
One of the unique features of Sedona is its majestic red rocks and the evergreen vegetation that contrasts with it. The incredibly bright colors are mesmerizing and will leave you speechless. Everywhere you look, there are various pleasing colors for you to enjoy. Not only do tourists love it, but the area provides a tranquil environment for many spa and spiritual retreat centers to help individuals find themselves or a higher power. It’s a magical and healing place to experience!
Pro Tip: While camping in Sedona, make sure to do these 7 Easy Hikes in Sedona With Big Payoffs.
Can You Camp Anywhere in Sedona?
Unfortunately, you can’t simply camp anywhere in Sedona. Some areas are currently addressing years of land abuse by campers not respecting the land. They’ve destroyed the vegetation that will take years to repair and recover. West Sedona was a popular area for camping, but the United States Forest Service is stepping up to protect it. Make sure you check with local rangers and authorities to confirm that where you’re planning to set up camp is a legal spot to camp. You don’t want to have to pack up your stuff prematurely or get a citation for illegally camping.
Are There Free Camp Sites in Sedona?
There are free dispersed camp sites available in Sedona, mostly West Sedona. However, you need to be aware that there are only eight designated camping areas due to restrictions. Local authorities have had to close or restrict some areas to day-use only because other campers aren’t as respectful or considerate of the land.
Hopefully, the land will quickly heal, and the management agencies can reopen the land soon. However, it’s up to all of us that use public lands to take care of them so they’re available in the future.
5 Amazing Red Rock Camp Sites In Sedona
There are several options if you’re looking for a place to stay in Sedona. Let’s look at five amazing places you can camp to enjoy the red rocks of Sedona. Let’s get started!
Childs Dispersed Camping Area
Address: 34°20’52.9″N 111°41’50.5″W
Cost: $0
About: The Child Dispersed Camping Area has a five-day stay limit and often experiences seasonal closures during fire season. Make sure you are aware of any fire restrictions and what items are permitted during certain stages of fire restrictions.
Amenities: This is dispersed camping, which means you’ll need to come with everything you need. There are no amenities regarding water, waste, or power. Make sure you leave the site in better condition than when you arrived.
Dog friendly?: This camp site in Sedona is a pet-friendly area. However, avoid letting your dogs wander too far from your campsite, and always keep them on a leash when others are camping nearby. Make sure you clean up any messes they may leave behind.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 8.5/10 – This is a very popular dispersed camping area that local authorities are trying to protect. If you choose to camp here, avoid causing any damage to vegetation and only camp in areas established as a campsite.
Manzanita Campground
Address: 5900 N State Rte 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336
Cost: $22
About: Sorry RVers, but Manzanita Campground is for tent camping only. These campsites fill up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. The campground sits along Oak Creek, which is ripe with fishing and swimming holes for guests to enjoy.
Amenities: Campers have access to pit toilets but no shower facilities. Each site has a campfire ring, picnic table, and water. It’s a rustic and quiet campground that makes it easy to feel at home in nature.
Dog friendly?: Pets are welcome at Manzanita Campground. Just be a good and respectful pet owner. Clean up after them, don’t let them be a nuisance, and keep them on a leash.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 9/10 – Manzanita Campground is busy for a reason. However, there’s a good chance you’ll need to come during the week to have the best shot of snagging a campsite. There are four first-come, first-served sites, but they’re typically occupied.
Pro Tip: Lace up your hiking boots and head to these Best Sedona Vortex Hikes for Experiencing Red Rock Energy.
Cave Springs Campground
Address: 11345 N. SR 89A, Sedona, Arizona 86336
Cost: $22 per night
About: Cave Springs Campground has 84 campsites with picnic tables, campfire rings, and cooking grills. The campground is heavily wooded with ponderosa pines. Many of the campsites sit along the banks of the Oak Cree, which provides a fantastic place to cool off during the summer months.
If you love bird watching and fishing, this campground is for you! This campground is one of the most popular campgrounds in Coconino National Forest. There is a length restriction of 36 feet for RVs, trailers, and motorhomes.
Amenities: Coconino National Forest is the big draw for this campground. Luckily, you get to stay in the national forest when you stay here. There are coin-operated showers, drinking water, and vault restrooms in the campground. You’ll love camping here if you enjoy swimming, hiking, or fishing!
Dog friendly?: The campground is pet-friendly, but ensure you keep them on a leash, clean up after them and never leave them unattended.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 9.3/10 – This is a bustling campground during peak season. Don’t pass up an opportunity to snag a site if you find one that works for you!
Rancho Sedona RV Park
Address: 135 Bear Wallow Ln, Sedona, AZ 86336
Cost: $51 to $114
About: Rancho Sedona RV Park provides some of the most tranquil environments of any RV park in Sedona. Sites sit under a canopy of Sycamore and Cottonwood trees; if you’re lucky, you may enjoy the sounds of Oak Creek. The camp site is conveniently located in Sedona, making it easy to walk to the town’s shops, restaurants, and art galleries.
Amenities: The park is extremely clean and offers laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi, and digital cable TV. It’s one of the only RV parks in the area with full hookups. The largest amenity of this campground is its location. Being able to access Sedona easily makes this RV park hard to beat.
Dog friendly? Rancho Sedona RV Park is dog friendly but has a longer list of dog rules than other campgrounds. The list includes typical dog rules like not leaving them unattended, picking up after them immediately, and keeping them on a leash.
However, “no barking” is also one of their dog rules. Vague rules like this can be dangerous as a couple of barks from your dog could fall under their “failure to follow these rules can lead to the termination of your stay” in these rules.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 8/10 – We’re always cautious of campgrounds with longer-than-average lists of rules. If you’re in one of these parks, you don’t want to be on the receiving end of a camp host or campground manager having a bad day. They may be quick to eject you from the park, leaving you scrambling to find a place to sleep that night.
Pine Flat Campground
Address: 12248 N. SR 89A, Sedona, Arizona 86336
Cost: $22
About: Pine Flat Campground is a seasonal campground open from mid-April until the end of October. The campground offers easy access to a stream stocked with trout, opportunities for swimming, and plenty of hiking and bird spotting opportunities.
The campsites sit amongst a heavily wooded area with shade provided by the large ponderosa pines. If you enjoy hiking, fishing, photography, and star gazing, this is an excellent campground for camping.
Amenities: There are 59 single-unit sites but no hookups or shower facilities. There are vault toilets in the campground. Each campsite comes with a fire pit, picnic table, and easy access to explore Coconino National Forest.
Dog friendly? Pine Flat Campground is dog friendly, but you must keep your dog on a leash and clean up after them. Never leave pets unattended.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 8.9/10 – This incredible campground allows you to be close to the red rocks of Sedona. You’ll love this campground even more if you have a large battery bank or power source.
Pro Tip: Enjoy exploring these 7 Best Slot Canyons in Arizona that will seriously blow your mind!
Places to Camp Near Sedona
If you can’t find a camp site in Sedona, why not camp near it? Here are some places you might want to consider staying that will allow you to experience the Red Rocks of Sedona easily.
Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Address: 675 Dead Horse Ranch Rd, Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Cost: $20 to $35
About: Dead Horse Ranch State Park has more than 100 large RV sites. Most campsites can accommodate rigs up to 40-foot motorhomes and 65 feet truck-trailer combinations. This is a very popular park in the fall and spring that typically sells out, especially on weekends.
The stay limit is 14 nights in a 30-day period. Blackhawk Loop includes 17 non-electric campsites that are for tent camping only. The campground has over 20 miles of non-motorized trails for hiking and equestrian adventures.
Amenities: Staying at Dead Horse Ranch State Park gives you access to the day-use areas, lagoons, and a dump station. You can enjoy the trails for hiking, biking, and equestrian purposes.
Families will love the playground, including the much-used zipline, which kids of all ages love. If you’re an adult and need a shot of adrenaline, a trip down the zipline will do the trick.
Dog friendly? Pets are welcome but must stay on leashes, not be left unattended, and aren’t welcome in park buildings.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 9.3 to 10 – Excellent swimming, fishing, and hiking opportunities. It’s a great camp site in Sedona to stay at!
Verde Valley RV & Camping Resort
Address: 6400 E Thousand Trails Rd, Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Cost: $0
About: Verde Valley RV & Camping Resort is a part of the Thousand Trails camping network. There are 340 sites at this large RV and camping resort. Verde Valley is 300 acres of incredible Arizona beauty. You’ll have easy access to explore the Mingus and Hackberry Mountains.
This location is ideal for kayaking down the Verde River, exploring the ghost town of Jerome, or driving through the amazing red rocks of Sedona.
Amenities: One of the best amenities of Verde Valley RV & Camping Resort is its natural beauty. It’s perfect for hiking, biking, and exploring. The whirlpool, spa, and hot tub can relieve your tired and aching muscles if you’re looking for a more relaxing environment.
Challenge your friends and family to a game of pickleball, basketball, or mini golf. In addition, the campground often hosts live entertainment and a host of planned activities.
Dog friendly?: Verde Valley RV & Camping Resort is pet friendly. However, they must be on a leash, never left unsupervised, and owners should clean up after them.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 8.9/10 – Great Thousand Trails resort, especially if you can snag a site in the upgraded loop with 50-amp service, incredible views, and better cell coverage.
Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort
Address: 11500 E Lolo Mai Rd, Cornville, AZ 86325
Cost: $59 to $85 per night
About: Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort has dozens of RV sites that mix 30-amp and 50-amp electrical service. Some sites have sewer hookups and patio slabs. However, there’s a steep drive down into the valley with mature trees. These trees cause access to Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort more conducive to motorhomes and travel trailers under 40 feet and fifth wheels under 36 feet.
Amenities: The resort has three restroom and shower facilities open 24 hours. There’s a coin-operated laundry room, convenience store, pool, and hot tub, and the clubhouse has Wi-Fi. Families will love using Oak Creek for swimming and fishing, the playground, the basketball court, and the horseshoe pit.
Dog friendly?: Pets are welcome but must remain on a leash and not left unattended.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 8.0/10 – It’s a relaxing atmosphere and setting near a creek. Lo Lo Mai Springs Resort can do the job if you’re looking for a relaxing weekend!
Camp With a View in Sedona
One of the many benefits of camping in Sedona is having quick and easy access to unique landscapes and exciting adventures. Book a site at one of the spots we’ve suggested, and you can do just that. You may just find you have some of the best views you’ve ever had at any campsite. Have a great time and enjoy a camp site in Sedona!
Which one of these Sedona campsites would you like to stay at? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
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