

What I Don’t Like:Įdge of the World gets busy, especially in the summer. This campsite is far enough from Sedona and Flagstaff to minimize light pollution for very dark night skies and very bright stars. There are also plenty of shade trees to shield you from the hot sun.
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The views from the end of the road are what make Edge of the World home to arguably the best free camping in Arizona. Just make sure you take Woody Mountain Road and you’ll arrive at the correct spot. Once you reach Edge of the World itself, you’ll find plenty of space to spread out in the forest with the best spots located on the rim of a canyon overlooking the beautiful Red Rock Wilderness.Įdge of the World is sometimes called East Pocket or End of the World. Just take it slow and you’ll arrive in one piece in almost any vehicle, although RVs and trailers should probably avoid camping here. I’ve seen low-clearance 2WD vehicles (including a Prius) make the drive, but high-clearance and/or 4WD is very helpful. The 23-mile dirt access road is rough and windy. This free dispersed camping area isn’t very far from Flagstaff (or Sedona) as the crow flies, but it’s quite a trek to reach in a vehicle. Related Post: Best Free Dispersed Camping Near Sedona Edge of the WorldĮdge of the World is hands down one of the most amazing places to camp in Arizona, free or paid. Schnebly Hill Road is part of Coconino National Forest.Ĭall the Red Rock Ranger District for more information: (928) 282-4199 Both are also part of the Coconino National Forest. Loy Butte Road (FR 525) and Pumphouse Wash (FR 237) are two other free dispersed campsites near Sedona that I love. As the crow flies, it’s not far from Sedona, but making the drive into town takes over an hour due to the lay of the land. It’s also a popular destination for jeep tours and OHV riders. Schnebly Hill Road is popular so it’s often busy and noisy. Although it gets busy, visitors willing to brave the rough road can certainly snag quiet and relatively private sites. The beautiful views and quiet forest atmosphere always make me happy I stopped here for a night. Only 4×4 vehicles should attempt to continue further west. Most 2WD vehicles should be able to make it to the overlook (if you drive slowly). Unfortunately, you’re not allowed to camp at the overlook itself. The red rock canyon views from the overlook are amazing. The further you drive in, the more likely you are to find a private campsite.Ībout six miles west of I-17 is Schnebly Hill Vista. RVs and trailers should look for camping within a mile or two of the main highway – after this, the road gets rough and turning around is difficult.Ĭountless dispersed campsites are available, most with decent shade. Unless you have a 4×4 vehicle, it’s important to access Schnebly Hill Road (Forest Road 153) from I-17 rather than from Sedona itself to avoid the roughest parts of the road.

Schnebly Hill RoadĪlthough free camping near Sedona is abundant, Schnebly Hill Road is my favorite place to hunker down in Red Rock Country.
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Here are 11 of my favorite places for free dispersed camping in Arizona to help you find the perfect campsite for your next trip.

My Favorite Dispersed Campsites in Arizona Or, browse our Arizona dispersed camping map to find a dispersed campsite near you.

Jump to the free campsite you want to know more about: Related Post: The Best Dispersed Campsites in Colorado Rather than list them all, I’ve narrowed down your options to just 11 of the very best. This region includes numerous enriching activities to keep your family entertained.Today, I’m going to share my favorite free campsites in Arizona.Īround 42% of Arizona is made up of public lands like national forests and BLM land, so it’s not surprising there are literally hundreds of dispersed camping and boondocking opportunities throughout the state. Other landmarks include the Ironwood Forest and Chiricahua National Monuments, Fort Bowie National Historic Site, and Tumacácori National Historical Park. Also be sure to visit the historic old-western town of Tombstone, known for the famous gunfight at the O.K. Southern Arizona is home to eleven Arizona State Parks, including one of the world’s best caves, Kartchner Caverns. The main towns include Tucson, Sierra Vista, Willcox, and Safford. The Coronado National Forest maintains numerous campgrounds throughout the region. The area is defined by five minor mountain ranges: the Santa Catalina Mountains and the Tortolita Mountains to the north, the Santa Rita Mountains to the south, the Rincon Mountains to the east, and the Tucson Mountains to the west. The region borders Mexico to the south and New Mexico to the east. The Southern Arizona region encompasses the southeastern part of Arizona.
