Dispersed Camping

Camping-on-your-own Guidelines

THE FOREST BELONGS TO EVERYONE... however, there are some firm guidelines we must all follow out of respect for everyone who owns the Forest, human and animal. You may camp most anywhere on the Coconino National Forest (unless otherwise posted) according to the following guidelines:

1. Generally, there is a 14-DAY PER MONTH STAY LIMIT (14 days in a 30-day period-forest order #04-99-08-R) on the Coconino National Forest. Please note that there are some exceptions where the limit is less than fourteen days. Establishing residency is against federal regulation.

2. No camping or campfires on the forest within city limits.

3. Do not camp on private property unless you have the owner's permission.

4. No camping within one-fourth mile of a wildlife watering tank/hole. (Arizona Revised Statutes § 17-308: "It is unlawful for a person to camp within one-fourth mile of a natural water hole containing water or a man-made watering facility containing water in such a place that wildlife or domestic stock will be denied access to the only reasonably available water.")

5. Camp at least one mile from a pay (designated) campground or established (developed) recreation area, or as posted.

6. Please do not camp in or drive through open meadowland due to the scarring effect it causes.

7. Down and dead firewood may be gathered around your camping area for use at your campsite but it is illegal to load wood in a vehicle to take out of the Forest without a special permit. (You may not cut standing trees nor can you cut limbs off of standing trees.)

8. Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry.
   • Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
   • Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
   • Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
   • Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

9. Camp 200 feet from the main roadway, 20 feet from forest road, behind the county or state right-of-way fence.

10. Always use the pack-in/pack-out method for the disposal of litter to keep your Forest clean.

11. Please use a digging tool to bury all human and pet waste at least 6 to 7 inches deep.

12. Pets are welcome in most areas but must be kept leashed at all times.

13. Always practice "Leave No Trace" Outdoor Ethics.

Specific Sites

In addition to the Dispersed Camping Guidelines on your left, there are several sites designated and set aside as Dispersed Camping sites. Some of them are listed here:

Dispersed Camping along Freidlein Prairie Road (Forest Road 522). Click here for article.

Dispersed Camping just before you reach the top of the hill on the way to Ashurst Lake. Call Mormon Lake Ranger District for more information. 928-774-1147

There is a popular Dispersed Camping area near Fossil Creek called "Childs" on the Verde River. The GPS coordinates for Childs: N34° 20' 52.8714", W-111° 41' 50.316". Another popular dispersed camping area is "Bull Pen Ranch". See the map on the West Clear Creek Trail page. The GPS coordinates are N34° 58’ 10.92”, W-111° 45' 2.3394". Call the Red Rock Ranger District for information. 928-282-4119

and...

on the Mogollon Rim, there are a several noteworthy dispersed camping areas. Jack's Canyon Camping and Climbing area is a popular spot. See photographs on the web page.

Gooseberry Springs (GPS: N34° 49' 16.8954", W-111° 25' 54.6594") is a beautiful area (no facilities).

And also, there are popular Dispersed Camping areas near Knoll Lake and Rock Crossing. Call Mogollon Rim Ranger District for information. 928-477-2255

EXCEPTIONS

Red Rock Country prohibits "Camping-on-Your-Own" within the "pinkish-salmon" colored boundary shown on the map at this location.

For overnight camping within this area, you must camp in a designated, developed campground. If you aren't sure, please call the district at 928-282-4119.