US Forest Service
Learn about camping and boondocking in national forests and grasslands.
Forest Road 689, Oak Creek, AZ
Forest Road 689, Oak Creek, AZ Crowd Density: Forest Road 689, starting from Exit 298 at the south end to Exit 306 at the north end is often crowded due to Coconino NF officials having shut down all dispersed camping in and around Sedona and Oak Creek. Arriving in the evening may leave you without any camp sites along Forest Road 689. Noise Levels: Noise can be bothersome in some areas, particularly where campsites are close together. Otherwise, in most cases, it remains fairly calm. Cellular Signal Strength: Connectivity from Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T remains average to good along much of the road. ... Read more
Forest Road 120A, Oak Creek, AZ
Forest Road 120A, Oak Creek, AZ Forest Road 120A, is located within Coconino National Forest, about 5 miles from Oak Creek, AZ. It’s a dirt road that winds through scrub and chaparral. It runs about 1 mile north, becoming increasingly bumpy and rutted, requiring 4WD and high clearance vehicles. The few sites closest to Beaver Flats Road are suitable for 2WD motorhomes and trucks pulling trailers. Cellular Signal: Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T is reachable, though signal strength is weak. Trash: Sites closer to Beaver Flats Road sees more trash laying around to heavier campsite use.
Firehole Canyon Beach, Flaming Gorge, WY
Firehole Canyon, Dispersed Camping, Flaming Gorge, WY There isn’t any “bad” place for camping at Flaming Gorge. However, there are some really spectacular places. Firehole Canyon is one of them. It’s located in the northern portion of Flaming Gorge, just north of where the Green River empties into the main body of the Gorge. It lies nestled between sandstone walls, offering fascinating views of chimney-like rock formations. It’s not busy here either. In fact, there’s plenty of available boondocking space. One of the best reasons to camp here is that it’s accessed mostly by paved road. Flaming Gorge Road (FR ... Read more
East Flats Road
East Flats Road, San Bernardino NF How Crowded: This area gets heavily used during the warmer months, though there are plenty of campsites that it’s unlikely you’ll get denied. How Noisy or Peaceful: Weekends can get noisy from numerous campers throwing parties through the night. During the week, it’s far more peaceful. Cellular Phone Signal: Weak signal from all three carriers. Road Conditions: Hard packed dirt & gravel all the way in, 2WD vehicles are fine. Site are large enough for any sized RV. Amenities Within Campground: None. Cost of Camping: It’s free to camp at these sites, first come, first serve. Campfires: Campfires are allowed ... Read more
Cougar Dispersed Camping Area, Ketchum, ID
Cougar Dispersed Camping Area, Ketchum, ID Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA) covers a large area of land with hundreds of options for boondocking and developed camping. The most popular area to camp is along the North Fork of the Big Wood River, at a place the Forest Service has named, “Cougar Dispersed Camping Area”. Cougar starts where the North Fork Visitor Center is located, right at the intersection of SR-75 and and FR-146. When driving north from Ketchum, you’ll see a sign for “SNRA Headquarters”. If you keep going up FR-146, it turns into gravel. The road runs for about 5 miles ... Read more
Coon Creek Yellow Post Sites
Coon Creek Yellow Post Sites, San Bernardino NF Note: Sites 1-10 and 15-19 have been mapped above. We have not found sites 11-14. Sites 1-10 are easy to access by any vehicle, 2WD is fine, along trailers and motorhomes. These sites are large and can fit any sized RV. Sites 15-19 will require 4WD and high clearance due to steep inclines and rough road. Sites tend to be smaller here. How Crowded: Sites 1-10 tend to be very popular due to easier road access and larger sites. Site 15-19 offer more availability due to 4WD requirement. How Noisy or Peaceful: Sites 1-10 ... Read more
Coldwater Canyon Yellow Post Sites
Coldwater Canyon Yellow Post Sites, San Bernardino NF Note: All three sites require 4WD to access. Site #17 is large enough for several vehicles, but motorhomes and long trailers are not advised due to severe road conditions. How Crowded: These sites are very popular during the warmer months. On weekends, these sites are nearly impossible to find unoccupied. How Noisy or Peaceful: Site #17 offers to most peace because it’s isolated from the other two, and is set back about 100 feet from the road. The other two sites can get noisy due to being popular with party-goers. Cellular Phone Signal: Verizon comes ... Read more
Cockscomb Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ
Cockscomb Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ Crowdedness: The reviews indicate varying degrees of crowd density. One reviewer mentioned encountering several other campers, including some who set up their camp uncomfortably close to others. Another review notes that, even early in the season, the camping area could comfortably fit around 7-8 tents or RVs, indicating a potential for crowding during peak times. It seems the reduced camping areas due to new rules have impacted the overall solitude of the camping experience. Noise Level: The noise level appears to be a mixed bag. While one camper enjoyed a peaceful night with the sound of ... Read more
Clark’s Ranch Yellow Post Site
Clark’s Ranch Yellow Post Site, San Bernardino NF How Crowded: This single site is frequently occupied during the warmer months. You’re best to get here between Monday-Thursday in the afternoon. How Noisy or Peaceful: Very peaceful and quiet. Not many people pass by here. Cellular Phone Signal: Weak signal from all three carriers. Road Conditions: Hard packed dirt & gravel all the way in, 2WD vehicles are fine. However, we would not advise motorhomes over 30ft or trailers above 20 ft in length due to some hairpin turns and very rough, bumpy road. Amenities Within Campground: Just picnic tables and fire rings. Cost of Camping: It’s ... Read more
Black Mountain Yellow Post Sites
Black Mountain Yellow Post Sites, San Bernardino NF, San Jacinto Ranger District 4WD is definitely required due to steep inclines and rough road. Small trailers are fine as long as you have a 4WD tow vehicle. All six sites are intended for cars, vans, and pickup trucks. Motorhomes will not make it up here. How Crowded: These sites are not very busy due to the road conditions up here. How Noisy or Peaceful: Site #3 is probably going to be the most peaceful due to being isolated. The other sites are either paired together, while Site #6 is at a trailhead. Cellular ... Read more
