How to Visit Coconino National Forest by RV and Where to Camp

Feb 3, 2023 | Campgrounds

How to Visit Coconino National Forest by RV and Where to Camp

Here's how to visit Sedona and Coconino National Forest in Arizona in your RV, and where to camp nearby.

By Robert Annis

Cave Springs Campground. | Photo by: Jenny J

If you’re the type of RVer who loves to expend all their energy on the trails and recharge with a gourmet dinner and bottle of wine, Sedona, Arizona, is for you. If you prefer to avoid the city and enjoy incredible mountain biking and hiking, then stick to the nearby Coconino National Forest.

Highlights

Sedona has some of the best mountain bike trails in the world, but it’s sometimes difficult to concentrate on the singletrack when the scenery is so incredible. The Templeton Trail in the national forest offers a mix of technical climbs and fun flow, while the Easy Breezy Trail has riders zigzagging a rocky creek bed underneath a pine forest.

If you need to get away from the crowds, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is located about 90 minutes south and offers fun hikes—one that’s more of a rock scramble and requires you to search for trail markers, but the views of the arch at the end of the trail are worth the effort. 

How to Get There By RV

Interstate 17 runs to the east of Sedona. Larger RVs should be able to get around the city and surrounding national forest with no issues, although parking is limited in the main areas of Sedona.

Where to Stay

The further you drive along Forest Road 525, the better the scenery gets. You won’t see iconic Sedona landmarks like Cathedral Rock, but you can camp underneath beautiful, lesser known red-rock foothills that most tourists never experience. You might luck out finding an established campsite with a fire pit, but don’t expect any other amenities. 

Related What Is Designated Dispersed Camping and Why It Matters to You

If you want to stay in an established campground with hookups, be prepared to pay a premium. Rancho Sedona RV Park is quiet, well maintained, and close to shops and restaurants.

Other Nearby Camping Options

The Coconino National Forest and the surrounding area of Sedona are very popular places to visit and camp. Follow Leave No Trace principles and learn more about at-risk boondocking destinations before making your travel plans.

?>