The Best Free Dispersed Campsites Near Sedona

Wouldn’t it be great if you could go camping in Sedona for free?

Well, dispersed camping lets you do exactly that! Head just outside of city limits to access nearby public lands for some of the best dispersed camping Arizona has to offer.

Here are 7 of my personal favorite dispersed campsites near Sedona to help you plan your next trip.

Quick Overview

These are the free dispersed campsites I cover below:

• Loy Butte Road
• Schnebly Hill Road
• Pumphouse Wash
• Angel Valley Road
• Lawrence Crossing
• Edge of the World
• Childs Dispersed Area

Click on the one you want to learn more about to jump down, browse them all on our Sedona dispersed camping map, or keep reading for the full list!

Related Post: My Favorite Dispersed Campsites in Arizona

My Favorite Dispersed Campsites Near Sedona

Dispersed camping near Sedona looks much different than in years past.

Due to a huge increase in recreational use since 2020, the Coconino National Forest now restricts dispersed camping in several once popular areas.

At the most heavily-used areas, including the very popular Loy Butte Road (FR 525), campers are now required to stay in designated dispersed campsites only. At others, dispersed camping is now banned altogether.

These changes were spurred not only by overuse, but also by poor stewardship, including irresponsible campsite creation, unattended campfires, poor sanitation practices, overstaying camping stay limits, and more (so, please, follow the Leave No Trace principles to help prevent future shutdowns).

Here are my three favorite free campsites near Sedona (with these new changes taken into account).

Loy Butte Road

Get ready for quiet nights and beautiful views when camping along Loy Butte Road (Forest Road 525).

Unfortunately, true dispersed camping is no longer allowed here. You’re now required to stay in a designated dispersed campsite, each marked with a small sign, when camping anywhere in the Red Rock Ranger District west of Sedona.

Roughly 200 designated dispersed campsites are spread across eight dispersed camping areas. Five of these (Nolan, Greasy Spoon, Cockscomb, Windmill, and Surprise) are located along Loy Butte Road itself while the other three (Rockview, Javelina, and Angel Valley) are scattered around the nearby area.

Loy Butte Road is fairly well-maintained, aside from moderate washboarding, and doesn’t require high-clearance. RVs and trailers should stick to the first two designated areas (Surprise and Windmill), although I have seen big rigs make it farther in.

Important Tip: Wood and charcoal fires are now longer allowed.

See on YouTube: “New Rules for Free Camping on 525 & 89B in Sedona AZ” by ArboursAbroad

Schnebly Hill Road

Schnebly Hill Road (Forest Road 153) is hands down one of the most beautiful places to camp in Sedona.

The red rock canyon views from Schnebly Hill Vista are nothing short of spectacular. The campsites here are relatively quiet, shaded with pines, and fairly private. Access this area by turning west off I-17 east of Sedona (it can also be accessed by 4WD high-clearance vehicles heading east out of Sedona itself).

Big rigs and low clearance vehicles should arrive early to snag a spot within the first mile or so. The next few miles (up until about mile six) are much rougher but still manageable in most 2WD vehicles (excluding RVs and vehicles pulling trailers). After about mile six, 4WD and high-clearance pretty much become a necessity.

Schnebly Hill Vista sits at roughly the six-mile mark. It’s one of the most popular points along the road – and for good reason. The views are insane. But you can’t camp at the overlook. In fact, camping is only allowed between I-17 (where you turn onto FR 153) and just before the viewpoint.

Important Tip: Camping isn’t allowed from Schnebly Hill Overlook west to Sedona.

See on YouTube: “Schnebly Hill Road Sedona Overlanding Camping Part 1” by MERICA MARK

My Full Review: My Schnebly Hill Road Dispersed Camping Review

Pumphouse Wash

Pumphouse Wash is another popular place for dispersed camping just north of Sedona.

Reach this forested area by driving north from Sedona along State Route 89A through Oak Creek Canyon. Continue roughly 2 miles past Oak Creek Vista before turning right onto Forest Road 237.

Dispersed camping starts about a half mile from the turnoff. You must camp in a designated dispersed campsite here. There are four designated dispersed camping areas along Forest Road 237 (each is a large loop sub-road) with roughly 100 free campsites in total.

Pumphouse Wash is accessibly by all vehicles. It’s a great primary destination or a backup if nearby developed campgrounds (Cave Springs Campground and Manzanita Campground) are full.

Important Tip: Remember, you must camp in designated dispersed campsites here.

See on YouTube: “Pumphouse Wash Trail | Coconino National Forest” by Neat Adventures

Other Free Dispersed Campsites Near Sedona

Loy Butte Road, Schnebly Hill Road, and Pumphouse Wash are my three very favorite places to dispersed camp near Sedona, but here are four additional options to consider.

Angel Valley Road

* Wood and charcoal campfires are no longer allowed here.

Angel Valley Road (Forest Road 89B) is located opposite Loy Butte Road just across State Route 89A.

As part of the Red Rock Ranger District west of Sedona, dispersed camping along Angel Valley Road is now restricted to two designated dispersed camping areas: Javelina and Angel Valley.

Angel Valley Road is unpaved and often quite rough. RVs and trailers are better off sticking to the campsites in the Javelina area. Most passenger vehicles can access the Angel Valley campsites, although high-clearance and 4WD are helpful.

Lawrence Crossing Campground

Lawrence Crossing Campground is slightly further from Sedona than the other campsites outlined above, but it’s still a great option, especially if you’re arriving from the south.

Although it’s not a dispersed camping area, we still wanted to include Lawrence Crossing on this list because it’s free. It’s a small primitive campground with limited amenities.

The handful of campsites are located next to a beautiful creek. Lawrence Crossing is best for tent campers. Look elsewhere for RV or trailer camping.

Edge of the World

The aptly-named “Edge of the World” might just have the very best views of any free campsite near Sedona or Flagstaff.

The best campsites are located just off Forest Road 231, perched high on the edge of a rim overlooking the beautiful Red Rock Wilderness far below. But there are a ton of other dispersed campsites scattered throughout the area that offer a little more privacy (as the rim-side campsites fill up quickly).

To reach Edge of the World, you must first navigate 23 very slow miles of a somewhat confusing network of rough, unpaved forest service roads, including FR 535, FR 536, FR 231, and Woody Mountain Road.

4WD and high-clearance is very helpful here. Definitely don’t drive all the way to the rim if you’re in an RV or a trailer. RV-friendly campsites are located nearer State Route 89A along FR 535.

Important Tip: Edge of the World is also called East Pocket, End of the World, and Edge of the World and sometimes shows up on maps as such.

My Full Review: My Edge of the World Dispersed Camping Review

Childs Dispersed Camping Area

Childs is a popular dispersed camping area about 60 miles south of Sedona.

It’s set alongside the Verde River miles upon miles down an unpaved road (Forest Road 502) deep in the Coconino National Forest. Just upstream are the remains of the old Childs Power Plant (from which the camping area gets its name).

In addition to the beauty of the camping area itself, the remains of the Verde Hot Springs Resort, once a bustling luxury resort, are a huge draw. It’s still possible to soak in the hot springs today, although nudity is prohibited.

The road into Childs is very rough, especially the last 6 miles, but the trek is well worth it. High-clearance is all but necessary and 4WD is helpful, especially in wet weather. Don’t take an RV or trailer here.

How to Find Even More Free Campsites Near Sedona

The dispersed campsites outlined above are just a handful of my favorites near Sedona – there are plenty of others if you do a little research.

Online tools like iOverlander, Campendium, and FreeCampsites.net as well as the Boondocker’s Bible map will help you find countless other potential campsites.

Couple these tools with Avenza Maps and Gaia GPS as well as a print Motor Vehicle Use Map (from the nearest ranger station) and you’ll open up even more options.

When in doubt, I always recommend calling the nearest ranger station – or, better yet, visiting them in person for even more dispersed camping suggestions and recommendations as well as the latest updates possible.

Related Post: The Best Apps to Find Free Dispersed Campsites

Let Me Know If You Have Any Questions!

Need more help planning your Sedona camping trip?

First, check out our guides to dispersed camping in national forests and on BLM land to see if they answer your questions.

And, if you still need help, don’t hesitate to reach out in the comments below or email me directly!

Related Post: My Favorite Free Campsites Near Flagstaff