Boondocking north of Flagstaff, AZ

[DonTom]

I checked that out on google satellite view, I had no idea that place was there near Flagstaff. Are you boondocking in the ashes, nearby at a park or campground, or ?

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

I took a late hike up the hill and took the photo below. Camping is allowed as far as the eye can see. The clearing below is fairly level and just once in a while, there is an RV in there somewhere, but not often as most people prefer to be in the trees. But the photo shows ruffly how many RVs can be parked in here. And this is a busy Friday. A lot of RVs did come in tonight and I have no idea where they went as they can park to stay anywhere for many miles.

Those who have solar could want to park in such a clearing as here in the trees, solar is only good for a few minutes at a time and then it has to be moved. Just too many trees.

Anyway, never have to worry about this place filling up. Plenty of room for all always.

7.2 miles south of the pavement, on Hwy 89, is the KOA, where you can dump your trash, get water, and propane. 3rd stoplight, turn right and you will be in the KOA. I went there today to dump my tanks ($20.00) get water, dump my trash, and fill my propane tank, and then came back here to Cinder Hills. There are several gas stations on the way and on each side of 89.

It's 1.2 miles from here unpaved to Hwy 89. But can be a lot farther, deciding on where you decide to set up. I am set up just a few feet past the sign that allows camping, so 1.2 miles is as close as possible to Hwy 89.

To find the forest road into here for Hwy 89, best to enter this in a GPS:

N35.328686°
W111.545416°
Then drive 1.2 miles on a fairly decent unpaved road and when you see the sign pick your spot out of countless miles of choices.
This is a very convenient location that has everything needed within a few miles.

More hiking trails than I can count.
Be sure to check it out one of these days.
-Don- Cinder Hills, Coconino Forest, AZ

 

[DonTom]

I walked over to that clear area around an hour or so ago. On this very busy Saturday, there was exactly one RV in that area. And sure enough, somebody who wanted good sun for solar.

I think this road will take one to enough room for 100,000 RVs or so, but subtract one for today!

-Don- Cinder Hills, Coconino Forest, AZ

 

[CharlesinGA]

Yep, I just looked on Google Maps. On the aerial view, 1.2 miles is the point where you start seeing RV's all along the road. (its an intersection where the road bends to the right and there is a sharp back to the left road also.

Charles

 

[DonTom]

On the aerial view, 1.2 miles is the point where you start seeing RV's all along the road.

I have seen RVs illegally parked overnight less than a quarter mile from 89. Almost every night. There are plenty of good places to park even large rigs within that 1.2 miles, where they can turn around and all. But overnight in that area is not allowed. But a few do it anyway. I doubt if anybody checks. I even doubt if anybody cares. Besides, they leave early in the morning. But some are using close to 89 for an overnight stop.

OTOH, I don't see why anybody would care. They are not in anybody's way or causing other issues. But at all these places they have two small signs, one says "no camping" and the other says "no campfires". Campfires are allowed after the 1.2 miles and there were several who have a campfire during the night. But in that first mile, I only see the RVs, no campfires.

IMO, AZ needs more rest stops if they want to prevent people from parking close to 89 there.

-Don- Gila Bend, AZ

 

[Gr8bawana]

I just drove through that area last week and I would suspect at this time of the year most rv's and campers would belong to hunters. Which is what we were doing.

 

[DonTom]

I made it, but almost didn't. I-40 was totally closed at Hwy 89 in Ash Fork, and what a mess that was! I was considering going south because it was not possible to go east, and at the time, I had no idea why.

But then I saw a few ambulances going toward I-40, so I figured a large accident. So I went back a several miles west, got gas, waited out in the desert, and hiked around and drove back a few times in several hours to see if I-40 was again open. After around 3 hours, it was open, but only one lane. I only went back there one time before that, around two hours after, and it was still closed.

On I-40, I drove by a big pileup of smashed-up cars in the closed lane. Serious damage, I assume people were killed in this accident.

Not long before then, there was very heavy rain. Probably related to this big accident.

Anyway, I got to my favorite boondocking area north of Flagstaff while it was still light.

I got my ham radio antenna set up and other small things like that while it was still light.


-Don- (boondocked @ Cinder Hills, Coconino Forest, near Flagstaff, AZ}

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