Feeling a bit spontaneous this week? If you love Arizona’s lush forests, then perhaps an impromptu camping trip is in order! Check out these no-reservation campsites in Arizona that don’t require calling in advance and have lovely surroundings. Remember that most are first come, first served so arrive early to stake your claim.

1. Bear Canyon Campground (Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests)
Bear Canyon, Arizona, USA
Devin/Flickr
Let’s start this list with a campground at Bear Canyon Lake, located about 25 miles west of Heber. This is a beautiful lake in a canyon surrounded by trees and wildlife, making this area feel secluded. Camping in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is an amazing thing!
2. Canyon Point Campground (Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests)
Canyon Point Campground, 260 Highway, Forest Lakes Estates, AZ 85931, USA
Mike B./Yelp
You’ll find Canyon Point Campground 19 miles west of Heber and it has 20 sites under towering pines that don’t require reservations.
3. Dairy Springs Campground (Coconino National Forest)
Dairy Springs Campground, Dairy Spgs Campground, Arizona, USA
Photo via U.S. National Forest website
This is one of several campgrounds located near Mormon Lake in northern Arizona and is quite pretty. Half of the sites at Dairy Springs Campgroundare available as first-come, first-served and located near some scenic hiking trails.
4. DeMotte Campground (Kaibab National Forest)
Demotte Campground, Forest Rd 616, Fredonia, AZ 86022, USA
Kaibab National Forest, Arizona/Flickr
Located near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, DeMotte Campground offers a lovely view of this secluded area of the state. Half of the campsites are available without a reservation and the entire area is open between May 14th and October 15th each year.

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5. Desert View Campground (Grand Canyon National Park)
Desert View Campground, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, USA
Grand Canyon National Park/Flickr
If you want to check out the Grand Canyon with stay that would fully embrace the beauty of the area, you may want to check out this campground. Desert View Campground is located on the South Rim and has 50 sites available, each accommodating up to six people.
6. Hilltop Campground (Prescott National Forest)
Hilltop Campground, Walker Rd, Prescott, AZ 86303, USA
Alan Levine/Flickr
Hilltop Campground is one of several spread around Lynx Lake near Prescott and it’s quite a pretty area. All of the 38 campsites here are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and you will love that it’s just a half-mile walk from the lake.
7. Manzanita Campground (Coconino National Forest)
Manzanita Campground, North State Route 89A, Sedona, AZ, USA
David L./Yelp
Manzanita Campground is located just south of Slide Rock State Park along the beautiful Oak Creek. You’ll find just seven campsites that are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and is not available to RV campers due to the small size.
8. Pine Flat Campground (Coconino National Forest)
Pine Flat Campground, 12240 AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
Aide M./Yelp
Here’s another pretty campground near Oak Creek! Pine Flat Campground sits close to the West Fork Oak Creek Trail and a majority of the 56 campsites don’t require a reservation (while 18 do).

Want to check out one of the prettiest campgrounds in the state? Which campsites in Arizona are YOUR all-time favorites? Read about Kaibab Lake Campground near Williams, which just might be the most beautiful campground in Arizona.

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Leah | October 23, 2020

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