Coconino National Forest Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

Coconino National Forest Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

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Wet Beaver Creek in Coconino National Forest, Arizona
Wet Beaver Creek in Coconino National Forest, Arizona (courtesy, Wikimedia)
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Coconino National Forest Parks and Outdoors Travel Tips

By Kim Lipker
  • Camping in the Coconino National Forest is divided into four districts: Peaks, Mormon Lake, Red Rock, and Mogollon Rim. Coconino National Forest allows camping on your own, but there are specific guidelines: Always use the pack-in, pack-out method, camp at least one mile from developed campgrounds and recreation areas, and no camping is allowed within a quarter mile of any wildlife watering hole.
  • Hitchin’ Post Stables leads rides through Walnut Creek Canyon and offers horseback and horse-drawn wagon rides complete with barbecue at sunset. In winter, visitors can take a sleigh ride through Coconino National Forest.
  • Beaver Creek Campground, in the Red Rock district, can be reached by one of Coconino National Forest’s fine scenic drives. The site is located among cottonwood trees and Arizona sycamore trees. Cave Springs, located in Oak Creek Canyon 12 miles from Sedona and close to the well-known Slide Rock State Park’s swimming hole, is one of the most popular campgrounds with 82 individual sites. But be warned: Oak Creek can get very crowded. With only 11 reserveable sites, it is best to go during the week and arrive early to claim your spot.
  • There are several multi-use trails in the Volcanic Highlands, home to San Francisco Peaks. These include trails such as the easy Waterline Trail, the moderate Kachina Trail #150, and the strenuous O’Leary Trail.

Coconino National Forest Overview

The Coconino National Forest is a landscape of stark contrasts—desert suddenly gives way to ponderosa pine; flatlands and mesa coexist with alpine tundra and ancient volcanic peaks. The terrain is visceral and alive with color—red rocks, sandstone buttes, crimson cliffs, stone spires, and river-sliced gorges overwhelm the eyes. City dwellers in Phoenix often make the two-hour pilgrimage north to escape the furnace blast of the Sonoran Desert. The forest's oasis of green mountains, situated several thousand feet higher than the Valley of the Sun, functions like a central air conditioner: San Francisco peaks blow cooler air down through the Oak Creek Canyon onto the southern expanse of the Colorado Plateau. Sedona's energy vortexes lure New Agers from all over the world. Read More

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Hotels

Cave Springs Campground

Red Rock Ranger District, P.O. Box 20429
Sedona , AZ 86341 Map

Distance: 12.8 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
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5.0
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Little Elden Springs Horse Camp

Peaks/Mormon Lake Ranger Districts, 5075 N. Highway 89
Flagstaff, AZ 86004 Map

Distance: 12.8 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
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4.0

Pine Grove Campground

Peaks/Mormon Lake Ranger Districts, 5075 N. Highway 89
Flagstaff, AZ 86004 Map

Distance: 19.0 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
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Expert Rated & Recommended
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Attractions

Mount Elden Trail System

expert favorite attraction
north of Flagstaff
Peaks/Mormon Lake Ranger Districts, 5075 N. Highway 89
Flagstaff, Arizona 86004

Distance: 16.5 mi. (from destination center)

Description: You can find almost any kind of hike that you like on Mount Elden, which rises 9,299 feet from the... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
5_0

Apache Maid Trail

expert favorite attraction
Coconino National Forest, Arizona

Distance: 0.0 mi. (from destination center)

Description: The Apache Maid Trail starts at the mouth of the canyon and continues up this picturesque drainage,... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0

Pink Jeep Tours

expert favorite attraction
204 North State Route 89A
Sedona, Arizona 86339

Distance: 10.6 mi. (from destination center)
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
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Airports

Major Airports near Coconino National Forest

Distance (mi.)
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport 110.0 map
Tucson International Airport 203.7 map
Las Vegas Mccarran International Airport 210.7 map

Other Smaller Airports near Coconino National Forest

Distance (mi.)
Grand Canyon Pulliam Field 9.2 map
Grand Canyon National Park Airport 71.1 map
Lake Havasu City Municipal Airport 155.6 map

Flight Deals to Coconino National Forest

Originating From
San Diego (SAN) to Phoenix (PHX) $124
Orange County (SNA) to Phoenix (PHX) $124
Ontario (ONT) to Phoenix (PHX) $124
Albuquerque (ABQ) to Phoenix (PHX) $124
Long Beach (LGB) to Phoenix (PHX) $126

Feature Articles

More Coconino National Forest Parks and Outdoors Feature Articles (5) »
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Trip Ideas

GORPtravel Adventure Trips & Guided Tours

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Coconino National Forest Vacation Rentals

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from: $421

6 Bedroom VACATION HOME in CHEHALIS, WA

Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 6
Sleeps: 12
Amenities: Balcony, Jacuzzi, Microwave, Oceanfront, Swimming Pool, TV, VCR
check rates
from: $85

1 Bedroom VACATION HOME in CHEHALIS, WA

Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 4
Amenities: Cable/Satellite TV, Full kitchen, Internet Access, Non-Smoking, Restaurant, Woodburning Stove
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from: $35

5 Bedroom VACATION HOME in CHEHALIS, WA

Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 2
Sleeps: 14
Amenities: Air Conditioning, Alarm Clock, BBQ, Blender, Cable/Satellite TV, Coffee Maker, DVD Player, Dishes, Dishwasher, Fireplace, Hair Dryer, Iron, Ironing Board, Laundry, Linens, Microwave, Patio, Pets OK, Phone, Playground, Refrigerator, Restaurant, Screened porch, Smoking OK, Stove, TV, Toaster, Towels, VCR
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Coconino National Forest Parks and Outdoors Travel Guides

Camping | Horses and Riding
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