FR 525 Dispersed

We were hoping to disperse camp here while visiting Sedona, unfortunately it wasn't what we were looking for. The first camping area is a small cleared dirt area and it was completely full. We drove a little more down the road and came to a turn around so that's what we did. We went across the road to look at another area. This one was full also. So we headed into town. This area is very busy. FR 525 is busy with tours, campers, off-road vehicles.

The scenery is beautiful but the noise and dust from all of the OHV's, tour jeeps, etc detracted from our enjoyment. This road loops back into Sedona on the west side and is heavily traveled by all the tours and rentals. I would suggest campers enter from this end rather than AZ89A and you would find available camping spots sooner. We were awakened to a hot air balloon passing overhead and then landing about a 1/4 mile away, which was the highlight of our one night stay.

Prior reviews still accurate - Go about 3-4 miles back past cattle guard on 525 for great views & privacy. Expect dust and ATV noise during the day.

Drove about 3 miles in from 89A - Road was decent for a dirt road. Stayed just after Thanksgiving and there were a lot of campers - but could a great spot. Incredible views. The ATVs and Jeeps provided some nice entertainment during the day (between about 9a - 4p) then it is very peaceful. Returned the 2nd week of Dec. and the road was better - fewer campers - very relaxing. One of my favorite boondocking spots. Please be sure to pack in and pack out. 🤠

Arrived end of November Stayed till 2nd of December, we went 3.8 miles in and found a great knoll to park on top and had wonderful panoramic views, rained a couple days and windy, days were not warm enough to just sit outside with the wind, and nights got cool in the mid 30’s. Cottonwood is a better place to go with a RV it is more RV friendly as far as parking and services, Sedona defiantly is not a RV friendly city. Several Sami dumps available in Cottonwood and Propane availability as Sedona does not offer those RV services. Pros: Spectacular views! Close to either Cottonwood or Sedona AT&T had full LTE service were we stayed Forestry was pleasant to visit with and informative at the camp site stopped to say hi and check on us. Cons: Road was rather rough. We went in a older class A so we had plenty of clearance, I would not go back in here with a long coach We would Stay here again!!

525 is a nice, graded road with multiple large turn-outs along the 5 mile stretch from 89A. The further you go, the better the views. Campers have kept the area very clean - no litter.

Been out a week this trip. Hit this area twice a year past 5 years. Amazing energy. Great dispersed camp site for 1-8 rigs.

Stayed here mid-March 2016, dry camping, in a 30 ft. gas Class A for five (5) days. Our America the Beautiful annual pass was accepted so we did not need to purchase a Red Rock Pass (per the rangers at the Info station off SR 179). Consistent Verizon LTE signal (2-3 bars) allowed us to check emails and surf the Internet. Red rock views galore! Yes, the road in is a bit rocky and rough, but easy using truck gear. We only give it 4 stars because the area isn't isolated. ATVers and the Pink Jeep tours drove by every day, especially near sunset. Plus, tourists driving to visit the ancient ruins up the road at Palatki (open 9:30 am to 3:00 pm daily, reservations required) add to the traffic. Be cautious and patient as you drive your rig in as others on the road may not be polite (or they don't know how to drive on primitive FS roads). We saw rigs longer than ours in many of the sites closer to 89A. If you have a towed or pilot vehicle, scouting ahead for your spot is a wise option. Mornings and evenings are blissfully quiet, and a pack of coyotes serenaded us a few times. Before dawn, hot air balloons launch and then land around 7:30 am; get up early to watch them silently glide in front of the red rocks. Both Sedona and Cottonwood are an easy 15 minute drive into each town. We really don't want to tell you about this area as we selfishly would rather keep it for ourselves. But, the FS Rangers would disagree as these are public lands for your enjoyment, and it's already a popular spot. This visit, we had terrific "neighbors", and have made new friends. We will be back, and hope to boondock here many more times. We love it here. Note: FR 525 is also known as Red Canyon Road. We recommend getting (or downloading) the Motor Vehicle Use Map from the Coconino National Forest ranger stations or its web site.