When we sat down to re-cap our 2019 Arizona road trip, we chatted about the best places we camped. Of all the places we set up our tent that week, Cave Spring Campground in the Coconino National Forest came out near the top.
In some ways, we found the campground by accident. We needed a place to stay while hiking Sedona’s famous trails that included a reservation to guarantee we’d have a spot. Thankfully, we were able to snag a gorgeous campsite on the banks of Oak Creek with views of the canyon walls towering above us.
If you’re looking for camping while you enjoy Sedona and Flagstaff (and the surrounding National Park units of Montezuma Castle National Monument, Tuzigoot National Monument, and Walnut Canyon National Monument) we recommend checking out this popular spot!
Where is Cave Spring Campground Located?
Cave Spring Campground is a front-country campground located in the heart of the Oak Creek Canyon within Coconino National Forest. The campground is a popular weekend destination, located just 14 miles south of Flagstaff and 13 miles north of Sedona.
Cave Spring Campground Address
To locate Cave Spring Campground, travel on US Highway 89A, south from Flagstaff or north from Sedona. Cave Springs is a mile south (downstream) of Pine Flat Campground, just off the paved highway to the west.
Cave Spring Address:
11345 N. SR 89A,
Sedona, Arizona 86336
GPS Coordinates: 34°59’55.6″N 111°44’23.1″W
What amenities does the campground have?
When it comes to camping in Cave Spring Campground, you should expect similar amenities found in all national forest campgrounds. As we mentioned above, the campground is about 20 minutes from both Flagstaff and Sedona, which offer full amenities, including restaurants, showers and groceries.
At Cave Spring expect to find these amenities:
- 84 fully reservable campsites; no electric or water sites available.
- Potable water and vault toilets in multiple bathhouses throughout the campground. There are no flush toilets.
- There is a token-operated shower house onsite. It’s heavily trafficked, so try to catch your shower shortly after the daily cleaning.
- Each campsite has a picnic table and a firepit available.
- The campground accommodates both tents and RVs, although only has one tent-only site.
- Limited cell-phone service throughout the campground. No free public wi-fi is available.
Related Posts:
- Hiking the Cathedral Rock Trail in Sedona Arizona
- Planning Our 12 Day Arizona National Park Road Trip
- Visiting the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson
- Trip Recap: Grand Canyon and Zion National Parks
How do you make reservations for Cave Spring Campground?
Currently, sites at Cave Spring can be reserved on a six-month rolling basis online at Recreation.gov.
The campground is only open mid-April to late October. Reservations are highly recommended as the season is short and this is one of the most popular spots for camping near Sedona.
When it comes to which sites to reserve, the campsites closest to the banks of Oak Creek fill up quickly and are the prime spot to book. The second spot we’d recommend are the outer-ring of the campground which comes close to the canyon wall. We’d recommend the campsites in the central area of the campground last as they are pinched fairly close together, but best suited for larger RV’s.
If you happen to arrive at Cave Spring without a reservation, remember that National Forests allow dispersed camping. Check with the campground host about recommendations where else you might be able to stay.
What can I see near the campground?
One of the perks of staying in Cave Spring is the options for nearby hiking trails and things to do in Sedona and Oak Canyon. Coconino National Forest covers 1.8 million acres, so there are lots of choices. We recommend these options nearby:
- Cathedral Rock Trail
- Little Horse Trail to Chicken Point
- Slide Rock State Park – known as one of the best swimming spots in the area.
- Oak Creek Overlook
- Montezuma Castle National Monument & The Montezuma Well.
Other tips to know?
- Although the campground is near the Sedona area and close to the road, it’s still wilderness. Two nights in the campground we encountered wildlife in our site (a skunk and raccoon). Make sure you’re keeping food and trash carefully stored.
- The Pine Flat Campground is also nearby if Cave Spring Campground is full.
- Sedona is busy all times of the year but particularly during the summer camping season. Expect the campground to be full (and to have nearby campers around).
- The camp store has basic camping amenities, a few groceries and firewood. Staff were friendly and able to answer our questions about the nearby trails.
