Flagstaff Camping: Lake Mary, Mormon Lake and Campgrounds Near Flagstaff

Flagstaff sits near 7,000 feet in ponderosa pine forest, a cool, green escape from Arizona's summer heat. The Coconino National Forest has a ring of campgrounds south and east of town, around Lake Mary, Mormon Lake and Ashurst Lake, plus one by the lava flows of Sunset Crater.

What Flagstaff doesn't have anymore is free camping right outside town.

Camping is banned on the forest around Flagstaff

A Coconino National Forest order for the Flagstaff Ranger District prohibits, year-round, on the national forest land surrounding Flagstaff shown on its map:

• Camping (overnight occupancy without a permanent structure).
• Any fire, including charcoal, outside a fire structure provided by the Forest Service.

The order runs from May 1, 2025, to April 30, 2027. You can still camp in the developed campgrounds below, and dispersed camping is allowed on the Coconino outside the order's mapped area, under the forest's limit of 14 days in any 30-day period. Check the map on the order before heading down a forest road; the Flagstaff Ranger District is at 928-526-0866.

Flagstaff campgrounds at a glance

Prices are per night from Recreation.gov. None have hookups, and a second vehicle costs $10 a night at most of them.

Lake Mary

Pinegrove Campground

Best for: the most facilities near town.

Pinegrove has 46 spacious sites near the Lake Mary lakes, with picnic tables, fire rings, grills, drinking water and accessible flush toilets. There are boat ramps on the lakes and accessible fishing at Lake Mary Narrows.

• Coin-operated showers ($7) and a dump station (free for campers) normally operate, but both were closed for the rest of the 2026 season.
• One RV or two tents per site; check-in 2 p.m., check-out 11 a.m.
• The lakes draw migrating waterfowl, wintering bald eagles and ospreys, plus elk and mule deer.

Lakeview Campground

Best for: tent campers.

A hillside of terraced sites among old ponderosa pines with glimpses of Lake Mary. It's a favorite of wildlife watchers, with bald eagles, ospreys, herons, elk and mule deer reported. Gravel roads.

Canyon Vista Campground

A small campground of 14 sites near Walnut Canyon and Lower Lake Mary, in pine, mixed conifer, aspen and oak with views of the San Francisco Peaks. There's a camp host, and, unusually, excellent cell coverage.

Mormon Lake and Ashurst Lake

Dairy Springs Campground

30 single sites and two 40-person group sites at 7,100 feet in old ponderosa pine and oak near Mormon Lake. Tents and motorhomes up to 35 feet; gravel roads and spurs. There's a self-guided nature trail and an amphitheater for campfire programs. Sites 25–30 are first come, first served. Next door, Double Springs campground has a spring that surfaces just above the camp.

Ashurst Lake Campground

25 sites with tables, fire rings and grills, drinking water and vault and composting toilets, with a boat ramp on the lake's west side.

Bonito Campground, Sunset Crater

About 44 sites in tall ponderosa pine at 6,900 feet, 18 miles northeast of Flagstaff, near Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki national monuments. It's named for the Bonito Lava Flow, which spread across the area about 900 years ago. In 2026 the campground closed early for roadwork starting September 21, so check its status for next season.

Before you go

• Elevation: Flagstaff-area campgrounds sit around 6,900–7,100 feet. Nights are cool even in summer, and afternoon thunderstorms happen.
• Fire restrictions change through the year on top of the year-round order; check the Coconino National Forest alerts page.
• Stay limit: 14 days in any 30-day period on the Coconino, under an order running through October 29, 2026; check for a renewal.

Heading south? See our guides to Sedona dispersed camping and the Arizona camping guide.