A free online encyclopedia about campgrounds created and edited by travel writers

sign in or out
Campgrounds Wiki
Destinations
Coconino National Forest
Coconino National Forest
Coconino National Forest destination large map

Click map for a larger view

The Coconino National Forest covers the mid-section of the state of Arizona. Flagstaff, AZ, is the most populous city in the destination, with a population of nearly 73,000 residents. The region is primarily known for its outdoor recreation, with the Coconino National Forest offering several hiking, walking, and biking activities for guests. Fishing and swimming are other outdoor activities included within the national forest, as well as the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, which is also located within the destination's boundaries. Other cities included within the region are Cottonwood and Sedona, AZ, both of which are small incorporated cities. The area is listed as being the central distribution hub for several corporations, including that of Nestle Purina PetCare.[5] The destination is known for having the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the United States, referring to a tall pine tree typically inhabited in North America.[4] Located within the Coconino National Forest Region is Humphreys Peak, the highest point and second most prominent peak in the state of Arizona.[1] Hiking is a popular activity within Humphreys Peak, as well as skiing in the winter. The overall climate in the area is seen as warm with occasional rainstorms, with mountains and greenery supplying the majority of the destination, excluding populated cities such as Flagstaff, where the geography is more modern and structurally based.

What Coconino National Forest is known for

Tourists often come to the Coconino National Forest Region based on the outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, and more. On average, five million people visit the destination per year. These travelers come from all over the world, however, the leading travel occurs from within the United States. The peak travel season is listed as being May through August, where the weather is seen as warm with occasional rainstorms. Humphreys Peak, located within the national forest, is one of the top attractions of the area, offering daylong hikes up the peak, which is considered the highest point and second most prominent peak in the state of Arizona.[1] Skiing often occurs in Humphreys Peak during the winter months, supplying tourists with a full calendar supply of outdoor recreation. 

Another popular activity included is the Walnut Canyon National Monument, a hiking trail that shows the history of the Sinagua Indians who resided there long ago.[3] At the Lowell Observatory, located in Flagstaff, AZ, guests can visit the astronomical observatory that discovered the dwarf planet Pluto in 1930. The tower was established in 1894, making it one of the oldest observatories within the United States. The Observatory has been named one of the "The World's Top 100 Most Important Places" by TIME in 2011. Guests of all ages can visit the observatory and see the history behind the observatory, as well as the research that led the American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh to discover the dwarf planet that has since been named Pluto.[2] The top employers in the region include the Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff Medical Center and W.L. Gore & Associates.

Geography

Coconino National Forest Region includes the mid-portion of the state of Arizona, including the city of Flagstaff, which serves as the most populated city within the area. The destination ends approximately five miles outside of Prescott but includes Prescott Valley within its borders. Coconino National Forest, Humphreys Peak, and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest are areas included within the region, each bringing various daily activities to guests. The eastern borders end near the city of Holbrook, with the southern border ending near the intersection of Highway 188 and 87. Interstate 40 and 17 travel through the destination, connecting travelers to various parts of Arizona. Mountains and greenery fill the geography of the region, stretching over the majority of the area. Deserts also are found within the area, filling up the majority of the middle portion of the regional boundaries. 

Within the more populated areas such as Flagstaff, the geography changes to more modern and structured, with several buildings and residential pieces found nearby. The average temperature in the destination is 62 degrees Fahrenheit, with the weather being listed as warm with occasional rainstorms during the peak season and cold with snow in high elevations during the offseason. The peak travel season, named as May through August, averages out at 77 degrees Fahrenheit, with popular activities including hiking, swimming, biking, and more. September through April, the offseason, averages out at 55 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average of seven inches of snow. Coconino National Forest Region receives approximately 57 days of precipitation per year, with the highest months including the months of July and August, where it averages 8 and 9 days, respectively.

Local animals found within the destination include elk, mule deer, and coyotes. All of these are often located in the various trails in the surrounding area. Other animals include porcupines, badgers, pronghorns, black bears, and mountain lions. Birds often sighted include bald eagles, northern goshawks, Mexican spotted owls, Peregrine falcons, wild turkeys, and more.

History

The Sinagua Indians were among the first inhabitants of the Coconino National Forest Region. They inhabited it until the early 15th century when they left due to clashes with the Yavapai tribe that began to settle the area. The Yavapai people owned the land until the western expansion, which occurred during the 1860s.[7] Coconino National Forest became United States territory during a treaty with Mexico in 1848 that established Arizona and New Mexico as U.S. land. In 1898, President William McKinley established the San Fransisco Mountain Forest Reserve, despite protests coming from citizens in the surrounding area. In 1905, the Forest Reserves were transferred to the Department of Agriculture, where the new Forest Service administered 21 million acres across Arizona and New Mexico. In 1908, the Coconino National Forest was established.[8] 

Within the Coconino National Forest Region, specifically the city of Flagstaff, the top ethnic groups include White(Non-Hispanic), White(Hispanic), American Indian and Alaska Native, Black or African American, and Asian. Nearly 150,000 people inhabit the boundaries of the destination, with the top employers including Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff Medical Center, and W.L. Gore & Associates. Universities in the area include Northern Arizona University, Coconino Community College, and CollegeAmerica-Flagstaff.

#1

The 50's Diner and Backseat Bar, Motel, & RV Park is exactly what it's name depicts, in that the business consists of a diner, a bar, a motel with 12 rooms, and an RV park with 38 units. The RV spaces have full hook-ups and access to a dumping station. The edifice is open year-round and can be found in the city of Cordes Lake, Arizona, which is north of Phoenix, about an hour away by car. The diner offers a variety of food in an atmosphere that is meant to resemble the 1950s era, as well as pool tables, darts, and sometimes live music. Dogs are allowed on the property as long as they are appropriately taken care of and leashed. There are a variety of outside areas that enables guests to explore the landscape, including ghost towns, recreational trails, and The Arcosanti.

...Read More
View Property
#2
4.1 (669 Reviews)

Canyon Motel & RV Park

Williams, Arizona

Canyon Motel & RV Park

Canyon Motel & RV Park is located on the eastern edge of Williams, Arizona, which is a city that can be found south of the Grand Canyon and Kaibab National Forest. The property is located on 13 acres of land and is open year-round, although the RV park does close in the winter. Visitors are able to have get-togethers and other small events on the property if they would like. East of Canyon Motel & RV Park, one can find the longest stretch of road on Route 66 that is still drivable. Several attractions that are located close to the business include Grand Canyon Deer Farm, Bearizona Wildlife Park, and more. The railroad will often have certain events held throughout the year that visitors can attend.

...Read More
View Property
#3
4.8 (35 Reviews)

Monarch Ridge RV Park is found in the city of Rimrock, about an hour east of Prescott, Arizona, just off of Highway 27, and can be located in the heart of three national forests. The RV park has 24 RV sites available to the public that are open year-round. While the town of Rimrock is in the middle of many trees, there are also several larger towns, such as Prescott Valley and Flagstaff, that are less than an hour away by car. There are a wide variety of places that guests can explore between this city and the others, like a casino, wineries, golf courses, and even a wildlife park.Lake Montezuma is one landmark that can be found near the center of Rimrock, which is south of Monarch Ridge RV Park, which can be reached in less than five minutes by car. On the road leading southwest from Rimrock, one can find Montezuma Castle National Monument and going the opposite direction; there is an extension of the monument known as Montezuma Well.

...Read More
View Property
#4
4.2 (104 Reviews)

The Crown King Cabins is one of the two properties owned by the Crown King Cabins, Suites, and Bunkhouse business. The other is called the Crown King Bunkhouse. They both reside just outside the city of Crown King, Arizona, situated in the woods of the Bradshaw Mountain range. The Crown King lodging company is a family-run business owned by Taryn Denyce. She inherited the properties from her parents, who started the business in the 1990s. The Crown King Cabins consist of ten cabins, each of which is unique in its size, layout, and décor. They also all have private entrances and full-sized kitchens. Additionally, guests of the cabins have access to the Crown King Event Center, a venue known for hosting family reunions, retreats, and especially weddings.

...Read More
View Property
State

Arizona