Nolan Designated Dispersed Camping

This little road had 4 pull-outs (some bigger than others) and is just a few minutes from the more crowded Loy Butte and Forest Rd 525 C dispersed campground areas (where there are bigger pull-outs that are usually packed). It's well located between Sedona and Cottonwood (about 25 min drive from each) and 12 minutes from great biking and hiking trails. The dirt road is a bit rough in spots, but nothing scary. It was easy to get there with our big bus that is not high clearance. The only thing is that everyday at around noon, we would pretty much loose the cell signal... but it came back a few hours later.

We stayed here a week in Nov 2016 and again in Feb 2017. Both in the same spot. It rained in Nov, but to wake up to clear skies and be surrounded by the red rocks that we had no idea were so close was incredible. The clouds hid the beauty until the morning.

Take hwy 89A north from Cottonwood towards Sedona. After passing the Page Springs turn-off, look to the west (left) for FR525. It starts as a paved road and becomes gravel. There are a few forks in the road. Keep right on all of them and continue on past the cattle guard for the best sites. Follow the sign for Honanki Ruins.

There's a free dump station at the Giant Gas Station in Cottonwood, and it was never "out of order" on any of our many visits.

There were plenty of campsites available, we took our 16" Bambi and had no troubles accessing a spot to stay (which, there are plenty accessible for RV's.) The location is close to both Sedona and Cottonwood, which made it easy for a couple of things we forgot. There is no doubt we will be staying here again!

We loved this spot! Lots of places to pull off, we had no trouble even on a Saturday night. The road is a little rough, but should be no big deal if you go slow. Plenty of spots for big rigs too. Our dogs had so much fun exploring!!

We dry camped here for 12 days total, we left after 9 days and returned because it’s the best boondocking in the area. The forest road was a little bumpy going in, while we were there they graded and it was wide and flat and smooth! Got a little washed out after a day of rain but it was still easily driveable. From 89 this road goes back a ways, like 6 or so miles, we chose a spot in the right in one of the biggest loops with the best views of the red rocks, if you continue on down the forest road, you’ll reach Sedona via Dry Creek road. Where we camped we had a view of Bear and Doe Mountain. Will definitely return. It was 12 of our best days so far! Close to town (Cottonwood and Sedona), made new friends, stargazed, geocached, hiked, trail ran, even explored some random hiker-made trails around the campsites! If you visit, leave no trace! 4-stars on noise only because the pink jeeps go by all day long, but we didn’t mind it at all!

It’s the red rock and dust. The tall enough for shade pinyons and junipers watching over the rest of us baking in the sun lifeforms trying to convince the desert we belong here, too.

It’s the constant views of long ago petrified giants wearing tan helmets and striated red skirts, now frozen sleeping, maybe waiting for the tourists to go home before finally opening their eyes, standing slow and crumbly back up and remembering how gorgeous their homeland has always been.

So there’s that, and a lot of engine noise as the Jeep tours, vankids and side by side enthusiasts make their way up the road. Skip the marked spots where RVs come together in miniature, ever-evolving desert villages and find one of the many clearings perfect for seclusion and tranquil reflection over the intrinsic yogic value of a Happy Meal sold under a low flying, adobe-colored Golden Arches.

This is one of the best boondocking spots near the Sedona area (15-20 mins drive back to town) close to but off the 525 red rock road with privacy, quiet and no dust from the passing by traffic; good view of the red rock; 4-5 pretty large spots to choose from. We really enjoyed staying here.

We found the most amazing spot a bit further down Red Canyon Rd (34.9122119,-111.9152657). It’s so amazing that this is one of the spots the Pink Jeep Tours come to take pictures of the red rock canyons of Sedona. The elevation is 4,700. When temperatures in Sedona are in the 70’s, max 80’s as a high, this is a dream location. If the tours bother you, stay back down the road or find a private area further down the road. Great cell coverage!

It was a peaceful 3 days. Occasionally the jeep tours would come through the road, but otherwise it was absolutely silent. I had my two grandsons with me, and they quite enjoyed exploring the local cacti variations. I would definitely stay here again. There are many spots to choose from. I was easily able to get my pickup and 17 foot trailer in and out of the sites. The road has a bit of washboarding, but if you go slow, it should be no problem.

This boondocking site was amazing! It was peaceful and quite and the scenery....absolutely breathtaking!

The 5 mile dirt road was rougher than we expected, but we are in a 39' 5th wheel, so probably one of the bigger rigs to go down the route. Take it nice and slow and it's certainly doable. Not only doable, but worth it!

Our 4G LTE was intermittent; decent in the mornings and evenings, but non-existent in the afternoons.

We highly recommend this spot and would absolutely go back again!