Flagstaff/Northern AZ Thread

As @2021SR5V64WD said, Sedona has sadly turned into a vacation nightmare. Only time worth going is weekdays during the off season. Flagstaff is great in that its bigger than Sedona so it can handle the influx of visitors without getting too overwhelmed. There is some traffic that is annoying at times but its a small place so its not like big city traffic. There are great restaurants, breweries, trails, tons of open space to explore etc. Theres a ton of space to park your trailer just outside of town. BLM land, national forest etc. just stay away from the reservations. Or maybe @snowsk8air2 will rent you a slot in his yard. My RV is currently living in his driveway ha.

 

@Atl-atl , @2021SR5V64WD thanks guys. We used to live 8,500 ft up in CO Rockies in a community of 400/summertime, 100/wintertime, above Estes Park so we're used to tourists but Sedona was on a different level, beautiful but hectic and noisy! Probably a completely different place 20 years ago before atv's became a thing.

Kinda kicking myself that we didn't make it up to Flag last year but some personal stuff came up and we moved on... but hey, we wouldn't have gone through s.Utah if we had stayed... Valley of the gods was amazing! Plus explored Vermillion cliffs/White pocket which was amazing too!

 

Sedona sucks!
I have spent the last 4 years in Flag during the summers. I camp 2 weeks at a time and store about the same. I have been looking for someone with land for 4 years, no luck so far. Storage is getting hard to find and expensive. The place I used last year raised their rates from 80 to $250/month, not even secured. I know a couple of places it depends on where. Most do not take reservations, if it is available you must take it. PM me with more details if needed.

I leave my rv all the time while out exploring.

You can camp in the forest for free for 2 weeks at a time. Coconino has some restrictions on where but Kaibab is more wide open. Both are close to Flag. AZ state trust land is also available south west of Flag. $20 permit per year. I have used this extensively in the past. I don't believe there is much if any BLM land, maybe a local knows more.

 

Thanks for the recommendations on the camping areas, I’ll look into the permit too.
I’ve found a few storage places that are $125/135 a month covered, a few down CampVerde and one up in Flag.
We’re heading down and should be in AZ by the second week in May so shall see what’s available then…

 

Are there any pro photographers or peeps that work in the wedding industry in this thread?
If so please pm me, I have some questions and would love to talk shop…

 

No ice anywhere on the lakes now.

 

Nice to see AZ finishing license is only $55, can't wait to fish! Last time fishing was back home in England with my Dad in August last year...He sent me away with his prized 7 piece Clan rod set, sadly its gathered dust since!

My Dad...

 

Official dates set. As much as I didn’t want to do Labor Day, it give out of state people the extra travel day for the most part. Who’s coming?

https://www.instagram.com/p/CrCyWhdOhb1/?igshid=Mzc1MmZhNjY=

 

I'm there!

 

hopefully I will be

 

Need more camping/ boondocking ideas. This year I am looking for spots on the North East side of Flag, Off of 89. I do have a class a so I need a decent road. Thanks in advance.

How about FR418?

 

I've used the FR road at the following coordinates a handful of times in the past. Not sure if it fits your situation, but it's easy to get to and far enough away from the road to avoid road noise.

35.44897, -111.58690

 

FR418 isnt bad. right before the turn off for lockwood meadow there is a road up a hill that has some decent spots.

also FR 545B on the east side of 89 has some good spots. FR 514 is pretty jacked with ruts and washouts.

PM me if you want specific coordinates or ideas. I get out in the area pretty regularly in my truck and dirt bike.

 

Just so y'all know. Pretty much everything is still closed down.
They are giving out tickets and more depending on the circumstances. Catch you "mudding" they are towing your stuff.
So, wait. I know this, because I talk to the NFS guys who run the offices out of NAU
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5339811

 

Thanks. Sorry, to clarify I meant for once everything is open.
Usually its Apr 15 but its been delayed by all the snow.

Its a bummer when people really screw up a good road with ruts and getting stuck.
Let's make sure its not a Taco that people blame for messing up a forest road

 

It's a bummer, I really want to get out and start finding some turkeys but I'm not keen on tearing up roads in kaibab nor hiking in for miles to get to my spots in coconino. Took my boy out for his first off road ride in the taco today. He wanted to ride in the bed lol.

 

A bed mat is useful in this scenario as the pups nails will then have something to get purchase on…

 

Site-Greaves is starting to open up some. A few are open. More May 1st and 15th. Tonto has some open also.
Coconino though hopefully soon. Maybe May 15th? They might stagger peeing trails.

 

Thanks for the ideas. I will recon all roads before I drive the RV in. I finally found a spot to store the beast in Doney Park. It was not easy. In previous years I have been able to find a spot fairly close to storage so as not to put too many miles on the RV. I stay 2 weeks a month. This will be my 4th year but first time on the East side. I would have gone back to Mormon Lake but they raised the rates from $80 to $250/month.
There have been a few videos of trailers and 5rs berried in the mud in Flag. I won't be there until after May 15th, hopefully dryer by then. Last year I did get stuck near Mormon Mountain, I had a great spot.

I am also curious about the area to the west of Lake Mary.

I use the motor vehicle use map to make sure I am staying in a designated site but I have noticed in past years no one is enforcing this. I guess the worst they could do is ask you to leave.

thanks again for the responses, I can't wait to get up the hill, it is 95 today.

 

West of lake mary is gonna be a bit muddy for a while

https://www.abc15.com/news/state/breached-levee-in-coconino-county-likely-wont-be-rebuilt