Pine Flat Campground — Hotel in Sedona

Pine flats is an absolute gem!!!

My girlfriend and I wanted to visit Sedona on a road trip and got very lucky with a first-come first-served spot at this campground (plan better than we did maybe). First off… great value: it’s about 3% the cost of any basic Airbnb in Sedona, while only being a short drive away. Also, the altitude climb meant that it was not quite as blistering hot as Sedona, and there are also tall trees to provide shade. The bathrooms are well maintained and the drinking water is some Dasani-grade enjoyment.

Despite the great mountains and rivers, the hosts were actually the most memorable part of the stay. Jennifer and Frank took care of the grounds we stayed at, and they truly went above and beyond anything I had previously experienced at a campground. They checked in to see how we were doing, asked if we needed firewood, and dropped it off right to our site. They answered all of my touristy questions about insects and birds, these two clearly love the land that they monitor and the people who visit. They just radiate happiness and promote the zen feeling that people look for when camping. At the end of our stay I had a heavy heart when I was departing, it felt like I was saying goodbye to family in a way… that’s how cool these two are.

As a Canadian traveller, it was a great visit to our neighbours in the south, I’m really impressed by the national parks service and give them kudos for reserving top shelf land at affordable prices.

Infinite thanks to Jen and Frank for being great people, it’s a fast paced world for many, and time with nature is the best way to keep balance and remind ourselves to not overcomplicate life and forget the simple good that is always around us. You two cultivate the best possible environment for people who need this type of mental detox. Keep on smiling!

Lots of...

This was a decent campground. I personally had no issues with smell due to the bathrooms or trash. I had a reserved site that backed up to the creek, which was very nice. I enjoyed my time but I had concerns:

1. The camp host was extremely rude. I went to check in and he wouldn't even look at me. He said I was checked in without even getting my name or site number. It makes me nervous when camp hosts act like this because they aren't making sure the campground is safe.

2. It is noisy. I had a decent time sleeping, but I cannot imagine the sites closer to the road. I had headlights bouncing off my tent and could hear cars zooming by all night, and I was in one of the spots farthest from the road.

3. Unless you are doing West Fork Trail or Slide Rock State Park, you are far away from most of what Sedona has to offer. I tried driving into Sedona from the campsite Saturday evening and got stuck in an hour long line of traffic, and eventually just turned around at a pullout and went back to camp.

4. It can get windy. When I got there on Saturday, many tents had been blown over by the afternoon winds. It was impossible for me to stake down my tent properly because the tent site ground was so hard, so I found rocks around my site and used them to hold down my tent.

5. People were not "bear aware" and the camp host didn't notice or didn't care. Multiple sites around me had large grill outs and left all of the trash and half used/eaten foods out on their tables overnight. I saw hoards of crows were pillaging everything when I got out of my tent in the morning.

Overall I had a wonderful time and kept to myself, but I was surprised at how the camp host and others treated the campground. I would probably try a different campground if I camp in this...

If you love nature, this small cramped state park will leave you breathless! The heavily wooded campground is nestled in a winding canyon road leading north to Flagstaff or south to Sedona. I’m sure when it was built by the CCC in the 1930’s it was all tent camping and as magnificent and a national park. The sites are really really small. I would not recommend an RV longer then 20’, its better suited for tents and popup campers. The sites across the street had some sites better for travel trailers, motor homes and 5th wheels but it was closed for the season. One late afternoon I was gazing in awe at the beautiful canyon wall and I observed a young boy stop playing and shouted and pointed at the canyon wall and towering pines. It may of seemed to be the most beautiful thing he had seen in his young life. I enjoyed the moment that much more seeing it through his eyes. The restrooms were vault toilet only with no running water or sink. With that said the smell is horrific in hot weather. A delightful discovery was a natural spring right out side of that campground, we and many passerby's filled jugs and bottles with delicious cold spring. Both campground hosts were welcoming and helpful. Due to its true wilderness location be aware that mice can get into your camper, so make sure storage doors are not left open nor food unattended. If you make this a stop you will not regret it, but don't forget the sites are very cramped and difficult to maneuver into if your rig is large and no water, no electric and no...