Little Elden Springs Horsecamp
Little Elden Springs Horse Camp is a campground that was created for those who love horses and enjoy riding in a beautiful landscape. Located in the Coconino National Forest of northern Arizona, the campground offers opportunities for horseback riding, hiking and wildlife viewing. The facility is very accommodating to campers and their horses and including hitching posts, plenty of space for horse trailers and access to over 30 miles of trails.
More like this: reservable in Arizona · big rigs in Arizona · pets allowed in Arizona · dark sky in Arizona
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Equestrian | 15 |
Site guide
15 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Surface | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Pull-through | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 002 | Pull-through | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 003 | Pull-through | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 004 | Pull-through | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 005 | Pull-through | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 006 | Pull-through | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 007 | Pull-through | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 008 | Pull-through | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 009 | Pull-through | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 010 | Pull-through | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Campsite: $30 per night. All 15 sites are reservation only. Extra vehicle: $10 per night. Picnic/day use: $8 up to 5 people, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Dark sky | 8.5 miles from Flagstaff Area National Monuments, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
This campground is only available to campers with horses, and has been designed for the particular needs of equestrian campers. All 15 campsites allow easy access for vehicles pulling horse trailers and are equipped with horse-friendly accommodations. Two hitching posts are provided per site, and extra parking is available. Manure removal is the responsibility of the owners. The restroom is accessible, though there are no accessible sites. Stalls or corrals are not provided.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Temporarily closed |
| Forest | Coconino National Forest Recreation |
| Booking | This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or on-line at Recreation.gov |
| Fees | Campsite: $30 per night. All 15 sites are reservation only. Extra vehicle: $10 per night. Picnic/day use: $8 up to 5 people, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Rules | This campground is designated ONLY for people with horses. Visitors must clean up their hay, feed, and horse manure before departing. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From I-40 near Flagstaff, Arizona, take exit 201, and turn left to the Page exit (Highway 89). Proceed north on Highway 89 for 6 miles to Forest Road 556 (Elden Springs Road). Turn left, proceed for 1.5 miles to the campground.
| Coordinates | 35.2811° N, 111.5762° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedKendrick Park Piles Rx
13 mi from the campground · 17 acres
- PrescribedWalker Hill Piles Rx
15 mi from the campground · 725 acres
- PrescribedWalker Hill 2 Piles Rx
15 mi from the campground · 356 acres
- PrescribedNewman Piles Rx
19 mi from the campground · 751 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 3.2 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sportsman's Warehouse ↗ | 5.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
A Tour of Little Elden Springs Horse Camp
Worth a stop
The nearby town of Flagstaff, Arizona, has shopping, restaurants and other conveniences. Visitors can also make a quick trip down the road to the must-see Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Wupatki National Monument.
- 11.7 mi
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miHorse Camp Access0.9 mi trail
- 0.1 miDeer Hill ↗5.6 mi trail
- 0.3 miLittle Elden Spring0.06 mi trail
- 1.1 miHeart4.1 mi trail
- 1.3 miLittle Bear3.6 mi trail
- 1.8 miLittle Elden ↗6.1 mi trail · national_scenic_or_historic
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Coconino National Forest.
- inCoconino National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,000,952 acres
- 3.3 miKachina Peaks Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 18,720 acres
- 10.9 miStrawberry Crater Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 10,414 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Dean Eldredge MuseumBuilding · Flagstaff · 4.8 mi
- Coconino County Hospital ComplexBuilding · Flagstaff · 5.9 mi
- Homestead, TheBuilding · Flagstaff · 5.9 mi
Natural features
The campground lies near the base of Mount Elden in a lush ponderosa pine and gamble oak forest and has a view of the 12,000-ft. San Francisco Peaks. Fall foliage can be outstanding and very inviting for photography. There is a healthy population of mule deer and elk in the area that can be fun to watch and photograph when sighted. Summers are very pleasant with sunny skies, high temperatures in the 60s to 80s and occasional afternoon thunderstorms.
Recreation
Campers can access the Kachina Peaks Wilderness at the Weatherford Trail near Schultz Tank just up the road from the campground. The Mount Elden/Dry Lake Hills Trail System is also accessible right from camp and is comprised of over 30 miles of trails for all levels of horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking. Some of the nearby trails offer amazing views of the peaks, especially during the changing of the leaves in the fall when the aspens turn from green to gold.
Guidebooks for Arizona
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Best Backpacking Trips in Utah, Arizona, and New MexicoMike White and Douglas Lorain, 2016Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Little Elden Springs Horsecamp?
Sites at Little Elden Springs Horsecamp are reservable on Recreation.gov. This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or on-line at Recreation.gov Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Little Elden Springs Horsecamp?
Campsite: $30 per night. All 15 sites are reservation only. Extra vehicle: $10 per night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Little Elden Springs Horsecamp?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Little Elden Springs Horsecamp open right now?
Temporarily closed as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Little Elden Springs Horsecamp have?
15 sites, including 15 equestrian sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Little Elden Springs Horsecamp?
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Little Elden Springs Horsecamp?
Yes, pets are allowed at Little Elden Springs Horsecamp. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Little Elden Springs Horsecamp?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. This campground is designated ONLY for people with horses.
Source: Fire nearby
Is Little Elden Springs Horsecamp good for stargazing?
Flagstaff Area National Monuments, a certified International Dark Sky Park, is 8.5 miles away. Skies that dark carry for miles; a moonless night here should show the Milky Way.
Source: DarkSky International
Is there cell service at Little Elden Springs Horsecamp?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Little Elden Springs Horsecamp?
Campers can access the Kachina Peaks Wilderness at the Weatherford Trail near Schultz Tank just up the road from the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Little Elden Springs Horsecamp is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Lockett Meadow Campground (5.9 mi, first-come), Oleary Group Site (6.1 mi), and Bonito Campground (6.4 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby