Bonito Campground
Bonito Campground is located 18 miles northeast of Flagstaff, near Sunset Crater/Wupatki National Monument. Elevation is 6,900 feet. Bonito Campground is named for the Bonito Lava Flow which oozed across this high desert plain some 900 years ago. That river of liquid rock, now frozen forever, is just one of the many remnants of volcanic activity which lend an otherwordly appearance to this starkly beautiful place.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Arizona · reservable in Arizona · big rigs in Arizona · pets allowed in Arizona
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 43 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
43 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Fits, ft | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 46 | – / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 3 | – / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 4 | – / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 5 | – / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 6 | – / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 7 | – / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 8 | – / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 9 | – / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 10 | – / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 11 | – / No | 8 / 2 | 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 | 42 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground has 44 single campsites with 1 ADA accessible site. 22 sites are reservable and 22 sites are dedicated as first-come-first-served sites. Each site has provided picnic tables, fire rings and cooking grills. The campground has paved roads and spurs, drinking water and flush toilets. Bonito campground is pet friendly. Pets must always be restrained or on a leash.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Temporarily closed |
| Forest | Coconino National Forest Recreation |
| Booking | Open season is early May - mid October. |
| Fees | Camping: $30 per night, up to eight people with one vehicle. 22 sites are reservable/21 sites are first come, first served. Second vehicle per night: $8 additional. Picnic/day use (10 a.m to 4 p.m.): $8 up to 5 people. |
| Rules | Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (running generators not permitted during quiet hours) |
Weather by month
Getting there
Drive 12 miles northeast of Flagstaff on US 89. Turn east (right) on FR 545 (toward Sunset Crater) and drive 2 miles to Bonito Campground. Campground entrance is just before the entrance station of Sunset Crater National Monument
| Nearest town | Flagstaff, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 35.3704° N, 111.5436° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedKendrick Park Piles Rx
12 mi from the campground · 17 acres
- PrescribedWalker Hill Piles Rx
18 mi from the campground · 725 acres
- PrescribedWalker Hill 2 Piles Rx
19 mi from the campground · 356 acres
- PrescribedCy26 Wrd-Northside Piles Rx
23 mi from the campground · 165 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 ↗ | 9.6 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sportsman's Warehouse ↗ | 12.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Bonito Campground Review | Entrance of Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Trails nearby
- 2.5 miDeer Hill ↗5.6 mi trail
- 3.1 miBrandis1.5 mi trail
- 4.9 miMoon Walk1.4 mi trail
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
Coconino National Forest begins about 0.1 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 0.1 miCoconino National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,000,952 acres
- 4.1 miKachina Peaks Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 18,720 acres
- 5.3 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
- Fern Mountain RanchBuilding · Flagstaff · 10.9 mi
- Dean Eldredge MuseumBuilding · Flagstaff · 11.3 mi
- Homestead, TheBuilding · Flagstaff · 11.6 mi
Natural features
Beautiful tall Ponderosa pines are abundant throughout the campground and across nearby ravines and hillsides. Bonito is a restful place to simply relax and enjoy nature.
Recreation
Hiking, sightseeing, wildlife viewing are popular activities.
Nearby
Also nearby is Wupatki National Monument. The centerpiece of this area is a four story masterpiece of Native American stone masonry. Construction of that stone-age condominium began in about 1120 A.D. At one time it contained as many as 100 rooms and housed as many as 125 people. Both Sunset Crater and Wupatki have visitor centers and feature self-guided as well as interpreter guided. The entrance to Sunset Crater National Park is adjacent to the campground. The Visitor's Center provides much information on the geological history of the area. You can enjoy learning about the Native Americans who populated the area as you wander through the nearby Walnut Canyon National Monument. The historic downtown section in nearby Flagstaff will provide a glimpse into the early days of the city's past.
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 Bonito Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Bonito Campground?
Camping: $30 per night, up to eight people with one vehicle. 22 sites are reservable/21 sites are first come, first served. Second vehicle per night: $8 additional.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Bonito Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Bonito Campground open right now?
Temporarily closed as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Bonito Campground have?
44 sites, including 43 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Bonito Campground?
The longest site here provides 42 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 there showers or a dump station at Bonito Campground?
The campground has paved roads and spurs, drinking water and flush toilets.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Bonito Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Bonito Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Bonito Campground?
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. Quiet hours: 10 p.m.
Source: Fire nearby
What is the nearest town to Bonito Campground?
Flagstaff, Arizona. Also nearby is Wupatki National Monument.
Source: Getting there
What if Bonito Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Oleary Group Site (0.8 mi), Lockett Meadow Campground (4.4 mi, first-come), and Little Elden Springs Horsecamp (6.4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby