Looking for campsite on the Rim

[hippiepunkpirate]

For my "bachelor's party" this weekend, we're doing a car-camping/day hiking trip, definitely for Saturday night and possibly Friday night as well. I'm looking for a campsite on the Rim, but am not really familiar with the area. I'm hoping to get a site with a great view, preferably not in a developed campground or in a highly used area. We'll probably be in a 2wd Kia SUV, so access will need to be reasonable. Browsing the TrailDex Map, Milk Ranch Point looks pretty sweet but I'm not sure what the roads are like. Anyone have any suggestions for probable campsite areas or sections of road to check out?

[paulhubbard]

You should be able to make it to Milk Point. Just beyond there is a sweet little spot: http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=12946 (first couple of photos)

[Jim]

Frankly Jake, I think you're wasting your time driving all the way down there. I've camped off of FR 300 a few times, and also off of FR 231. FR 231 above Sedona and west of East Pocket is a far superior place. The views are better, and people aren't as common. FR 300 is well traveled, and the views good, but not spectacular, in my opinion. On the other hand, FR 231 is above Sedona, so expect to see something you've seen before.

[paulhubbard]

Be aware that fire restrictions will probably be in place no matter where you go... Jim's right on that FR300 gets a LOT of traffic. You could possibly snag a nice spot right on the rim where no one else can camp next to you, but you'll contend with hundreds of vehicles driving past that spot.

[Tough_Boots]

this is a sweet big spot on 300 that I've camped at before. Its right on the edge of the rim (N34 22.582 W111 03.134). There's also a nice big spots out on Promontory Butte that you can get to via the forest roads.

[BobP]

Decent views from Camp Chumly....right off of fr300 maybe a1 mile or so past the turn for General Springs Cabin http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=149530 I can pinpoint it exactly if your interested. that road does get busy though.
lots of history/trails(cabins, train tunnel,etc)

[te_wa]

i agree w Jim. the Rim is ok, but i'd rather stay at it's Western side at the area overlooking West Fork, off 535. i made this trip in a 2wd Ranger. Milk Ranch Point is nice but constant gun firing and quad riding gets old, quick.

[hippiepunkpirate]

I'll probably avoid camping right off 300 because of the traffic, but Promontory Butte does like promising if the roads are decent, but if it still gets pretty heavy use then maybe not.

but i'd rather stay at it's Western side at the area overlooking West Fork, off 535

Do you mean around Harding Point:
35.019863 -111.746686

[te_wa]

I went there in mid summer, 2 years ago. saw 2 dudes coming out, and a camper down the road. compared to the "Rim" the solitude for the amazing views was a curious contradiction for me, as it seemed this area would attract more people. to note as well: the directions to get to this area from the south are listed as going all the way to Flagstaff and then returning south via 231, but you dont have to waste 40 miles out of the way, as 535 leaves hwy 89a just north of the switchbacks - and is a delightful shortcut.

Jake, have you camped at Harding yet? I found it while looking at Todd Martin's "hidden secret ultra cool canyoneering" list. as an aside, there are some crazy cool canyons that feed w. fork. too bad for me, im not rigged for that type of "hiking" (yet)

[hippiepunkpirate]

Jake, have you camped at Harding yet?

I have not! I've heard about it before, just never made it out there, thanks for reminding me! Every time I go camping I get drawn northward to the Arizona Strip or Southern Utah.

Given that I convince my company to come up Friday afternoon, I think this is the itenerary I'm leaning toward:

Friday night camp at Harding Point
Saturday day hike the upper end of West Fork from 231
Saturday night camp off 231 just west of the East Pocket Knob
Sunday some sort of short sweet day hike before heading back to civilization

[chumley]

The Chumley Point that Bob mentions above is sedan accessible (if you're careful). It's nice because it's far enough off of 300 that you most likely won't see or hear another vehicle all weekend. And you can drop right down to the railroad tunnel if you want a quick hike.

Promontory Point has some great spots but with the fire a couple of years ago, there's lots of downed trees. Also, the roads out there are pretty rocky. You can't drive all the way to the point in a 2wd unless you're really aggressive with your rental car . And you'll almost certainly need a chainsaw or tow rope to remove trees and debris from the way.

I tried to drive out there last summer and it was a war zone of downed trees and overgrowth. Views and solitude are difficult to beat though.

[hippiepunkpirate]

It's nice because it's far enough off of 300 that you most likely won't see or hear another vehicle all weekend.

Nice! I'd love to know the specific location on it

[chumley]

There should be enough info in this thread for you to find it... ;)

It's a short ~2 mile drive to a couple of the Cabin Loop trailheads too if a few miles of dayhiking is in order.

[BobP]

@hippiepunkpirate
Have you heard of that new punk band?..... Fighting Robots 394 or more commonly known as FR 394 ;) .

[hippiepunkpirate]

@rlrjamy

[Tough_Boots]

but Promontory Butte does like promising if the roads are decent, but if it still gets pretty heavy use then maybe not.

I hiked those roads last year connecting a couple trails and I don't remember thinking they'd be too rough to drive down. I'm not sure how much use they get but I saw no cars that day.

[Alston_Neal]

Here is Dickerson Flat..
http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=15315
If you nail the spot early, very very few folks will come back there. Also due east is also one of favorite places on the rim, I'll get cordinates later.