Bonito Campground (Az)
Coconino National Forest Recreation — riverside, hiking
Location: Flagstaff, AZ, AZ
Price: From $34 per night
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (201 reviews)
Season: May through October
Bonito Campground is located 18 miles northeast of Flagstaff, near Sunset Crater/Wupatki National Monument. 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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/bonito-campground-az to be notified when sites open up.
Bonito Campground sits at 6,900 feet near Sunset Crater/Wupatki National Monument with otherworldly volcanic landscapes shaped by the Bonito Lava Flow from 900 years ago. Popular for hiking, sightseeing, and wildlife viewing in a starkly beautiful high desert setting.
Wildlife alert: Gray Fox, Abert's Squirrel, Ord's Kangaroo Rat, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Dipper, Townsend's Solitaire, Red-backed Junco, Common Side-blotched Lizard, Arizona Mountain Kingsnake, Great Basin Gopher Snake
Insider tips for Bonito Campground (Az): Book early—this is a popular federal campground with limited availability Bring a self-contained RV; no hookups available at most sites Located just 2 miles from Sunset Crater entrance via FR 545
Skip Bonito Campground (Az) if: You need RV hookups. You're planning to visit November through April when the campground is closed.
Best time to visit Bonito Campground (Az): May-October — Official operating season for the campground.
Nearby campgrounds: Oleary Group Site (COCONINO, AZ), Little Elden Springs Horsecamp (Flagstaff, AZ), Kendrick Cabin (FLAGSTAFF, AZ), Canyon Vista (Flagstaff, AZ).
Cell Phone Coverage at Bonito Campground (Az)
Cell signal at Bonito Campground (Az) (Flagstaff, AZ): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Bonito Campground is located 18 miles northeast of Flagstaff, near Sunset Crater/Wupatki National Monument. 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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground with limited availability
Bring a self-contained RV; no hookups available at most sites
Located just 2 miles from Sunset Crater entrance via FR 545
Official operating season for the campground
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Coconino National Forest Recreation fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Coconino National Forest Recreation before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Bonito Campground (Az) cost per night?+
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What is the maximum RV length at Bonito Campground (Az)?+
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●Data sources on this page
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