How much does camping cost at Canyon Vista?

Camping fees at Canyon Vista range from $30/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Canyon Vista first-come first-served or reservation?

Canyon Vista operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Canyon Vista before I book?

Yes! Canyon Vista has 4 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Canyon Vista?

Canyon Vista is open May 01 to October 10. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Canyon Vista?

Canyon Vista does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Canyon Vista?

Fire policies at Canyon Vista: Firewood for sale - $10.00/bundle. Ice for sale - $5.00/bag. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Canyon Vista?

Pets are not allowed at Canyon Vista. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

Canyon Vista

4.39

132 reviews

Canyon Vista

Featured in:Forest Camping Arizona

Real-Time Availability

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Quick Facts

6,841 ft

Price

$30/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

6,841 ft

Price

$30/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Canyon Vista

$30.00 - $30.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NON ELECTRIC: $30.00; ScanPay 1: $30.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

N/Acbilger@goexplorus.com

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Canyon Vista

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

Campground Map

Canyon Vista

35.1232, -111.5988

Nearby places

Flagstaff — 6 miles (campground located 6 miles southeast of Flagstaff along Lake Mary Road).

Weather at Canyon Vista

Current alerts(3)

Camp Host onsite
Excellent Cell Phone Coverage
Extra vehicle fee of $10.00 per night of stay on the second vehicle in each single family campsite provided these vehicles are not joined to the first vehicle by a hitch and towed onto the site.

Best Time to Camp at Canyon Vista

Best season: fall. Fall is the highlight — crisp days, cool nights, and spectacular aspen and oak color make hiking the Arizona Trail and Sandy Canyon especially rewarding. Expect daytime highs roughly 50–70°F and nights 25–40°F in September–October, with stable weather and far fewer afternoon storms than summer. Trails are at their scenic peak and crowds are moderate (weekends busier), so midweek visits bring the best solitude. Peak months: October, September, June, May Avoid: December, January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

September–October peak aspens and ideal temps; described as best season.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 01 to October 10. Book 2-3 months ahead.

About Canyon Vista

Canyon Vista sits at 6,841 feet in the San Francisco Peaks region, surrounded by ponderosa pines and aspen groves. The campground is a trailhead for the Arizona Trail and Sandy Canyon hikes, with Walnut Canyon and Lower Lake Mary nearby.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall is the highlight — crisp days, cool nights, and spectacular aspen and oak color make hiking the Arizona Trail and Sandy Canyon especially rewarding. Expect daytime highs roughly 50–70°F and nights 25–40°F in September–October, with stable weather and far fewer afternoon storms than summer. Trails are at their scenic peak and crowds are moderate (weekends busier), so midweek visits bring the best solitude. Peak months: October, September, June, May Avoid: December, January, February

Elevation6841 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryPonderosa pines dominate the forest canopy, mixed with quaking aspen, oak, and other conifers. At this elevation, the aspens turn brilliant gold in fall, contrasting with the dark green pines and rust-colored oak. Walnut Canyon's layered rock walls sit close enough for a day trip, and Lower Lake Mary offers water access. The San Francisco Peaks provide the skyline to the north.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

Firewood for sale - $10.00/bundle. Ice for sale - $5.00/bag Camp Host onsite

I manage this campground

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

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Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.4

132 reviews

Recommended

Canyon Vista is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Review Summaries

No review summaries available for this campground yet.

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Go if

Fall hikers get the most out of this place. The Arizona Trail and Sandy Canyon start at the campground, aspen color peaks September through October, and the summer thunderstorms have cleared out. Midweek visits keep crowds manageable.

Skip if

Summer afternoon thunderstorms are frequent and the season scores reflect it. No hookups, no showers mentioned, and the $10 extra vehicle fee catches two-car families off guard at check-in.

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Canyon Vista

From the U.S. Forest Service

Reference information about Canyon Vista sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →

Overview

<p>Canyon Vista Campground is located near Walnut Canyon and Lower Lake Mary. This area consists of ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, aspen and oak, which offer good photo opportunities, interesting geology and views of the San Francisco Peaks.</p><p>The trailhead for <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=55034&actid=50" target="_new">Sandys Canyon Trail</a> and the Vista Loop Trail are at the north end of the campground.</p><p>Sandys Canyon Trail provides access into Walnut Canyon and joins the Arizona Trail.</p><p>This segment of the Vista Loop Trail provides access to “The Pit” climbing area.</p><p> </p><div><script type="text/javascript" src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.4.2/jquery.min.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5201359.js">/************************************************ Ultimate Fade In Slideshow v2.0- (c) Dynamic Drive DHTML code library (www.dynamicdrive.com)***********************************************/</script><script type="text/javascript">var mygallery=new fadeSlideShow({ wrapperid: "fadeshow1", //ID of blank DIV on page to house Slideshow dimensions: [518, 291], //width/height of gallery in pixels. Should reflect dimensions of largest image imagearray: [ ["/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5376805.jpg","http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5376807.jpg", "_new", "Entrance Sign on FH3 inviting you into Canyon Vista Campground"], ["/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5376808.jpg", "/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5376809.jpg", "_new", " Entrance driveway into Canyon Vista Campground."], ["/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5376813.jpg", "/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5376814.jpg", "_new", "Information sign and a campsite."], ["/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5376818.jpg", "/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5376819.jpg", "_new", " Beautiful view of the San Francisco Peaks from Canyon Vista Campground."], ["/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5376820.jpg", "/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5376821.jpg", "_new", "A restroom and campsite at Canyon Vista Campground."], ["/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5376822.jpg", "/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5376823.jpg", "_new", "Trails leaving the campground include Arizona Trail and Sandys Canyon."], ["/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5376824.jpg", "/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5376826.jpg", "_new", " The big Arizona Trail sign just outside the campground."], ["/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5376829.jpg", "/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5376831.jpg", "_new", "Vista Loop Trail and Climbing Area sign on the edge of the campground."], ["/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5376835.jpg", "/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5376836.jpg", "_new", "Cliffs of the climbing area as seen from the campground."] ], displaymode: {type:'auto', pause:4000, cycles:0, wraparound:false}, persist: true, //remember last viewed slide and recall within same session? fadeduration: 1000, //transition duration (milliseconds) descreveal: "ondemand", togglerid: "slideshowtoggler"})</script><div id="fadeshow1" style="margin: 0pt auto; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); border-image: none; width: 250px; text-align: left;"> </div><div id="slideshowtoggler" style="text-align: center; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;"><a class="prev" href="#">< Previous</a> <span class="status" style="margin: 0px 50px; font-weight: bold;"> </span> <a class="next" href="#">Next ></a></div></div><p>Mouse-over to pause the slide show. Click an image to open full-size in a new window.</p>

About the campground

The elevation is 6,900 ft. The campground, located near Lower Lake Mary and Walnut Canyon, is comprised of Ponderosa pine, other mixed conifers, and oak. There are views of the San Francisco Peaks and other areas providing good photo opportunities. The campground is primarily composed of a series of four two-site loops at the edge of a small meadow. It is convenient to sports rock climbing at The Pitt. Flagstaff is close by for a day trip and cook's night out.

Seasons & access

Open first Friday in May through Columbus Day - weather dependent

Facilities

The source for water is a Water Buffalo.

RV information

The parking aprons are dirt. Parking aprons are irregular in shape but will accommodate any size RV. Recommend filling fresh water tanks before arriving.

Directions

In Flagstaff, AZ, at the intersection of Beulah Blvd. and Lake Mary Rd., take Lake Mary Rd. south 5.5 miles to campground sign. Turn left at sign into campground.

National Forest: Coconino National Forest
Ranger District: Flagstaff
Elevation: 6900
Rate: $21 per day
Maximum Stay: 14
Open Season: early May – Oct 11

From Recreation.gov

Official information for Canyon Vista from the federal Recreation.gov facility record. View official page →

Overview

Canyon Vista Campground is located near Walnut Canyon and Lower Lake Mary. This area consists of ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, aspen and oak, which offer good photo opportunities, interesting geology and views of the San Francisco Peaks.

Recreation

Hiking opportunities on the Sandy Canyon and AZ trails

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (928) 774-9671.

Directions

<p>From Flagstaff, AZ. take Lake Mary Road 6 miles southeast. Campground is on your left.</p>

Phone: N/A
Email: cbilger@goexplorus.com