Located a few miles southeast of Flagstaff, Canyon Vista Campground boasts views of the San Francisco Peaks as well as access to several hiking routes, bike trails, and a famed local climbing area called “The Pit.”
The campground is typical of most forest service campgrounds, complete with picnic tables, fire pits, and pit toilets. Ponderosa pines shade individual campsites, offering modest privacy.
Trailheads for Sandy Canyon Trail, which feeds into Walnut Canyon, and Vista Loop Trail are at the north end of the campground. Campsites are first-come, first-served.
Drive south on Lake Mary Road for about 5.3 miles. Look for a brown forest service sign marking the turnoff to Canyon Vista Campground. Turn left into the gravel driveway, and continue past a trailhead parking area into the campground.
The jury is split — some say ponderosa pines smell like vanilla. Others say butterscotch. But regardless of your sweet leaning, forests in northern Arizona need our help. Decades of forest supression have led to unnaturally dense stands that are risk of severe wildfire. Learn more about what we're doing to improve the health of ponderosa forests ›
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