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. Though the cinder cones, lava squeeze-ups, lava caves, and petrified rock bubbles that dot the landscape became inactive over a century ago, they all look as if they could have been spurting and spouting just yesterday. This area of recent volcanic activity is so unique that much of it has been set aside as the Sunset Crater National Monument. The monument is located just beyond the boundaries of the campground.
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 A. D. 1120. 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 tours..The campsites are located in a stand of ponderosa pines struggling to establish a foothold in this hostile environment. All roads and spurs are paved.
The Basics
Location:
18 miles northeast of Flagstaff
Operator:
National Forest Service
Total Sites:
44 Sites
Pet Policy:
Pets must be restrained or on a leash.
Reservation Info:
Reservations Not Accepted
RV Hookups:
None
Elevation:
6,900 feet
Season:
Late April - Mid-October
Activities:
Hiking
Volcanoes Lava Flows Cultural Resources Interpretive Programs Hiking Sightseeing Wildlife Watching Fall Colors
Price:
$18 Single Site (1 vehicle, 8 people): $18 Second Vehicle: $9
Day-Use (1 vehicle, 5 people): $9
Phone:
928-526-0866
Amenities
Drinking Water
Flush Toilets
Cooking Grills
Fire Rings
Picnic Tables
Pets Allowed
Paved Roads and Spurs
Tents, motor homes and trailers under 42' are permitted.
Amenity list above may not be complete.
Some More Things to Know
No horses allowed in the campground.
"Street-Legal" motorbikes/atv's may be used only for entering or leaving campsite.
Directions
Drive 12 miles northeast of Flagstaff on US 89. Turn east (right) on FR 545 and drive 2 miles to Bonito Campground.
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. Though the cinder cones, lava squeeze-ups, lava caves, and petrified rock bubbles that dot the landscape became inactive over a century ago, they all look as if they could have been spurting and spouting just yesterday. This area of recent volcanic activity is so unique that much of it has been set aside as the Sunset Crater National Monument. The monument is located just beyond the boundaries of the campground. 
