Notable Campground

Bonito Campground - A place of many colors

One of the best things about our U.S. National Forest Campground Guide effort is discovering special little places like Bonito campground in the Coconino National Forest. Located in the shadows of Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and the San Francisco Mountain range,12 miles northeast of Flagstaff, Arizona, Bonito is both a great overnight and fabulous destination campground.

A 43-site single loop campground, Bonito campground has flush toilets, about an even number of back-in and pull-thru camp sites, lots of mature Ponderosa pine for shade, and good drinking water. However, the campground, built on a plain of cinders from the ancient eruption of Sunset Crater Volcano, is not a place for bare feet or flimsy sandals.

From the campground you can see the entrance to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. An absolute MUST visit. In 1886, the colorful volcano was given its name by John Wesley Powell. Writing in his journal, Powell remarked: "The contrast in the colors is so great that on viewing the mountain from a distance the red cinders seemed to be on fire." A one-mile hike at the base of Sunset Crater winds through a dramatic volcano landscape. Inhospitable as the area seems, wildlife is abundant. Pronghorn antelope, Albert squirrels, Steller's jay, and a variety of mammals and reptiles are frequent visitors to the area.

After a morning at Sunset Crater, a drive down Loop Road provides different views of the volcano's awesome power. A short side trip to the ruins in Wupatki National Monument is another must. Near Wupatki's Visitor Center is a multi-story complex that was once the home of hardy Sinagua people. Besides the residence, the complex features an amphitheater and ballcourt, perhaps the first in Arizona. Near the ballcourt is a blowhole where the earth seems to "inhale" and "exhale." This phenomenon is produced by air moving through a series of interconnected underground cavities. Standing at the blowhole made me wonder how Sinagua parents might have explained this unusual event to their children. Was it an angry troll or benevolent spirit living so close to home?

Once you have fully explored Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments, there are miles upon miles of hiking trails winding across, around, and through the San Francisco Mountain range (contact the Coconino National Forest for maps and information). Evening hours can be used to explore the town of Flagstaff. (One dining and musical experience we enjoyed during our visit was Black Bart's Steakhouse and Saloon.) And, don't forget the opportunities for discovery available at North Arizona University's campus.

The only problem with rediscovering a place like Bonito is now it must be moved from our "we need to revisit" to our "wanna-go-back" list.

Click on campground name for detailed description of Bonito Campground.