Once the weather turns HOT down in Quartzsite and Yuma, it’s time for the Snowbirds to migrate north. Many return to their homes in Canada, or drive to the forests of the Pacific Northwest for cool weather, but you may only need to drive 200 miles to the northern part of Arizona around Flagstaff to escape the brutal desert heat. The key to finding cooler weather, outside of the coastal or far north states, is going up in elevation, 7,000 ft and above.
Let’s map some of the summer boondocking places around Flagstaff Arizona, in the Coconino National Forest. It’s HIGHLY advisable to check out the forest roads before you drive in with your RV; forest roads are usually not as “RV worthy” as dirt roads in the desert. Forest soil is not as firm or rocky as desert soil, and mountain dirt roads tend to be narrow, and more susceptible to water damage and rutting. Camping spots also tend to be tight, and may not be suitable for a big rig, so once again, it’s advisable to check it out before driving in.
You can zoom in and out on the maps with the + and –
Forest Road 535
Elevation: 7008 ft
GPS: 35.0496, -111.7426
Forest Road 68
Elevation: 7151 ft
GPS: 35.1581, -111.7395
Marshall Lake: Forest Road 128
Elevation: 7138 ft
GPS: 35.1124, -111.5384
U.S. Naval Observatory Access Rd.
Elevation: 7334 ft
GPS: 35.1886, -111.7349
A-1 Mountain Road
Elevation: 7381 ft
GPS: 35.2078, -111.7363
Forest Road 518
Elevation: 7408 ft
GPS: 35.2097, -111.752
Shultz Pass Road
Elevation: 7,500 ft
GPS: 35.2595, -111.663
Forest Road 6051
Elevation: 7,800 ft
GPS: 35.2699, -111.7112
Freidlein Prairie – Forest Road 522
Elevation: 8045 ft
GPS: 35.2936, -111.7029
