Cinder Hills OHV Area

I stayed here for a week or so while hiking in and around Flagstaff. I travel the country full time and this is definitely on my top free spots list in Az. Enter easy as there are tons of potential holes, ruts, etc. The secret is to keep driving! Majority of the vehicles parked right after the sign for camping. The road gets better as you go further in. If you want solitude, the further you go once you enter… you’ll eventually see the best views of Humphreys Peak and have no views of other vehicles. It is an OHV area so you will see/hear those but I didn’t have any issues. After all, this is an area designated for them first and foremost. If you’re worried about the dust… stay further from the road. I got 1-2 bars 5g for AT&T, really in and out though. I got the same for Verizon but it was more consistent and could easily stream, do work, etc. On my last day I saw a couple areas where people have dumped obnoxious amounts of trash to include a vacuum cleaner and dresser. There were gun shots every night other than my last. It’s a shame people have to negatively impact these areas and others’ experiences but I won’t let that deter the 5 stars I give it. There is a cool history to the area worth looking into!

Arrived on a Tuesday afternoon in mid October.
THE GOOD: The location was beautiful and open with lots of space to park in the trees or in the Sun for solar. A few four wheelers zipping around but no one came close and nothing after sunset.
Truly beautiful with clear starry nights.
5G T-Mobile was 4 bars with 10Gb D/L and 1.5Gb U/L fine for Netflix or YouTube.
THE BAD: Road in was bumpy and narrow. Washed out in spots reducing it to one lane but it is manageable for a big rig or fifth wheel - Go Slow.
The dust is fine and everywhere. Every step or ATV that goes by will make a cloud of it that will get into everything.
I would stay here again and only take off one star due to the amount of fine dust.

I am pretty sure if you come here on a weekend or holiday you will experience what the last reviewer experienced.

We have camped here several times, always with a positive experience. We are currently here in a Monday and is very quiet. It is dusty though! This time we camped before the OHV area off the main road that has signs posted that only street legal vehicles are allowed.

It looks as though there was a recent rain event that may have flooded this area. The access road is the best we have seen it. Surprisingly little trash laying around.

After 2 years of full timing and mostly boondocking this is the only place that we felt unsafe. Constant gunfireing and rednecks riding ATVs through our campsite. I understand it is an OHV area but courtesy and decency should still apply. A group of people were firing guns about 40 yards from us in most directions. If you are not a redneck you will hate this place.