Pine Flat CG report

[rebe918]

For those that are not familiar with Pine Flat CG it is between Sedona and Flagstaff.  We met my wife's brother and his family and had a real nice time.  We met in mid April and the weather was beautiful.  The scenery was very nice.  I like to listen to the breeze blow through the tall pines.

The Oak Creek did have some water in it, but was not flowing.  It was enough to kep the temp down and give the kids plenty of space to hike and roam, without the parents around.

The sites were a decent size.  They were not huge, but I have been in much smaller.  The parking is what was very tight and we have a small Fleetwood Sedona and pull it with a Qud cab Sedona.  We had to park the truck across the front of the site to fit.  It was a 10 point backing and a family push to get it into the tight spot without hitting a tree with the front end.  The driveway through the park is pretty narrow and I would not suggest anything bigger than a Niagra trailer. (seen below)  

You can reserve about half the sites, and the rest are first come first serve.  First come site filled up early and remained full all weekend.  The Host had to open another area for campers across the busy highway.

The Host was very friendly and we invited her for breakfast and got to know her very well. Our site was across from theirs and they kept a good eye on the sites when we were out hiking or walking.  The restrooms were petty clean, for a restroom.

Pros:
altitude, weather, and scenery.
Hiking trails- 800 feet rise in .75 miles- be in shape and bring water.
clean restrooms
Decent size sites that back to the creek
Friendly host
Natural spring that you can fill your water at. Tastes really good.

Cons:
Small parking area
Narrow driveway
Close to 2 lane highway, watch yourself when turning in.
Hiking trails across highway watch your kids and yourself.
No hookups

Would like to add more pics, but having troubles shrinking photos. Sorry

[TheViking]

We camped there years ago, before we had a camper.  There are 2 sides to that CG.  One side is on the same side as the creek, the other is on the other side of 89A.  We stayed on the creekside.  I don't know if this place is still there but we woke up the first morning to chanting.  Like Monks kind of chanting.  It was really weird waking up to this, (better than waking up in the woods hearing Banjo's i guess),  so we had to check it out. I'm still unclear as to what it was, it was a compound of sorts, just South of the CG, within walking distance.   There were alot of teenage boys wearing the same clothes, like maybe a place for troubled teens or something.  The CG was nice though, if we ever move back to Az, (We will someday I'm sure), we will go back there.

[eric1514]

Thanks for the report.

I think there are three campgrounds along 89A north of Sedona, and I keep thinking about going there but that road is a big turn off for me. On a good weekend, a million cars a day must pass by. Not too mention the "loud pipes save lives" crowd. I'm glad it wasn't too bothersome for you.

Look into Beaver Creek http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/beavercreek-camp.shtml
no hookups, very small, Beaver Creek always flows. Indian ruins nearby

or Dead Horse
http://www.pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/deadhorse.html
Full hookups, Verde river always runs, large lagoons, Jerome 10 miles away.

Take Care,
Eric

[rebe918]

"I don't know if this place is still there but we woke up the first morning to chanting. Like Monks kind of chanting. It was really weird waking up to this, (better than waking up in the woods hearing Banjo's i guess), so we had to check it out."

We did not wake up or go to bed with anyone chanting.  Thank god there were no banjos either.  Everyone was nice and seemed to have all there teeth.  The creek side is where we stayed as well and it was very nice.  Although there was a church camp of boys there, it could have been the same group of troubled teens. They kept to themselves and we did not have any problems.

"On a good weekend, a million cars a day must pass by. Not too mention the "loud pipes save lives" crowd. I'm glad it wasn't too bothersome for you."

We did encounter a little of the "Loud Pipes Save lives," but it was not all motorcycles. We noticed more of the little cars with those loud pitch pipes that sound like bikes. We actually witnessed one of those loud things pass a few cars at sunset on a corner around 80-90mph. We were waiting for brakes or a loud crash and did not hear either.  The CG is fairly close to 89, and did esperience some road noise, but was no too bad.

We have not been to the other CG's you mentioned, but plan too one of these trips. Our next trip is to Canyon Point NOrth East of Payson by woods Canyon Lake in June. We got 1 hook up site for the camper and 1 non-hookup for our kids and their teen friends in tents.