reach the campground, the road becomes one-way. The meadow itself is protected grassland closed to camping and vehicles. The campsites are outside the loop, nestled under a canopy of pale aspens and mature ponderosa pines with their vanilla-scented bark. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring; in dry Arizona it’s always a good idea to check with the U.S. Forest Service about fire restrictions. Pull in to the self-service pay station and check out site 1; it’s close but nicely screened from the road, and one of the two wildlife watering holes is just through the trees. Our favorite sites are near the busy trailhead, but once the day-use traffic is gone, site 7 may be the most secluded in the campground. Campsites 9–11 provide more room for larger groups, but are also more open to the road and each other. The best views of the meadow and the second pond are from sites 13–16. Two sets of vault toilets serve the campground; there are no other facilities and no drinking water. You won’t have a host, but the campground feels fairly secure. Although popular, Lockett Meadow still leaves you with an impression of remoteness and serenity once you’re in camp.
The Inner Basin Trail begins its steady uphill climb at Lockett Meadow Campground. The wide, even trail makes a pleasant 3.9-mile round-trip through the forest of the caldera. You’ll top 10,000 feet, so be aware of your conditioning and pace yourself. If you’re very ambitious, follow the Weatherford Trail to the Humphreys Trail, which takes you to Arizona’s highest point (12,634'). On a clear day you may see all the way to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. If you have less time or stamina, you can also reach Humphreys Peak by a shorter route from the Snowbowl ski area. Don’t be ashamed if acclimated Flagstaff residents jog past you twice while you’re still toiling up the trail. From the inner basin you can also access the strenuous Abineau–Bear Jaw Loop hike, which is equally lovely but much less popular. Most of the trail system is in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness, and mountain bikes are not permitted in the fragile alpine environment. Horses, dogs, and camping are also forbidden in the inner basin to protect the mountain aquifer.
Outside the wilderness boundary, Flagstaff is a thriving community rich in natural and human history. Recreational options for all tastes and seasons include downhill and cross-country skiing at Snowbowl and the Arizona Nordic Village, plus plenty of mountain biking in the Coconino National Forest. Crawl through Lava River Cave for an intimate experience of volcanic geology, or stand on the doorstep of history at the ancient pueblos of Wupatki National Monument. Peer into the heavens during a star party at Lowell Observatory, originally built to map the illusory canals of Mars. Learn more about the wonders of the Colorado Plateau at the Museum of Northern Arizona. Or just sit back beneath the aspens in Lockett Meadow and take it easy.
GETTING THERE
From Flagstaff, take US 89 northeast about 12 miles. Turn left onto an unsigned road about 0.1 mile past the FOREST ACCESS sign that’s directly across from the SUNSET CRATER NATIONAL MONUMENT sign. Continue approximately 0.5 mile to the signed intersection, and turn right on FR 552. Follow the signs to the campground.
GPS COORDINATES N35° 21.638' W111° 37.187'
6
Manzanita Campground
Beauty
KEY INFORMATION
CONTACT: 928-203-7500, tinyurl.com/manzanitacampground; reservations: 877-444-6777, recreation.gov
OPEN: Year-round
SITES: 18
EACH SITE HAS: Picnic table, fire ring
ASSIGNMENT: First-come, first-served; reservations available for sites 9, 10, and 12–19 at least 2 days in advance
REGISTRATION: With camp host, on-site, or online
AMENITIES: Vault toilets, water spigots, campground host, firewood
PARKING: At campsites
FEE: $22/night; $10 online-reservation fee
ELEVATION: 4,800'
RESTRICTIONS:
PETS: On leash only
FIRES: In fire rings only
ALCOHOL: Permitted
VEHICLES: RVs or trailers prohibited; ATVs prohibited
QUIET HOURS: 10 p.m.–6 a.m.
OTHER: 7-day stay limit; firearms prohibited; radio prohibited; 8-person limit/site; loud generators prohibited; 1 vehicle/site; checkout 1 p.m.
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