Pictures courtesy of the Coconino National Forest -Canyon Vista Campground.
Campground Overview:
Canyon Vista Campground is located near Walnut Canyon and Lower Lake Mary on the Coconino National Forest. This area consists of ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, aspen and oak, which offer good photo opportunities, interesting geology and views of the San Francisco Peaks. The trailhead for the popular Sandys Canyon Trail and the Vista Loop Trail are at the north end of the campground.
Campsites:
Canyon Vista Campground is a smaller campground and includes 14 single campsites. Fire rings, cooking grills, drinking water, picnic tables, and vault toilets area available. With all the easy forest trails and lakes nearby, this is a great place for wildlife watchers. Many visitors report seeing bald eagle, osprey, migratory waterfowl, great blue heron, elk, and mule deer.
Take Lake Mary Road (FH 3) 6 miles southeast. Campground is on your left.
Campground at a Glance
Level: |
Developed |
Season: |
May – October |
Nearby City: |
Flagstaff |
Fishing: |
Lower Lake Mary/ Marshall Lake |
Campground Website: |
Canyon Vista Campground |
Campground Map: |
Click Here |
Reservations: |
First-come, first-served basis |
Location: |
Nearby Attractions and Activities:
Sandys Canyon Trail is just a few minutes outside Flagstaff that offers good photo opportunities, interesting geology, great views, and access to a longer trail that stretches all the way across Arizona. Sandys Canyon Trail starts out by skirting the rim of Walnut Canyon, a scenic rift in the same layers of rock that form the upper cliffs of the Grand Canyon. From the trailhead, you get a great view of the San Francisco Peaks with the cliffs of Walnut Canyon in the foreground – time to reach for the camera.
The trail heads north from the trailhead following the Walnut Canyon Rim for a short distance before it drops down Sandys Canyon into the main gorge. Sandys Canyon Trail then continues along the Walnut Canyon floor on an old jeep track to an intersection with the Arizona Trail. Here you’ll find more Grand Canyon style cliffs complete with the same bright colors of that World Heritage Site. The pronounced cross-bedding and deep red hue of these petrified Permian Age sand dunes will have you reaching for your camer again.
The Lake Mary Recreation Corridor, located along Lake Mary Road, is a popular recreation area right outside of Flagstaff that gives vistors access to numerous recreational opportunities. Upper Lake Mary is the largest of Flagstaff’s twin lakes. This long, narrow reservoir is especially popular with power boaters and water skiers because there is no motor size limit on it. It’s also popular with those who prefer people-power or windpower over horsepower. For those who like fishing, the lake has northern pike, channel cat, crappie, and some trout. Upper Lake Mary Boat Launch and Picnic Area offers boat launch and picnic facilities. Lake Mary Narrows Boat Launch and Picnic Area provides excellent access facilities for disabled anglers by means of paved lakeshore ramps. Popular trails include the Wood Memorial and Arizona Trails, which take hikers on beautiful scenic tours of the surrounding area.
Nearby Campgrounds:
Campground full or want to see what’s around? Try one of these campgrounds located nearby
