This is an interesting Free RV Camping spot as it is actually a private campground just outside the South Entrance to Petrified Forest National Park in northeastern Arizona. Across the street is a small $25 per night campground with electric hookups. The video I took isn’t that great—I was rushed and frustrated at being given not great advice on how to enter the park when I drove through Holbrook—but it does show the location, what the area is like, etc. Video

No hookups at free Crystal Forest Campground. Across the street are $25 per night RV sites with electric hookups.

This camping area consists of the two gift shop parking lots that are located just outside the South Entrance. There are a few picnic tables and a bunch of parking spots. One side is free, space available depending on how many rigs, size of rigs, how folks park, etc. The gal inside the shop said there usually isn’t a problem with folks finding space to park overnight.

There are no amenities, no hookups, at the free parking area. On the other side of the road in front of the other gift shop there is a small $25 per night campground with electric hookups. You cannot make a reservation in advance, it’s first come first serve. I was told there are nine of the paid camping sites, and that there is usually one available. The gal said most folks park on the free side of the road. Makes sense to me. 🙂

Neither side has water. You are allowed to use the restrooms at the gift shops during the day, and of course it would be common courtesy to purchase something.

Path in back of the Visitor’s Center is great to view petrified logs up close

As you drive through the park there are different places with viewpoints to pull over and get a little walk in and view the different ecology of the park. “Teepees” was fun. As you drive through the area the rock formations look like colorful teepees! That is where the featured photo above was shot.

But there isn’t really any areas where you are up close and personal with the actual petrified wood, except in the back of the Visitor’s Center at the South Entrance. I wandered back there by chance, and it’s a great place to stretch your legs and be in the midst of large specimens of petrfied wood that consists of solid quartz on the inside. Isn’t that cool?

Video of Free RV Camping at Petrified Forest National Park South Entrance

I wish I’d taken a second video, and walked closer to the actual parking areas but this still gives a good visual on what the space is like, the location, etc. That’s my goal with these vids—to show what these Free RV Camping spots are actually like so you don’t have to rely on conflicting info and reviews online. I’m a visual person. I wish I’d had this info when I started out traveling around the U.S. on a budget!

It was windy and I didn’t realize how much that was affecting the sound quality, apologies!

There is cell service but it’s really poor

There is cellular coverage at this location but it’s super spotty. In some areas you can get a signal, other areas of the parking lots no. A bench outside the free camping lot gift shop is a good place to try. Or, as the nice gal informed me, you can drive a little ways towards Holbrook and coverage is much better, with a stronger signal.

Cheers.