Surreal Lava! Bonito Campground is great because it is close to the amazing crater and lava flow at Sunset Crater.
That's not broken asphalt from an old playground--it's crazy lava!
In and of itself the CG is nothing to write home about. Pretty flat, in a stand of Ponderosa pine, which is nice. But also unremarkable.
Rating: Taken by itself, I’d give Bonito 5/10. However, the crater and lava flow are a 10/10.
Getting there: just about 3 hours from Tempe (about 20 minutes north of Flagstaff). From Flagstaff, take Hwy 89 north. At about 12 miles, take FR 545 east 2 miles to Bonito Campground.
Amenities: picnic tables, flush toilets, potable water, firepits, camp host.
There are two remarkable things: one good, one not so good.
The good thing: volcanic dirt/gravel all over, pebbles & rocks ranging from nickel size to dust. Some covered by pine needles, but it’s all over the CG. At first I thought it might be manmade ground cover, but it’s actually volcanic rubble. It’s really cool and I haven’t seen that anywhere else. There is a very open feeling to this campground. So, that has the advantage of being able to see everywhere and the disadvantage of being able to see everywhere: Good for watching little ones scamper (or run like crazy) about and visibility to see approaching cars, as well as seeing the vistas of forest. Not good for a lack of privacy/seclusion and getting away from lots of people (when CG is busy). Also, there is an amphitheater for educational programs.
The not so good thing: some of the sites, near the entrance to the CG have a concrete pad that extends under picnic table, firering and BBQ. It is extremely unbecoming, in my opinion, and way too hygienic. “Sanitized” is how it looks to me. Not my thing. Most of the sites do not have the cement flooring, so when you drive in, don’t be shocked upon seeing them, just keep driving. Some CGs have handicapped accessible sites with this feature so it’s easier to get around in a wheel chair, which is great. But it seems an over-abundance of the sites (and they aren’t handicapped marked) have this feature at Bonito.
Best sites: 25, 23, 33, 37, 38, 40. These are the best because they are farther from the road, and are on the edge of the campground, with something of a view.
Excursions: That said, consider why Bonita campground exists: for people visiting Sunset Crater. Let’s talk about that! Once you go and see the lava flow and the crater, Bonito Campground suddenly looks really amazing just by virtue of association. You must go and see the volcano and lava flow, and take a walk on the lava flow trail. It is absolutely phenomenal and mind blowing — totally mind blowing. To me it looks like God’s brownie mix blew up, and there’s brownie mix flowing out of the oven and it just spilled all over the place. Just wacky, wacky, wacky! I’ve never seen anything like it in my whole life. Very cool.
Here’s another plus: the firepits look like sort of a modern art urinal to me…
That’s Bonito CG and my endorsement for Sunset Crater. Go see it. Bonito is a great CG because of it’s proximity to the crater and the lava flow.
Seasons & reservations: Early May through mid-October. No reservations and no group sites.
Forest service websites: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/peaks/bonito-camp.shtml
More Info: Peaks Ranger District, 5075 N. Highway 89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004. Phone: 520-526-0866
