Let's Go! {Manzanita Campground, Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona}

As Part of my Let's Go series, I share a new place in Arizona (usually), that is somewhere accessible for us on weekend getaways.  I want to inspire adventure.  I want to find ourselves by getting lost in nature.  I want to get my kids off the screen and in the wild.  What are we waiting for?  Let's Go!

To Start, here's a quick review of the campsite {1 being worst, 10 being best}:

Location {and Distance}: 2

Located less than 2 hours away from Phoenix this Sedona Campsite it easily accessible and no 4 wheel drive vehicle is necessary you take main roads the entire time!
Road: 10
The campsite if off a main road so it's not difficult to get to at all.
Secluded: 1
Because it's very accessible it's not really secluded, because of popularity there is no day use in this area, you must have a permit to camp which is great because your space by the creek isn't over populated with random people and no extra cars are nearby.
View: 8
Literally located right on the creek this campsite is one of the most accessible with one of the best views.  With your back to the road you're staring at a beautiful creek surrounded by trees and red rocks.
Bathrooms: 5
Vault toilets, recently cleaned and well managed, toilet paper well stocked and locking door.
Campsite Fixtures: 7
All sites at Rock Crossing had a cement picnic table, grill and fire pit. Parking spaces were assigned and campsites were small-ish
Trash, Water and Food: 9
Trash, water and food should always be stored in the trunk where bears and other wild animals can not see it or access it.  There was a dumpster on site for disposal of trash.  Water facilities near bathroom.  and blackberries growing along the creek!
Animals: 4
There were caterpillars and chrysalises everywhere so cool, especially for my science nerd kids, they LOVED it.  We also saw some lizards and spiders.
Pets: Yes
Pets were allowed on a leash at this site.
Group Accommodation: 10
Groups of 8 were allowed in single sites but only one car per site.
Water {lakes, ponds, and oceans}: 10
There was a creek not 10 feet from our tent! Love the sound of the calming water.
Well Drained: 10
Our campsite was flat but elevated in general and there were gutter and drains to wash the water off the site and nearby road.
Firewood: 1
There was no nearby wood for collecting.
Management: National Forest Services
Campsites were well managed and very clean.
Reservations: 10
Make reservations at recreation.gov
Cost and Permits: $20 a night for single which makes this site one of the most expensive we've camped at.

These Red Rocks are so beautiful, I forget how majestic they are until I see them, every. time.

I made Husband pull over to get a photo.

Those blackberries I mentioned above but not yet ripe. 

Do you see the lizard?

The caterpillars are in the chrysalises on the branch on the right.

Sonja showing me the caterpillar tree.

Oak Creek.

Relaxing at the site. 

Morning Coffee.

The campsite.

making messes.

There's a spider somewhere in that bush.

wondering. {shirt c/o my brand hawks and honey apparel}

Thanks for the fun Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon, until next time!