We always like to stay in the Apache Junction area - lots of good sites close by and away from the busy hoop-la of the Phoenix metropolis.
If we was going to mix in with the whoopee-do folks then the Sedona and Payson camp site areas would our pick.
If you are planning on doing the North Central areas of Flagstaff including all the wonderful places around that part of the country you almost have to pick out a base camp site. All those neat places are rather spread out up there and deserves more time to visit than just a couple of hours at each place... I spent a week one time Jeep tent camping the back country of the Wupatki Natl Monument, Sunset Crater, Painted Desert Vista, and the many Indian ruins.
We stayed in Flagstaff one time and didn't know that a train goes thru the small town every 7 minutes all night long... Sedona camp sites are superb but you are in high country there with lots of winding roads and mtn pull outs... This is RED ROCK country which will blow you away with the rich red colors of the rocks and mountains.
Winter months in the Mountains of Arizona is brutal... Have to stay in Phoenix to the south to stay in the warm weather places.
Other times on my many work trips to that part of the country we would just pick a site close to Phoenix and spend a week or so in the many nightlife places all over the area there.
Roy Ken
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - Words in CAPS does not mean I am shouting
Roy - Carolyn
RETIRED DOAF/DON/DOD/CONTR RADIO TECH (42yrs)
K9PHT (Since 1957) 146.52M
2010 F150, 5.4,3:73 Gears,SCab
2008 Starcraft 14RT EU2000i GEN
2005 Flagstaff 8528RESS