1 site · Lodging1 acre · Williams, AZBring your own bedding and an adventurous spirit, The Moonshiner awaits you!
This is a unique no-frills camping experience, a perfect place to unwind, unplug, and stargaze from the comfort of bed. You will need to bring everything you may need for camping, besides shelter.
Please read the entire description to make sure this is the right camping experience for you. It contains important information about what to expect, including condition of the local roads.
The Moonshiner is a vintage 1968 camper on a private acre that has been lovingly renovated. She sleeps 2 people cozily on a shared pull out bed. There is no light pollution out here, so you can see the Milky Way most nights. Enjoy a HUGE skylight over the double bed for some of the best stargazing in the country!
Guests have full private access to the camper and the surrounding yard. The camper is on a private acre and it’s all yours to do your thing. Your privacy will always be respected, and the property is laid out to ensure that.
Please note that the camper does not lock from the outside, but you can lock yourself inside with a deadbolt.
❂ WHAT TO BRING ☽
Guests are responsible to bring whatever supplies you think you may need for a good camping experience. This may include items such as: water, food, sunblock, warm clothes, bedding such as sleeping bags and pillows, lantern, flashlight, headlamp, battery bank for charging devices, propane for the heater, firewood or charcoal, lighter or matches, cooking and eating utensils, paper plates, paper towels, wet wipes and toilet paper.
❂ COMPOSTING TOILET SYSTEM ☽
Instead of a normal toilet, we have a compostable camping toilet in an outhouse. You'll need to line it with a provided green compostable bag. Instead of flushing, use the provided scoop to add dirt, and put bag in the compost bin (sign posted) before you check out. There may or may not be toilet paper so we recommend bringing a roll. The high winds we often get will blow it away so store it safely. You will be expected to leave the toilet clean at check out.
❂ SHOWER ☽
There is a shower bag in the outhouse. If you want to use it, put some water in the shower bag, let the sun warm it up (or not - if you don't mind a cold shower!) and it's good to go.
❂ GARBAGE ☽
There is NO garbage service/disposal. Guests are required to follow our pack in, pack out policy which means take your garbage with you at check out. This includes used propane tanks and recyclables. Any compostable items, such as food, can go into the compost bin.
❂ ELECTRICITY ☽
We are totally off-grid and there is no electricity provided. Just a battery powered lantern.
❂ WIFI ☽
Most cell phones services work great out here, but there is no WiFi.
❂ COOKING ☽
There is a charcoal grill for cooking, that's it. You are required to bring your own charcoal and lighter fluid to use it and anything else you may need for cooking/eating. While there may be a few cooking utensils on site, we do not keep an inventory and can not guarantee what supplies are there.
❂ WATER ☽
There is NO running water here. Guests are required to bring whatever water they may need with them. This includes drinking, washing up water and water for the shower if you choose to use it.
❂ CAMP FIRES ☽
You are required to bring your own firewood for campfires. Local gas stations sell bundles. While there is usually some form of kindling material, lighters, or matches on site, we recommend bringing these items with you. There is typically a county wide fire ban during the dry summer, this can be anytime from May or June into August so you may not be allowed to have a campfire during these months. It is your responsibility to check for fire bans and follow the law. Search Coconino County fire ban for up to date information. Please feel free to ask me if you're having any trouble finding out this information.
❂ BEDDING ☽
We do keep some spare blankets in the camper, but guests are responsible to bring their own bedding of choice, such as sleeping bags and pillows.
❂ CHECK OUT ☽
We don't charge a cleaning fee, so guests are required to clean up after themselves and take all belongings, trash and recycables. Please see house rules for a breakdown of our checkout procedure.
❂ PETS ☽
Non-destructive house trained pets are welcome to join you. We don't charge pet fees, but you do need to add them to your reservation and follow the Pet Rules in the House Rules section of the listing.
❂ WILDLIFE ☽
Please understand that you are camping in the wilderness. Things live out here and you may come across them, especially in the summer. Bugs, mice, snakes, rabbits, elk, and cows are all common.
❂ THE HEATER ☽
There is a Mr. Buddy brand propane camping heater provided, however, guests are responsible to bring their own 1 pound propane tanks to use it. The Coleman brand propane is the most abundant and Walmart in Flagstaff has the best prices. Only use propane, don't use butane, or butane/propane mix. A tank will last roughly 4 hours.
The heater is safe to use overnight but please be aware that once the propane canister runs out a small amount of gas will be let out into the air. Changing the tank also releases a small amount of gas. It is recommended to crack open the small vent windows below the main skylight for ventilation.
Please note that propane heaters have difficulty starting in temperatures below 20°F. When staying in the winter, make sure you arrive before the temperature drops too low. Storing your propane tanks in a warmer place can help prevent this.
❂ ROUGH ROADS ☽
There is about mile of dirt roads between the property and highway 180 that can be rough, bumpy, and feel like off-roading in spots. Can your sedan make it here? Yes, most of the year. Though I can't promise that you'll agree. Most of the year is dry and we've had many guests drive a Prius here. If you drive too fast on the dirt roads, you'll damage your car and we take no responsibility for that. If you get yourself stuck in the snow/mud, we take no responsibility for that. Tow trucks are very expensive so don't get stuck.
During Monsoon Season (mid-July through September), heavy rain is common. You can still drive your sedan here then, many locals have sedans, but you have to be cautious. The roads dry up fast and pools in puddles. Avoid driving on the dirt roads during a storm as flooding can happen when the rain is very heavy and the water is rushing to find its place. Get in or out of camp prior to or after the storm if you don't have AWD/4x4. Avoid large puddles and obviously muddy terrain in general, these are areas you can get stuck in.
The wintertime conditions can be very extreme. From December into March, the dirt roads can get really bad, especially January and February when we get the most snow. The roads tend to have a constant freeze/thaw cycle that leaves them a muddy, slushy mess in the afternoon. When they're frozen over, especially in the morning, the dirt is much easier to drive on. Sometimes a 2wd vehicle can pass if the weather has been dry. You'll most likely need a 4x4 when coming here in the winter. If there is snow, your chances are getting stuck will increase as the dirt roads aren't plowed, even with an AWD/4x4. Use extreme caution during winter storms, snowfall can be heavy and you'll need enough clearance to make it in or out of camp. You may have to park near the highway and hike 1 mile to camp. Tire chains are helpful on the snow covered dirt roads for all vehicles. Pay attention to the weather report on last minute bookings and use your own judgment on whether you feel comfortable driving here.
