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Dispersed Camping

Harshaw Road Dispersed Camping - San Rafael Canyon

6 Reviews

About

USDA Forest Service

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Location

Harshaw Road Dispersed Camping - San Rafael Canyon is located in Arizona

Coordinates

31.501735147953383 N
110.7016191525874 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Fair
Verizon
Good
AT&T
Available
T-Mobile
Available

Site Types

Dispersed

Features

For Campers

Phone Service
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Pull-Through Sites

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

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Contact

General Info

Visit Website

Reservations

(520) 281-2296

tracey M.

Scout

Reviewed Feb. 28, 2024

Beautiful and don’t leave your stuff unattended.

Awesome spots along the roads in this area. We had to leave our very private site one day and left a few things behind — sadly it was all gone when we came back. Lesson learned, but a big bummer.

SiteSan Rafael area

Month of VisitMarch

jennifer M.

Guide

Reviewed Jan. 15, 2022

San Rafael Valley Rd

I was looking for camping on Harshaw Rd and mistakenly took the primitive rd San Rafael Valley Rd and found some great large campsites and group sites along this road. We were able to tow our 36’ fifth wheel up here with no problem as this road seems to be regularly maintained. A couple times while here in January we had hunters or trail riders with their horses park in our group site for a few hours, but they were always polite and we are in a group site so it’s fair game to others. Otherwise, we were alone here in a large site. We are near a ranch so sometimes we hear dogs barking there and truck noise, but not bad. There’s a wash behind our site that I walk the dogs in. The road does have traffic but it rarely bothered us. You also see a lot of mountain bikers up and down the road. We are 8 miles or about 20 minutes from downtown Patagonia which has a few little shops and restaurants as well as gas and propane though things seem to be a bit more expensive here. If you drive to the top of the hill you will be rewarded with great 360 views and if you hang a right at the top there are more campsites up there. I had one bar with Verizon and AT&T coverage is also decent. Not the fastest for internet, but it works. A very small amount of trash around and we felt safe. You will see cows and a bull wandering through your campsite so watch your pets.

Sitesites not numbered

Month of VisitFebruary

Char P.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 3, 2021

Nice and convenient to town

First time taking our 30’ travel trailer out. Selected Patagonia because it’s close to home base and there was dispersed camping available. Traveled on a weekday and arrived early. Found a site tucked back enough from the road so road noise wasn’t a issue. After we unhooked we explored further down the road. Hook a right and drive all the way to the mine entrance. You’ll pass numerous campsites along both sides of the road to pick from. Total dry camping but wooded and peaceful. We enjoyed hiking and exploring the charming town of Patagonia. Returning on Saturday we noticed lots of traffic headed to Patagonia (boats, off road vehicles, rvs, etc). Patagonia is popular with Tucson residents for recreation.

We visited again in April and stayed in a larger site on the road closer to the mine entrance. Liked our larger site an had it to ourselves for a night. During a hike went up a well worn path to discover an area campers had been using as their bathroom. Lots of wipes with rocks placed on top. Yuck! Later a big group of campers arrived pulling a pop up. The next morning we saw some of them trooping up the hill to the “bathroom” spot. Not much to say except pack it out people or dig a hole and bury.

Sitedisbursed

Month of VisitApril

Lindsay S.

Scout

Reviewed Feb. 16, 2021

Camping alternate to Hershaw

After seeing the dispersed camping, my partner and I knew there must be something better and more secluded. About a 1/4 mile before the dispersed camping there is a national forest access road on the right. You’ll see a forest fire prevention sign at the entrance. 4x4 only no trailers. 3 or 4 dispersed sites. Beautiful hike up 4x4 road. Border patrol active. Close to Arizona’s trail trailhead. Great place to stay and see Patagonia.

Lisa S.

Ranger

Reviewed Jan. 17, 2021

Patagonia

Stayed one night in a group site on the left large enough for six campers. There were three others when I stayed and one had a generator running non stop all day and night. This site,and the few other sites I saw, are right next to Harshaw Rd. which is pretty busy with fast moving traffic all day. Fire rings. No water. No hiking trails.

Patagonia has Old West character and Red Mountain Food is a good place to buy groceries. There’s a nice hiking trail out of Patagonia off Blue Haven Rd.

Shari G.

Legend

Reviewed Apr. 23, 2019

Easy Access to Patagonia

Just a few miles up Harshaw Rd. (just outside of the adorable village of Patagonia), you will find a variety of free camping options with no services, just National Forest land available to both RVers and tent campers. There are streams running throughout the area, but the water simply isn’t drinkable even with filtering and leaves a sticky white mineral residue on everything it touches; thank goodness there is a reverse osmosis filling machine in the village of Patagonia, right in front of the bakery. The backroads in this area are great for hiking or mountain biking, you can choose from relatively flat to crazy steep with amazing views.

The village of Patagonia is colorful and fun, and has a nice market with a great produce selection for its size, a small bakery, a launderette, a gas station, and a few cleverly named restaurants. Also, be sure to check out the Paton Center for Hummingbirds (a birdwatcher’s paradise) -- it’s free! The locals are super friendly.

Note: You will see Border Patrol both hanging out in hidden spots and zooming down the roads through this area, appearing to be in hot pursuit. But we never saw a single “situation” that warranted their presence.

SiteDispersed camping only

Month of VisitApril

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the elevation of Harshaw Road Dispersed Camping - San Rafael Canyon?

Harshaw Road Dispersed Camping - San Rafael Canyon is located at 4458 feet.

Are fires allowed at Harshaw Road Dispersed Camping - San Rafael Canyon?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Harshaw Road Dispersed Camping - San Rafael Canyon, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Harshaw Road Dispersed Camping - San Rafael Canyon have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Harshaw Road Dispersed Camping - San Rafael Canyon does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Harshaw Road Dispersed Camping - San Rafael Canyon?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is available, and T-Mobile is available.