Standard (tent/RV)
Dispersed
Group
RV Sites
Tent Sites
Fires Allowed
Pets Unknown
Drinking Water
About Molino Basin Campground
Visitors are drawn to Molino Campground for its group camping area, scenic mountain surroundings and hiking and mountain biking opportunities. While most other campgrounds in the Catalina Mountains are closed in winter, Molino Campground and its picnic area are open in late fall, winter and early spring. The pleasant winter weather at this elevation makes it a great time to visit.
Molino Basin is conveniently located 5.5 miles from the base of Mt. Lemmon on the Catalina Highway, and about 10 miles northeast of Tucson.
Recreation
Hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding are popular activities. The Arizona Trail, which extends from Mexico to Utah, passes through the campground, and the Molino Trail leads to the Pusch Ridge Wilderness (hiking and horseback riding only). A variety of additional trails, including some on 9,157' Mt. Lemmon, are available in the area for those who wish to venture away from the campground for the day.
Facilities
This facility has a few dozen individual campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis, along with a reservable group camping and picnic area. The group area is accessible with a paved walkway, and is equipped with a large picnic shelter covering several picnic tables, two serving tables, grills and food storage lockers for bear safety. Six cleared tent pads, as well as one accessible tent site, are adjacent to the picnic area. Most of the tent sites are open and sunny. RVs and trailers are permitted.
Visitors must bring their own drinking water; none is provided.
Natural Features
Campsites sit amid a high desert oak scrub ecosystem at an elevation of 4,500 feet on the slopes of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Along the banks of Molino Creek, which flows during and immediately after rain or snowmelt, species such as cottonwood, Arizona live oak and mesquite provide a scenic setting. Views are dominated by rugged, rocky hills. Colorful wildflowers bloom in spring.
Nearby Attractions
Catalina Highway (also known as General Hitchcock Highway and Sky Island Scenic Byway), the only paved road that leads to the upper reaches of Mt. Lemmon and the Santa Catalina Range, is one of the most scenic highways in the Southwest and definitely worth a day trip.
Other notable attractions include Saguaro National Park, Sabino Canyon, Colossal Cave and the city of Tucson.
ADA Access: N
Site
1
Price
$100.00
Operator
National Forest
Access
Drive In
Walk In
Features
ADA Accessible
Alcohol Allowed
Drinking Water
Fires Allowed
Phone Service
Picnic Table
Toilets
Trash Available
Contact
Location
Molino Basin Campground is located in Arizona
Directions
From Tucson, Arizona, take Catalina Highway off Tanque Verde Road in Tucson. Drive 4.2 miles northeast to the Coronado National Forest boundary and continue 5.7 miles to the campground. The campground is between mileposts 5 and 6. All campsites are adjacent to paved roads.
4 Reviews of Molino Basin Campground
Quick stop in Tucson
Great camp with lots of privacy, space, and views. Pet friendly. Nice restrooms. Streams and trails.
Nice clean, better for tent camping
Nice, clean campground, along the Mt. Lemmon Highway. Better for tent camping as there are beautiful, individual walk-in sites that are fairly private.
Tons of rec opportunities right from camp: hiking, mountain biking, etc.
Great Campground
This campground is very well maintained with nice restrooms. There are a few sites, including the one we were at, that are back a little ways from the road and you have to walk in to get to them. We went in February and it was warm and beautiful here. The campground was not crowded at all. There are hiking trails out here, you can check out the Gordon Hirabayashi campground and the old work camp remains which are pretty interesting. Also, if you want to drive up to the top of Mount Lemmon, it's a beautiful and scenic drive. On your way back into town, you can stop at the Agua Caliente park where you'll find tons of palm trees surrounding a peaceful pond.
