Established Camping
Gilbert Ray Campground
About
County
Next time you need a break in your busy life consider cool weather camping at Tucson Mountain Park's beautiful Gilbert Ray Campground, located on the west side of the Tucson Mountains, a convenient 13 miles from Tucson. RV campers should access the park by way of Ajo Highway to Kinney Road and follow the signs to the campground.
The campground has 130 RV sites with individual 30-amp electrical hook-ups. The campground has 5 sites that are designated tent only, however tenters are welcome to camp in an RV site but are asked not to use the electrical hook-ups. It has centrally located water, picnic tables, modern restrooms, and an RV dumping station. Shower facilities are not available. There are handicap bathrooms.
There is a seven-day length of stay limit. The park's peak season is January 1st through March 31st. Camping fees are $10.00 per night for tents and $20.00 per night for trailers and RVs. Senior Pass/Golden Age Pass NOT valid. Due to limited tent sites you can tent in a RV site, however, during peak season the RV campsite fee applies. Wood fires are prohibited.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Stay Connected
- WiFiGood
- VerizonGood
- AT&TGood
- T-MobileGood
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Desert campground w spectacular landscape
Gilbert Ray campground integrates the beautiful desert environment seamlessly with the campsites, which are very generous in size. Some reviews seem to suggest that sites are really backcountry and private, but I wouldn’t say that - most of the landscaping is low so you definitely see your neighbor and you can hear the cars on the nearby road.
We reserved ahead of time (I didn’t have a problem with the online system, but I did read a lot of complaints). We showed up after hours and I felt the information at the Administration Office was really straightforward, but I got stuck behind two sets of campers who couldn’t figure out what to do or where to go and seemed to expect me to walk them through the after-hours process. In general, most of the campers were older and we didn’t see a single family.
That may be in part because the chief amenity is the landscape and proximity to the Desert Museum and SNP. Sites have electric hook-ups and there is a bathroom, but no site water hook-ups and no showers. On our way out we drove to the dump station (located at a different loop) and water was available at that location.
The only other consideration is be careful what route you choose to enter the park. We started traveling according to directions only to realize it wasn’t recommended by the Park that RVs over 24 feet take that particular road.
- (6) View All
Out In It
This campground is so cool!!! I prefer to be in nature while camping and this is it! You really feel like you’re in the desert. Sites provide some privacy and aren’t right up on each other. Quiet and relaxing. Good accessibility to the NP. I would definitely return.
Great stay amongst the saguaros!
Enjoyed this campsite and all it has to offer - electrical hookup for our RV, a dump station, several drinking water spigots around the loop, and hiking trails all around. Easy to get to, easy to park and level. Our rig is about 38 feet total. So close to the national park & easy to ride in for hikes or exploring! Would definitely return.
- (7) View All
Location
Gilbert Ray Campground is located in Arizona
Directions
Directions from Tucson: Speedway Boulevard west of I-10. At Camino de Oeste, Speedway Boulevard turns into Gates Pass Road. Follow Gates Pass Road across Gates Pass (NOT recommended for trailers or RVs over 24 feet) to the "T" intersection with Kinney Road. Turn right on Kinney Road. Travel approximately 0.6 miles and then turn left on McCain Loop. The campground entrance is on the left. Directions from I-10 east of Tucson: I-10 west to I-19 south. Exit at Ajo Way (exit 99), turn right. Go west to Kinney Road approximately 5 miles, turn right. Follow Kinney Road to McCain Loop, turn left. The campground entrance is on the left. Directions from I-19 south of Tucson: I-19 north. Exit at Ajo Way (exit 99), turn left. Go west to Kinney Road approximately 5 miles, turn right. Follow Kinney Road to McCain Loop, turn left. The campground entrance is on the left. Directions from I-10 west of Tucson: I-10 west. Exit on Avra Valley Road (exit 242), turn right. Take Avra Valley Road west to Sandario Road, turn left. Take Sandario Road south to Mile Wide Road, turn left. Mile Wide Road merges with Kinney Road after two miles. Pass the first McCain Loop turnoff. Turn right at the second McCain Loop turnoff. The campground entrance is on the left.
Address
8455 W McCain Loop
Tucson, AZ 85735
Coordinates
32.22076196 N
111.144395 W