Spencer Canyon Campground, near Mount Lemmon, Arizona, is a fantastic spot for those looking to escape the heat and enjoy some time in nature. With its cool mountain air and beautiful pine trees, it’s a refreshing retreat just a short drive from Tucson.

This campground offers a range of amenities, including clean bathrooms and well-maintained fire pits, perfect for cooking up a meal or roasting marshmallows. Visitors have noted the friendly campground hosts who are always ready to help and keep the place running smoothly. One camper mentioned, “The hosts were excellent, bathrooms were clean, and everything else was about as perfect as it gets.”

Spencer Canyon features over 60 campsites, many of which provide a bit of privacy despite being somewhat close together. The area is great for hiking and exploring, with trails nearby that lead to stunning views and wildlife sightings, including deer. As one reviewer put it, “The pine forest was a sight first thing in the morning,” making it a lovely spot to wake up in.

If you’re planning to visit, it’s wise to arrive early, especially on weekends, as sites fill up quickly. Whether you’re tent camping or bringing an RV, Spencer Canyon Campground is a solid choice for a weekend getaway or a longer stay in the great outdoors.

This area of Mt Lemmon camping is located at the head of a shallow, forested canyon a short distance off the Catalina Highway. Spencer Canyon faces the city of Tucson and the Santa Cruz Valley, both of which are visible as a distant panorama through openings in the forest canopy. Spencer Canyon Campground has 66 sites. Each site has a concrete table, firepit, B-B-Q and bear box for food storage. A beautiful night view of Tucson can be seen from several sites. Spencer is rugged, rustic in layout and close to the hamlet of Summerhaven. Each camping area has clean, stocked vault toilets. Campground hosts live on site. Firewood may be purchased from the hosts. The Catalina Highway is paved, but it can be snow covered in winter when chains and/or 4-wheel drive may be required.

Spencer Canyon Campground

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Mount Lemmon, AZ has a lot to offer. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Mount Lemmon is surrounded by family-friendly activities. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Mount Lemmon, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Mount Lemmon

The Best Camping Near Mount Lemmon, Arizona

very large easy to get to well maintained dirt road  

huge

When u want out of Az heat just a drive out of Tucson is camping & hiking .. Even day pinics if your not up for the overnight stays..  But a one night is a must :)

Mt Lemon..

Love Spencer Canyon! Great place for a chill camping weekend. Lots of space, not too close to other sites, and the bathroom reading on bees is superb.

Beautiful forest area

I’ve camped here several times. The camp hosts are friendly helpful and knowledgeable. I prefer to go all the way to the very bottom of the campground. There is a lot of open area for my boys to run around and build a fort while I read a book next to the stream. Also it doesn’t seem to fill up as fast as the top sites. Bathrooms are clean, bear boxes are provided, and If you want a break from camp food you can jet up to summerhaven it’s not that far and grab lunch. There isn’t any grocery stores or gas stations on Mt. Lemmon so fill up before venturing up the mountain. If you are a hiker there are many trails to choose from not to far from your camp (read up on hiking in high elevations though before you venture out). Mt. Lemmon is also dog friendly and so is this campground just make sure to pick up after your pooch. The drive up Mt. Lemmon highway is 35 MPH the cops hiding around the corners writing tickets would be glad to remind you or you can take my word for it. This road is also very popular for cyclists so make sure you keep your eyes on the road, they come out of nowhere. The views are spectacular even if you are just coming for the day. You go from desert to full forest in the matter of 45min it is nothing I’ve ever seen before. This is a must see if visiting Tucson, AZ.

Great camping

Beautiful campground nested in the trees on Mount Lemmon. Great escape from Phoenix. The breeze was amazing and the trees gave alot of shade. We hiked and spend about 3 nights here. We were 15 people and had a could of sites right next to eachother. Sites are a good size for a paid campground, not small like most others. 

Gorgeous Views! 

This campground is walk up only with over 60 sites to choose from. Several sites are double or group size. This is the highest National Forest campground on Mount Lemmon and your best bet for cooler temps during the summer. Parking can be limited with only a few of the sites having adequate parking for trailers up to 22 feet. Your best bet for a good site for the weekend is to get there on Thursday or early Friday.

Lovely Mountain Campground in the Pines

very nice, well maintained, and friendly hosts. It is a nice cool area. Definitely going back!

Nice place!

If you camp for the pure love of nature, this place is for you. The drive alone is inspiring! There is a fee for camping which you should plan to leave in the box (yes, they do come around to check eventually). This campground fee is in addition to the fee you pay on the way up so carry cash. With so many views, trails, and photo ops, you couldn't ask for more. But if you do anyway, be sure to travel to the top of the mountain for some fudge in the gift shop and DO NOT miss the view of the creek. You may have to find a spot to park and walk about a half mile but it's just beautiful and it'd be sad for you to miss it since you're already up there. There is a lake within driving distance; you'll pass it on the way up. DO NOT feed the bears, please; for their safety (Seriously; they'll get euthanized).

Perhaps one of the greatest places in AZ

This place was really pretty and a lot of critters running around to watch. Also a great spot for birdwatchers. The campground itself was well kept. I did not care for how close together most of the sites were and lack of parking. Be sure to get here early because sites fill up quick!

Scenic

The campground hosts were awesome and hospitable. I have a thing about clean bathrooms and these were VERY clean!  It was just an overnight stay, but we will definitely be back!

Very friendly and accommodating hosts!

Spencer Canyon Campground is a nice campground approx. 20 miles from Tucson up the General Hitchcock Highway(often called the Catalina Highway or Mt. Lemmon Highway). It is located approximately 3 miles past the Palisades Visitor Center and the entrance is marked well by a big brown sign as you approach. Phill and Denise, the friendly campsite managers will give you advice and suggestions about campsites that suite your needs. The photos attached to this review are from campsite#6, which is close to the Phill&amp; Denise’s camper location and the highway- yes, we did hear road noise. Most campers chose locations deeper in the campground, but we were there on a busy weekend so most of those“deeper” campsites were occupied. All sites have a large bear box, concrete picnic table, charcoal grill and an iron fire pit. The picnic area of the site is level but the whole campsite is NOT so pick your location carefully if you want to pitch your tent on a flat, level plot. We did find some firewood left over from prior campers but recommend bringing your own, dry wood if you have room in your rig. In my observation, there is a rather nice, vessel toilet house strategically located to serve 6- 7 campsites. There is also a water faucet to be shared by 6- 7 campsites. Campsite#6 has its own faucet so others might also. There are 60+ campsites throughout Spencer Canyon and I would suggest that those“deeper” in the campground are more desirable. It should be noted that most of the campsites are close together, that is, about 50-75 feet apart, hence, my“... if you don’t mind company” comment. It should also be noted that Phill&amp; Denise are really nice and helpful, the campsites are well maintained and clean, it is only 22 miles from Tucson and less than 6 miles from the mountaintop hamlet of Summerhaven, and is situated at approximately 7,900 fee of elevation. Thus, Spencer Canyon Campground is a great getaway from the Arizona heat and close enough to Tucson for a 1- 2 night weekend.

Great, easy getaway if you don't mind company

Spencer Canyon Campground is a first-come, first-serve 60+ site camp located 21.5 up Mt. Lemon.  Spent a long weekend, beginning on Thursday.  Benefitted from getting there early, because I got my choice from most of the sites and come Friday all of the sites became occupied.  By Sunday afternoon (check-out time of 1:00 p.m. is “strictly” enforced), nearly all of the sites were empty again.

The pine forest was a sight first thing in the morning, and the wind breezing through the pines created an extremely relaxing environment.  Saw several deer.  For the most part, the campground is reasonably quiet, and there is enough space between the sites to allow some privacy.

There is a bathroom and water available.  Garbage is managed daily.

Overall, very positive experience.

Camp on the Mountain

I don’t pay for camping too often but glad I did here. Just passing through on an AZ trip and decided to pay for a couple nights just to relax.

This CG is huge with 60+ sites (can’t remember exactly how many) however they do fill up quick prior to the weekend. It’s in a wonderful area off the Highway and feels quiet and peaceful. Hosts were excellent, bathrooms were clean, and everything else was about as perfect as it gets. Majority of people here were respectful and kept noise down so it was great to enjoy the surroundings.

Overall this is one of the better paid CGs I’ve been to and wouldn’t hesitate to stop here again

Get there early and be rewarded

Spencer Canyon campground in Mt Lemmon is nestled under the pine trees and boasts a 15-20 degree drop in temperature from nearby Tucson. Bear boxes are provided as are vaulted toilets. I’ve seen trailers travel down the canyon, but I wouldn’t try it. The roads are steep and narrow. Perfect for tent camping

Large campground in Mt Lemmon

While busy, this is a well ran and well managed campground. The hosts are diligent to touch base with everyone coming in (safety) and the campsites though somewhat close together, offer unique ways to capture some privacy. The mountain can get very cold and windy at night, so make sure you have a sleeping bag rated for freezing temps. This campground has some of the cleanest vault toilets I’ve ever seen! Seriously! I don’t know how they do it! 

The camp hosts have fire wood for sale as well, you just have to flag them down when they drive by. Each site has a fire ring and grill. I also found several fresh water pumps within walking distance from my camp. 
The site is very easily accessible but some of the dirt roads can get pretty rutty, so use caution with lower profile vehicles. 



Great campground clean bathrooms ! 

Beautiful, clean campground. Sites are nicely spaced apart, bathrooms are clean, and fire pits are great. 

Nice little oasis

I spent my late-September camping weekend at Spencer Canyon Campground in the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson, Arizona. Overall it was an ok experience, but I’m kind of nitpicky. The campsites are a little too close together for my taste. There was some noise at night, but for the most part folks were well-behaved during my 2-day stay. There is a nice view of the Tucson city lights at night, although I tend to want to avoid such things while camping because it takes me out of the experience. The staff was friendly and helpful. The site that I had was pretty small, but I came too late to get choice of the bigger ones. 

For those who don’t mind a somewhat tightly packed campground and a view of sparkly city lights at night, Spencer Canyon is a nice place to stay. 

Photos of Spencer Canyon Campground

Real photos from real campers