Sunny Flat Campground, near San Simon, Arizona, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying some modern comforts. With spacious sites that come equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, it’s perfect for gathering around the fire and soaking in the stunning views of the Chiricahua Mountains.

This campground is known for its clean facilities, including well-maintained pit toilets and access to drinking water, which campers appreciate. Visitors have highlighted the abundance of wildlife in the area, with families of deer often spotted nearby, making it a great place for nature lovers. One camper mentioned, “We could probably spend an entire season in this place,” emphasizing the campground's inviting atmosphere.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Sunny Flat offers excellent hiking opportunities, including the easy South Fork Trail #243, which features some scenic water crossings. The area is also a hotspot for birdwatching, especially during migration seasons, so keep your binoculars handy. Just remember, it operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early is key to snagging a spot.

With its beautiful surroundings and friendly vibe, Sunny Flat Campground is an ideal choice for a weekend getaway or an extended stay. Just be sure to stock up on supplies before you arrive, as the nearest town is quite a distance away.

Campsites are clustered around a grassy meadow in this relatively open streamside camp. All sites are shaded, some more than others, and all are reasonably close to Cave Creek. Birdwatching is good right in camp (as it is in all Cave Creek camps) with elegant trogons and many other interesting species sighted regularly among the sycamores and oaks that border the creek. The open character of the area makes for exciting views of Cave Creek Canyon’s famous rock formations which tower over the area. Other recreation attractions in Cave Creek Canyon, such as birding areas along South Fork and a number of hiking trails, are just a short drive from this campground, which is along the Cave Creek Canyon/Portal to Paradise Loop scenic drive. Some attractions you may want to take advantage of while you’re camped at Sunny Flat are the scenic Vista Point Trail located a short distance downstream of the campground, and the Cave Creek Visitor Information Center a little farther downstream. The Center, is open year-round, offers interpretive information, books and pamphlets on the natural and cultural history of the area, and a few examples of local wildlife species. Note: Black bears in area.

Sunny Flat Campground

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Portal. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Arizona camping has to offer. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Arizona camping adventure.

Portal

The Best Camping Near Portal, Arizona

We came for just a night to see if it was open and spent 3 glorious nights here! The volunteer camphost, Jan, is fantastic! She single-handedly kept this campground open during the government shutdown…and hosted a Christmas potluck brunch at her site.

The Cave Creek Canyon on the western edge of the Chiricahua Mountains is a spectacular area that will completely take you by surprise. And the campground tucked into a wide-open clearing set in a spectacular valley ringed by stunning granite cliffs will also charm your socks off!

Each site has the standard picnic table, bear locker, fire ring, and lots of shade. Campsites which aren’t under the trees have a nice shelter over the table. The bathroom is a vault toilet, kept clean by the volunteer camp host. All the campgrounds are first-come, first-served.

This campground might be better for small RV’s than some of the others in the area because of the size of the sites, though anything bigger than 25 feet might have a tough time getting backed in. The area has some nice sunny spots for those like us who run on solar. There are also two small bunkhouses available for rent near the forest visitor’s center, check with the [Coronado National Forest, Douglas District office](https://followshariandhutch.blogspot.com/2018/12/fight-flight-or-bite.html).

The area is a birder’s paradise and at certain times of year can get very busy. Great opportunities for hiking, biking and wildlife viewing throughout the entire mountain range.

There's not much in the area for food and gas, so come prepared. There is one small grill/basic grocery store down the mountain, but if you are looking for real groceries, shop before you come.

Awesome Choice for Christmas!

Quiet, clean, with lots of room. Beautiful surroundings!

Sunny Flat 

There are some campgrounds that just stick out in your mind for their beauty, location, and proximity to other cool stuff.  Sunny Flat is one of them. As the name implies, here’s a place where you can put out your solar panel and charge up. But the experience re-charges more than just your camper batteries.   We could probably spend an entire season in this place.

  

Located on the eastern side of the Chiricahuan Mountains, in the Coronado National Forest, Sunny Flat lies tucked in a wide basin surrounded by stunning rock out croppings. Each site offers a picnic table, sun shelter, and fire ring. The pit toilets were clean and well-maintained, and the potable water on-site was delicious. But it just feels like you’re tucked away into a little nook of forested landscape in an otherwise spare desert location. Here is an oasis that welcomes migrating birds, a habitat for bears and mountain lions and a break from the heat of the valley. 

  

Hiking and mountain biking opportunities are plenty, as well as birding locations. During the hummingbird migration, several sites within the town of Portal, AZ, offer opportunities to observe some of your favorites.

  

The closest town with anything other than a convenience store is a long way away, so come prepared with groceries...and fill up on gas.

Gorgeous Views from Every Single Direction!

Easily accessible from Tucson, Sliver City, El Paso and even Phoenix, this 10 space campground is one of a few in Cave Creek Canyon. The sites were spacious and my fussy wife said the vault toilet was the cleanest she had ever visited.  

During our visit some of the nearby campsites were closed and ours was at 80% capacity.  I was told that birders overrun the area in March and April in search of the Trojan (look it up).  Also there are many day visitors during those months.

There is some good hiking of various degrees of difficulty, check AllTrails.  South Fork Trail #243 is a particularly easy 4.1 mile hike with a few water crossings.  A little busy, but not to be missed.

Two tips:
1. Forget your gps and take highway 80 South from I 10 versus the dirt road from San Simon, you will be glad you did. 
2. It is first come first serve for the campsites.  Sunday and Monday are the best days to arrive.

 

Great Getaway

We depend on solar so we really liked having enough sunshine even though we are surrounded by gorgeous peaks. Lots of wildlife and birds, we had families of deer nesting down in the bushes around our camper. Great hikes in the area. Enjoyed meeting new friends around our fire pit.

Great campsite and location

Beautiful location, but odds of finding an available campsite are almost nil.  FCFS policy.  Have tried several times, never successful.  Similar for Stewart Campground nearby, these are the only ones open in winter.  Be prepared for alternatives.

Great campground, but extremely difficult to get a site

This campground has nicely spaced sites with lots of green around them. A 3 mile nature walk from the campsite. Very heavy canopy overhead. Sadly it took out the top of our campers ladder 😕Longer vehicles won’t make the road. Our Rv got a broken 

Photos of Sunny Flat Campground

Real photos from real campers