Pinery Canyon Road Dispersed Camping, near Chiricahua National Monument, is a fantastic spot for those looking to escape into nature without the frills of traditional campgrounds. This area offers a mix of secluded sites tucked among trees, perfect for a quiet retreat, and some spots that are closer together for larger groups.

Visitors rave about the abundance of firewood available for cozy campfires, and many appreciate the clean, well-kept sites. One camper noted, “There was plenty of space between sites that my generator wasn’t offensive to others,” highlighting the area’s spaciousness. Just keep in mind, this isn’t a place for those who need amenities like running water or bathrooms, so come prepared.

The dirt road leading in is in decent shape, but watch out for washboard sections. If you’re up for a little adventure, you’ll find great hiking trails nearby, and the scenery is stunning, with beautiful views along Piney Canyon Road. Wildlife is abundant, with deer and turkeys often spotted, adding to the charm of your camping experience.

Whether you’re planning a quick overnight or a longer stay, this location is a solid choice for those wanting to explore the Chiricahua National Monument and enjoy the great outdoors. Just remember to pack out what you pack in, and you’ll have a memorable time in this beautiful part of Arizona.

Pinery Canyon Road Dispersed Camping - Coronado National Forest

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

If the campground at the national monument is full, head up Piney Canyon Rd. and you will find a number of free spots for both tent camping and RV’s just off the main road inside the boundary of the national forest.  Most sites are tree covered, but we found one with an open sunny space for our solar panel. Our site was right next to a very clean flowing stream, which provided not only a nice soundtrack but also a filterable water source.  Most of the sites seemed to have established fire pits, with ours being the monster of all fire pits we’ve ever seen. These are dispersed sites, so no potable water, picnic tables, or toilets are available, so come prepared with what you need to be comfortable.  Also note that the road into the forest is not maintained well and is full of washboards for about a mile or so, and many washes cross this road, so pay close attention to rain in the forecast as you could get stuck on the other side of one of these washes for an indefinite period of time.  

The closest grocery store and gas station is in Willcox, which is about 40 minutes away.  There are also a number of wineries in the area, as this is 1 of the 3 Arizona wine regions.

Note:  There is no cell service anywhere along this road, your best bet for an LTE connection is at the top of the monument’s road (Sugarloaf Mountain or Echo Canyon parking lots) or the guest wifi network at the visitor’s center.

Private and close to the Chiricahuan Nat'l Monument

We went further SE on Pinery Canyon Road and found multiple spots under the trees and back away from the road right at the intersection to Fork Road. There was no water in the creek bed in October. Nice spot for an overnight or weekend camping trip. We saw many deer along the way and one came through our camp at night. Fun spot to camp. 

Proximity to the National Park is convenient

Was easy to get to, a bit far out, but that was what we were looking for.  About 10-15degrees cooler than Tucson.  Nice hike on piney trail, runs along stream that was actually flowing.  Saw deer and turkeys.  Nice camp fire rings.


Great sport, not to busy

Your best bet if you are looking to visit Chiricahua National Monument and Bonita is full. This is the closest in proximity from what I could tell. Obviously no bathrooms, but Chiricahua visitor center does have a bathroom. It’s not practical for every bathroom use, but maybe worth it to poop 😅 otherwise, good dispersed sites. They don’t start for a mile or two after entering Coronado NF. Sites on the right side of the road tend to have more shade then on the left. Sites have rock fire pits and good shade. We heard turkeys, had a nightly skunk visitor who was pretty un-afraid of humans and definitely was looking for food. We locked food in covered truck bed to prevent too many visitors. 

Pretty good dispersed sites

My favorite camp spots. I’ve visited the monument multiple times and i love this area. Some spots are closer together to allow for bigger groups but most are semi secluded. Never disappoints and have camped here in every weather which the trees protect at least somewhat. 

Great spots

I spent one night here. It was very quiet and secluded, and the dirt road is in great condition. There's tons of spots and the trees give a little cover. I rained on and off at night, but I feel the tree foliage kept a lot of water from dripping down onto the tent.

Great spot to visit Chiricahua NM

Drove about 40 minutes down pinery canyon road. Roads weren’t terrible but had a few washboard spots. Several sites located off the main road. Plenty of wood to collect for the fire. It was pretty cold at night in late November but there was plenty of space between sites that my generator wasn’t offensive to others. Very clean site too. 


Photos of Pinery Canyon Road Dispersed Camping - Coronado National Forest

Real photos from real campers