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RoadsMap showing campground location near Tombstone, Arizona

Dragoon Mountains

12 ReviewsAdd Review

Within Coronado National Forest, Dragoon Mountains offers dispersed camping at 5,000 feet elevation along Forest Road 687. The US Forest Service manages this free camping area, which sits roughly 10 miles from Tombstone via Middlemarch Road. Campers access sites by driving through washboard dirt roads that can take 45 minutes to navigate, though the wide roadway accommodates larger rigs.

Multiple reviewers describe the approach as rough but manageable. George K. notes the road is "10 miles of dirt washboard and just plain bumpy" before reaching FR 687, which itself runs "maybe 1 1/2 vehicle" wide. Sites spread along several miles of the forest road, with options for both RVs and tent campers past the second cattle guard.

The area draws rock climbers, hikers, and mountain bikers year-round. Established climbing routes attract weekend crowds, particularly Friday through Sunday. Rangers patrol regularly and enforce the 14-day camping limit. Cell service works for Verizon users, and the elevation means occasional snow during winter months.

Sites offer views of the Dragoon Mountain ridge, with many positioned among granite rock formations. Deborah C. found "spacious campsites" with room to spread out. Popular spots near Council Rocks fill first, but the extensive road system provides numerous alternatives. Campers report finding privacy despite the area's popularity.

Water and supplies require trips to Sierra Vista or Benson, both about 45 minutes away. Some Tombstone RV parks allow water fills. The dispersed format means no facilities, so self-sufficient camping gear is essential. This setup works well for boondockers comfortable with washboard access roads and seeking campgrounds around Tombstone with mountain views.

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Location

Dispersed Camping

Dragoon Mountains is located in Arizona

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

31.8819746 N
110.04291118 W

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Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 14 users
    Last on 4/22/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 14 users
    Last on 4/22/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Dragoon Mountains needs a permit.

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12 Reviews

Alexandra D.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Feb. 9, 2026

Beautiful, secluded, open space camping

Stayed here in between Chiricahua National Monument on my way to Saguaro. Easy road in my Rav4 Hybrid Woodland Edition. 

I found a spot near 'Council Rocks', about 45 mins down the dirt road, there were plenty of other spots that were already taken. 

Amazing sunsets and rock formations, very safe, highly recommend. 

Weather over thanksgiving weekend was very mild and pleasant

Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Dragoon Mountains by Alexandra D., February 9, 2026
  • Review photo of Dragoon Mountains by Alexandra D., February 9, 2026
  • Review photo of Dragoon Mountains by Alexandra D., February 9, 2026
Dave B.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Feb. 14, 2025

Peace and Solitude

Washboard road first 10 miles. Then rough sandy road 5 more miles to the area. Many secluded spots. Good service with Verizon.

Site1 1/2 past hike trailhead
Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Dragoon Mountains by Dave B., February 14, 2025
Julie F.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed May. 28, 2024

Lots of sites, beautiful and peaceful

Off of main road, it’s about 10 miles + of washboard. A bit rough but wide road and fine when going slow. Lots of sites available, also very popular. Beautiful dragoon mountains. Stayed about 1 miles after the Slavin Gulch hike (great hike). Was here thanksgiving weekend (Nov 2023)

Siten/a
Month of VisitNovember
hThe Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Jan. 10, 2024

Amazing

Make sure to take the road out of tombstone, east to find. Road it a bit washboard but not hard. So many sites to find.

Month of VisitDecember
  • Review photo of Dragoon Mountains by holly C., January 10, 2024
  • Review photo of Dragoon Mountains by holly C., January 10, 2024
  • Review photo of Dragoon Mountains by holly C., January 10, 2024
  • (7) View All
L
Reviewed Oct. 30, 2022

Lovely

We found a nice secluded spot among the rocks. Pretty popular place, most spots along the road were occupied but seemed like there were a couple open. Rangers stopped by mid day.

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Dragoon Mountains by Livvy , October 30, 2022
  • Review photo of Dragoon Mountains by Livvy , October 30, 2022
A
Reviewed Feb. 20, 2022

Peaceful Dispersed Camping

Followed Middlemarch to 687 and picked our own site - plenty of sites to be found, all spaced out really nicely apart from one another. Quiet camping, gorgeous backdrop of Dragoon Mountains, incredible star gazing! About ten minutes from Tombstone.

Siteselected our own site
Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Dragoon Mountains by Audrey , February 20, 2022
  • Review photo of Dragoon Mountains by Audrey , February 20, 2022
  • Review photo of Dragoon Mountains by Audrey , February 20, 2022
F
Reviewed Jan. 30, 2022

Dusty & Rustic

This is a remote setting with beautiful views of the Dragoons.

Month of VisitJanuary
Deborah C.
Reviewed Mar. 14, 2021

Beautiful Views and nice campsites

Boondockers paradise. Beautiful views and spacious campsites. USFS Coronado National Forest controlled. Ranger came by a day after we arrived and checked in with us. 14 day limit on staying here and it seems like it is enforced.

Had two Canyon Towhees come visit us every morning.

Some traffic as it is a popular rock climbing area especially on Friday and Saturday. Middlemarch Road is wide but very washboard-y. Took us about 45 minutes to go 10 miles. We found a nice spot on FR 687. We got water at the Stampede RV park in Tombstone. The other RV parks didn't allow us to fill. About 45 minutes to Sierra Vista for supplies. Will definitely stay here again.

  • Review photo of Dragoon Mountains by Deborah C., March 14, 2021
  • Review photo of Dragoon Mountains by Deborah C., March 14, 2021
R
Reviewed Feb. 28, 2021

Great spot.

Beautiful rock backdrops and views with lots of trails. There is much dispersed camping and although the area can be quite busy, there's lots of space and privacy can be had. The area is nice and clean for all the use it gets - folks doing a good job of packing it in and packing it out :)

  • Review photo of Dragoon Mountains by Rachel , February 28, 2021
  • Review photo of Dragoon Mountains by Rachel , February 28, 2021
  • Review photo of Dragoon Mountains by Rachel , February 28, 2021
G
Reviewed Dec. 23, 2020

Worth the bumpy ride

Another app calls this Forest rd 687, probably because where all the camping sites are. Coming from Tombstone you travel on N Middlemarch rd which is 10 miles of dirt washboard and just plain bumpy for 10 miles until FR 687 comes up as you Y to the left. FR 687 is not exactly smooth either and not that wide (maybe 1 1/2 vehicle), but your basically there. From the cattle guard you just went through I would say 2-3 miles of established sites even for the bigger rigs and if your smaller or tent camping, just past the next cattle guard and it goes on and on. It would be hard not to find a site with a beautiful view of the Dragoon Mtn ridge, even from within your rig. Of course that would be after you dust off all the windows. Your roughly at 5000’ so winter camping be prepared for snow on occasion. It also can be a little breezy. I’m up here at the end of December and their calling for snow next week. Plenty of hiking, mtn bike, horseback riding and rock climbing. The locals love it up here too, so there is some traffic. Other than that it is pretty quiet and peaceful. This is all dispersed camping so come well equipped, because if you forget anything the closest town with supplies is Sierra Vista or Benson.

  • Review photo of Dragoon Mountains by George K., December 23, 2020
  • Review photo of Dragoon Mountains by George K., December 23, 2020
  • Review photo of Dragoon Mountains by George K., December 23, 2020
  • (4) View All
Showing results 1-12 of 12 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time of year to visit the Dragoon, AZ rock formations?

Fall through spring offers the most pleasant conditions for visiting the Dragoon rock formations. The area can be particularly beautiful during November through February when temperatures are mild for hiking and exploring. The Thanksgiving season provides good conditions while still offering accessible camping. Winter months bring cooler temperatures but spectacular clarity for views and stargazing. Summer visits are possible but prepare for higher temperatures. The area remains accessible year-round, though road conditions may vary seasonally, especially after rain events.

Where can I see the rock formations in Dragoon, AZ?

The dramatic rock formations of the Dragoon Mountains are best viewed throughout the dispersed camping area along Forest Road 687. To access this area, take North Middlemarch Road from Tombstone (about 10 miles of washboard dirt road) until you reach the Y-intersection with FR 687. Many campsites offer spectacular views of the rock formations, with sites scattered among the rocks themselves. The area provides picturesque backdrops and beautiful mountain vistas, particularly nice for stargazing. Though remote, the journey on the rough roads is well worth it for the stunning scenery.

Do I need a permit to camp near the Dragoon rock formations?

No specific permit is required for camping near the Dragoon rock formations, as this is dispersed camping on Coronado National Forest land. However, there is a strictly enforced 14-day stay limit. Forest Service rangers regularly patrol the area and check in with campers. While no permits are needed, following Leave No Trace principles is essential as the area remains remarkably clean despite its popularity. For the most current regulations, it's advisable to check with the Coronado National Forest office before your trip.

What are the best hiking trails around the Dragoon rock formations?

Slavin Gulch Trail is one of the best hiking options in the Dragoon Mountains area, offering beautiful views of the rock formations. Located about a mile before many of the popular camping spots, this trail takes you through the distinctive terrain of the Dragoons. The area also features numerous other trails winding through the rocky landscape, providing opportunities to explore the unique geology up close. Many hiking paths offer stunning vistas of the surrounding mountains and rock formations.

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