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Best Tent Camping near Arivaca, AZ

292 Reviews

Tent camping opportunities near Arivaca, Arizona provide access to the rugged Coronado National Forest and surrounding grasslands. Dispersed tent sites at Harshaw Ave in the Coronado National Forest offer primitive camping with road access. Empire Ranch provides designated tent sites in Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, approximately 25 miles northeast of Arivaca, with some sites featuring picnic tables and vault toilets.

High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing most dispersed camping areas in the region. Madera Canyon on Proctor Road requires 4x4 or high-clearance vehicles, as the terrain becomes increasingly difficult beyond the main road. Most tent sites lack amenities such as drinking water, trash collection, or developed facilities. Empire Ranch offers more developed options with toilet facilities and picnic tables at designated sites. Fire restrictions frequently apply throughout the area, especially during dry seasons, with complete bans common during summer months.

The tent camping experience in this region features expansive grassland views and mountain backdrops. Sites at Empire Ranch provide access to Las Cienegas with its diverse landscapes and wildlife viewing opportunities. Harshaw Ave camping areas offer proximity to Patagonia (about 10 minutes away) with varying levels of road noise depending on the day of week. A visitor suggested exploring areas beyond the marked locations on Harshaw Ave, noting that "there is more free dispersed camping that will be quieter and more remote." Campers at Empire Ranch appreciate the "wonderful vistas, big sky and breezy" conditions, with weekdays typically offering greater solitude than weekends.

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Best Tent Sites Near Arivaca, Arizona (6)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Arivaca, AZ

2 Photos of 6 Arivaca Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Arivaca, AZ

292 Reviews of 6 Arivaca Campgrounds

  • P
    Sep. 13, 2020

    Gilbert Ray Campground

    Very Nice

    My grandson and I stayed in a tent campsite for two nights. There are only a 5 tent sites and they don't have a tent pad. After two passes we were able to find a site with a smooth spot without rocks for the tent, B5, a picnic table but no shade. I felt there could have been more bathrooms and water spickets but honestly I did not do much walking in the campground. It is the quiet time of year, before snowbirds come, so we were able to have our pick of electric or not sites. It was quiet; I think three trailers and one other tenter. No generators allowed and 7 day strict limit. The coyotes were very vocal at night, which I enjoyed.This is more of an RV campground but suited us fine for two days. We interacted with the hosts and they were very nice. We explored the trails, visitor center and Sonora Desert Museum, which we loved. Thirty minute drive to Tucson. We went to the Reid Park Zoo, which we thoroughly enjoyed; LOTS of animals for a small zoo. We drove the loop in East Saguaro National Park. Some things closed in West Saguaro park so be aware of that, like Old Tucson, but we found lots to do.

  • Lisa S.
    Jan. 15, 2021

    Bog Springs Campground

    A Favorite

    What this campground lacks in amenities, it makes up for in its’ superb environment. Long grass, Mountain mahogany, pinion, oak,sycamore and juniper trees create a habitat for over 100 bird varieties and species. Deer roam around inside the campground perimeter and hiking trails lead directly out to miles of Mountain trails including to the top of 9427’ Mt. Wrightson.

    There are only seven back in or curb side sites, and five walk in tent sites. All have water, picnic tables and fire rings. There is a building with pít toilets.

    This is not a place for big rigs or glampers.

    There is a lodgings nearby where an array of feeders attracts dozens of birds for Public viewing and where there is also a gift shop.

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2018

    Tucson - Lazydays KOA

    Best Campsites for Snowbirds In Arizona

    When spending time on the road many times you will find campsite after campsite that is welcoming but not quite like home away from home. But when you drive through Tucson, there is a mecca filled with winter bird campers and long term campers which create a home away from home.

    With only tent sites available on the facility, we were fortunate to find a site, however when we arrived we were so excited by the facilities we extended our stay by a day.

    Office staff immediately greeted us and let us know about the facilities, which happened to feature a mini golf course, an indoor events facility, 2 swimming pools and hot tubs, an indoor recreation area and multiple on camp fire chinineas. In addition there was a fishing pond and dog park area.

    Each of the 4 campsites were considered to be regular campsites instead of upgrade sites but when we arrived it was the most delux sites we had encountered along the way.

    Pad sites were large and the first to actually accommodate our large tent and the ground was u like any we had seen before at a site. The soft mulch was similar to that of a modern day playground and made for a much more comfortable sleep over the two days we were there.

    In addition to the standard picnic table of most facilities, this campground offered a kitchen facility at each campsite including a large copper sink and food storage as well as electricity and overhead lighting in the pergola designed to allow shade from the harsh Arizona sun.

    It was the closest thing to glamping we had encountered by far!

    Then as an added bonus, fresh fruit trees abounded ready for the picking. The front desk informed us of the allowance to pick what you want as everything was in season! An amazing treat on the road!

    We spent many hours at the pool facility, enjoyed amazing neighbors, used the wifi and even did a load of laundry while in Tucson. The facility really was like a home away from home on the road.

    🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰

    If the scale went higher we would rank it more Bunnies. There were no real areas we could see for improvement. Staff was very accommodating, long term and short term residents of the facility were amazing and this was a desert oasis like no other!

  • Deborah C.
    May. 17, 2019

    Gilbert Ray Campground

    Gilbert Ray Campground , May, 2019

    May, 2019 we visited Saguaro National Park near Tucson AZ. We had planned to hike into the park at one of their few campgrounds but the office informed us that there was a controlled burn and recommended we not stay in the park and suggested Gilbert Ray as a good option. Gilbert Ray Campground is a great location for visiting the National Park. We arrived to find the office closed for the summer, so self serve option was available, at 10.00 per night for tent camping you can’t beat the price. The bathrooms were clean and as an added plus they have a dishwashing station. We stayed in the A loop. There are no showers and the campsite it all gravel making it next to impossible to put a tent stake in. The sites are fairly close together, for example, I could hear our neighbor unzip his tent. All sites have picnic tables. Cell service is good.

  • Danny K.
    Oct. 28, 2020

    Gilbert Ray Campground

    All Gravel

    This is a very nice and well maintained campground with many sites to choose from, but it is definitely geared toward staying in an RV given the utility hook-ups. Luckily I packed two sleeping pads along with my tent for the night or it would've been extremely uncomfortable; every site is filled with heavy gravel closer to a stone consistency. I didn't have any problems with coyotes venturing around, but the grasshoppers that would continually crash onto the stones was a little annoying while sleeping. There are no fires allowed at any site here because there are no fire pits or rings, though the large concrete picnic tables are a nice touch. The bathrooms are clean and orderly. If you want to stay here for a nice and easy hike up Brown Mountain nearby, this campground is a no-brainer.

  • Adam R.
    Jul. 31, 2019

    Gilbert Ray Campground

    An amazing and beautiful place to camp.

    This is a large campground that is great for Tents, Vans, and RVs. The roads getting in are amazing and the scenery is beautiful. I come from a area that is green nearly year round, lots of trees and thick forest. Water is plentiful as well as swamps. This place is in stark contrast to where I call home but is still amazingly beautiful. I had never seen the massive Saguaro Cactus and was sure to be a highlight of this trip. The area did not disappoint at all. 

    We arrived in weather that was sunny and clear with a temperature of 102 degrees. While that sounds incredibly hot, it should not scare you off. The humid 90 degree weather back We arrived in weather that was sunny and clear with a temperature of 102 degrees. While that sounds incredibly hot, it should not scare you off. The humid 90 degree weather back home is much harsher than the very dry 102 we arrived in. The camp ground was wonderful and"closed" for the summer. This means that while you are able to camp there, the office is not maned. Simply deposit your payment into an envelop and drop it into the box at the office and you are good to go. 

    The campsites are great. They have a sandy peat gravel which is surprisingly comfortable under a tent and sleeping bag. If you are using a mattress in your tent, then you really have nothing to worry about. The temperature at the time we hit the sack was still high, so we started on top of our sleeping bags. Temperatures however did drop to 64 degrees and I woke up in my bag. The campground also have Bathrooms, but they do not have showers. That bathrooms can be hot and humid but still serve their purpose. I believe all the sites have tables was great for us.

    The morning was amazing and after a quick breakfast, a bike ride was in order. There are a number of trails in the area and many of them are great. Some have steps for Hikers and are not friendly for Mountain Bikers. The trails do not have good markings but are fairly easy to follow with a GPS map. I say have fun.

  • Charles R.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 5, 2025

    TerraSol in Patagonia, Arizona

    Fantastic intimate site with great amenities

    This small, cozy area is very clean and has several great amenities, and can provide private spots or more open areas for groups. Bike shop to repair bicycles and rent them. It is a 3 min ride on bike into town where anything is happening. There are 2 on-site showers. Fire pit to hang out. A kitchen available to all. The site is frequented by hikers and cyclists that tent camp there. There are no hookups, but it can accommodate 24 ft max trailers. The host Mary was wonderful and assisted us with all of our needs. We stayed there over the weekend of May 4th in a 22ft trailer. Weather was great, and we were close enough to do everything we wanted. Also, shout out to the winery queen of cups definitely one of the best tastings I have ever done.

  • Pedro G.
    Aug. 18, 2023

    Bog Springs Campground

    Favorite place!

    This is my favorite campground close to me great views, good place to take your family, drinking water, food storage, fires are permites in the pits depending on fire danger usually only permitted during winter months. Great hikes nearby still haven’t tried road biking hope to get to it soon.

  • Beth G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 17, 2020

    Bog Springs Campground

    Excellent weekend trip

    The sites are first come, first served but we didn’t have any issues finding a spot during the winter. Our site had plenty of space for 2 vehicles, 1x 3-person tent and 3x 1-person tents. The sites are well shaded with trees and each site has a fire pit and bear box.

    Lots of hiking trails available. Since it’s a wilderness area, they are all pet friendly. It is the perfect getaway from Tucson.

    The Ranger and camp host we meet were super friendly!

Guide to Arivaca

Nestled in the scenic landscapes of Arizona, Arivaca offers a variety of tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Tent campers should check out Tumacacori Mountains

  • The Tumacacori Mountains is a well-reviewed spot known for its beautiful surroundings and proximity to a charming artist town.
  • This area provides a peaceful retreat with no electric hookups or showers, perfect for those wanting to disconnect.
  • Visitors appreciate the serene environment, making it an ideal location for a relaxing camping experience.

Tips for tent camping near Arivaca

Local activities to enjoy while camping

  • Explore the nearby trails and wildlife at Arivaca Lake, where you can enjoy fishing and birdwatching.
  • The Mt. Wrightson Picnic Area is perfect for hiking enthusiasts looking to tackle the trails of the surrounding mountains.
  • Don't miss the chance to encounter local wildlife, including wild turkeys, at the Madera Canyon Picnic Area, which is popular among bird watchers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Arivaca, AZ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Arivaca, AZ is Tumacacori Mountains with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Arivaca, AZ?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Arivaca, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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