Rancho del Nido offers equestrian camping facilities on a working ranch approximately 15 miles northeast of Nogales. The location sits at an elevation of 4,200 feet, providing cooler temperatures than lower-elevation areas during summer months. Horse trailers can access the property via well-maintained gravel roads suitable for most vehicles regardless of weather conditions.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: Rancho del Nido provides dedicated horse trails throughout the property with terrain suitable for riders of various skill levels. Tony C. notes, "The camp is peaceful and has fantastic views with horses, a fire pit, and hiking trails."
Winery tours: Several wineries operate within a 20-minute drive of the equestrian camping areas near Nogales. Visitors to La Siesta Campgrounds appreciate its strategic location. One camper reports, "The weather is cooler than Tucson and the views are amazing. My favorite place to camp."
Bird watching: Bueno Aires National Wildlife Refuge offers prime habitat for desert birds with established viewing areas. A visitor shared, "Good areas for birding. Roads well maintained. Surprisingly little campers here on a Saturday. Beautiful Mountain Views."
What campers like
Night skies: The Nogales area provides exceptional stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. According to a visitor at Rancho del Nido, "Come for the stars, if nothing else."
Mountain views: Equestrian camping near Nogales offers panoramic vistas of surrounding mountains and valleys. A camper at Apache Flats RV Resort describes the area as "Beautiful, scenic, and well maintained. Staff was very friendly and helpful."
Privacy between sites: Most campgrounds maintain ample spacing between camping spots. A visitor at Rock Bluff Group Site mentioned, "We stayed at the rock bluff for individual campers though. $20/night. Was a nice area but had no cell service or internet which is super important to us."
What you should know
Border patrol presence: Due to proximity to the international border, law enforcement maintains regular patrols in camping areas. At Bueno Aires National Wildlife Refuge, a camper reports, "Great place, if you don't mind occasional helicopters and A10 Warthogs in the distance. Lots of places to choose from for RV and tent camping."
Limited cell service: Many equestrian camping areas near Nogales have poor or nonexistent mobile connectivity. A visitor to Rock Bluff notes, "We had no cell service or internet which is super important to us."
Water quality varies: Some campgrounds provide potable water while others require campers to bring their own. At Pima County Fairgrounds RV Park, a camper notes it provides opportunities to "Empty tanks, full water tanks. Garbage. Quiet. Lots of spaces."
Tips for camping with families
Horse activities for children: Several equestrian facilities welcome younger riders with supervised programs. A visitor to Rancho del Nido shares, "This is horse ranch with great host and amazing views. They offer horse back riding which our kids loved."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children can observe native desert species in their natural habitat. At Bueno Aires, a camper mentions seeing "Lots of well marked campsites with fire pits and room for pull through."
Day trips: Mesquite Ranch Campground serves as a convenient base for family excursions to nearby attractions. The campground maintains 20 sites with water and electric hookups in a quiet setting away from urban noise.
Tips from RVers
Level parking areas: Equestrian camping areas typically provide flat, stable surfaces for RVs with horse trailers. A visitor to Pima County Fairgrounds RV Park notes, "Sites are level FHU and large enough to park tow vehicle or toad along side your RV. The great advantage of this place is the cost of $35 a day."
Hookup availability: Water and electric connections vary by location. According to one camper at Pima County Fairgrounds, it's a "Great place to stay for visiting Tucson and surrounding area. We stayed for a week while visiting Saguaro NP. Cheap with full hook ups."
Security considerations: Most designated campgrounds maintain regular patrols or on-site staff. One RVer reports, "We stayed here for a week. $150 for a week, or $30 a night. 24 hour security is provided. Staff was very friendly and they are very strict on campground policies."
