The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Bowie. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Bowie is surrounded by family-friendly activities. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Bowie camping trip.
Bonita Canyon Campground is located in Chiricahua National Monument, also known as the "Wonderland of Rocks". Visitors love Chiricahua for its stunning rock columns (hoodoos), hiking trails, and bird watching opportunities. NOTE: Vehicles and RV's longer than 24 feet are NOT permitted on the scenic drive beyond the campground. Trailers are not permitted on the Scenic Drive. See campground regulations and map.
Chiricahua National Monument offers 17 miles (27 km) of day-use hiking trails. Birders frequent this site for the diversity of species that reside in or migrate through the area. Enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding valleys and mountain ranges which make for stunning photography opportunities at Massai Point, the end of the 8-mile (13 km), paved scenic drive. No backcountry camping is permitted in the park. The Coronado National Forest surrounds Chiricahua and may offer dispersed or other camping opportunities as well as reservations for developed campgrounds.
Set in a pine and oak forest, Bonita Canyon Campground provides an atmosphere of relaxation. Most campsites are well shaded and have views of Bonita Creek which is dry most of the year,
The park visitor center is open daily, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mountain Standard Time (except Thanksgiving Day and December 25). Inside you will find interactive exhibits about the cultural and natural history of the park, plus a Western National Parks Association store. Visitors may explore Faraway Ranch , originally the Erickson family pioneer homestead, converted into a 20th century guest ranch by the family daughters and currently an historic site. For more information visit the Chiricahua National Monument website. Nearby Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Coronado National Memorial, the Coronado National Forest, Portal/Cave Creek, Tombstone, Bisbee, and Willcox are additional places visitors to Chiricahua may also enjoy exploring.
$50 / night
$20 / night
Cottonwood Campground
$30 / night
$20 - $40 / night
RV CAMPING AVAILABLE
Bonita Canyon Campground is located in Chiricahua National Monument, also known as the "Wonderland of Rocks". Visitors love Chiricahua for its stunning rock columns (hoodoos), hiking trails, and bird watching opportunities. NOTE: Vehicles and RV's longer than 24 feet are NOT permitted on the scenic drive beyond the campground. Trailers are not permitted on the Scenic Drive. See campground regulations and map.
Chiricahua National Monument offers 17 miles (27 km) of day-use hiking trails. Birders frequent this site for the diversity of species that reside in or migrate through the area. Enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding valleys and mountain ranges which make for stunning photography opportunities at Massai Point, the end of the 8-mile (13 km), paved scenic drive. No backcountry camping is permitted in the park. The Coronado National Forest surrounds Chiricahua and may offer dispersed or other camping opportunities as well as reservations for developed campgrounds.
Set in a pine and oak forest, Bonita Canyon Campground provides an atmosphere of relaxation. Most campsites are well shaded and have views of Bonita Creek which is dry most of the year,
The park visitor center is open daily, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mountain Standard Time (except Thanksgiving Day and December 25). Inside you will find interactive exhibits about the cultural and natural history of the park, plus a Western National Parks Association store. Visitors may explore Faraway Ranch , originally the Erickson family pioneer homestead, converted into a 20th century guest ranch by the family daughters and currently an historic site. For more information visit the Chiricahua National Monument website. Nearby Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Coronado National Memorial, the Coronado National Forest, Portal/Cave Creek, Tombstone, Bisbee, and Willcox are additional places visitors to Chiricahua may also enjoy exploring.
$50 / night
Ranger
I have been full timing in my 22 ft travel Trailer for 2.5 years.. this easily is one of my fav spots. Camping is $3a day near the hot wells but outside the recreation area, is all BLM camping. Hot wells right next to our spot were amazing. I just wish they were working all 24 hours a day. The wells are pumped by a solar pump so cloud coverage or night mean the solar pumps aren’t pumping. But they fill up about an hour after sunrise and about an hour after sunset it drains. We were the only ones there for 4 days. It was awesome
Guide
Sadly, there is construction going on in the park right now. It is windy and cold. The sites are pretty private and there are nice picnic table covers. Unfortunately, the dump station is closed for a while.
Guide
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
Scout
Staff was friendly and helpful. The facilities were clean. The low light made the stargazing great.
RangerThis is our second time staying here and they have started doing some upgrades to the park. New dump station and some new bathrooms and shower houses. We stayed in the Hacienda loop both times. I like this loop better because it doesn’t seem as crowded as the other loops. Sites are well spaced and level. Nice hiking trails around the lake also where you can fish. Very close to Safford and Thatcher that have a great number of stores.
Traveler
Found a beautiful dispersed camping spot beneath the Aspens and Ponderosas on the north side of FR803 about a mile west of the Riggs Flat Lake Campground. There’s a great overlook to the east looking out toward Pima and Safford.
Scout
The paved road turns to dirt road about half a mile before the turn off. Pretty bumpy. Once we arrived we drove the loop and saw no pull off spots for our RV.
Guide
I love Bonita canyon campground in Chiricahua second time visiting, I plan to visit this amazing place every year Milky Way photography varies depending on the month of visit
GuideIf approved by congress, Chiricahua National Monument will become Arizona's fourth National Park. While the current monument is a compact area geographically, it definitely has the uniqueness of a national park and warrants the added protections. It will however make a very special place more popular, so you might want to visit sooner than later.
If you camp in a tent, van, micro-camper, or small travel trailer you will find Bonita Canyon Campground to be a memorable and wonderful place. Don't try to bring any big rigs as they simply won't fit. Reservations are a must.
The campground is small, beautiful, shaded and right in the middle of some incredible scenery providing easy access to the fantastic hiking and wildlife viewing that is all around you. Hosts were professional and friendly, bathhouse small but super clean, and the site boundaries were mostly marked with fences which is somewhat unique. This is an old CCC built campground. From the campground you can easily walk to the foundations of the original camp located nearby.
Pay attention to fire regulations and status. If permitted, campfires are limited to the raised grills (no rings) but you can bring your own solo type camp stove. You will need to bring your own wood and ice. Pay attention to your fuel levels in your vehicle as this is a remote place.
This is premier birdwatching country. If you can, I would highly recommend taking one of the guided walks provided by the rangers and park biologists. We learned a bunch and I am not even "a birder" and enjoyed it. The nearby visitor center will have the details.
The Arizona Coatimundi's are a very unique mammal and frequently visit the campground. Deer, turkeys, quail, and other wildlife are in abundance and easy to see from the hikes. The views of the night sky are unparalleled.
A short drive away provides access to some incredible trails for hiking or simply viewing the surrounding Wilderness areas. The rock features found in this area make it unique.
This continues to be one of our favorite places in Arizona to camp and hike.
Scout
I tried to stay here, and they had openings, but I was in a Tesla and refused service. I have an adapter. Looked like a nice place, but couldn’t stay because of ignorance.
Guide
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)
Ranger
Not much for camping area, but it’s right on the creek and secluded and quiet. No toilets. No trash. Verizon in and out. 4x4 needed to exit. Road is a couple miles, rough, and one shallow water crossing.
Ranger
This is an overlook of the Gila Valley with a wall to keep people from driving off. Verizon works. It dead ends just past the wall. You could camp here in an RTT. There is a place further down that has a couple dispersed areas by the creek. Marijilda Ranch Road. It’s rough but worth the run. Pictures in this review are of that area.
Ranger
The road in turns to dirt for a brief minute, then back to paved. It winds and there are some tight turns. You turn off the pavement to dirt the last 1/4 mile. Wouldn’t take anything over 35’ 5th wheel. $5/night is not bad to have vault toilets, water spigot, picnic tables, river close. Biking trails, horse trails, hike trails, OHV trails all close. There are corrals at the “Host” site. There is a boat ramp 2 miles before the campground. There is one farther up also. Not sure about at the campground. No Verizon signal here.
LegendBonita Canyon CG- Chiricahua NM: (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: Campsites in outer loop are more nicely spaced(rate 4) and trailer adds to privacy. Inner loop sites are often a bit close (rate 3).
Price 2024: $ 10 w interagency
Usage during visit: Very full, especially weekends.
Site Privacy: No
Site Spacing: Outside sites are spacious
Pad surface: Gravel
Reservations: Yes
Campground Noise: Very quiet.
Outside Road Noise: None
Through Traffic in campground: No
Electric Hookup: No
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: No
Potable Water Available: Yes. Spigots are scattered, locations clearly marked
Generators: Allowed, but other than ours, I never heard one.
Bathroom: Built by CCC. Clean and rustic. I like them.
Showers: No
Pull Throughs: I didn’t notice any
Cell Service (AT&T): No. WiFi at the visitor center
Setting: Woods
Recent Weather: 70s to low 80s.
Solar: At our site with good positioning, we were able to bring in 12amps per day with 400 watt fixed panels.
Insects: None now
Host: Yes, 2 couples
Rig Size: Limited to 24’.
Traveler
Moderately rough road out for non 4x4 vehicle road, but fine going slow. Good spots off the road, fairly private and not too many other campers nearby. Lots of animals nearby very loud waking up and ants on the ground, we were glad we were in a roof tent not on the ground.
Traveler
The place guarantee a beautiful sunset. Really. You can use fireplace and firespot to warm yourself. It include a library, wifi, a fridge (where we find ice) and all attachments for the RV.
Guide
First off do not use Google maps. It will not take you to the right place. Use the built-in location found in DYRT. After you turn off I 10 on the left to travel approximately 10 miles the site will be on your right hand side. Follow the road to the left as you go through the gate. The site is very well-maintained. There are only a handful of sites available, but when I was there, I was the only one.
GuideTake Middle March road on left off of highway 80. Campsite is 10 miles on the left. The first .5 miles is paved, the other 9.5 miles is primitive (embedded rock, loose gravel, and about 75%washboard). You’ll cross a few cattle guards and dry river beds. Plenty of camping spots with fire rings.
Traveler
Was a little busy and the bulls can get aggressive in your campsite.
Legend
Cochise stronghold campground is a rugged campground in a deep canyon. The canyon was the refuge for the Chiricahua Apache leader, Cochise. This is a National Forest Service campground. There are Eleven campsites and two group campsites. All are shaded by scrub oaks and surrounded by towering rock formations. The sites have picnic tables and grills. There is no water available so bring your own. No electricity or other facilities. There is a bathroom with flush toilets. There are food storage lockers due to bear activities. It is dog friendly (on leash). This campground is a little hard to get to, with several water crossings. I would not recommend attempting to drive without a high clearance vehicle. Sites are first come first served. Limit 6 people per site. $8 per night.
LegendBonita Canyon Campground at the Chiricahua National Monument is a quiet little campground in a scrub pine forest. Chiricahua National Monument is a “dark sky” park, so there is very little light at night. Bring flashlights but leave lanterns at home! There are 36 sites with picnic tables and grills. There are community water faucets, but all were turned off when we were there. There are bathrooms with flush toilet, but no hookups or showers. Most sites are small and could accommodate tents, a small class C or van campers. 25’ is the max length and 14 days is max stay. The sign said the campground was full but there were empty sites. All sites are reservable through the www.US.gov web site.
ScoutBeautiful 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.
Scout
Rusty runs a tight ship, and the state of the campground reflects that. All services work properly and facilities are neat and clean. Price is $35 per night and absolutely no refunds are given for any reason (you sign a separate agreement to that effect).
Legend
Level gravel sites. FHU worked fine; appears to be maintained. Nice staff, well stocked store. Would stay here again.
RangerWe've stayed here a number of times, always in March. Very nice, quiet campground in a wooded canyon with a small stream running right through the CG. There are 25 sites, mostly smallish, better suited for small rvs/trailers or tents. Not enough room for very rigs in here.
Water spigots are scattered throughout, 1 restroom with flush toilet. Last time we were there they had an issue with water system and had to shut it off and bring in port-a-potties.
As far as other amenities, there's spotty cell service (at least Verizon) and Wifi at the visitor center not far from the CG. Nearest services and dump station are in Willcox, 37 miles away. There's also a gas station/convenience store at a place called the Mustang Mall (it's not a mall in the usual sense), 29 miles west of Bonita.
A number of good hiking trails, mostly up on top at Massai Point with a few additional trails starting at the CG. Our favorite is Echo Canyon to the Visitor Cntr.
One important note: Ground fires are not allowed (at least as of 2023), which means you can have one in the above ground little BBQ grill or you have to have your own fire pan to have a wood fire. Speaking of which, no wood is for sale at the Monument nor are you allowed to gather it.
So, bring everything you need!!
Scout
Road in is bad but not horrible. Lots of sites and many open on Wednesday in late February. Great views and clean. 1.5 miles to campground and trailhead.
Camping near Bowie, Arizona, offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family getaway, this area has something for everyone.
Camping in Bowie, AZ, offers a mix of adventure and relaxation, making it a great spot for your next outdoor getaway.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Bowie, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Bowie, AZ offers a wide range of camping options, with 101 campgrounds and RV parks near Bowie, AZ and 26 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Bowie, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bowie, AZ is Happy Camp Trail with a 4.6-star rating from 22 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bowie, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 26 free dispersed camping spots near Bowie, AZ.
What parks are near Bowie, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Bowie, AZ that allow camping, notably Coronado National Forest and Saguaro National Park.
