D
Dan A.
Scout
ScoutPima County Fairgrounds RV Park
Laundry facility is a long ways away from the campground. It’s been quiet here, no real issues so far.
Equestrian Camping near Catalina, AZ
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Catalina State Park Campground offers equestrian amenities for riders exploring the Catalina Mountains near Tucson, Arizona. The park includes a separate equestrian campground area that accommodates horses and riders with ample space for trailers. Horse owners can enjoy the equestrian area which provides more privacy than the standard campground loops. The trails are accessible directly from the campground, making it convenient for riders to explore without trailering horses to different locations. The campground remains clean and well-maintained, with staff regularly servicing the facilities. Water is available throughout the park for both horses and campers. Groups with horses find the equestrian camping area particularly suitable, with enough room to spread out equipment and set up portable corrals if needed.
The trail system at Catalina State Park connects riders to the extensive network within the Coronado National Forest, offering varied terrain and spectacular mountain views. Daily access to bridle paths allows for rides of different lengths and difficulties without leaving park boundaries. Horse-friendly trails include both shorter loops suitable for beginners and more challenging routes into the mountains for experienced riders. The park's location at the base of Mount Lemmon provides a cooler alternative to the Tucson desert floor during hot months. Riders report excellent trail conditions with well-marked routes that accommodate horses safely. Camping with horses is most comfortable during spring and fall months when temperatures are moderate. The proximity to Oro Valley offers convenient access to feed stores and equestrian supplies should riders need to restock during their stay.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Catalina (7)
1. Catalina State Park Campground
"Catalina State Park in Tucson, Arizona, is a fantastic campground that offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and convenience."
"There is a dump station and several picnic areas, plus short hiking loops and horse trails. AND the VIEW of the Catalina mts is stunning!"
from $50 / night
Check Availability2. Ringtail Loop Campground — Catalina State Park
"There are amazing hiking trails and the nature in this park is stunning, especially the saguaros."
from $25 / night
Check Availability3. Reddington Pass Dispersed
"It’s a fun trail if you like a challenge of off roading. I wouldn’t recommend larger trailers or RVs to travel too far up the trail, we’ve seen them get stuck trying to turn around."
"40 mile scenic drive on a 4x4 road, dispersed camping along the way. Extremely popular view to park off the road in the saguaros."
4. Pima County Fairgrounds RV Park
"Great place to stay for visiting Tucson and surrounding area. We stayed for a week while visiting Saguaro NP. Cheap with full hook ups. Busy location as they hold rodeos and horse events regularly."
"Laundry facility is a long ways away from the campground. It’s been quiet here, no real issues so far."
from $45 / night
Check Availability5. Colossal Cave Mountain Park
"Choose your site Quiet
Out in saguaros
Campfires allowed (get wood before)
Cons:
Gates for entry/exit closed 4pm-8am!"
"I want to give this place 5 stars but not having a natural water source and locking the gates at night don’t get ya 5 stars 🤓 ...I understand their reasoning behind locking the gates however; bad humans"
from $10 - $15 / night
Check Availability6. Palo Verde Estates & RV Park
from $50 - $750 / night
Check Availability7. Florida Canyon
Drive Time
- 29 min from Tucson, AZ
- 1 hr 30 min from Sierra Vista, AZ
- 1 hr 53 min from Phoenix, AZ
- 2 hrs 57 min from Prescott Valley, AZ
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Catalina, AZ
1 Photos of 7 Catalina Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Catalina, AZ
93 Reviews of 7 Catalina Campgrounds
April H.
RangerCatalina State Park Campground
Well spaced electric sites
This AZ state park has 2 loops of sites, all with electric & water hook ups. It has 1 loop of non hook up sites that is listed as an overflow location & couldn't be reserved in advance. The sites are well spaced and the type of growth, shrubs & mesquite particularly, provide a small degree of privacy and some shade. There are tables but no fire rings. No fires of any kind are allowed on the ground. I believe this is due to the large amount of dry grass in the area, including the campground. Each site also features a standing BBQ. A lot of the patrons appear to be full time RVers. The park features an equestrian center, picnic areas and multiple trails for hiking, biking and riding. There is a central complex in each loop with bathrooms and showers, plus a small park store at the entrance. For good or bad, there is a large amount of encroachment in the surrounding areas, Oro Valley/Tucson. The proximity of this light reduces the night sky. That said, if you need something or would like to go out to dinner, it's very easy to do.
- BBecky
GuideColossal Cave Mountain Park
Weird Hours but quiet in nature
Pros:
Good price $15!
Choose your site
Quiet
Out in saguaros
Campfires allowed (get wood before)
Cons:
Gates for entry/exit closed 4pm-8am!
Bathrooms far from sites
We had a cute site with a little bridge over to a tent space, fire pit, and picnic table. There were 3 other sites nearby and only one occupied with a nice neighbor who had been there for a few days and no one else. There are a few more sites a bit farther down and even farther down the road is where there's more of a party atmosphere but you need the right vehicle to get there.
Would stay again except for the weird hours of access so plan accordingly! Seems like in the dessert would want to be out early and late for cooler hiking times so could be a deal breaker.
- BBart H.Scout
Catalina State Park Campground
Connectivity at Catalina
Catalina State Park doesn’t offer WiFi. With a Starlink Mini Roam account we had at least 105 download, 30 upload in our van with the Mini flat on the roof and not “oriented.” Cell service is adequate at 2 bars.
- LLeonard H.Ranger
Catalina State Park Campground
Good Location... Good Mountain Views
Super Walmart and other shopping and bike paths right outside front gate make this a good convenient park to visit. Paved level RV parking spots. Loop A restroom being rebuilt; however, walking paths connects to facilities in Loop B. Good restrooms with hot showers. Note warnings about potential flooding on main road might strand campers for a few days... check weather forecast and be prepared. Would definitely stay again.
- DDorothy J.Guide
Florida Canyon
Close to Florida Canyon trail
Just a pull off of Rd. 62. Convenient for early morning birding at Florida. Creek running nicely. Area shared with cows.
David N.GuideCatalina State Park Campground
Beautiful but busy
This place is very difficult to get into and when you arrive you know why….. It’s a beautiful camping place with magnificent views of the mountains. The birdlife is amazing and there are great hiking trails Dog friendly Electric and water Very good visitor centre with knowledgeable staff We managed to get a cancellation but our site was right next to the bathrooms with little privacy We will be back and make sure to book well in advance next time
Greg I.GuideReddington Pass Dispersed
Noisy, trashy, and rough
I had to double-check that I was reviewing the same place as the 5-star reviews. Maybe I just hit it at a bad time? A Wednesday in January.
Even though it's indeed rugged and has its own back-country beauty, its failings put it in the 2-star category.
First of all, the road is VERY rough, full of potholes and rock ledges. Jeeps are okay/slow, but our 27' 4x4 motorhome was really thrashed by it. It's easily passable when wet, but that's the best I can say for it.
Second, it's really too close to "civilization", and as a consequence it's heavily trafficked even on weekdays, with cars and quads going back and forth from dawn to after dark.
Third, it's an unending shooting gallery, at least for the first 8 miles that we visited. Again dawn to dark, totally ignoring any "NO SHOOTING" signs (shot full of holes of course). I'm a gun nut too, but it would be nice to get away from the noise when I'm trying to just camp. Nope. Literally every site or pullout is a DIY target range.
Fourth, there are a limited number of places to camp, and even more limited for RV's.
Lastly, it's a continuous trash dump. Cans, bottles, broken glass, fired shells, broken targets, you name it. Redington Litter Road it should be called. I don't think we'll be back.
Lucy G.ScoutCatalina State Park Campground
Nice setting for the hearing impaired
Not great if your in a tent. Surrounded by rvs. Nice seeing but highway noise and neighbors up until 2am when I asked t them nicely to take it in the trailer. Women's bathroom had 2 toilets backed up and smelled bad. I was hoping for less lighting in the area for star gazing.
Guide to Catalina
Catalina State Park provides desert camping experiences at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains, situated at 2,650 feet elevation about 12 miles north of Tucson. The park encompasses over 5,500 acres of Sonoran Desert landscape with year-round camping available in multiple designated areas. Winter temperatures typically range from 35-65°F, while summer months can reach over 100°F during daylight hours.
What to do
Hiking with mountain views: Catalina State Park offers varied trail experiences beyond the equestrian paths. "The trail system at Catalina State Park connects to the extensive network within the Coronado National Forest, offering varied terrain and spectacular mountain views," notes one visitor at Catalina State Park Campground.
Desert wildlife watching: Early morning or evening hikes yield the best wildlife viewing opportunities. "We saw a pair of owls keeping their nest safe," reports Jennifer H. And another camper mentions, "We saw (and heard) coyote, prairie dogs, and a rattlesnake eating a prairie dog along a trail right behind our campground loop!" at Colossal Cave Mountain Park.
Cave exploration: Take a guided tour of the limestone caverns at Colossal Cave Mountain Park. "We did the Regular Cave Tour and it was really neat. Dane was our tour guide and he was fun to listen to and very informative. It really was 70 in the cave," shares one visitor.
What campers like
Desert camping accessibility: Reddington Pass Dispersed camping areas provide free alternatives to established campgrounds. "Easy to find, follow Tanque Verde Rd all the way East until it turns into Redington Road, this then leads to a dirt road with TONS of dispersed camping pull offs with established fire rings," explains Cass G.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention facility maintenance. "Extremely clean facilities," writes jeremy B. about his stay. Another visitor adds, "Bathrooms were spotless with giant free showers, which was awesome."
Privacy between sites: Outside loop sites tend to offer more privacy. "The back-in sites around the outside of the loops are more private, particularly in Loop B," notes G.F. Sites at different campgrounds vary in spacing, with some providing significant distance between neighbors.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Summer heat impacts camping comfort in the Catalina area. "Camping with horses is most comfortable during spring and fall months when temperatures are moderate," according to equestrian campers. The higher elevation at Pima County Fairgrounds RV Park provides some relief, with one camper noting it's "a great place to stay for visiting Tucson and surrounding area."
Reservation requirements: Many established campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak winter and spring seasons. "Reservations during January for a short-term (2 night) stay were surprisingly easy to obtain via their online booking tool. Longer stays should book far ahead of time, max stay is 14 days."
Gate closure times: Some parks restrict nighttime access. "They do lock the gate at 4:00, so once in, you are there for the night," shares Robbie B. about Colossal Cave Mountain Park. Similarly, other parks note: "They are very strict on campground policies."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly trails: Choose shorter loop trails for families with young children. "The campground was totally packed, lots of kids but a good environment. There are camp supervisors that keep the camp in line. But my favorite part was all the trails!" notes Maddi G.
Educational opportunities: Colossal Cave Mountain Park offers learning experiences beyond equestrian activities. "There are a few trails in the park (Path of Ancestors, Bundrick, and the Arizona Trail)... Path of Ancestors was my favorite. It has information boards along the way talking about the Hohokam tribe."
Wildlife education: Turn wildlife sightings into teaching moments. "We saw (and heard) coyotes and round-tailed ground squirrel burrows that are in abundance throughout the campground," one visitor mentions. These encounters provide opportunities to teach children about desert ecology.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: For RVers seeking full amenities near equestrian camping in Catalina, consider options carefully. "Campsites are typical desert sand, with mesquite and palo verde trees. The site had water, an electric hook up, a nice sized thermoplastic polyethylene coated metal picnic table (easy to clean), a raised BBQ grill and a beautiful view of the Santa Catalina Mountains," reports Janet H. at Catalina State Park Campground.
Site selection: Choose sites based on your shade needs and rig size. "We were in site B48 - this site was at the edge of the loop so it was nice and fairly private - but there was very little shade. I probably wouldn't pick that site again in the warmer months! There were a lot of other sites that had some trees around them and seemed much shadier."
Dump station timing: Plan your departure around dump station availability. "No sewer hookups and the dump stations were crowded when we left at 11:45am on checkout day," notes one RVer, suggesting earlier or later departures might avoid congestion.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Catalina, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Catalina, AZ is Catalina State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 69 reviews.
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