Best Tent Camping near Cochise, AZ

The Chiricahua and Dragoon Mountains surrounding Cochise, Arizona offer diverse tent camping opportunities in rugged desert and mountain terrain. Cochise Stronghold, a National Forest Service campground nestled in a deep canyon, provides eleven tent campsites shaded by scrub oaks and surrounded by towering rock formations. Happy Camp Trail offers primitive tent camping on BLM land about 5 miles from I-10, with dispersed sites tucked among boulder formations. For backcountry tent camping, Happy Valley Saddle Campground in Saguaro National Park requires a 4.6-mile hike to reach three secluded tent sites at 6,000 feet elevation.

Most tent campgrounds in the region have minimal amenities, requiring self-sufficiency. Campers should bring all water supplies, as most sites lack potable water sources. Sites typically feature fire rings where permitted, though seasonal fire restrictions are common during dry periods. Bear activity necessitates proper food storage, with bear boxes available at established campgrounds like Cochise Stronghold and Sycamore Campground. Road conditions vary significantly, with many tent camping areas accessible only via dirt roads that may become impassable after rain. West Turkey Creek Dispersed camping requires navigating 8-10 miles of washboard dirt road but rewards tent campers with creek-side sites.

The tent-only experience in this region offers exceptional solitude and natural beauty. One camper at Cochise Stronghold noted the campground is "rugged" with "several water crossings" requiring high-clearance vehicles to access. At Happy Valley Saddle, visitors reported having the entire campground to themselves even on weekends, with "very secluded" sites featuring "nice big bear boxes and fire rings." Tent campers at West Turkey Creek Dispersed camping enjoy proximity to small waterfalls and pools for splashing. During summer months, higher elevation tent sites provide relief from desert heat, with temperatures often 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands. Wildlife sightings are common, with campers reporting turkeys, deer, and occasionally cattle on open range lands.

Best Tent Sites Near Cochise, Arizona (29)

    1. Happy Camp Trail

    22 Reviews
    Bowie, AZ
    27 miles

    "At the entrance you’ll find a vaulted toilet pit and a couple of trash barrels as of the time of this review."

    "Tucked into the boulders near the mountains. Very nice. Another clear moonlit night in southern AZ. I LOVE the desert. All sites are on loose dirt and there are many places for larger rigs."

    2. Cochise Stronghold

    1 Review
    Pearce, AZ
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 388-8300

    "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."

    3. Camp Site 001 Dispersed Site

    1 Review
    Tombstone, AZ
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 364-3468

    "Bring water, etc… it’s always to town. T-mobile cell good enough to stream."

    4. Happy Valley Saddle Campground — Saguaro National Park

    4 Reviews
    Saguaro National Park, AZ
    35 miles
    Website

    $8 / night

    "Happy Valley campground's name can be decieving.. its actually at 6,000' of elevation, 4.6 miles up the Miller Creek trail in the Rincon mountains east of Tucson."

    "It was very secluded and had a nice big bear box and a nice fire ring. I would definitely return! It was a bit chilly in December but slept comfortably."

    5. West Turkey Creek Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Portal, AZ
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 364-3468

    "I didn’t see anyone else here when I went and didn’t see/hear any wildlife besides birds. I also didn’t have any cell reception (T-Mobile), which was fine by me!"

    "Turkey creek flows right next to the campground and offers fantastic hikes along it's banks. There are multiple small waterfalls and pools to splash in."

    6. Sycamore Campground

    4 Reviews
    Portal, AZ
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 364-3468

    "Nice, small campground with pit toilets, fire rings and bear boxes. Saw many deer and turkeys in the area."

    "Nice clean bathrooms, picnic tables, fire pit, and bear box. Campgrounds are next to a creek with a trailhead leading to a waterfall, couldn’t ask for more for a free campsite."

    7. General Hitchcock Campground

    7 Reviews
    Willow Canyon, AZ
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 749-8700

    $10 / night

    "The weather here is 10-15 degrees cooler than the city. This campground is small, with tent sites tucked away between pine trees. A vaulted bathroom is at the center of the parking lot."

    "We camped at site 6, right across from the restrooms. Has some nice boulders to tuck your tent away in, and no really close neighbors."

    8. Manning Camp — Saguaro National Park

    2 Reviews
    Saguaro National Park, AZ
    38 miles
    Website

    "Despite close spaces to camp, it was a lot of fun. It was quiet and people were respectful. Land landscape is amazing and the cactus forests are beautiful."

    9. Round the Mountain Campground

    2 Reviews
    Thatcher, AZ
    39 miles
    Website

    "Each tiny site had a picnic table, fire ring, and bear box. A beautiful creek down the hill from the campground had crystal clear water for filtering and washing up.  "

    "This would be perfect if it wasn’t so close to the road. You get loud traffic noise."

    10. Empire Ranch

    3 Reviews
    Sonoita, AZ
    47 miles

    "Great location for Ground Tents, Roof Top Tents, and RVs"

    "The Dyrt coordinates took me to an area in which I did not feel comfortable pulling off the road because of the tall dry grass so I went to the campground."

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Showing results 1-10 of 29 campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Cochise, AZ

437 Reviews of 29 Cochise Campgrounds



Guide to Cochise

Cochise, Arizona, offers a unique tent camping experience surrounded by stunning landscapes and rich history. Whether you're seeking solitude or adventure, this area has something for every outdoor enthusiast.

Tips for tent camping near Cochise

Local attractions to explore while camping

  • While at Camp Site 001 Dispersed Site, take advantage of the nearby hiking trails that offer spectacular views of the Dragoon Mountains.
  • Visit the historic Fort Bowie after camping at Happy Camp Trail, where you can explore the remnants of the fort and enjoy the surrounding natural beauty.
  • The scenic drive to KOA Campground Benson provides access to local attractions and is a great base for exploring the area.

Activities to enjoy during your stay

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cochise, AZ is Happy Camp Trail with a 4.6-star rating from 22 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 29 tent camping locations near Cochise, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.