Tent camping near Cochise, Arizona offers a range of experiences from desert lowlands to forested mountain sites at elevations between 4,000-8,000 feet. Summer temperatures in higher elevation camps can be 10-20 degrees cooler than surrounding areas, providing refuge from desert heat. Most dispersed camping sites require self-sufficiency with appropriate vehicles, as many access roads become impassable after rainfall.
What to do
Explore rock formations: Happy Camp Trail features numerous boulder formations perfect for climbing and exploration. One camper noted, "There are endless rocks to explore and climb. It will keep your attention for days" and mentioned finding "awesome remnants of Native American activity."
Hike to waterfalls: West Turkey Creek Dispersed camping area provides access to multiple small waterfalls along the creek. A camper reported, "Turkey creek flows right next to the campground and offers fantastic hikes along its banks. There are multiple small waterfalls and pools to splash in."
Stargaze without light pollution: The remote locations provide exceptional night sky viewing. At Happy Camp Trail, one visitor mentioned, "There is no light pollution so stargazing would have been awesome if not for the waxing moon."
Wildlife watching: Early mornings and evenings offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. At West Turkey Creek Dispersed, a camper shared, "The creek was flowing and quite a few animals at dawn and dusk."
What campers like
Solitude: Many campgrounds remain uncrowded even on weekends. At Happy Valley Saddle Campground, campers reported, "We were the only ones there and used site 3. It was very secluded and had a nice big bear box and a nice fire ring."
Creek access: Several camping areas feature water access for cooling off during hot weather. One camper at West Turkey Creek Dispersed mentioned there are "multiple small waterfalls and pools to splash in" and another noted this spot "has never been busy during our multiple visits."
Wildlife encounters: The Cochise area offers frequent wildlife sightings. A reviewer at Sycamore Campground shared they "Saw many deer and turkeys in the area."
Variety of terrain: The region provides diverse camping environments within short distances. A visitor to Empire Ranch described it as having "amazing diversity of landscapes" with "wonderful vistas, a big sky" and noted it "was breezy."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many camping areas require traveling on unmaintained roads. A visitor to West Turkey Creek warned, "The only con is that it is a bit out of the way, with 8-10 miles of unmaintained dirt road to get there. In my experience, the road was pretty washboard the whole way."
Water availability: Most camping areas lack potable water sources. At Round the Mountain Campground, a camper noted there are "Passable pit toilets available for use, but no drinking water."
Cell service: Coverage varies significantly throughout the region. At Happy Camp Trail, one camper reported, "Good verizon and AT&T reception," while others mentioned no service at different campgrounds.
Seasonal considerations: Higher elevation camps offer cooler temperatures during summer. A camper at General Hitchcock Campground mentioned, "The weather here is 10-15 degrees cooler than the city."
Tips for camping with families
Start with established campgrounds: For families with young children, sites with basic facilities provide an easier introduction to tent camping. Sycamore Campground offers "pit toilets, fire rings and bear boxes."
Bring wildlife guidebooks: Many campers report diverse wildlife sightings, making identification activities engaging for children. At Manning Camp, one visitor described being "surrounded by coyotes, which was wonderful."
Consider elevation and weather: Temperature differences between mountain and desert locations can be significant. At Manning Camp, a visitor noted that "When the scenery changes you are met with large pine trees and such a different view, it is like night and day."
Plan for limited facilities: Most camping areas have minimal amenities. At Happy Valley Saddle, the "tough hike in" requires careful planning, with one camper noting the toilet "was awkward. It's placed up high so you feel like anyone passing by could see you."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Many camping areas accommodate only smaller RVs and trailers. At Happy Camp Trail, a reviewer advised, "This area has five to ten campsites suitable for small rigs (we pull a 17-ft trailer, wouldn't go much past 20ft)."
Road clearance requirements: Several access roads require high-clearance vehicles. A camper at Camp Site 001 Dispersed Site shared, "The road up was a little rough and slippery, in some places. It had rained a few days before. I was fine without 4x4, but did slide in a few places."
Site selection timing: Popular dispersed camping areas can fill quickly during peak seasons. An RVer at Happy Camp Trail observed it was "Pretty full when I went with big RVs which made it hard to find a spot off the road."
Proximity to services: Most camping areas are distant from amenities. A visitor noted, "Closest town with supplies and services is Safford, AZ, about 20 minutes north" from Round the Mountain Campground.
