Primitive camping near Coronado National Forest offers options beyond the widely known Dragoon Mountains and Las Cienegas areas. Elevations ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 feet provide temperature variations throughout the seasons, with many sites experiencing temperature drops 10-15 degrees cooler than Tucson. Most dispersed camping areas require high-clearance vehicles and preparation for washboard roads that can take 30-45 minutes to navigate.
What to do
Wildlife watching opportunities: At Empire Ranch Area Dispersed Camping, the grassland ecosystem supports diverse wildlife. "Cows roam, so be aware. So do antelope and deer," notes a camper who appreciates the unique landscape. "It reminds me of African plains. It's a higher elevation grassland that makes you feel like you're anywhere but in Arizona."
Hiking nearby trails: Tombstone Camp on Forest Road 687 provides access to several hiking opportunities in the Dragoon Mountains. "The dragoon mountains are beautiful and you get pretty close," reports one visitor. Another mentions that the "Slavin Gulch hike" near their campsite is a "great hike" worth exploring when staying in this area.
Stargazing after dark: The remote Cieneguita Dispersed Camping Area offers exceptional night sky viewing. A camper notes, "I saw one other camper here, but never heard them... the night time stars are brilliant." The area's distance from city lights creates ideal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Many dispersed camping areas offer ample room between sites. At Road Canyon Camping Area, campers appreciate that sites are "widely dispersed... though you could have people 30-40 yards away if they are jerks... or if they just want someone nearby." Another visitor noted they "saw one person with a large trailer parked at the spot closest to the main road, but could barely see them once we set up our camp."
Morning views: The area's scenery is particularly striking at sunrise. At Tombstone Camp on Forest Road 687, one camper shared their experience with "sunset and sunrise from the same spot" and that "views are spectacular same for the nighttime sky." Another camper simply stated, "The morning views were very beautiful."
Wildlife sounds: The natural soundtrack at many sites includes diverse animal noises. One camper at Road Canyon reported hearing "two different packs of coyotes, and maybe a couple of loners." At Cieneguita, visitors mention that "LOTS of nature sounds, heard a pack of dogs, plenty of cows and (?) And the birds are everywhere!"
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Most access roads require careful navigation. The path to Redington Pass - Dispersed Camping is particularly challenging. "The road up is twisty and bumpy," one camper warns. Another advises, "The road is very bumpy, with lots of potholes and washouts. I would personally not suggest towing anything up this road, unless you're an experienced tower perhaps with OHV tires/capabilities."
Permit requirements: Some areas require permits for overnight stays. At Mescal Road, "Don't forget your AZ Land Trust permit, someone did stop by to check we had them." Rangers actively patrol several areas, with one Road Canyon visitor noting, "A Ranger stopped by to check me out. Friendly. No issues."
Seasonal considerations: Weather conditions change significantly through the year. A winter camper at Dragoon Mountains mentioned, "Your roughly at 5000' so winter camping be prepared for snow on occasion. It also can be a little breezy." Another noted they were camping there "at the end of December and their calling for snow next week."
Tips for camping with families
Finding flat sites for tents: Some areas offer better tent camping than others. A visitor to Empire Ranch noted the site's versatility: "Great location for Ground Tents, Roof Top Tents, and RVs." However, at other locations like Redington Pass, campers warn it "didn't look like it'd be very comfortable to pitch a tent on the ground, probably best for small RVs and camper vans."
Educational opportunities: Families can incorporate historical learning into their camping trip. Empire Ranch offers educational resources, as "the ranch is wonderful to visit as is Las Cienegas with their amazing diversity of landscapes." Another visitor added that "Empire Ranch has a great but small museum, with trails around it for walking."
Wildlife encounters for children: Kids often enjoy spotting desert wildlife. One Road Canyon camper saw "Three Pronghorn Antelope, about 400 yards away," while at Cieneguita, a camper mentioned, "You can wake up with cattle around your spot," providing unexpected entertainment for young campers.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Many forest roads have restrictions that limit larger rigs. At Tombstone Camp on Forest Road 687, a camper advises, "I wouldn't suggest any large campers to go very far past the first few sites the road gets narrow and rough." Similarly, at Redington Pass, visitors recommend the area for "small RVs and camper vans" rather than larger vehicles.
Water sources: RVers should plan for limited water access. One camper at Cieneguita notes that "Empire Ranch has... nice restrooms, free water for filling your RV," providing a valuable resource for those needing to refill tanks while staying in the area.
Time considerations: Allow extra travel time when towing. A camper at Tombstone Camp mentions that the "washboard road was really rough and took me forty minutes to go 15 miles," important information for RVers planning their arrival before dark.
