Coronado National Forest, AZ is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Coronado National Forest is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Arizona camping adventure.
Tombstone Camp on Forest Road 687
57 min away
Reddington Pass Dispersed
1 hr 9 min away
$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."
"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."
"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."
"Bring water, etc… it’s always to town. T-mobile cell good enough to stream."
"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."
$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 / night
"However it sits away from the Highway so is a little quieter and has easy access to several hiking/mountain biking trails, horse trails, and a rock climbing area."
"The hike from there is well worth doing, into sycamore canyon, though there are several other hiikes close by. Best used in early spring winter and late fall."
LegendCochise 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.
ScoutWhile busy, this is a well ran and well managed campground. The hosts are diligent to touch base with everyone coming in (safety) and the campsites though somewhat close together, offer unique ways to capture some privacy. The mountain can get very cold and windy at night, so make sure you have a sleeping bag rated for freezing temps. This campground has some of the cleanest vault toilets I’ve ever seen! Seriously! I don’t know how they do it!
The camp hosts have fire wood for sale as well, you just have to flag them down when they drive by. Each site has a fire ring and grill. I also found several fresh water pumps within walking distance from my camp. The site is very easily accessible but some of the dirt roads can get pretty rutty, so use caution with lower profile vehicles.
ScoutHappy 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 lies within the Saguaro National Park so a permit is required ($8 fee). Up to 6 people per permit. There is 3 spots at the camp. Each spot has a fire ring, bear box, and some good size stumps to sit on around the fire. There is a vaulted toilet at the site as well. Water can be scarce in the Rincons so plan accordingly!
Another 3.4 miles up the trail and you'll be at the summit of Rincon Peak (8,200'ish).
GuideSpencer Canyon Campground is a nice campground approx. 20 miles from Tucson up the General Hitchcock Highway(often called the Catalina Highway or Mt. Lemmon Highway). It is located approximately 3 miles past the Palisades Visitor Center and the entrance is marked well by a big brown sign as you approach. Phill and Denise, the friendly campsite managers will give you advice and suggestions about campsites that suite your needs. The photos attached to this review are from campsite#6, which is close to the Phill& Denise’s camper location and the highway- yes, we did hear road noise. Most campers chose locations deeper in the campground, but we were there on a busy weekend so most of those“deeper” campsites were occupied. All sites have a large bear box, concrete picnic table, charcoal grill and an iron fire pit. The picnic area of the site is level but the whole campsite is NOT so pick your location carefully if you want to pitch your tent on a flat, level plot. We did find some firewood left over from prior campers but recommend bringing your own, dry wood if you have room in your rig. In my observation, there is a rather nice, vessel toilet house strategically located to serve 6- 7 campsites. There is also a water faucet to be shared by 6- 7 campsites. Campsite#6 has its own faucet so others might also. There are 60+ campsites throughout Spencer Canyon and I would suggest that those“deeper” in the campground are more desirable. It should be noted that most of the campsites are close together, that is, about 50-75 feet apart, hence, my“... if you don’t mind company” comment. It should also be noted that Phill& Denise are really nice and helpful, the campsites are well maintained and clean, it is only 22 miles from Tucson and less than 6 miles from the mountaintop hamlet of Summerhaven, and is situated at approximately 7,900 fee of elevation. Thus, Spencer Canyon Campground is a great getaway from the Arizona heat and close enough to Tucson for a 1- 2 night weekend.
TravelerMy grandson and I stayed in a tent campsite for two nights. There are only a 5 tent sites and they don't have a tent pad. After two passes we were able to find a site with a smooth spot without rocks for the tent, B5, a picnic table but no shade. I felt there could have been more bathrooms and water spickets but honestly I did not do much walking in the campground. It is the quiet time of year, before snowbirds come, so we were able to have our pick of electric or not sites. It was quiet; I think three trailers and one other tenter. No generators allowed and 7 day strict limit. The coyotes were very vocal at night, which I enjoyed.This is more of an RV campground but suited us fine for two days. We interacted with the hosts and they were very nice. We explored the trails, visitor center and Sonora Desert Museum, which we loved. Thirty minute drive to Tucson. We went to the Reid Park Zoo, which we thoroughly enjoyed; LOTS of animals for a small zoo. We drove the loop in East Saguaro National Park. Some things closed in West Saguaro park so be aware of that, like Old Tucson, but we found lots to do.
GuideI was driving along Highway 83 when I saw a Coronado National Forest sign by a dirt road. This location wasn’t marked for boondocking on any of the resources I use. I pulled in and saw several established dispersed camping spots with fire rings. The spots are well spaced out. I saw a few RV’s. Nice, quiet spot for overnight or a couple weeks.
ScoutGot here on a Sunday evening and were incredibly lucky to get a site close to the lake! The drive up to the campground is gorgeous and the campground is great as well. Spots are drive up with picnic tables, bear boxes, and space to set up a tent or two. There’s a camp store and public pit toilets. We arrived in the evening and left early so we didn’t use the camp store. Would definitely come again, not sure if we’ll get so lucky w our site again tho
TravelerThis place is perfect for dry camping a short distance from historic Main Street Tombstone. There were no amenities, so be prepared! You cannot beat the price! For car/tent camping there are some private spaces with a little shade and evidence of past campfires. Be sure to stay to the left of the sign to go into the lower camping area. Pay your 10 bucks at the drop box.
LegendSpencer Canyon campground in Mt Lemmon is nestled under the pine trees and boasts a 15-20 degree drop in temperature from nearby Tucson. Bear boxes are provided as are vaulted toilets. I’ve seen trailers travel down the canyon, but I wouldn’t try it. The roads are steep and narrow. Perfect for tent camping
Tent camping near Coronado National Forest in Arizona offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventure, perfect for nature enthusiasts looking to escape the hustle and bustle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Coronado National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Coronado National Forest is Happy Valley Saddle Campground — Saguaro National Park with a 4.8-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Coronado National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Coronado National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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