Best Tent Camping near Dragoon, AZ
Looking for the best Dragoon tent camping? Finding a place to camp in Arizona with your tent has never been easier. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Dragoon, Arizona's most popular destinations.
Best Tent Sites Near Dragoon, Arizona (34)
1. Happy Camp Trail
22 Reviews•76 Photos•222 SavesBowie, Arizona- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Dispersed
- Toilets
3. Camp Site 001 Dispersed Site
1 Review•11 Photos•13 SavesTombstone, ArizonaYou may camp outside of developed areas across most of the Coronado National Forest at no charge. We recommend that you stop in to one of our five ranger stations to pick up a free travel management map so that you are aware where vehicles are and are not permitted.
Potable water, restrooms, and other amenities are not available at dispersed sites. If you choose to camp outside developed areas, be sure to bring adequate water or be prepared to purify any water source before drinking. No permits are required to camp in wilderness areas.
The Coronado National Forest has a 14-day stay limit on all camping. Areas designated as “Day Use Only” are limited to posted hours, no overnight use.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
4. Happy Valley Saddle Campground — Saguaro National Park
4 Reviews•5 Photos•99 SavesSaguaro National Park, ArizonaThe story of Saguaro National Park dates back much farther than its establishment in 1994. Prior to this, the area was designated a national monument in 1933 as a way to preserve the unique Sonoran Desert landscapes of the Tucson and Rincon mountain districts. This saved the area from the ranchers and miners who settled in the area in the 1880s. These followed the Spanish explorers who established a military fort in Tucson in the 1770s, nearly a century after founding a mission in the ares in the 1690s. Petroglyphs and potshards indicate that the Hohokam peoples inhabited the area for more than a millennium prior to the Spanish. Travel back even farther, and there’s a complex geologic history of exactly how the landscape came into being—and why it’s worth preserving.
Camping in Saguaro is like entering a time machine. With no campgrounds in the park accessible by vehicle, the only way to camp is to hike in to any of the six designated campgrounds. The trails to get to the campgrounds typically start from developed roads and trailheads, but venture deep into the Sonoran backcountry, where only the rocks, plants, and animals tell the story of a landscape that’s changed little—with the exception of who’s occupied it—for the past several thousand years. One of the more popular campsites for those looking to bag 8,482-foot Rincon Peak, is the Happy Valley Saddle, which lies in a grove of scrubby pine and juniper forest, about halfway along the hike to the peak.
This small campsite is located on the east end of the Rincon Mountain District. The campsite is accessible via a 3.9-mile trail that climbs 2,000 feet from the Miller Creek Trailhead. The road to this trailhead is not maintained, so may not be passable by passenger vehicles, or following inclement weather. The site offers three spaces for pitching tents. The water supply at nearby Miller Creek is seasonal at best, so visitors should plan accordingly. There are no facilities here, so hikers should exercise Leave No Trace and pack-it-in-pack-it-out practices. Camping in the Saguaro Wilderness backcountry requires a park-issued wilderness permit, which can be acquired in person at the park visitor center, or by submitting an application in advance.
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Firewood Available
$8 / night
5. General Hitchcock Campground
8 Reviews•23 Photos•115 SavesWillow Canyon, ArizonaThis small, sheltered campground is tucked away just off the Catalina Highway, along the rocky streambed that forms the floor of upper Bear Canyon. Campsites are nestled under a canopy of ponderosa pines, junipers and oaks. Some sites are located right along Bear Creek among large rocks. The Creek generally only flows during rainy periods or during the Spring snowmelt, but be vigilant of flash floods.
- Pets
- Fires
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
$10 / night
6. Manning Camp — Saguaro National Park
2 Reviews•6 Photos•21 SavesSaguaro National Park, ArizonaIn 1884, Levi Manning emigrated from Mississippi to Tucson, Arizona, and after some years established L.H. Manning and Company. He later expanded his business interests with ranching and acquired a 160-acre homestead in the Rincon Mountains. There, at an elevation of 8,000 feet, amid pine forest near a perennial spring, he selected a site for what would become his family’s summer home. Manning hired local workers to build an 11-mile wagon road to the site, which was used to transport the tools and materials used to construct his remote, five-room retreat. However, Manning would only enjoy his mountain getaway for a couple summers before his homestead was absorbed into the newly-formed Coronado National Forest in 1907. For the next half-century, the Manning Cabin was used mostly by Forest Service fire and trail crews. During this time, it went through various states of disrepair and reconstruction. From the late 1950s until the late 1970s, the cabin was largely abandoned until it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. One again restored and back in operation, the Manning Cabin serves as a base for area research and backcountry rangers. The cabin is not open to the public, but visitors can hike to the cabin and pitch their tents in the nearby Manning Camp. This small campground has six tent sites that can accommodate up to six people each. Camping here requires obtaining a Saguaro National Park backcountry permit, which can be acquired at a park visitor center, or by mailing in a request form in advance. There are several hiking trails that can be used to get to Manning Camp. All are long, and all are difficult. The trail from Happy Valley is 9.8 miles (one-way), and gains a total of 4,700 feet of elevation. This trail starts at the Miller Creek trailhead, near the eastern border of the park, and requires driving an unmaintained forest road; 4WD and/or a high-clearance vehicle are recommended. From the Loma Alta trailhead, in the southwest corner of the Rincon Mountain Unit, the route is 13.5 miles (one-way), and gains more than 5,700 feet of elevation. The trails to Manning Camp climb through a mix of desert scrub, oak woodlands and conifer forests. This area is home to black bears and mountain lions; store all food in the camp’s bear-proof lockers. Hikers should follow LNT guidelines, and treat all backcountry water sources.
- Tents
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Drinking Water
7. West Turkey Creek Dispersed
3 Reviews•13 Photos•111 SavesPortal, Arizona- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
8. Sycamore Campground
3 Reviews•5 Photos•60 SavesPortal, ArizonaLocated on the west side of the Chiricahuas, Sycamore Campground straddles the banks of West Turkey Creek, a small perennial stream that cascades into the campground down a series of small waterfalls and through a rocky cleft decorated with wildflowers. These sycamore- and oak-shaded sites are located near the end of Turkey Creek Road in an area that serves as a jumping off place into the Chiricahua Wilderness. A number of trails start in the vicinity of the campground and climb to destinations and connecting trails high in the mountains. If you’re a hiker or an equestrian, you’ll find this an excellent base of operations with enough nearby trail miles to keep you busy for quite a while. Note: Black bears in area.
- Pets
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Tent Cabin
- Glamping
- Trash
10. KOA Campground Benson
Be the first to review!•1 SaveCoronado National Forest, ArizonaBenson KOA is a quiet and peaceful campground north of Benson Arizona, and the best kept secret in Southern Arizona. From here you can make several day trips to explore many attractions like Tombstone, Bisbee, Chiracahua Monument, Fort Huachuca, and the Saguaro National Park. Tucson is only 40 minutes away and there are lots of things to see there. Book your Vacation at Benson KOA and enjoy all of Southern Arizona! Store hours are 9 am to 5 pm 7 days a week except major holidays. Check in time is 3:00 pm during our peak season which is January thru April. Other times of the year Check in times are flexible. Check out time is 11:00 am. We do sell firewood and have portable fire pits for sites without fire pits. Pool hours are 10:00 am to dusk. Quiet hours are 10:00 pm to 7:00 am.
50 Max Amp 70' Max Length Wi-Fi Cable TV Propane ($) Kamping Kitchen Firewood ($) Dog ParkPool to open soon!
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
Recent Tent Reviews near Dragoon, AZ
449 Reviews of 34 Dragoon Campgrounds
Linette G.
Guide
Molino Basin Campground
Nice clean, better for tent camping
Nice, clean campground, along the Mt. Lemmon Highway. Better for tent camping as there are beautiful, individual walk-in sites that are fairly private.
Tons of rec opportunities right from camp: hiking, mountain biking, etc.
- Joe F.
Scout
Colossal Cave Mountain Park
Not bad for the price
Super cheap. The sites and restrooms needs some tlc. We were the only ones in the tent camping area which was a plus. This campground is good if you r doing tours in the day or just need a trip to get out.
- AAnna S.
Traveler
Grande Vista RV Park
Awesome for RV Camping, Tent not so much
Everyone was super kind and sweet, restrooms/laundry center were very clean and well maintained. Tent camping spots are in front of the park, where the truck wash across the street can be heard prevalently. Cats everywhere are cute and sweet but I’m pretty sure they use the tent spots as their litter box.
Candy P.
Legend
Spencer Canyon Campground
Large campground in Mt Lemmon
Spencer 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
Shea M.Legend
Kartchner Caverns State Park Campground
International Dark Sky Park
We pulled in after dark and were gone by morning! We wanted somewhere to see the stars! It looked like a super clean park with paved roads, plenty of RV hookups and bath/shower house. We did tent camp. I wish we could have stayed longer to see the caverns, but this was just a pit stop on our road trip!
Robert G.
RangerKartchner Caverns State Park Campground
Amazing State Park and wonderful Endowment to Preserving Nature's Splendor
Tent camping, Cabins, RV Camping, ton's of hiking from various levels of difficulty. Kartchner Cavern's is the main attraction here. Call ahead for availability and tickets. But don't miss all the other amazing hiking trails and nature center. Also check out the other astronomy programs they have from time to time. Tuscon is a "Dark Skies" community that offers amazing views of the night sky.
- Candy P.Legend
General Hitchcock Campground
Perfect tent camping spot
This sky island campground in Mt Lemmon is perfect for a quick weekend getaway from Tucson. 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.
- PPaula L.Traveler
Lakeview Campground
Nice and quiet
This USDA Forest Service campground is a very nice one. Nicely laid out sites, well maintained bathrooms. It’s easy to walk to the lake from the lowest tent sites. We stayed here in fall, and imagine it’s heavily used in summer. There’s a great trail around the lake. $20 as of November 2020.
- RRick I.Traveler
Shootout Arena RV Park
A Gem of a Campground
This 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.
Sierra N.Guide
Desert Oasis Campground
Nice place to shower with some amenities (games & movies)
Nice little place to shower, and relax. Lots of wildlife. Though I would say tent sites are a bit pricey, compared to all the free camping in the area. Extremely affordable for RVs compared to area though. Bisbee is a wonderful town and I’d def recommend checking it out while you’re around. An air bnb in the area would be spectacular!
Sara S.LegendKartchner Caverns State Park Campground
unique features
Camping at Kartchner Caverns was wonderful! It seemed like the sites were geared towards RV campers, but tent camping would work out ok as well. The camping area was somewhat open, but the sites aren't too close together that you feel uncomfortable. The obvious draw is the caverns which could occupy a couple day of a persons camping trip. Because of this attraction, it does get rather busy but camping is still not disturbed too much.
- GGary M.Guide
Desert Oasis Campground
Great Amenities at good price
Small campground with 28 level sites. All hookups avail. Tent sites offered dry or with electricity. $17.00 - $20.00. However, those sites are next to club house. We elected to take a full hookup site, although We only needed electricity. $27.00 + tax with Good Sam discount. 1 shower for all and 1 ea toilets for M& W. Nice club House with pool tables, TV’s, etc. Great wi-fi and cell coverage (AT&T). Great accommodating host, clean facilities, great views.
Joel R.Legend
Mountain View RV Park
Nice rv park, not great
This is an ok rv park. It’s not fancy. But it has what we need. We have reservations for a month. Had planned to stay at RV park down the road, but they didn’t have a working shower, and we didn’t think we could go a month without, This park has 72 pull through sites, water, 30/50 amp electric, and sewer. Monthly sites charge extra for electricity. There are 2 bathrooms/showers which are passable. There is a big dog run, and a small one for small dogs. They have laundry and an exercise room. Internet is spotty. There are a few tent sites. There is an RV service and sales facilities adjacent to the park
- GGrace Y.Scout
Benson KOA
Policy not listed on website
Made my reservation a couple days ago for a tent camping spot, but I have my Yukon set up as a sleeper currently. They informed me as I was checking in (it’s not listen on the site anywhere) that they don’t allow people sleeping in their cars. When I brought up that it wasn’t posted anywhere on the site and when I stayed in a KOA the night before and slept in my car, they worker informed me she wasn’t the manager so she couldn’t do anything about it. She was polite and was concerned about where I would be staying and offered to upgrade me to a cabin that I would have to pay for.
Updated :
After emailing the owner, my deposit was refunded in a extremely timely manner
greg M.Traveler
Happy Camp Trail
Huge camping area, all alone
Thought I was going to see a crowd based on reviews. But nobody here but me. About 5 miles from I-10 to the South. Last 2 miles on dirt bit well maintained. Then you get to a bunch of connected dirt roads. At least 50 campsites off dirt roads. I met some cows on one dirt road and had a stare down. I lost and backed up. Expecting a super quiet night. 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. I tent camp so don’t need much room. I highly recommend this site. 3 hrs W of Las Cruces NM, 3 hrs from PHX.
Rachelle J.Traveler
Bonita Canyon Campground — Chiricahua National Monument
Hidden GEM
Beautiful and unexpected. The drive getting there is pretty disappointing however when you arrive the land scale completely changes. We have camped here twice. The first time tent camping in site 3 which was good but not a ton of privacy. The second time in our 23’ travel trailer In Site 11. Super cool very private spot (next to amphitheater but with COVID nothing was scheduled) may not be as private when people are attending amphitheater. but this site is NOT intended for trailers, the site is intended for tents however we had the reservation for so long they allowed us to attempt to stay and park the trailer. We did but other ground was very uneven. GREAT campground, quiet, cool hikes. They have blue birds that look like the angry birds and they are a nuisance dropping twigs in your food and coffee and tormenting your dog if you bring it. STILL AWESOME.
Beth G.Legend
Arcadia Campground
Nice break from the desert heat but overpriced
My husband, myself and our 2 small dogs live in Tucson, AZ. We recently acquired a roof top tent and we’ve been trying out various campgrounds across the Southwest.
The drive up scenic highway 366 is worth a trip regardless. There are some amazing views of the Pinaleños. Since it’s still February, the road to the top of the mountain was closed to us so we decided to stay at Arcadia since it’s open year round.
We were the only people staying overnight, which surprised us since it was a holiday weekend. We did see a group picnicking when we first arrived though. Also, we could hear sports cars on the highway at night. Probably racing down the tight switchbacks.
No water, so make sure to bring your own. Toilets were clean, pit toilets and there were 2 sets. Campsites are pretty spread out. Some were 30-50 feet from the main road and wouldn’t really suit our needs as RTT campers. Lots of trash cans and a few bear boxes. Each site has a fire pit with a cooking grate and a cement picnic table. For camping in AZ, it is well suited for tent camping. We stayed in site 12. Most other sites wouldn’t not be ideal for RTTs.
I would definitely return to the Pineleños, but I’m going to wait until April, when we can access the sites at the top of the mountains.
Overall, it’s a nice wooded area, but with only 1 hiking trail (to Shannon Campground, 10mi r/t) and no vista views from the site, I don’t think it’s worth $20 a night. We decided to only spend 1 night here.
Rod D.GuideBonita Canyon Campground — Chiricahua National Monument
Chiricahua National Monument is special indeed
If approved by congress, Chiricahua National Monument will become Arizona's fourth National Park. While the current monument is a compact area geographically, it definitely has the uniqueness of a national park and warrants the added protections. It will however make a very special place more popular, so you might want to visit sooner than later.
If you camp in a tent, van, micro-camper, or small travel trailer you will find Bonita Canyon Campground to be a memorable and wonderful place. Don't try to bring any big rigs as they simply won't fit. Reservations are a must.
The campground is small, beautiful, shaded and right in the middle of some incredible scenery providing easy access to the fantastic hiking and wildlife viewing that is all around you. Hosts were professional and friendly, bathhouse small but super clean, and the site boundaries were mostly marked with fences which is somewhat unique. This is an old CCC built campground. From the campground you can easily walk to the foundations of the original camp located nearby.
Pay attention to fire regulations and status. If permitted, campfires are limited to the raised grills (no rings) but you can bring your own solo type camp stove. You will need to bring your own wood and ice. Pay attention to your fuel levels in your vehicle as this is a remote place.
This is premier birdwatching country. If you can, I would highly recommend taking one of the guided walks provided by the rangers and park biologists. We learned a bunch and I am not even "a birder" and enjoyed it. The nearby visitor center will have the details.
The Arizona Coatimundi's are a very unique mammal and frequently visit the campground. Deer, turkeys, quail, and other wildlife are in abundance and easy to see from the hikes. The views of the night sky are unparalleled.
A short drive away provides access to some incredible trails for hiking or simply viewing the surrounding Wilderness areas. The rock features found in this area make it unique.
This continues to be one of our favorite places in Arizona to camp and hike.
Kelly K.Scout
Tombstone Camp on Forest Road 687
Beautiful views, spread out dispersed camps
Middleware road is highly washboarded. Forest Service Road is smoother but has some deep cuts. Made it fairly easily in small Class A. Nice sites with soft dirt and sand. Beautiful views of the Dragoons.
Shari G.Legend
Cochise Stronghold Campground
Gorgeous Hiking & Climbing Opps!
Various Oaks and Alligator Junipers abound at this cute little National Forest campground tucked in the Dragoon Mountains, another of Arizona’s beautiful “Islands in the Sky.” Named for the late Apache leader, Chief Cochise, this campground sits at the base of a few absolutely gorgeous hiking trails and rock climbing areas.
Each site has a good amount of space but oddly a small amount of space for tents and RV’s longer than 24 feet won’t fit in most of the sites. There is no privacy in between sites, but each site has good tree coverage (almost too much for our solar suitcase on an extension cord). Each site has a huge cement picnic table, fire ring, and grill and there are a couple composting toilets. There was no drinking water available at the campground (the website says there is water), but there is a creek you can pull water from for filtering, so come prepared.
Important note: If there is rain in the forecast, be aware that you may get stuck in this campground for a couple of days, as you have to cross numerous washes on the road to/from the campground. We were there for 3 days before it was safe to pull a small camper across the “death wash” that grew to 6 feet high and 20 feet wide during a 24-hour rain event!
- aaron F.Guide
Tombstone Camp on Forest Road 687
Hard to get to but worth it
I really like this location. The washboard road was really rough and took me forty minutes to go 15 miles. The sites are totally huge and there are plenty of them along the road. You could have a really big group out here. The dragoon mountains are beautiful and you get pretty close. I wouldn’t suggest any large campers to go very far past the first few sites the road gets narrow and rough.
Travis D.RangerCochise Stronghold Campground
Great Rocks!
We went here for a quick overnight and it did not disappoint. The campground itself is pretty small and would be cramped if full, luckily it was no where near full when we were there (late fall). The rocks of the Dragoon Mountains are amazing and wandering among them is certainly worth it. We came back another time and discovered multiple dispersed camping spots on the Forest Service road that veers off just as you cross the Forest boundary as you head in towards the campground - this is where we will camp in the future (no fee). The hiking is amazing - head to up at least to half moon tank to see water and amazing rock formations.
- GGo Play Outside Family G.Traveler
Molino Basin Campground
Perfect Tucson Getaway Camp
We arrived on a Wednesday afternoon in late February and were pleasantly surprised to find this first come, first serve campground nearly empty. We drove toward the back of the campground to explore open sites and selected walk up site 23. Perched away from the road and surrounding campsites with a beautiful view of the surrounding mountainside. Equipped with a large bear locker, table, fire ring, lantern post and flat open space to pitch our tent.
Conveniently located a short walk to the restroom, which was very clean.
On our first night we walked down to the empty group site to pick up part of the Arizona Trail for a quick hike before dinner.
This campground is a great base location to explore. One morning we did the Sky Island Scenic Byway to the top of Mt. Lemmon and visited the cute little general store to grab souvenir stickers for the kids. In the afternoon we drove the 30 minutes to Saguaro National Park East which was the highlight of this trip.
Crystal C.Legend
Tombstone RV & Campground
Themey like the town
So everything in Tombstone is pretty much a theme draw trying to get you to spend a little but I will say that when we found this campground it was a little chuckle because all the different rows are named for different aspects of the western world which is known to be Tombstone. ( Like Lariat or Marshall)
What wasn't old though was the feel of the facility which had modern amenities such as a pool and nice restroom facility. I can only imagine in this area things are highly competitive so keeping to theme but also meeting needs of campers is very important.
Sure it is a little dusty like the west, but you are in Arizona so it can be expected.
They do have rustic accommodations and cabins for those wanting to get the real old west feel and also accommodate both RV and tent campers like myself which was really nice to find out. In fact there was an entire row just dedicated to the good old tent hombres (lol, we will keep in the western theme as well).
Everyone seemed very nice around camp and many were exploring in town at night at one of the many saloons and even asked us if we wanted to come with. They do offer a shuttle service as well for those not wanting to get swept up in the attempting to find a non-pay parking stop.
We paid $25 but had full service at the campground which also included laundry and ice availability without having to get in the car to find a different location. That combined with the pool made it worth every penny!
TIPS:
- Remember everything has a price tag here so find the deals by researching in advance. There is one ticket for $10 that gets you a show, free souvenir and viewing of the diorama.
- Take advantage of the propane at this stop if you are in an RV!
Joshua M.Guide
Empire Ranch
Great Group Site
There are many places to camp on empire ranch. Many are dispersed camping but there is also a really great group site for reservation. Great location for Ground Tents, Roof Top Tents, and RVs
- MMikeScout
Tombstone RV & Campground
Campground
Very clean and nice grounds. The Pool was nice, nice facilities. We stayed here in a rooftop tent, it felt safe and nice here
- SSableTraveler
Alaskan RV Park
Simply but convenient!
Can't beat $10 for a tent. We slept under 2 pistachio trees with fresh nuts. Showers included, very friendly staff. Would recommend.
Guide to Dragoon
Tent camping near Dragoon, Arizona offers a unique blend of rugged landscapes and serene environments, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to escape into nature.
Explore the Rich History of Cochise Stronghold
- Experience the rugged beauty of Cochise Stronghold, a campground nestled in a deep canyon that served as a refuge for the Chiricahua Apache leader, Cochise.
- This site features eleven campsites shaded by scrub oaks and surrounded by towering rock formations, providing a picturesque backdrop for your camping adventure.
- With no water available, it's essential to bring your own supplies, but the campground does offer picnic tables and grills for a comfortable stay.
Adventure Awaits in Saguaro National Park
- The Happy Valley Saddle Campground is a hidden gem within Saguaro National Park, accessible via a moderate hike that rewards you with stunning views and solitude.
- Enjoy the unique experience of camping among towering saguaros, with amenities like fire rings and bear boxes to enhance your stay.
- This campground is perfect for those seeking a bit of adventure, as it requires a hike-in, making it a great choice for active campers.
Scenic Drives and Remote Camping Options
- For a more dispersed experience, consider Camp Site 001, where you can enjoy peace and quiet with spectacular views of the Dragoon Mountains.
- This site allows for campfires and pets, making it a flexible option for families and friends looking to unwind in nature.
- The access road can be a bit rough, but the serene environment and distance from the hustle and bustle make it well worth the journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Dragoon, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Dragoon, AZ is Happy Camp Trail with a 4.6-star rating from 22 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Dragoon, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 34 tent camping locations near Dragoon, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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