Cabin accommodations near Elgin, Arizona offer access to the grasslands and oak-studded hills of southern Arizona at elevations between 4,600-5,000 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer highs rarely exceeding 90°F and winter overnight temperatures frequently dropping below freezing. Several cabin rental options provide year-round access to the wine country and historic sites of the area.
What to do
Cavern exploration: Kartchner Caverns State Park Campground offers guided cave tours that showcase remarkable limestone formations. "We reserved and did the Rotunda/Throne Tour. It was very cool and our 1st cave tour. I would suggest reading the rules for tours before reserving. Access to the cavern is very controlled as far as how you get in and what you can take," notes one visitor.
Bird watching opportunities: The grasslands around cabin rentals provide excellent bird watching. "Birder's paradise in April," mentioned one camper at Patagonia Lake State Park Campground. "Camped in site 10 - face in. Our cord/hose worked fine for our 28' rig and car. Lake lovely to canoe, we biked all over the camp (small), Visited local town Sierra vista."
Horse riding experiences: Some cabin properties offer equestrian activities. A visitor at Rancho del Nido mentioned, "This is horse ranch with great host and amazing views. They offer horse back riding which our kids loved."
What campers like
Star-gazing conditions: The dark skies near Elgin cabins provide exceptional astronomy opportunities. A camper at Rancho del Nido noted, "Come for the stars, if nothing else." Another at Tombstone RV & Campground reported, "The lighting around the campground at night was charming and appreciated."
Helpful property managers: Many cabin guests appreciate the attentive service. "The host offered to help with anything we may have forgotten or needed. Great fires every night. Cool spot," shared a visitor at LS5 Ranch.
Wildlife encounters: The natural setting provides opportunities to observe local fauna. One camper at Patagonia Lake shared, "We had a couple of cows and a bull at our site and scared the crap out of us and the dogs had a hard time sleeping. To be honest Mo (which I named our cow) made things interesting through the night. Great memories."
What you should know
Temperature variations: Despite Arizona's warm reputation, visitors should prepare for substantial temperature swings. "It's Arizona, summer times will be hot, our temp in June was 108," noted a Kartchner Caverns visitor. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing overnight.
Reservation planning: Most cabin properties fill quickly during peak seasons. At Tucson Lazydays KOA, one camper observed, "As it is winter now in most states, people tend to stay throughout the winter. Come in the summer and they'll have covered spots."
Water availability: Water access varies significantly between properties. A reviewer at Patagonia Lake State Park Boat-In Campsites appreciated the "Convenient store always had necessities and ice cream cones to top it off."
Wildlife awareness: Visitors should remain alert to local wildlife. "Watch your step, we came across a Diamond Back Rattle Snake about 4 feet from our picnic bench," warned a Kartchner Caverns camper.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Some cabin properties offer swimming facilities for children. At Tombstone RV & Campground, a visitor reported, "The pool was crystal clear and refreshing in the AZ heat."
Activity options: Many properties provide family-friendly recreation. "Your kids will never complain of boredom here. There is an unlimited amount of activities to keep them occupied. Laundry room and showers were clean. RV sites were spacious in my opinion," noted a Tucson Lazydays KOA guest.
Bathroom facilities: Family-friendly properties typically maintain clean facilities. At Kartchner Caverns, a camper shared, "Bathrooms are really small, only one shower. Coin operated laundry, 4 washers, 4 dryers (2 of which are out of service)."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When booking cabin or RV sites, consider specific location factors. A visitor to Kentucky Camp Cabin noted, "Beautiful place and location!"
Access considerations: Some cabin properties have limited access. "Access the campground through a dirt road. Facilities are undergoing renovations," mentioned a camper at Benson KOA.
Hookup variations: Electric and water hookup locations differ between properties. At Tombstone RV & Campground, a guest observed, "Although the park is big rig friendly, we found the turn into the row very tight for our 37ft 5th wheel and long tow vehicle (about 55ft total rig length). Once in the proper row, the turn into the pull through sites is easy."
