The Elgin area of Arizona sits at approximately 4,700 feet elevation with dramatic temperature fluctuations between day and night even in summer months. Located in the grasslands region southeast of Tucson, RV campgrounds near Elgin, Arizona provide access to extensive hiking trails that connect with the Arizona Trail system. Winter temperatures frequently drop below freezing overnight.
What to Do
Desert trail exploration: At TerraSol in Patagonia, campers can access the Arizona Trail directly from the property. "Astral even recommended an amazing wild camp spot for our following evening, near the border," reports one bikepacker who stayed at TerraSol during a 400-mile route through southern Arizona.
Bicycling opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer bicycle-friendly environments. "Bike shop to repair bicycles and rent them. It is a 3 min ride on bike into town where anything is happening," notes a TerraSol visitor who brought a 22-foot trailer.
Wine tasting excursions: The Elgin region connects to Arizona's wine country with several vineyards within driving distance. A TerraSol camper specifically recommended, "Also, shout out to the winery queen of cups definitely one of the best tastings I have ever done."
Historical exploration: Tombstone RV & Campground serves as a base for exploring nearby attractions. "We embraced the WildWest and chose to stay at Tombstone RV park. The whole trip didn't disappoint! We pulled up our boot straps and mounted the 4WD pony and headed to town, which was just up the road," shares one reviewer who took advantage of the campground's proximity to historic sites.
What Campers Like
Affordability: Multiple campgrounds in the region offer reasonable rates compared to other destination camping areas. At Quail Ridge RV Resort, one visitor noted, "Can't believe this place is only $10 a night! Clean bathroom and nice space. I'd definitely return."
Spacious sites: Campers frequently mention appreciating the site layouts at various facilities. "Big spacious pull thru spots and very clean and well maintained," notes a winter visitor at Tombstone Territories RV Park who stayed for four months.
Dog-friendly amenities: Most RV facilities around Elgin provide pet accommodation. "There is a nice little dog park that that actually had some nice grass that our dog definitely enjoyed," shares a reviewer about Tombstone Territories, while another mentions at Pato Blanco Lakes RV Resort, "There are lots of desert trails to walk your dogs around the perimeter."
Convenient locations: Many campgrounds position visitors near multiple attractions. "We stayed here and traveled to Tombstone, Tucson Botanical Gardens, and Old Tucson. All an easy drive away," comments a camper from Encore Valley Vista who appreciated the central location for regional exploration.
What You Should Know
Limited shower availability: Some facilities have restricted or unavailable shower facilities. A reviewer at Tombstone Territories noted, "We had reservations here for a month, but canceled because their showers are not working and we didn't want to spend a month without a shower."
Winter popularity impacts: The region experiences significant population increases during winter months. At Rincon Country East RV Resort, a camper described it as "catering primarily to long-term, seasonal customers, with a high proportion of sites occupied by park models. Not really a place for short-term campers passing through."
Restricted amenities: Some facilities have permanently reduced services since 2020. "Janet the owner has closed the clubhouse, swimming pool, hot tub because of Covid paranoia," notes a Tombstone Territories visitor who felt the closures "made the park extremely boring."
Railroad noise: Certain campgrounds experience disruption from nearby train lines. A visitor to Mountain View RV Park stated, "Dirt lot level nice big spaces. Little food truck had pretty good food. The only drawback is the trains. Very close very loud."
Tips for Camping with Families
Recreational facilities: Voyager RV Resort & Hotel offers numerous family-friendly amenities. "There are classes for everything. If you want to keep learning, this is for you," notes one reviewer, while another mentions, "Too many things to do to list. All very well organized... Sports, crafts, cards, games, pools."
Outdoor activities: Some campgrounds feature specific recreational options for children. A Tombstone RV & Campground visitor reported, "Kiddos said there were horseshoes to play," while another family noted, "The kids and I used the hiking trails and played horseshoe toss."
Campfire accessibility: Fire regulations vary significantly between facilities. Tombstone RV & Campground permits fires with some visitors noting, "You can rent an outdoor fireplace and buy firewood on site too," while other nearby facilities prohibit open flames entirely.
Tips from RVers
Navigation challenges: Several RV parks present maneuvering difficulties despite advertising as big-rig friendly. "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)," reports one RVer.
Long-term setup considerations: Winter visitors staying multiple months should investigate electrical billing practices. A Voyager RV Resort guest noted, "For extended stays you will be responsible for your individual site Electric bill."
Water pressure variations: Infrastructure limitations affect some services in certain parks. A Tombstone Territories winter visitor reported, "The water pressure on the West end of the park was terrible at times but over all a great place to spend the winter."
