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Best Tent Camping near Elgin, AZ

475 Reviews

Dispersed tent camping options surround Elgin, Arizona, primarily in the Coronado National Forest and nearby conservation lands. Empire Ranch offers established tent sites with marked camping areas and picnic tables in Las Cienegas National Conservation Area. Harshaw Avenue provides roadside tent camping with access to the Coronado National Forest, while Miller Canyon Road features more secluded tent sites requiring high-clearance vehicles to access.

Most tent camping areas near Elgin have minimal amenities and require self-sufficiency. Sites generally lack drinking water, showers, and trash collection facilities. Empire Ranch provides vault toilets at established sites, but most dispersed areas require campers to pack out waste or use portable toilet systems. High fire danger often restricts campfires, particularly during summer months. Road conditions vary significantly, with many sites requiring careful navigation on unpaved forest roads. Campers should bring all necessary water, as natural sources are seasonal and unreliable in this arid region.

For backcountry tent enthusiasts, Happy Valley Saddle Campground in Saguaro National Park offers a more remote experience accessible via a 4.6-mile hike. These sites include bear boxes, fire rings, and vault toilets at 6,000 feet elevation. The Dragoon Mountains east of Elgin provide dispersed tent camping with excellent views and privacy, though access roads can be challenging after rain. More experienced tent campers can attempt routes into the Huachuca or Tumacacori Mountains for true wilderness camping. A recent review noted, "If you're looking for peace and quiet with spectacular views and a lot of outdoor activities available, you will love it. Bring water, etc... it's always to town."

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Best Tent Sites Near Elgin, Arizona (20)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Elgin, AZ

6 Photos of 20 Elgin Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Elgin, AZ

475 Reviews of 20 Elgin Campgrounds

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 19, 2024

    Cochise Stronghold

    Secluded

    Cochise 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.

  • Jered K.
    Feb. 25, 2019

    Happy Valley Saddle Campground — Saguaro National Park

    Small & remote camp

    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 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).

  • R
    Jun. 30, 2024

    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.

  • Lisa S.
    Jan. 15, 2021

    Bog Springs Campground

    A Favorite

    What this campground lacks in amenities, it makes up for in its’ superb environment. Long grass, Mountain mahogany, pinion, oak,sycamore and juniper trees create a habitat for over 100 bird varieties and species. Deer roam around inside the campground perimeter and hiking trails lead directly out to miles of Mountain trails including to the top of 9427’ Mt. Wrightson.

    There are only seven back in or curb side sites, and five walk in tent sites. All have water, picnic tables and fire rings. There is a building with pít toilets.

    This is not a place for big rigs or glampers.

    There is a lodgings nearby where an array of feeders attracts dozens of birds for Public viewing and where there is also a gift shop.

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2018

    Tucson - Lazydays KOA

    Best Campsites for Snowbirds In Arizona

    When spending time on the road many times you will find campsite after campsite that is welcoming but not quite like home away from home. But when you drive through Tucson, there is a mecca filled with winter bird campers and long term campers which create a home away from home.

    With only tent sites available on the facility, we were fortunate to find a site, however when we arrived we were so excited by the facilities we extended our stay by a day.

    Office staff immediately greeted us and let us know about the facilities, which happened to feature a mini golf course, an indoor events facility, 2 swimming pools and hot tubs, an indoor recreation area and multiple on camp fire chinineas. In addition there was a fishing pond and dog park area.

    Each of the 4 campsites were considered to be regular campsites instead of upgrade sites but when we arrived it was the most delux sites we had encountered along the way.

    Pad sites were large and the first to actually accommodate our large tent and the ground was u like any we had seen before at a site. The soft mulch was similar to that of a modern day playground and made for a much more comfortable sleep over the two days we were there.

    In addition to the standard picnic table of most facilities, this campground offered a kitchen facility at each campsite including a large copper sink and food storage as well as electricity and overhead lighting in the pergola designed to allow shade from the harsh Arizona sun.

    It was the closest thing to glamping we had encountered by far!

    Then as an added bonus, fresh fruit trees abounded ready for the picking. The front desk informed us of the allowance to pick what you want as everything was in season! An amazing treat on the road!

    We spent many hours at the pool facility, enjoyed amazing neighbors, used the wifi and even did a load of laundry while in Tucson. The facility really was like a home away from home on the road.

    🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰

    If the scale went higher we would rank it more Bunnies. There were no real areas we could see for improvement. Staff was very accommodating, long term and short term residents of the facility were amazing and this was a desert oasis like no other!

  • G
    Mar. 2, 2021

    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.

  • Beth G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 16, 2020

    Cochise Stronghold Campground

    Small campground but worth a visit

    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.

    Dog friendly hiking opportunities from this campground on the Cochise Trail. I recommend arriving during daylight hours. We left after work, and it was harder to navigate the primitive roads back to the campground in the dark. You do have to cross the stream several times to get the the site. When we crossed the water was 3-6” deep and a few crossing are over rocks (not pavement). We had no issues in our F250, but any vehicle with a normal amount of clearance should be fine. We saw several small SUVs/crossovers, small trailers, a dirt bike and a Prius.

    It’s a popular place and we were lucky to get the last site available that night. There are also dispersed camp sites (also popular) along the W Hunt Rd loop.

    The campground has pit toilets (with 2 stalls each). Each site has a picnic table, a nice fire ring and a tall BBQ grill. The sites are close together. No water, so bring your own.

    We will definitely return to the Cochise Stronghold area.

  • Alisa P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2025

    Benson KOA

    Nice Spot right off I10

    Loved this KOA. It was clean and quiet. Level ground and every spot had a picnic table. I didn’t see fire rings in every spot but someone down the way from us did have a fire so maybe some sites have them OR these people had their own that they broke out. The laundry looks like it was just re-done. The machines are new and the dryers actually worked! Bathrooms are clean and showers are perfect!
    The sites are level and graveled. They have tons of activities for families. Corn hole, horseshoes, pool table in the game room and a great play ground. They do have a pool and hot tub but it was closed because it too is new to the resort so although it looked ready the sign said they were doing the final touches. My only complaint was we had a back in spot in the back but they called around 4 wanting to know our ETA we said close to 5:30. She told us that they were going to move us to another spot because backing in in the dark can be problematic. We were fine with that and had no problem with the new site which was in front of the KOA building. However they put in street lamps that are blinding at night. I had to find towels to clip up in the window so we could sleep. Not a big deal at all but if you come in late ask or they call to move you ask to be away from the football stadium lights 🤪 I would most definitely stay here again!

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 17, 2019

    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!

Guide to Elgin

Tent camping near Elgin, Arizona offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, with a variety of well-reviewed spots that cater to outdoor enthusiasts.

Tips for tent camping near Elgin

  • For a peaceful experience, consider the Harshaw Ave - Coronado National Forest, where you can enjoy dry firewood and the freedom to explore more remote areas.
  • If you're looking for a site with no permit requirements, Miller Canyon Road is a great option, though be mindful of potential permit signs in the area.
  • Make sure to pack all essentials, including water, when visiting Camp Site 001 Dispersed Site, as amenities are limited.

Tent campers should check out Madera Canyon

  • The Madera Canyon Picnic Area is perfect for those who enjoy birdwatching and offers shaded picnic tables along with restroom facilities.
  • Experience the beauty of nature while encountering wildlife at Mt. Wrightson Picnic Area, which is nestled in the scenic Coronado National Forest.
  • For a more secluded experience, Happy Valley Saddle Campground requires a moderate hike but rewards you with stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere.

Explore the unique features of Cochise Stronghold

  • The Cochise Stronghold offers a rugged camping experience in a deep canyon, surrounded by towering rock formations and shaded by scrub oaks.
  • Enjoy the historical significance of the area while camping at Ft Huachuca Remote Camping, where you can soak in the natural beauty without the hassle of reservations.
  • For those seeking a more adventurous trek, Manning Camp provides a challenging hike with breathtaking views and a historic cabin to explore upon arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Elgin, AZ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Elgin, AZ is Empire Ranch with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Elgin, AZ?

TheDyrt.com has all 20 tent camping locations near Elgin, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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