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ScoutTucson KOA Resort
Love Tucson KOA Lazydays!
Plenty of space, the best dog parks ever!
Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Mammoth, AZ
Mount Bigelow Dispersed's free campsites allow pets throughout their terrain, offering accessible options for tent and RV campers near Mammoth, Arizona. Several pet-friendly campgrounds in the area provide varying amenities for campers traveling with dogs, including Peppersauce Campground where visitors frequently spot wildlife including deer, turkeys, and coatimundi while hiking with their pets. Spencer Canyon Campground and Rose Canyon Campground both welcome pets with designated sites amid pine forests, providing toilet facilities and drinking water. Cactus Forest Dispersed and Charouleau Gap Trailhead Camp offer more primitive camping experiences for those seeking seclusion with their pets. Most sites require dogs to remain on leash at all times, especially important given the abundant wildlife in the region. The campground can get crowded on weekends, but fellow campers are generally friendly and respectful toward pets.
The Mount Lemmon area provides excellent pet-friendly trails connecting many of these campgrounds, with Spencer Canyon serving as the highest elevation National Forest campground where summer temperatures remain significantly cooler than surrounding lowlands. When camping with dogs, visitors should bring sufficient water as not all dispersed sites offer drinking water access. Charouleau Gap features limited vegetation for privacy when pets need bathroom breaks. Gilbert Ray Campground provides more developed options with electric hookups and water access for RVs traveling with pets. Seasonal considerations affect pet camping experiences – summer temperatures at lower elevations can be dangerous for pets, while Mount Lemmon sites may experience freezing conditions in fall and winter, with icy roads sometimes preventing access to dispersed camping areas even with all-wheel drive vehicles.
Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Mammoth, Arizona (106)
1. Peppersauce Campground
7 ReviewsOracle, AZ14 milesWebsite+1 (520) 749-8700$50 / night
"This campground is located about 12 minutes outside of Oracle, AZ and is a great place to go to disconnect (no cell reception). We spent two nights here and had a great time!"
"Most spots are roomy and Shaded, temps were really nice for Arizona in June, due to the elevation. Met a few campers that had been staying there since Wednesday, and they were really nice people."
2. Spencer Canyon Campground
18 ReviewsMount Lemmon, AZ22 milesWebsite+1 (520) 749-8700$22 - $36 / night
"Spencer 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)."
"There is a lot of open area for my boys to run around and build a fort while I read a book next to the stream. Also it doesn’t seem to fill up as fast as the top sites."
3. Rose Canyon Campground
21 ReviewsWillow Canyon, AZ23 milesWebsite+1 (520) 576-1477$31 - $180 / night
"Plenty of good sleep to be had, which allowed me and my dog to wake early and explore the mountain tops... which was the secret place to find cell service, by the way."
"I stayed 2 nights with my dog and it was a fantastic experience. The lake was beautiful, the creek made for lovely hiking, and the campsite hosts were friendly and helpful."
4. Mount Bigelow Dispersed
9 ReviewsWillow Canyon, AZ22 milesWebsite+1 (520) 388-8300"We drove 3 hours from Phoenix for a weekend in the forest, new to town and learning the ways of Arizona camping, didn’t realize fires are some times allowed and some times not."
"Bunch of hiking trails near by, and perfect temperatures in the summer heat."
5. Cactus Forest Dispersed
38 ReviewsMarana, AZ34 milesWebsite"However, watch where you step AND where you drive!!!!"
"It is quite sandy and has some mogul sections where the water flows have washed some of the trail away but overall an easy drive."
6. Gilbert Ray Campground
83 ReviewsCortaro, AZ46 milesWebsite+1 (520) 724-5000$10 - $75 / night
"The scenery here is perfect for Arizona. Great views of Tucson Mountain and surrounded by all kinds of hiking trails in the Tucson Mountain Park. The sites are gravel and mostly flat."
"Fantastic place to stay in the Arizona countryside. Cacti everywhere! So cool!"
7. General Hitchcock Campground
8 ReviewsWillow Canyon, AZ24 milesWebsite+1 (520) 749-8700$10 / night
"Has some nice boulders to tuck your tent away in, and no really close neighbors. Seems like the rest of the sites you have neighbors right next to you, basically sharing a camp."
"This campground is small, with tent sites tucked away between pine trees. A vaulted bathroom is at the center of the parking lot."
8. Shores Recreation Area
5 ReviewsWinkelman, AZ21 miles+1 (520) 258-7200"Toilets, Bear boxes, and easy access to the river from well spaced and maintained sites. I did not have Verizon or T-Mobile, although it claims on this site to have it."
"Theirs a little highway noise but with the river sounds and a fire it was just what we needed. Theirs sunshine and shade, a bathroom, and garbage."
9. Redington Pass - Dispersed Camping
17 ReviewsSaguaro National Park, AZ29 milesWebsite"There was a lot of people parking next to me and unloading there off-road vehicles in the morning, so I decided to go further up."
"The path leads up a mountain away from the city lights of Tuscon. It’s just a short drive away. There’s plenty of spots. Watch out for huge ants! We almost camped on a mound."
10. Tucson KOA Resort
54 ReviewsTucson, AZ43 milesWebsite+1 (520) 799-3701"Plenty of space, the best dog parks ever!"
"Large and shaded dog park area for the fur babies."
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Mammoth, AZ
60 Photos of 106 Mammoth Campgrounds
Kathleen M.
Peppersauce Campground
mark F.
Shores Recreation Area
mark F.
Christmas - Gila River Recreation Area
Chip
Rose Canyon Campground
Pedro G.
General Hitchcock Campground
Caitlyn B.
Molino Basin Campground
Sierra N.
Reddington Pass Dispersed
Cameron M.
Redington Pass - Dispersed Camping
Sierra N.
Cactus Forest Dispersed
Beth G.
Clark Peak Corrals
Patrick M.
Rincon Country East RV Resort
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Mammoth, AZ
775 Reviews of 106 Mammoth Campgrounds
Christy C.
GuideTucson KOA Resort
Desert fun
Very nice RV park. Clean and safe. Solar shades provide Clean power to park. Large and shaded dog park area for the fur babies.
Jill R.
RangerTucson KOA Resort
Great KOA very dog friendly
for a koa this place was surprisingly clean, I have two dogs, but this koa had a dog park that i was able to take them to in order to get all of their energy out before the long car trip. I would probably stay here again
Mstwister E.
TravelerTucson KOA Resort
Great Time!
We just went camping here our first time last weekend and we had a great time! A very kid friendly campground, they had lots of things to keep you busy! 2 pools, a playground, game room, pickle ball courts, mini golf, RC car track, go-cart rentals, golf cart rentals, dog parks, activity’s for kids, you won’t be bored! Bathrooms/ showers were pretty clean and had a nice little store if you forgot stuff. 3 nice big propane fire pits by the entrance were perfect for roasting marshmallows. The BBQ Rush had great food if you don’t feel like cooking one night. Only $36 a night for a back in site with full hookups is a great deal! We had a blast and will definitely be back!
Karen B.RangerCactus Country RV Park - 55+
Not bad but…
Convenient location just off I-10. Had some great sunsets. Park facilities are clean but a little run down. It’s more of a mobile home park and RV park combined. Some permanent stationary mobile homes and some RV spots with lots of yard stuff that makes it look somewhat junky. Pull through sites are very close together but level enough with gravel and a patio pad with table and fire pit. Dog park is all dirt but large with fresh water. Laundry is $1.75 for a large load both washing and drying. Propane fill available. Workout room was minimal but kept cool. Cactus garden was nice.
ReubenGuideRincon Country West RV Resort
Decent location. Friendly folks and everything worked great.
Most of Rincon Country West RV Resort is really for folks who are living them permanently or seasonally in their park model homes. Only in the far back corner is there really parking for JUST RVs.(Although even that"back corner" is probably home to well over 100 spaces.) So it feels like driving through a miniature suburban subdivision. It's location is in the heart of Tucson, so there's NO feeling of"getting away from it all" by staying here. In fact, your hear planes, helicopters& traffic. It's a city. But for us, spending 5 days exploring the area, it was a fairly central jumping off point for our explorations.
We had a"deluxe" pull-through site, which got us a nice patch of grass, a charcoal grill, a picnic table, good water pressure, clean electricity and a site with two different dump spots. There was cable TV available and wifi, but we just used my Verizon hotspot for streaming some Netflix and that worked great. We were close to our neighbors, but not TOO close. The more "normal" spaces near us would have put you in much closer proximity to your neighbors. For us, it was worth the extra$5 or so per day. (Having said that, the place really is pretty pricey.$70 per day is near the top of what we've paid.)
The place has many amenities, none of which we availed ourselves of. We were really only there in the evenings and for sleeping. But pools, sports courts of all kinds, several nice dog parks, rec center, auditorium, etc. etc. I would think someone longterm would find lots to do. The security here is pretty stringent, which is nice. We'd certainly stay here again.
Lynn G.RangerGila County RV Park
There are 2 Locations
This review is for the Ash Street Location. This campsite had full hookups - water,sewer, electricity, and Wi-Fi. There was a dog park at the end of the park. I believe there are a few full timers there. It is right off of Hwy 60, and if noise bothers you, this is not the place for you - it is NOISY! I am not usually disturbed by car sounds, but it seemed very noisy with traffic most all hours. It seemed like the layout was backwards in this location and for a very large fifth wheel, it took some jockeying to get in, but once we were in, we were comfortable. It was easier to get out when it was time to leave. I would say this Campground was just average as far as campgrounds go.
MickandKarla W.
LegendTucson KOA Resort
One of the Better KOAs or Private Campground for that Matter
We followed the website instructions to the campground(CG) by taking I-10 Exit 164B versus our RV GPS and Waze, which wanted us to get off sooner. After driving that route while staying here, we discovered that route would have been good as well. Check-in was easy and informative. We then drove ourselves to FHU pull-through site 1505 with a patio and fire feature. We maneuvered to get our 10’ sewer hose to fit between our two dump valves as the utilities are centered on the pad. This KOA is a true resort with major amenities, such as a pool, putt-putt golf course, pickleball, restaurant, and planned activities. At check-in we received a Tengo Internet WiFi code, so we tried it out. We were able to do sporadic email and texting. We used our Starlink the rest of the time as we were able to get a good shot of the north sky. We got 5 bars on Verizon. Water pressure in our site was good at about 50 psi. As we are dog people, we enjoyed walking our pups to the fenced dog areas and letting them run. In the front of the CG by the gate there’s a huge 1 to 2-acre fenced dog park. In the northwest corner of the CG, there’s another, but much smaller, fenced dog area, and then another even smaller fenced dog area around the corner from our site. They have a variety of sites with various amenities. As we have family in the area, we would stay here again. The next time we would get one of the sites with a fenced dog area, such as 1476-1479, which has a fire feature and a fenced Paw Pen around the patio. There are covered sites under the solar panels, but we would avoid those areas as pigeons are roosting above. Four RV techs were staying at the CG with signs in front of their campsites while we were there. The week in January we were here, we were able to get some work done on short notice. The CG website has good pics of their wide variety of sites and an expandable site map that identifies amenities. We are not normally high-dollar“resort” campers, but this CG was impressive.
Juliet L.GuideTucson KOA Resort
Wonderful resort
This place is incredible. Huge gated property with many different site options. Each site offers a metal table with 4 chairs. Some have playgrounds, private doggy runs, a fireplace, a sky deck, a covered patio, and many other awesome options. There are 2 main community areas. The larger one by the front check in offers a BBQ restaurant, a pool with spa, gym, laundry, putt putt, pickleball court, basketball court, corn hole, playground, indoor rec room with games and pool and other outdoor games. There is also multiple events throughout each day, some for kids, some for family, and some for adults. The second area has a playground, 24 hour laundry, clean bathrooms, a dog wash, and a pool with a spa that is still a very decent size. There are also multiple dog parks and bathrooms throughout the park. Phone service for Verizon and ATT are not good, but they do offer wifi. Very quick check in and quiet neighborhood. Huge property so not all of the spots were filled during our time in May, so we had empty spaces surrounding us. The spaces are not tight at all and very easy to park in. They have curbside trash pickup 24/7, so all you have to do is leave your trash on the curb and you’re good to go! Overall wonderful stay and highly recommend!
Guide to Mammoth
Mount Bigelow Dispersed camping areas sit at elevations between 7,500-8,000 feet in the Santa Catalina Mountains. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing with occasional snow, while summer daytime temperatures average 75-85°F. Most dispersed sites require high-clearance vehicles to access, with rutted forest roads becoming impassable during and after heavy precipitation.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: Peppersauce Campground connects to multiple hiking paths where wildlife viewing opportunities abound. "We saw lots of wildlife in just one night. Very fun little campground," notes Bradley B., who visited in November.
Fish at Rose Canyon Lake: The lake is stocked with trout seasonally, offering fishing opportunities for campers. "Rose Canyon Lake is stocked with trout for some easy and fun fishing and camping. Gets crowded during times when lake is stocked," explains Tanner H., who recommends checking stocking schedules.
Visit nearby attractions: Spencer Canyon Campground provides a convenient base for regional exploration. "Biosphere 2 is about 30 minutes from the campground and is definitely worth the visit!" suggests Emma J., who appreciated the educational side trip during their camping adventure.
What campers like
Cool mountain temperatures: Rose Canyon Campground offers relief from desert heat. "Got 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," shares Amelio S., who appreciated the pleasant climate at higher elevations.
Privacy in dispersed areas: Cactus Forest Dispersed features natural vegetation buffers between sites. "The cactuses and shrubs provided enough privacy between each site for it to feel like it was just us out there, and shielded us from the road as well," notes Suzie K., highlighting the seclusion available even in busier periods.
Wildlife encounters: Peppersauce Campground offers frequent animal sightings. "We spotted both turkeys and deer and were visited by some cotamundi as well. Unplug and relax as there is no cell service," says Brianna W., who enjoys visiting frequently with her family.
What you should know
Access challenges: Molino Basin Campground provides lower-elevation alternatives when mountain roads are compromised. "Camped here April 1 since dispersed area was still in snow. Great sites and easy access with toilets, fire pits and bear box," reports Ericka C., who adjusted plans when higher camps were inaccessible.
Traffic considerations: Some campgrounds experience vehicle flow from nearby facilities. "There is a lot of traffic going through camp heading to an academy on the west end of the campground but not a lot after 8 pm," mentions Bradley B. about Peppersauce Campground.
Cell service limitations: Most mountain campgrounds lack connectivity. "No service on campground very nice place to get away and relax," observes Pedro G. about General Hitchcock Campground, highlighting the digital detox aspect of the experience.
Tips for camping with families
Bathroom access: Charouleau Gap Trailhead Camp has minimal facilities for children. "Not all sites have fire circle and if you don't have a toilet there are only a few bushes tall enough. Works for a quick one nighter," cautions Ericka C., suggesting this site for shorter stays with children.
Wildlife education opportunities: Spencer Canyon offers chances to teach children about forest animals. "We were surprised at how well maintained this campground is. It has lots of activities and the sites are spacious," mentions Rick B., who enjoyed the natural setting for family learning.
Activity planning: Rose Canyon Campground provides water features that interest children. "I stayed 2 nights with my dog and it was a fantastic experience. The lake was beautiful, the creek made for lovely hiking," notes Elizabeth M., who found the water features engaging for her pet.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Gilbert Ray Campground offers dedicated RV facilities with some access challenges. "Some spots vary in size so make sure your rig can fit. Also some more difficult to back up into," advises Peter S., who recommends measuring your vehicle before booking.
Elevation effects on vehicles: Higher campgrounds require vehicle preparation. "Your best bet for a good site for the weekend is to get there on Thursday or early Friday," suggests Christina C. about Spencer Canyon, noting that "parking can be limited with only a few of the sites having adequate parking for trailers up to 22 feet."
Resource management: Most mountain campgrounds have limited or no water hookups. "Affordable campground for mostly tent and 'car camping'. Vault toilets were lacking locks. At the time of this writing, the water was not working," reports Robert G. about Peppersauce Campground, emphasizing the need to bring adequate water supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Mammoth, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Mammoth, AZ is Peppersauce Campground with a 3.7-star rating from 7 reviews.
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What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Mammoth, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 106 dog-friendly camping locations near Mammoth, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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