Best Tent Camping near Mammoth, AZ

Mammoth, AZ is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Mammoth is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Tent Sites Near Mammoth, Arizona (23)

    1. General Hitchcock Campground

    7 Reviews
    Willow Canyon, AZ
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 749-8700

    $10 / night

    "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."

    "We camped at site 6, right across from the restrooms. Has some nice boulders to tuck your tent away in, and no really close neighbors."

    2. Charouleau Gap Trailhead Camp

    3 Reviews
    Catalina, AZ
    20 miles

    "Some road noise."

    3. Shores Recreation Area

    4 Reviews
    Winkelman, AZ
    21 miles
    +1 (520) 258-7200

    "This will be a scorcher in the middle of summer but the sites do have tree cover for shade."

    "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."

    4. Showers Point Group Site

    1 Review
    Willow Canyon, AZ
    22 miles
    Website

    $114 / night

    "The toilets were spotlessly maintained and running potable water was easiy available.

    there are lots of great hiking trails close by and each site had a Ramada with a fireplace for the group."

    5. Gordon Hirabayashi Campground

    3 Reviews
    Willow Canyon, AZ
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 749-8700

    "However it sits away from the Highway so is a little quieter and has easy access to several hiking/mountain biking trails, horse trails, and a rock climbing area."

    "The hike from there is well worth doing, into sycamore canyon, though there are several other hiikes close by. Best used in early spring winter and late fall."

    6. Whitetail Group Site

    1 Review
    Willow Canyon, AZ
    22 miles

    7. Happy Valley Saddle Campground — Saguaro National Park

    4 Reviews
    Saguaro National Park, AZ
    41 miles
    Website

    $8 / night

    "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 was very secluded and had a nice big bear box and a nice fire ring. I would definitely return! It was a bit chilly in December but slept comfortably."

    8. Manning Camp — Saguaro National Park

    2 Reviews
    Saguaro National Park, AZ
    36 miles
    Website

    "Despite close spaces to camp, it was a lot of fun. It was quiet and people were respectful. Land landscape is amazing and the cactus forests are beautiful."

    9. Clark Peak Dispersed Campsite

    1 Review
    Pima, AZ
    39 miles
    Website

    "Found a beautiful dispersed camping spot beneath the Aspens and Ponderosas on the north side of FR803 about a mile west of the Riggs Flat Lake Campground."

    10. Sulphide Del Rey Campground

    2 Reviews
    Globe, AZ
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 402-6200

    "Beautiful campground on a hill surrounded by pines. Gets completely silent at night assuming other campers behave. Perfectly dark except for stars between the trees and your fire."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Mammoth, AZ

537 Reviews of 23 Mammoth Campgrounds


  • Michael B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Upper Twilight Group Site

    Private and Clean

    This site was very private and expansive for the location. There is the lower campsite however it is a bit down from the area where the tents were set up. There were multiple fire rings set up around the camp and the rangers who visited us informed that we may not use them and they were going to be dismantled once we left. There is a "main" fire ring near two tables and a bear box. The restroom being close and CLEAN was a bonus but is the only restroom for both the upper and lower campsites. There are great hikes and trails in the surrounding areas especially if you want to venture off trail to a lookout point nearby. Highly recommend this site for families and new to camping campers.

  • Ash C.
    Oct. 13, 2021

    Spencer Canyon Campground

    Great campground clean bathrooms !

    While busy, this is a well ran and well managed campground. The hosts are diligent to touch base with everyone coming in (safety) and the campsites though somewhat close together, offer unique ways to capture some privacy. The mountain can get very cold and windy at night, so make sure you have a sleeping bag rated for freezing temps. This campground has some of the cleanest vault toilets I’ve ever seen! Seriously! I don’t know how they do it!

    The camp hosts have fire wood for sale as well, you just have to flag them down when they drive by. Each site has a fire ring and grill. I also found several fresh water pumps within walking distance from my camp. The site is very easily accessible but some of the dirt roads can get pretty rutty, so use caution with lower profile vehicles.

  • 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).

  • Dray S.
    Sep. 8, 2019

    Spencer Canyon Campground

    Great, easy getaway if you don't mind company

    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). It is located approximately 3 miles past the Palisades Visitor Center and the entrance is marked well by a big brown sign as you approach. Phill and Denise, the friendly campsite managers will give you advice and suggestions about campsites that suite your needs. The photos attached to this review are from campsite#6, which is close to the Phill& Denise’s camper location and the highway- yes, we did hear road noise. Most campers chose locations deeper in the campground, but we were there on a busy weekend so most of those“deeper” campsites were occupied. All sites have a large bear box, concrete picnic table, charcoal grill and an iron fire pit. The picnic area of the site is level but the whole campsite is NOT so pick your location carefully if you want to pitch your tent on a flat, level plot. We did find some firewood left over from prior campers but recommend bringing your own, dry wood if you have room in your rig. In my observation, there is a rather nice, vessel toilet house strategically located to serve 6- 7 campsites. There is also a water faucet to be shared by 6- 7 campsites. Campsite#6 has its own faucet so others might also. There are 60+ campsites throughout Spencer Canyon and I would suggest that those“deeper” in the campground are more desirable. It should be noted that most of the campsites are close together, that is, about 50-75 feet apart, hence, my“... if you don’t mind company” comment. It should also be noted that Phill& Denise are really nice and helpful, the campsites are well maintained and clean, it is only 22 miles from Tucson and less than 6 miles from the mountaintop hamlet of Summerhaven, and is situated at approximately 7,900 fee of elevation. Thus, Spencer Canyon Campground is a great getaway from the Arizona heat and close enough to Tucson for a 1- 2 night weekend.

  • P
    Sep. 13, 2020

    Gilbert Ray Campground

    Very Nice

    My grandson and I stayed in a tent campsite for two nights. There are only a 5 tent sites and they don't have a tent pad. After two passes we were able to find a site with a smooth spot without rocks for the tent, B5, a picnic table but no shade. I felt there could have been more bathrooms and water spickets but honestly I did not do much walking in the campground. It is the quiet time of year, before snowbirds come, so we were able to have our pick of electric or not sites. It was quiet; I think three trailers and one other tenter. No generators allowed and 7 day strict limit. The coyotes were very vocal at night, which I enjoyed.This is more of an RV campground but suited us fine for two days. We interacted with the hosts and they were very nice. We explored the trails, visitor center and Sonora Desert Museum, which we loved. Thirty minute drive to Tucson. We went to the Reid Park Zoo, which we thoroughly enjoyed; LOTS of animals for a small zoo. We drove the loop in East Saguaro National Park. Some things closed in West Saguaro park so be aware of that, like Old Tucson, but we found lots to do.

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

    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.

  • Amelio S.
    Jun. 30, 2021

    Rose Canyon Campground

    Gorgeous mountain top site

    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 and the campground is great as well. Spots are drive up with picnic tables, bear boxes, and space to set up a tent or two. There’s a camp store and public pit toilets. We arrived in the evening and left early so we didn’t use the camp store. Would definitely come again, not sure if we’ll get so lucky w our site again tho

  • Candy P.
    Jun. 29, 2021

    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

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 25, 2019

    Round the Mountain Campground

    Tiny Spot, Beautiful Views

    This tiny little campground is perched on the side of the road in another of AZ's Sky Islands. Just 3 campsites, not big enough for large RV’s, though Hamlet-sized trailers and camper vans are fine.  

    Passable pit toilets available for use, but no drinking water. Each tiny site had a picnic table, fire ring, and bear box. A beautiful creek down the hill from the campground had crystal clear water for filtering and washing up.  Completely FREE and first-come, first-served!

    Great hiking around the whole area, complete with snowy peaks in early April and waterfalls. Saw many road cyclists riding up the very steep, winding road, as it is lightly traveled. This sky island s a great place to head in the summer when the desert is too hot to enjoy it.

    Closest town with supplies and services is Safford, AZ, about 20 minutes north.


Guide to Mammoth

Tent camping near Mammoth, Arizona offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure and tranquility.

Explore Scenic Hiking Trails

  • The General Hitchcock Campground is nestled in the Mt. Lemmon area, providing access to numerous hiking trails with stunning views and cooler temperatures compared to Tucson.
  • At Manning Camp — Saguaro National Park, hikers can enjoy a challenging trek that rewards them with breathtaking scenery and unique desert flora along the way.
  • The Gordon Hirabayashi Campground offers trails leading into Sycamore Canyon, perfect for those looking to explore the natural beauty of the region.

Campground Amenities and Features

  • Shores Recreation Area provides essential amenities like picnic tables and toilets, making it a convenient spot for a quick getaway by the Gila River.
  • The Showers Point Group Site features well-maintained facilities, including running water and picnic areas, ideal for group camping experiences.
  • At Charouleau Gap Trailhead Camp, campers can enjoy a more rustic experience with fire pits and ample space for tents, though amenities are limited.

Tent Camping Prices and Accessibility

  • Tent camping at General Hitchcock Campground is budget-friendly, with prices around $20 per night, making it an affordable option for families and solo adventurers alike.
  • The Gordon Hirabayashi Campground also offers tent sites for approximately $10 per night, providing a great value for those looking to explore the outdoors.
  • For a unique experience, Manning Camp — Saguaro National Park requires a hike to reach the campsite, but the effort is well worth it for the stunning views and serene environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mammoth, AZ is General Hitchcock Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 7 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 23 tent camping locations near Mammoth, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.