Best Tent Camping near Morenci, AZ

The mountainous terrain surrounding Morenci, Arizona offers several tent camping options within a short drive. Owl Creek Campground near Clifton provides seven tent campsites with ramadas and fire rings, while Bear Track Camp Picnic Site offers more primitive tent camping opportunities. The Pinaleño Mountains to the west feature Arcadia Campground with well-spaced tent sites under tall ponderosa pines, and Round the Mountain Campground with just three tent-only sites perched on the mountainside. For backcountry tent camping, Marijilda offers secluded creek-side spots requiring four-wheel drive access.

Most tent campgrounds in the region feature basic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. Sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables, with vault toilets available at established campgrounds. Drinking water is limited, with Arcadia being one of the few locations offering potable water. Tent campers should bring their own water supplies, especially at primitive sites. Bear boxes are provided at some locations due to wildlife activity. Road conditions vary significantly, with high-clearance vehicles required for accessing more remote tent-only camping areas like Marijilda, where a shallow water crossing must be navigated.

Walk-in tent sites offer distinct advantages for campers seeking solitude. According to reviews, Owl Creek Campground provides access to hiking trails and opportunities to observe wildlife like coatimundi. One camper noted that Round the Mountain Campground has "a beautiful creek down the hill with crystal clear water for filtering and washing up." The temperature difference between desert floor and mountain tent campsites can reach 30 degrees, making higher elevation sites particularly valuable during summer months. Tent campers at Arcadia Campground appreciate the shade from large pines and the clean pit toilets. Most primitive tent camping areas operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with fees ranging from free to $20 per night depending on amenities and location.

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Best Tent Sites Near Morenci, Arizona (18)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Morenci, AZ

2 Photos of 18 Morenci Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Morenci, AZ

129 Reviews of 18 Morenci 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.

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 2, 2024

    Bighorn Campground

    Perfect for a One Bight Stopover

    Bighorn, NM: great for stopover., As it is right off the highway (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good

    (71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)

    Overall Rating: 3 perfect for a stop over Security: no Usage during visit: light Site Privacy: no Site Spacing: OK Pad surface: dirt Outside Road Noise: some highway noise Through Traffic in campground: no Electric Hookup: no Sewer Hookup: no, Dump Station: no, Potable Water Available: no Generators: allowed Bathroom: pit toilet Showers: no Setting: parallel with creek, just off the highway. Solar: great Insects: none during our visit in April. Host: no Sites: along the creek bed, just off the highway.

  • M
    Jun. 14, 2021

    Cosmic Campground

    Stars 5 Campsite 4

    About 10 designated sites around a loop. The sites are set up as to where you pull/back your vehicle/camper into the site. There is a picnic table. The site itself is compacted gravel. There is an area at each site where you can set up tent(s) on dirt. Very little to no shade so suggest you bring a popup canopy. Each site has a fire ring, but be sure to check (and respect) the burn ban status. Two pit toilets. No water available at campground so be sure to pack in. There are also dispersed sites off the main loop. There are basically just where you set up a tent where you can find a nice spot. Most have a rock fire ring. The dispersed sites offer solitude away from other campers, but a longer walk to the latrines. There are 4 cement pads at the main campsite area to set telescopes. The stars are incredible. Great viewing of Milky Way (when on cosmic calendar). Constellations galore. Too many satellites to count.

  • 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.

  • Beth G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2023

    Hannagan Campground - Apache Sitgreaves National Forests

    Lovely Little Campground

    This is a great campsite that is full of amenities for FREE (donations accepted).

    There are just a few spots and they are first come , first serve. We enjoyed chatting with the camp host and taking a walk along the hiking trails.

    At over 9000 feet elevation, this is a great spot to beat the AZ summer heat. The sites are nestled away among the tree and feel very secluded considering how close together they actually are to each other.

    Great for tent camping or a small camping trailer. Site have picnic tables, vault toilets, and drinking water

  • 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.

  • M
    Jul. 12, 2021

    Cosmic Campground

    I'd give it six stars if I could!

    Absolutely the best campsite I've ever stayed at! You'll never experience anything like it, seeing the stars like how they should be! Unfortunately there's a little light pollution to the west, and to north, but almost nothing to the South or East.

    This is truly remote camping, absolutely nothing nearby. Hardly any road noise or airplanes overhead.

    This is Bear country, so be sure to store your food properly and practice proper campsite safety. I actually sat out and watched the stars with a can of bear mace in my camping chair right next to me, just in case. I was the only person at the campsite.

    It's very well maintained, with very nice facilities. Need to bring in your own water, but there are restrooms.

    If you're heading east from here, you can drive through the very large telescope array the next day, which is also amazing!

    I can't recommend this campsite enough, it's unlike anything you'll ever experience!

  • Beth G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2023

    KP Cienega Campground

    I love this little campground

    This campsite is a repeat location for family. I almost didn’t even want to post a review so I could keep it hidden. Located right next to a large meadow, we almost always see elk or deer. There is also a nice trail next to a creek but the path was over grown when we tried to hike down it. The road down to the campsite is in good shape, but the sites are small. Perfect for 1-2 tents.

    Vault toilet and no other amenities. Bring water.

    This is a popular site for hunters during elk/deer season. We often find carcasses and bones around the site.

  • Beth G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2023

    Clark Peak Corrals

    Beautiful Views and Vault Toliet

    Nothing beats the summer Arizona heat like escaping to the top of the Pinaleños.

    At 8800 ft elevation, this corral and campsite offers amazing weather in the summer and gorgeous views off the edge of the mountains.

    Be prepared to bring in anything you might need, including water. There are only about 3 campsites located near the vault toilets, but their are dispersed sites further down the forest road.

    This forest road is gated off during the winter months and this area is not accessible.


Guide to Morenci

Tent camping near Morenci, Arizona features multiple options across significant elevation changes, from the desert floor at around 3,500 feet to mountain sites exceeding 8,000 feet. The Coronado National Forest surrounding Morenci encompasses diverse ecosystems where campers can experience temperature differences of up to 30°F between lower and higher elevation sites. Most primitive camping areas require water crossings that become impassable after heavy rains, particularly during the July-September monsoon season.

What to do

Wildlife observation opportunities: Blue Crossing Campground provides excellent streamside camping with "plenty of downed trees for firewood" and access to "hiking trails and petroglyphs," according to camper Daren W.

Fishing access: At White Crossing Camping along the Black River, visitors report "good fishing and lots of wildlife to see." One camper noted they "saw a bear 50 feet across the river on our first day."

Bird watching: The riparian areas offer exceptional birding opportunities. Gary C. describes Gila Lower Box Canyon as "a birders paradise" where you can "sit on the edge of the cliffs, 20-30 feet above the tops of the cottonwoods and watch all the bird activity below."

River exploration: Upper Blue Campground provides direct access to the Blue River with sites that are "small and spread out." According to Daren W., it's "lots of fun to play and climb/hike" along the stream and cliff areas.

What campers like

Secluded camping spots: At Marijilda, campers appreciate that it's "right on the creek and secluded and quiet" with access to "fresh mountain spring water," according to Shane W.

Free camping options: Round the Mountain Campground offers "completely FREE and first-come, first-served" camping with basic amenities. Michael A. notes the "beautiful views and area" despite some road noise.

Wildlife sightings: Visitors to Gila Lower Box Canyon report seeing diverse wildlife, with one camper noting, "You can also watch bands of coatimundis grazing through the bosque" in this "true paradise in southwestern NM."

River proximity: Most tent sites in the region provide water access. Jon U. found Upper Blue Campground irresistible despite planning to go elsewhere: "I couldn't pass on this site when I saw it," referring to its "isolated sweeping views."

What you should know

Permits required for some areas: White Crossing Camping requires a "San Carlos Apache use permit which cost $20 per day per person over 12," according to Jason T.

Construction disruptions: Some campgrounds may be undergoing improvements. At Owl Creek, one camper warned about finding "the entire grounds are a work in progress" with "sites littered with sharp objects like screws, nails, etc."

Road conditions: Accessing remote sites requires appropriate vehicles. Shane W. advises that Marijilda requires "4x4 needed to exit" and features a "road that is a couple miles, rough, and one shallow water crossing."

Seasonal availability: Many higher elevation campgrounds close during winter months. Blue Crossing and Upper Blue Campgrounds operate from April through November, while some lower elevation sites remain open year-round.

Tips for camping with families

Group-friendly sites: Black River White Crossing accommodates larger family groups with "multiple unmarked sites available." Jason T. reports "our family had 14 people camping out of 5 vehicle at our site alone."

Safety considerations: Remote camping requires preparation. Dennis P. notes that in some areas "there are no facilities, amenities, or anyone to hold your hand" and recommends being "more aware of safety than usual."

Wildlife awareness: Families should take precautions regarding wildlife encounters. Gary C. advises to "watch out for rattlesnakes and Gila monsters during the warmer months" at Gila Lower Box Canyon.

Limited facilities: Most tent sites offer minimal amenities. Shane W. describes Marijilda as having "no toilets, no trash" but notes "Verizon in and out" for emergency communications.

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Most campgrounds limit RV access. At Round the Mountain Campground, Shari G. notes there are "just 3 campsites, not big enough for large RVs, though Hamlet-sized trailers and camper vans are fine."

Remote camping preparation: RVers must be self-sufficient. Jason T. advises to "pack it all in and pack it all out" as there is "no drinkable water on site without filtration" at many locations.

Road access challenges: Some promising sites may be difficult to access. At Gila Lower Box Canyon, Dennis P. found that "three roads fork off Fuller Rd. (A027) toward the river" and "the middle fork already had an RV in the flattest spot."

Weather considerations: Seasonal conditions affect road passability. One camper mentioned returning to Blue Crossing in April to find "water was still running across road" after earlier spring snowmelt and heavy rains.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Morenci, AZ is Owl Creek Campground with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 18 tent camping locations near Morenci, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.