Best Tent Camping near Mount Lemmon, AZ
The Santa Catalina Mountains around Mount Lemmon offer several tent camping options within Coronado National Forest, ranging from established campgrounds to primitive backcountry sites. General Hitchcock Campground provides 11 tent sites tucked between pine trees at higher elevations, while Gordon Hirabayashi Campground offers a more rustic experience with access to multiple hiking trails. Saguaro National Park's backcountry tent sites, including Happy Valley Saddle and Manning Camp, require permits and substantial hiking to reach.
Most tent campgrounds near Mount Lemmon operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with fees typically around $20 per night at established sites. Vault toilets are available at General Hitchcock and Gordon Hirabayashi, but drinking water is scarce throughout the area. Sites are generally situated on dirt or gravel surfaces with natural spacing between pines. Seasonal closures affect accessibility, with some higher-elevation campgrounds closed during winter months. Fire restrictions are common during dry periods, and campers should verify current regulations before arrival. Bear boxes are provided at some backcountry tent sites like Happy Valley Saddle.
The tent camping experience varies dramatically with elevation changes around Mount Lemmon. Lower sites provide desert vegetation and warmer temperatures, while higher-elevation tent sites offer pine forest surroundings and cooler conditions. Many backcountry tent areas require substantial hiking—Happy Valley Saddle Campground sits at 6,000 feet elevation after a 4.6-mile trek uphill. Sites are generally quiet with respectful campers, though proximity to other tent sites varies by location. As one camper noted about General Hitchcock, "Some sites are right by the little river that forms during snowfall. Site 6 has some nice boulders to tuck your tent away in, and no really close neighbors."
