Clark Peak Corrals offers designated equestrian camping near Oracle, Arizona at 8,800 feet elevation in the Pinaleño Mountains. The site provides basic facilities including vault toilets and wooden picnic tables with camping areas situated to maximize mountain views. During summer months, the higher elevation provides relief from desert heat, though the access road remains gated and inaccessible during winter.
What to do
Trail riding with horses: Clark Peak Corrals serves as a starting point for trail rides through the surrounding forest. "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," notes Beth G., who camped at Clark Peak Corrals.
Cave exploration: Visit Colossal Cave Mountain Park for guided underground tours. "While we were there we also did the Regular Cave Tour and it was really neat. Dane was our tour guide and he was fun to listen to and very informative. It really was 70 in the cave and with it being in the 50s/60s outside we went in overdressed and ended up really warm," reports Krista Z. about her visit to Colossal Cave Mountain Park.
Off-road adventures: Experience backcountry trails suitable for both horses and 4x4 vehicles. "You will need 4x4 to get up farther into the pass. Like mentioned before you won't want too big of a rig and you do lose cell reception as you head east. It gets chilly in the fall and winter but it's great relief from the heat of Arizona," says Joshua M. about camping at Reddington Pass.
What campers like
Affordable camping options: Budget-conscious equestrian campers appreciate the reasonable rates at public campgrounds in the area. "Great rates," notes Frank C. about his stay at Colossal Cave Mountain Park. Another camper, Holly C., adds, "Loved this camp site. You have to go into the cave gift shop to pay. They do close gates at 4. Was only 10$ for a tent spot."
Dark skies for stargazing: The remote location of horse camps provides exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. Candice E. from Clark Peak Corrals suggests it "would be a perfect little spot to watch the stars."
Proximity to hiking trails: Many equestrian campgrounds connect to hiking paths for when you want to explore on foot. "There are a few trails in the park (Path of Ancestors, Bundrick, and the Arizona Trail). We did parts of all 3 but Path of Ancestors was my favorite. It has information boards along the way talking about the Hohokam tribe," shares Krista Z.
What you should know
Water availability: Most horse camping areas near Oracle lack reliable water sources. "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," warns Beth G. about Clark Peak Corrals.
Gate closure times: Some campgrounds restrict after-hours access. "They do lock the gate at 4:00, so once in, you are there for the night," reports Robbie B. about Colossal Cave Mountain Park. Another camper adds, "I understand their reasoning behind locking the gates however; bad humans out there that come in late at night and trash the place."
Seasonal limitations: Weather affects access to certain horse camping areas. "This forest road is gated off during the winter months and this area is not accessible," explains Beth G. regarding Clark Peak Corrals. The higher elevation sites provide cooler temperatures during summer months.
Tips for camping with families
Low-cost options: Family horse camping doesn't have to break the budget. "Cost was DEFINITELY a plus here- $7.50 per night!" shares Emma K. about Pima County Fairgrounds RV Park, noting it's a good value despite some maintenance issues.
Facilities to check: Verify which amenities are currently available before your trip. "All of the single campsites are currently closed (and have been since late last summer)... Most (if not all) of the advertised things to do were shut down or unavailable," reports Krista Z., suggesting families call ahead to confirm status.
Group sites for family gatherings: Some horse camping areas offer dedicated group facilities. "El Bosquecito is actually a pretty neat group campground if you don't mind carrying your gear in. There was some tree coverage. There were BBQs, water faucets, bathrooms, and fire pits," notes Krista Z.
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Access roads to horse camping areas often require high-clearance vehicles. "Every road in the entire park is REALLY rough. They are paved but there are potholes everywhere. I wouldn't take a super low clearance car through the park and you won't make it back to La Selvilla without high ground clearance and 4 wheel drive," warns Krista Z. about Colossal Cave Mountain Park.
Site selection for large rigs: Choose appropriate sites for your vehicle size. "I wouldn't recommend larger trailers or RVs to travel too far up the trail, we've seen them get stuck trying to turn around. The road is rough but if you don't mind driving slow over the holes and bumps then no big deal," advises Cass G. about Reddington Pass Dispersed camping areas.
Booking patterns: Understand reservation systems and busy periods. "Reservations during January for a short-term (2 night) stay were surprisingly easy to obtain via their online booking tool. Longer stays should book far ahead of time, max stay is 14 days," suggests Kristin S., who stayed at a developed campground near Oracle.
