Best Tent Camping near Pearce, AZ

Tent campsites in the mountainous terrain surrounding Pearce, Arizona range from dispersed sites in the Dragoon Mountains to established campgrounds in the Coronado National Forest. Notable options include Cochise Stronghold, a rugged campground set in a deep canyon with towering rock formations, and West Turkey Creek Dispersed, which features primitive tent sites alongside a flowing creek. Camp Site 001 provides another dispersed camping alternative in the Dragoon Mountains with spectacular valley views and good cell service coverage.

High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing many tent camping locations in the area, particularly Cochise Stronghold and West Turkey Creek Dispersed, which require navigating unmaintained dirt roads with occasional water crossings. Most primitive tent sites lack amenities like drinking water, requiring campers to pack in their own supplies. Bear activity has been reported near several campgrounds, with food storage lockers provided at Cochise Stronghold. Fire regulations vary by location, with some areas permitting campfires while others enforce strict fire bans. Vault toilets are available at a few locations such as Happy Camp Trail and Sycamore Campground, but most dispersed tent sites have no facilities.

The backcountry tent camping experience near Pearce offers remarkable solitude and natural beauty. Walk-in tent locations at Happy Camp Trail provide access to unique rock formations with opportunities for climbing and hiking. Tent campers at West Turkey Creek Dispersed enjoy creekside sites with multiple small waterfalls and pools for splashing. Wildlife sightings are common, particularly at dawn and dusk. A review mentioned that "Turkey creek flows right next to the campground and offers fantastic hikes along its banks. There are multiple small waterfalls and pools to splash in." Another camper noted the natural attractions at Indian Bread Rocks: "Beautiful views of the giant boulders that are prevalent in this area. There is no light pollution so stargazing would have been awesome if not for the waxing moon."

Best Tent Sites Near Pearce, Arizona (24)

    1. Shaw House

    2 Reviews
    Dragoon, AZ
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 364-3468

    $150 / night

    "It has an amazing historic past and is so close to hiking trails. But we did have a mouse in the house and no cell service, so that is why I gave it 4 stars"

    2. Cochise Stronghold

    1 Review
    Pearce, AZ
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 388-8300

    "All are shaded by scrub oaks and surrounded by towering rock formations. The sites have picnic tables and grills. There is no water available so bring your own. No electricity or other facilities."

    3. Camp Site 001 Dispersed Site

    1 Review
    Tombstone, AZ
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 364-3468

    "Bring water, etc… it’s always to town. T-mobile cell good enough to stream."

    4. Happy Camp Trail

    22 Reviews
    Bowie, AZ
    30 miles

    "At the entrance you’ll find a vaulted toilet pit and a couple of trash barrels as of the time of this review."

    "Tucked into the boulders near the mountains. Very nice. Another clear moonlit night in southern AZ. I LOVE the desert. All sites are on loose dirt and there are many places for larger rigs."

    5. West Turkey Creek Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Portal, AZ
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 364-3468

    "I didn’t see anyone else here when I went and didn’t see/hear any wildlife besides birds. I also didn’t have any cell reception (T-Mobile), which was fine by me!"

    "Turkey creek flows right next to the campground and offers fantastic hikes along it's banks. There are multiple small waterfalls and pools to splash in."

    6. Sycamore Campground

    4 Reviews
    Portal, AZ
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 364-3468

    "Nice, small campground with pit toilets, fire rings and bear boxes. Saw many deer and turkeys in the area."

    "Nice clean bathrooms, picnic tables, fire pit, and bear box. Campgrounds are next to a creek with a trailhead leading to a waterfall, couldn’t ask for more for a free campsite."

    7. Rucker Lake - Tahoe National Forest

    1 Review
    Portal, AZ
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 265-4531

    "Various campsites on Rucker lake. Close waterfalls and plenty of hiking trails. Near fort Rucker and up the road from a few other campsites and hiking trails."

    8. Herb Martyr Campground

    1 Review
    Portal, AZ
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 364-3468

    10. Happy Valley Saddle Campground — Saguaro National Park

    4 Reviews
    Saguaro National Park, AZ
    45 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."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Pearce, AZ

372 Reviews of 24 Pearce Campgrounds


  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 19, 2024

    Cochise Stronghold

    Secluded

    Cochise stronghold campground is a rugged campground in a deep canyon. The canyon was the refuge for the Chiricahua Apache leader, Cochise. This is a National Forest Service campground. There are Eleven campsites and two group campsites. All are shaded by scrub oaks and surrounded by towering rock formations. The sites have picnic tables and grills. There is no water available so bring your own. No electricity or other facilities. There is a bathroom with flush toilets. There are food storage lockers due to bear activities. It is dog friendly (on leash). This campground is a little hard to get to, with several water crossings. I would not recommend attempting to drive without a high clearance vehicle. Sites are first come first served. Limit 6 people per site. $8 per night.

  • Staci W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 20, 2025

    Bonita Canyon Campground — Chiricahua National Monument

    Clean and quiet!

    Stayed on a Sunday in mid January and lucked out on a last minute site that was available. It’s a small campground, so reservations are ideal if you can plan ahead.

    There’s no fire rings but there are small grills to cook food and/or have a small “fire” in.

    Food storage boxes and bear boxes are available! Some sites have their own and others share the boxes.

    Bathrooms are modernized and super clean.

    Overall a great campground and would definitely stay here again!

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 19, 2024

    Bonita Canyon Campground — Chiricahua National Monument

    Quiet and peaceful

    Bonita Canyon Campground at the Chiricahua National Monument is a quiet little campground in a scrub pine forest. Chiricahua National Monument is a “dark sky” park, so there is very little light at night. Bring flashlights but leave lanterns at home! There are 36 sites with picnic tables and grills. There are community water faucets, but all were turned off when we were there. There are bathrooms with flush toilet, but no hookups or showers. Most sites are small and could accommodate tents, a small class C or van campers. 25’ is the max length and 14 days is max stay. The sign said the campground was full but there were empty sites. All sites are reservable through the www.US.gov web site.

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 4, 2024

    Bonita Canyon Campground — Chiricahua National Monument

    An Amazing National Monument

    Bonita Canyon CG- Chiricahua NM: (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good

    (71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)

    Overall Rating: Campsites in outer loop are more nicely spaced(rate 4) and trailer adds to privacy. Inner loop sites are often a bit close (rate 3). Price 2024: $ 10 w interagency Usage during visit: Very full, especially weekends.
    Site Privacy: No Site Spacing: Outside sites are spacious Pad surface: Gravel Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: Very quiet.
    Outside Road Noise: None Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: No Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: No Potable Water Available: Yes. Spigots are scattered, locations clearly marked Generators: Allowed, but other than ours, I never heard one. Bathroom: Built by CCC. Clean and rustic. I like them. Showers: No Pull Throughs: I didn’t notice any Cell Service (AT&T): No. WiFi at the visitor center Setting: Woods Recent Weather: 70s to low 80s.
    Solar: At our site with good positioning, we were able to bring in 12amps per day with 400 watt fixed panels.
    Insects: None now Host: Yes, 2 couples Rig Size: Limited to 24’.

  • 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).

  • Beth G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 17, 2020

    Bonita Canyon Campground — Chiricahua National Monument

    One of our favorites

    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.

    This is still one of our favorite National Parks to stay at. The sites were “pull though” so it’s perfect for our Roof Top Tent set up. Plenty of trees and hiking opportunities. Honestly, it’s worth the trip just to see the coatimundis. They are ADORABLE!

    Pros: Coatis! Scenery. Easy to access. Water. Bear boxes.

    Cons: As typical in National Parks, the majority of hiking trails are not dog friendly. No showers. no fire pits, just BBQ that can be used for cooking with fire.

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 3, 2019

    Stewart Campground

    Great shade for the summer months

    The Cave Creek Canyon on the western edge of the Chiricahua Mountains is a spectacular area that will completely take you by surprise. This cute campground tucked into the trees will charm your socks off!

    Each site has the standard picnic table, bear locker, fire ring and lots of shade. The bathroom is a vault toilet, kept clean by the volunteer camp host, staying at Sandy Flat. This campground is rather small with just a couple small RV sites and lots of shade. Perfect for tent camping though. Great for warmer months, not so great for solar charging due to the shade, so we moved up the road to Sunny Flat campground. There are two small cabins available for rent near the forest visitor’s center, check with the Coronado National Forest, Douglas District office.

    The area is a birder’s paradise and at certain times of year can get very busy. Great opportunities for hiking, biking and wildlife viewing throughout the entire mountain range. All the campgrounds are first-come, first-served.

    There's not much in the area for food and gas, so come prepared. There is one small grill/basic grocery store down the mountain, but if you are looking for real groceries, shop before you come.

  • R
    Jun. 30, 2024

    Shootout Arena RV Park

    A Gem of a Campground

    This place is perfect for dry camping a short distance from historic Main Street Tombstone. There were no amenities, so be prepared! You cannot beat the price! For car/tent camping there are some private spaces with a little shade and evidence of past campfires. Be sure to stay to the left of the sign to go into the lower camping area. Pay your 10 bucks at the drop box.

  • H
    Oct. 13, 2020

    Herb Martyr Campground

    OK site within a fantastic National Forest

    The Cave Creek area as a whole is a 5+ star destination. This campground, however, gets only three stars. It is at the end of a dirt road. We counted only three official sites, though none were numbered. Those sites include a picnic table and a fire ring. One was huge, one medium and one small. There is a vault toilet a fair hike away. We came during COVID restrictions and the toilet was in very good shape. No other campgrounds were open because of COVID. There is no water, so bring your own.

    To get to the sites, you make a hairpin turn (there is ample room to swing wide in a car with no trailer). The first 20 yards after the turn are pretty rough and rocky and more of an issue driving up them than down them. The sites themselves are nothing too spectacular. Beware skunks at night. But the wonderland of the canyon is the real draw. There is a trailhead out of the camping area that goes on some good hikes. The night sky is unparalleled. The drive from the campground to other trailheads and other areas is fine.


Guide to Pearce

Tent camping opportunities near Pearce, Arizona range from 3,000 to 6,000 feet in elevation across the Coronado National Forest. The region experiences dramatic seasonal temperature shifts, with summer daytime highs reaching 100°F while winter nights frequently drop below freezing. Most dispersed camping areas require visitors to bring all water supplies, as natural sources are unreliable outside monsoon season.

What to do

Waterfall exploration: During wet seasons, visit West Turkey Creek Dispersed where campers can find multiple small cascades along the creek. "The creek was flowing and quite a few animals at dawn and dusk. Not a lot of traffic, and a trail right up the road to hike or follow the creek," notes a recent visitor.

Rock climbing: The boulder formations at Happy Camp Trail provide natural climbing opportunities for all skill levels. "There are endless rocks to explore and climb. It will keep your attention for days," according to a camper who rated it their favorite site during a road trip.

Backcountry hiking: For experienced hikers, Happy Valley Saddle Campground requires a challenging 4.6-mile uphill trek carrying all supplies. A camper noted, "The hike up is BEAUTIFUL and not overly steep (but watch for snakes). The campground was great."

What campers like

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early risers at West Turkey Creek Dispersed report regular animal sightings. One camper mentioned, "The creek was flowing and quite a few animals at dawn and dusk."

Dark sky stargazing: Indian Bread Rocks offers exceptional night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. A visitor observed: "There is no light pollution so stargazing would have been awesome if not for the waxing moon."

Solitude and quiet: Many campsites throughout the region provide isolation from crowds. A camper at Jonathan E. described West Turkey Creek as "quiet, isolated, beautiful, and serene. I didn't see anyone else here when I went and didn't see/hear any wildlife besides birds."

Creek access: Several campgrounds feature direct water access. At Sycamore Campground, one visitor stayed "in a dispersed spot about a mile before Sycamore Campground - it was great! Very private and next to a babbling creek."

What you should know

Road conditions: High-clearance vehicles are necessary for accessing the best tent camping near Pearce. A West Turkey Creek visitor warned: "The only con is that it is a bit out of the way, with 8-10 miles of unmaintained dirt road to get there. In my experience, the road was pretty washboard the whole way."

Cell service variability: Coverage varies widely across the region. A camper at Camp Site 001 reported "T-mobile cell good enough to stream," while others noted complete absence of service at certain locations.

Bear precautions: Multiple campgrounds require proper food storage. Sycamore Campground provides bear boxes, with a camper noting the site has "fire rings and bear boxes. Saw many deer and turkeys in the area."

Limited facilities: Most primitive sites lack amenities. A Happy Valley camper advised: "You have to pack everything up hill so try and keep it lite with the necessities, ESPECIALLY water!"

Tips for camping with families

Moderate temperatures: For family camping trips, spring and fall offer the most comfortable conditions. Temperatures at higher elevations like Herb Martyr Campground typically range from 60-85°F during these seasons.

Wildlife education opportunities: Children can observe various wildlife safely. At Sycamore Campground, a visitor reported: "Saw many deer and turkeys in the area."

Accessibility considerations: Choose sites with easier access when camping with children. Happy Camp Trail has options for varying abilities, with a camper noting: "This area has five to ten campsites suitable for small rigs. From the almost-ghost town of Bowie, AZ, take the Apache Pass Rd until you reach the Happy Camp Rd. This is a good gravel/dirt road."

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Most dispersed camping areas near Pearce accommodate smaller rigs only. An Indian Bread Rocks visitor advised: "This area has five to ten campsites suitable for small rigs (we pull a 17-ft trailer, wouldn't go much past 20ft)."

Road navigation challenges: RV drivers should research routes carefully. A Lower Juniper Flats Road visitor warned: "Didn't really drive all the way in since a car that was coming out stated he wouldn't recommend us driving in. One way road. Decided to turn back around."

Water management: No hookups are available at any sites, requiring self-sufficiency. At Sycamore Campground, a camper noted: "Unfortunately, only stagnant pools of water in the creek this time of year. $15 per night, there are dispersed sites available along the road as well."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Pearce, AZ is Shaw House with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 24 tent camping locations near Pearce, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.