Best Tent Camping near Picacho, AZ

Dispersed tent camping opportunities near Picacho, Arizona include several Bureau of Land Management sites and established campgrounds, most with minimal amenities. Pipeline Road BLM Camping offers free tent sites accessible via drive-in or walk-in access, while Garden of Peden provides reservable tent camping with more established facilities. Charouleau Gap Trailhead Camp, another BLM dispersed option, requires a permit for overnight tent camping.

Tent sites throughout the area vary significantly in terrain and accessibility. Pipeline Road's entrance is unmarked and requires careful navigation, with a significant dip approximately half a mile in that restricts passage for larger vehicles. A reviewer noted, "Dispersed BLM camping folks the main road in has a pretty good little drop-down I wouldn't take a big rig past the first area." Most dispersed tent camping areas lack drinking water, toilets, and trash service, requiring campers to pack in all supplies and pack out waste. Cell service is generally available at Pipeline Road BLM sites, though campers should be aware of nearby target shooting on adjacent State Land.

The tent camping experience varies across locations. Shores Recreation Area provides waterfront tent sites along the Gila River with some tree cover for shade. A camper wrote, "Quiet, very few campers. Prob fewer as it gets warmer. This will be a scorcher in the middle of summer but the sites do have tree cover for shade." Peralta Regional Park offers primitive remote tent campsites with clean facilities and ample space between sites, making it suitable for tent campers seeking more privacy. These established sites include toilets and picnic tables, though they still maintain a rustic character. Charouleau Gap Trailhead Camp features smaller sites that work well for overnight stays but may lack vegetation for privacy. Several tent camping areas around Picacho provide access to hiking trails, with some offering opportunities for stargazing due to minimal light pollution.

Best Tent Sites Near Picacho, Arizona (8)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Picacho, AZ

426 Reviews of 8 Picacho Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • 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.

  • KJ G.
    Feb. 16, 2025

    Pinal County Fairgrounds

    Quick practical spot

    We were dry /primitive campers saving our coins here and there camping! This was an easy quick $10 but I do recommend getting there before closing hrs. As you have to call the camp host to let you in. There is no designated camp zones it is a very dry area ofcourse being in the middle of Arizona. But we were prepared with sleeping pads and tent tarps for comfort. But for 10 bucks you can’t beat that! There was an animal 4H fair of some sort going on which we enjoyed even through all our sleep! The animals did seem to “sleep with us!” There is showers and easy convience to I-10/I20? Also Walmart/standard fast food defiantly more RV friendly but with the right gear you should be fine! I love supporting places like this over the hotel industry

  • 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

  • Rae M.
    Feb. 22, 2020

    Picacho-Tucson NW KOA

    Very clean and friendly staff

    We tent camped here one night. We’ve stayed at a lot of KOAs across the country and this is the cleanest one I’ve ever been to. Excellent facilities- laundry, bathrooms, pool area, dog run, and clear tent spots. Staff was so helpful and the camp store was well stocked. 10 minutes from Picacho Peak hiking and don’t miss the Ostrich Ranch!

  • Deborah C.
    May. 17, 2019

    Gilbert Ray Campground

    Gilbert Ray Campground , May, 2019

    May, 2019 we visited Saguaro National Park near Tucson AZ. We had planned to hike into the park at one of their few campgrounds but the office informed us that there was a controlled burn and recommended we not stay in the park and suggested Gilbert Ray as a good option. Gilbert Ray Campground is a great location for visiting the National Park. We arrived to find the office closed for the summer, so self serve option was available, at 10.00 per night for tent camping you can’t beat the price. The bathrooms were clean and as an added plus they have a dishwashing station. We stayed in the A loop. There are no showers and the campsite it all gravel making it next to impossible to put a tent stake in. The sites are fairly close together, for example, I could hear our neighbor unzip his tent. All sites have picnic tables. Cell service is good.

  • Janet H.
    Mar. 18, 2021

    Catalina State Park Campground

    Catalina State Park campground is one to add to your trip itinerary

    Camped 14-15 March 2021 - Minutes from the hustle and bustle of Tucson and Oro Valley, but surprisingly quiet. Catalina State Park Campground has two campsite loops- A and B, as well as the Ringtail group tent site. I tent camped at site A16, which was a decent distance from the neighboring sites. The loops and parking slips are asphalt paved. Familiarize yourself with the site map, because most of the campsite numbers were on posts set back a distance from the road, making it tough to locate some of the sites, especially if you’re arriving after dark. Campsites are typical desert sand, with mesquite and palo verde trees. I had plenty of location options within the site for setting up my tent, but had to choose carefully, as to not sleep atop an access hole to the round-tailed ground squirrel burrows that are in abundance throughout the campground. The site had water, an electric hook up (which I didn’t need), a nice sized thermoplastic polyethylene coated metal picnic table (easy to clean), a raised BBQ grill and a beautiful view of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The restroom and shower facility in loop A was clean and adequate, with three toilet stalls (one of which was ADA compliant, as well as two showers (one being ADA compliant). Signage on ADA shower stall indicated adaptive equipment (shower chair, etc.) was available through the camp hosts. An open breezeway between women’s and men’s restrooms includes a sink, soft drink machine, a small “Take a book, share a book” cabinet, and informational bulletin boards. A posted sign indicated wifi password for the campground, but whenever I tried to connect, I got a prompt that it was unavailable. I had a strong Verizon signal. Per another sign posted in the breezeway, the 48-day Bighorn Fire of June 2020 burned almost 120,000 acres / 25% of Catalina State Park. Because of vegetation loss, the Canada del Oro wash (along the main road between the entrance/ranger station and the campground) is prone to flooding when it rains at higher elevations. The wash has been running black with ash, and for longer periods of time than before the fire. The ash coats the sand, preventing the rainwater from being absorbed, creating the potential for flash floods. The Romero Trail to Romero Pools has been closed since the fire, with signs indicating reopening in May 2021. There are still plenty of miles of beautiful desert trails to enjoy. There are two large grocery stores and two gas stations within five miles of the campground.

  • Danielle A.
    Apr. 6, 2017

    Oak Flat Campground

    Basic, Easy, and Free Campsite with Bouldering Nearby

    Oak Flat is a Forest Service campground in the Tonto National Forest and is about 90 minutes from Phoenix. It's a short distance off a windy mountain highway which means it's easy to get to but traffic can be heard from camp. (Luckily it's not a busy interstate and traffic is pretty infrequent at night.) It's not spectacular location but there are decent views of the oak scrub desert surrounding the camp.

    There are a handful of campsites with picnic tables and firepits, plus several flat and open areas for RVs or tent cities. Some sites are open and others have a few shady tree for hammocks, slacklines, and more. There is a bathroom which was clean and well-stocked with toilet paper, despite the campground being quite full when I stayed here for a few nights in April. There is no water, however, so be prepared with as much as you'll need. The elevation is just shy of 4,000' which means nights are typically a few degrees cooler than in the Phoenix area.

    There are no hiking trails from the campground but there is a network of dirt roads which take you back into the desert scrub oak forest and through hundreds of bouldering problems of all levels. Just a few miles away, however, the Arizona Trail crosses the highway and heads north into the Superstition Wilderness.

    This campsite is pretty basic but is a good place to kill some time, especially given that it's free! It's also a great place to set up your base camp if you want to do some bouldering.


Guide to Picacho

Tent camping near Picacho, Arizona features several dispersed sites on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land and established campgrounds in the Sonoran Desert where summer temperatures frequently exceed 100°F. Most sites sit at elevations between 1,500-2,000 feet, placing campers among saguaro cacti and desert scrub vegetation. Winter months bring mild daytime temperatures with overnight lows that can drop below 40°F between November and February.

What to do

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Peralta Regional Park Primitive Remote Campsites provides access to desert habitats where visitors can observe native wildlife. "Amazing stay! Came across a rattle snake when hiking. Very quiet and peaceful. Clean dark sky for star watching," reports camper Chevis L.

Water recreation: The Gila River offers swimming and riverside camping at Shores Recreation Area. "We came in and stayed at a spot towards the south/downstream where a high clearance would be wise. We also went upstream initially. Great spots on the river," notes Carolyn.

Stargazing: The minimal light pollution at several dispersed camping areas creates ideal stargazing conditions. At Peralta Regional Park, one camper mentioned "Clean dark sky for star watching," while others note the peaceful nighttime environment at several BLM sites.

What campers like

Riverside camping: Shores Recreation Area offers waterfront sites along the Gila River. "Great river access," states Matt M. in his review. The riverside sites provide shade during hot months, with another camper noting "the sites do have tree cover for shade."

Group facilities: Showers Point Group Site accommodates larger camping parties with specialized amenities. According to Kevin S., "Shower Point group site is a wonderfully maintained camping area that can support up to three large groups at a time. The toilets were spotlessly maintained and running potable water was easily available."

Desert solitude: Many campers value the quiet environment at dispersed sites. One camper at Peralta noted, "Each campsite has plenty of space in between. Literally no complaints at all." The distance between sites enhances privacy for tent campers seeking isolation.

What you should know

Access challenges: Many dispersed sites require careful navigation and appropriate vehicles. At Pipeline Road BLM Camping, Greg L. advises: "Entrance to pipeline road is not marked and difficult to enter and exit safely, about .6 tens mile in from cattleguard on Avra Valley road. Sites are about 1/2 mile in till a big dip wash that restricts most TTs and RVs."

Seasonal considerations: Summer heat significantly impacts the camping experience. Mark F. observed at Shores Recreation Area: "Quiet, very few campers. Prob fewer as it gets warmer. This will be a scorcher in the middle of summer."

Target shooting noise: Some BLM areas permit shooting on adjacent lands, affecting the noise level. Greg L. noted at Pipeline Road BLM Camping: "Cell is good but adjacent target shooting on State Land is a constant issue."

Tips for camping with families

Water quality awareness: When camping near the Gila River, be prepared for variable water conditions. Haley B. from Shores Recreation Area cautions: "Murky water and not a pleasant smell in the air made the water not enticing at all. If I wouldn't have seen people swimming in the water I would have never thought people actually swim in it."

Wildlife precautions: Charouleau Gap Trailhead Camp and similar desert sites require vigilance for native wildlife. Campers report encounters with various desert creatures including toads that may be hazardous to pets. One camper warned: "Lots of toads at night, not for sure if they are the ones that are poisonous to dogs but good to keep in mind just in case."

Site selection for coverage: Choose sites with natural shade features when possible. At Shores Recreation Area, campers note the presence of "beautiful trees" and that "sites do have tree cover for shade," which becomes crucial during warmer months.

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Charouleau Gap Trailhead Camp accommodates some smaller RVs despite being primarily for tent camping. Ian T. reports: "Several spots off a dirt road that parallels the main road here. Accessed relatively easily (slowly) in my 23 Ft Class C. Some road noise."

High clearance vehicles recommended: Many desert camping areas require appropriate vehicles. For sites like Pipeline Road BLM Camping, campers advise: "Dispersed BLM camping folks the main road in has a pretty good little drop-down I wouldn't take a big rig past the first area on the right."

Weather monitoring essential: Flash floods can impact desert roads and wash crossings. After rainfall events, approach dips and washes with caution. Campers note that many access roads become impassable when wet, particularly at Pipeline Road where there's "a big dip wash that restricts most TTs and RVs."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Picacho, AZ is Pipeline Road BLM Camping with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Picacho, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.