Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Pima? Finding a place to camp in Arizona with your tent has never been easier. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Pima, Arizona's most popular destinations.
When early settlers ventured up Mount Graham, the Arcadia area was usually as far as they got on the first day. A little later in the history of the Pinaleños, Arcadia was the site of one of several Civilian Conservation Corps camps established in the 1930s to provide jobs for workers idled by the Great Depression. Today, Arcadia Campground, which has 19 campsites, is the first campground visitors encounter on their way up Mount Graham by way of the Swift Trail (AZ 366), which was built by those Depression-era workers. Arcadia Campground is shaded by stands of tall ponderosa pine interspersed with Gambel oaks and Arizona walnuts. Such a diverse habitat makes this an excellent area for bird watching. Watch for poison ivy. Note: Black bear area.
$20 / night
Located in an oak woodland at an elevation of 5,200 feet, Round-the-Mountain campground is pleasant year-round. This campground includes 3 campsites, a restroom, horse corrals, and a trailhead.
Please follow LNT principles when dispersed camping
$5 / night
Hospital Flat is so named because in the 1880s it served as a site for a field hospital for ailing soldiers from Fort Grant. That frontier outpost is located along Grant Creek on the south slope of the Pinalenos. The restorative powers of this cool mountain meadow, carpeted with wildflowers and traversed by a small creek, were sufficiently notable that it also became a summer retreat for officers and their families trying to escape the heat of their desert outpost. Fort Grant was closed in 1905 and now serves as an Arizona State Prison Facility. Hospital Flat still serves as a popular refuge for forest recreationists who come to its pleasant surroundings for much the same reason as did those soldiers.
This recreation area is the home of the Coronado's most extensive mountain range, the Pinaleños, and topped by the highest peak in southern Arizona, 10,720 foot Mt. Graham. A scenic road named the Swift Trail (Hwy 366) leads into these unique mountains and provides access to campgrounds, Forest trails, and fishing at Riggs Lake. The Safford Recreation Area is also home to the Galiuro Mountainsand the Santa Teresa Range. The 76,317 acre Galiuro Wildernessis steeped in history and contains an extensive trail network. The Santa Teresas are rugged and remote, with a variety of primitive trails leading into a 26,780 acre Wilderness.
The Pinaleño Mountains , are a remote mountain range in southeastern Arizona and are managed by the Safford Ranger District.
Columbine Corrals has 6 campsite units with picnic benches and fire pits. There are restrooms and trash cans, there is also drinking water at this site. Elevation is 9500’. Ash Creek Trail #307 starts at this campsite. No RV spots.
$7 - $15 / night
Ranger
I have been full timing in my 22 ft travel Trailer for 2.5 years.. this easily is one of my fav spots. Camping is $3a day near the hot wells but outside the recreation area, is all BLM camping. Hot wells right next to our spot were amazing. I just wish they were working all 24 hours a day. The wells are pumped by a solar pump so cloud coverage or night mean the solar pumps aren’t pumping. But they fill up about an hour after sunrise and about an hour after sunset it drains. We were the only ones there for 4 days. It was awesome
Guide
Sadly, there is construction going on in the park right now. It is windy and cold. The sites are pretty private and there are nice picnic table covers. Unfortunately, the dump station is closed for a while.
RangerThis is our second time staying here and they have started doing some upgrades to the park. New dump station and some new bathrooms and shower houses. We stayed in the Hacienda loop both times. I like this loop better because it doesn’t seem as crowded as the other loops. Sites are well spaced and level. Nice hiking trails around the lake also where you can fish. Very close to Safford and Thatcher that have a great number of stores.
Traveler
Found a beautiful dispersed camping spot beneath the Aspens and Ponderosas on the north side of FR803 about a mile west of the Riggs Flat Lake Campground. There’s a great overlook to the east looking out toward Pima and Safford.
ScoutThe paved road turns to dirt road about half a mile before the turn off. Pretty bumpy. Once we arrived we drove the loop and saw no pull off spots for our RV.
Scout
I tried to stay here, and they had openings, but I was in a Tesla and refused service. I have an adapter. Looked like a nice place, but couldn’t stay because of ignorance.
Ranger
Not much for camping area, but it’s right on the creek and secluded and quiet. No toilets. No trash. Verizon in and out. 4x4 needed to exit. Road is a couple miles, rough, and one shallow water crossing.
Ranger
There are vault toilets there. There is a few places one could pull off for a quick sleep, but not a campground at all. Little further south are places in the trees further off the road on the right hand side .2 and .6 miles down.
Ranger
The road in turns to dirt for a brief minute, then back to paved. It winds and there are some tight turns. You turn off the pavement to dirt the last 1/4 mile. Wouldn’t take anything over 35’ 5th wheel. $5/night is not bad to have vault toilets, water spigot, picnic tables, river close. Biking trails, horse trails, hike trails, OHV trails all close. There are corrals at the “Host” site. There is a boat ramp 2 miles before the campground. There is one farther up also. Not sure about at the campground. No Verizon signal here.
Traveler
Was a little busy and the bulls can get aggressive in your campsite.
Guide
Very clean spacious well kept KOA. Cafe on site with nice staff and good food. The sites are super roomy. Staff is very friendly. I10 is noisy but really didn't mind that at all being tired from our travels. Fire pit and pool. Really nice place.
LegendFriendly staff, level sites, clean and well laid out. Cafe has a full menu and it was clean and well run.
TravelerAll the facilities are very clean. $3/night and you have two hot wells to soak in during the day. This is a recreational area for OHVs so expect to hear people having fun on the weekends.
Scout
I had the pleasure of staying at this resort, and I must say, it's an absolute gem! The fitness center is a fantastic addition, offering a perfect blend of activity and relaxation. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, and if you're looking for a place that combines the joys of camping with top-notch amenities, I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Having experienced the positive vibes of the resort, I also came across an article that aligns with the holistic approach to well-being fostered at the resort. Check out this insightful piece on the mental health benefits of yoga: https://calmerry.com/blog/self-care/mental-health-benefits-of-yoga/ and it complements the camp experience beautifully, promoting both physical and mental wellness.
I hope more people get to enjoy the fantastic atmosphere at Lifestyle RV Resort. Happy camping and take care of both your body and mind!🏞️💪🧘♂️
GuideA beautiful, serene location not too far from I-10 and Fort Bowie. We arrived at around 10pm in our Sprinter van and found a quiet location. The campsites are far apart and you travel on compacted dirt road to get there. The father you go, the more space you have. It will be quite bumpy if you do not have an AWD or 4x4.
LegendThis is a wonderful place to boondock if you are driving the I-10 or visiting Fort Bowie Nation Historic Park. The dirt road is easily passable for most vehicles. Ver quiet. Decent cell signal with T-Mobile.
Guide
This place is right off the highway but was still pretty quiet. Everyone there was so nice and friendly. And FHU for $20 a night? You can’t beat that!
Traveler
Happy Camp Canyon is in fairly good condition. There is a trailhead parking area that is posted as no camping but about 50 yards further down there is a clearing with fire rings. We ended up sharing the spot with some cattle for a while.
GuideThe lots are pretty level of the people are really nice. 10 bucks for electric only 24 full hook up cash. It’s right off the freeway.
Legend
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.
ScoutThis place is the best place that i have ever been mostly because there are a lot of cool sights and also many interesting things to do. So i will be back there for sure
TravelerOverall the stay was great. My only complaint would be the bugs that were swarming in the morning. They only swarm certain plants and we happened to be by one so we had bugs EVERYWHERE. But it wasn’t a big deal. We just quickly packed up and went and ate breakfast at the picnic area right down the road and explored the granite rocks for a while.
Ranger
Plan were for higher up the mountain but too dark. This was perfect went around the loop 3 times and found a spot for our off-road trailer. Great table and benches - they were even totally level. Bathroom were clean, not malodorous, cleaned o. The day we left by USFS staff leaving them smelling even cleaner. All sites are under tree. A deer came through. Good jump off point to go to Riggs Flat lake, use the kayak. Next time we’ll bring fishing rods
LegendThis campground is well maintained. It is on roper lake. They have cabins that overlook the lake and plenty of camping spots for both tints and rvs. They also have a day use area with a designated swimming area and lots of picking tables
Guide
*I live nearby and chose to write a more accurate description for the community members. As I am under 55 yrs old I have not stayed here, although I've worked throughout this park for many years.*
This is a large, multiple-block Senior Citizen community. There are RV spots available with restrictions. this is in town and not a camper's ideal location for outdoor privacy.
RV rates are based on two adults, 55 years with NO PERSON UNDER 40 years of age.
Daily:$40.00
Weekly:$150.00
Monthly:$265.00(plus electric)
Year: Limited availability–$2,300.00(plus electric)
Here are just some of the wonderful features for our active seniors and winter visitors:
Warm winter days, cool winter nights Sunshine 340 days per year average
The backdrop of Mt. Graham stands nearly 11,000 feet high!
Municipal Golf Course and Country Club nearby
The best location for hunting and fishing, hiking, and dune buggies
A birder's paradise!
Blocks from Mt. Graham Community Hospital
Shopping and restaurants nearby(including Super Walmart and Home Depot)
In-season planned activities
A local airport right in Safford
Firing ranges, radio-controlled aircraft parks, and paintball courses
All with spectacular painted desert sunsets
GuideThis is my second favorite campground. I'm a nomad and there is nonpotable water access and vault toilets. 1.50 a night with National Park Pass. It is SUPER windy most days so be prepared. Very secluded. One hour to town. Only three people in 7 days have driven by the campsite. The ranger and camphor were two of them.
TravelerNice campground, escorted to site, easy hook up. Good Wi-Fi and cable TV selection. Staff was very nice. Grounds are well maintained.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Pima, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Pima, AZ is Arcadia Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Pima, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 tent camping locations near Pima, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
