Roper Lake State Park sits at approximately 3,130 feet elevation in southeastern Arizona, near the town of Pima. The park features a 32-acre lake surrounded by desert landscape with views of Mount Graham. During winter months, temperatures typically range from 40°F to 80°F, creating milder conditions than summer when temperatures can exceed 100°F.
What to do
Hiking opportunities: Several trails around Roper Lake State Park offer different difficulty levels for visitors. "Great scenery. Spots are spacious. Seemed kind of pricey at $20 a night. If you luck out and get respectful neighbors, can be an amazing experience," notes one camper.
Water recreation: The 32-acre lake at Roper Lake allows non-motorized boats and fishing for bass, catfish, and trout. "Very nice campgrounds, close to the lake. Plenty of space between campsites. Kids were able to ride bikes on the numerous paths around the campgrounds and lake," shares Ryan V.
Mount Graham excursions: Located approximately 30 minutes from glamping close to Pima, Arizona, Mount Graham offers cooler temperatures and different ecosystems. "Sunday I drove up Mt. Graham till the road turn to dirt and enjoyed the cold and quite. By the time I came back down the Mt. and went back to camp, all those little Kamikaze bicycle turds had left and it was back to quite," reports one visitor to Cottonwood Campground.
What campers like
Spacious camping sites: Many sites at Gila Campground offer privacy and room to spread out. "The sites are large with plenty of screening for privacy. I would not stay in the hook up loops which are more typical Arizona State Park Campgrounds offering no privacy with sites usually crammed together," notes Lisa S.
Birdwatching opportunities: The lake attracts various waterfowl, making it ideal for wildlife viewing. "Camped for a week over Christmas 2020 and really enjoyed the serenity in the 'non-hook up' loop. Site 46 is on the lake which hosts a variety of water fowl," shares a Gila Campground visitor.
Winter camping conditions: Milder temperatures during winter months make for comfortable camping. "We visited in November, so temperatures ranged from the 80s during the day down to the 40s in the night. The campsites were very clean and well-maintained, and at the time we visited, the campground was very quiet," reports Colby F.
What you should know
Facility maintenance issues: Some amenities may be temporarily unavailable. "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," notes Shawn at Roper Lake State Park.
Seasonal crowding: Weekends and holidays bring more visitors, especially families with children. "I got there on Thursday afternoon and all was nice and quite and calm. They started to come in droves, Friday afternoon. Little kids on bicycles riding in the roads like crazy people and making so much noise," reports Mindy H.
Road access challenges: Some camping areas near Pima have difficult access roads. "A little tricky to get to, especially with a trailer as the road is basically a single lane," reports Justin G. about Riverview Campground, a glamping option close to Pima, Arizona.
Traveler
