1 campground with availability this weekend
The Chiricahua Mountains region offers several cabin campgrounds in southeastern Arizona, ranging from rustic forest service rentals to fully equipped cabins with kitchens and hot water. Portal Bunkhouse provides electric hookups, toilets, and picnic tables, while nearby Portal CCC House offers more basic cabin facilities with electricity but no toilets or trash service. At Rusty's RV Ranch in Rodeo, New Mexico, just across the state line, cabin options include full amenities with drinking water, electricity, and shower access. As one visitor noted, "The site was nice for what it was and is run as a part of the Coronado National Forest so it was maintained to standard."
Rustic log cabins and forest service rentals dominate the Portal area's accommodation landscape. Stewart Campground cabins operate seasonally from April to October, while KOA properties in Willcox and Lordsburg offer more modern cabin rentals with amenities like electricity and nearby shower facilities. Most campground cabins require advanced reservations, particularly during birding season when the area becomes popular. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "There are two small cabins available for rent near the forest visitor's center, check with the Coronado National Forest, Douglas District office."
Visitors staying in cabin campgrounds near Portal should arrive prepared with essential supplies. A recent review mentioned, "It's very rustic, has been upgraded with electricity, fully stocked modern kitchen and hot water." Most cabins require guests to bring their own bedding, towels, and food supplies. The small town of Portal has limited shopping options, so stocking up beforehand is recommended. Some cabins like those at Desert Oasis Campground provide more amenities including electricity and nearby bathrooms, but even furnished cabins typically expect guests to bring their own linens and personal items.
"We tried to drive the loop around the area on the first day but the directions weren't very good and we didn't go all the way."
"Concrete pad (could support 2 telescopes) are available with power outlet to run all astronomy gear. Bring some tie down, the wind could be very strong. Highly recommend this place."
from $29 / night
"We stayed in space eight, which was the handicap space. Last space available so it was open to anyone. Right next to the bathrooms, which were fairly clean; 2 flush toilets and a sink."
"Some of the campgrounds located in the middle island have less privacy but there are still some trees and shrubs to separate them. Sites on the outside are large and very private."
"The Cave Creek Canyon on the western edge of the Chiricahua Mountains is a spectacular area that will completely take you by surprise."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $100 / night
Available this weekend
from $125 / night
"Pulled in around 10:00 PM and rolled out about 10:30 AM, so this was a quick overnight, not a vacation. I honestly did not know what to expect."
"The road to the park has a few abandoned building but once you get here it is safe a secure. The sites are graveled and they are close together, but we came in October and it was fairly empty."
"Sites have spaces between rigs to breathe. There is a large club house for weekly get togethers with food. Pool tables, paddle ball, library, videos, showers, rest rooms."
"All hookups avail. Tent sites offered dry or with electricity. $17.00 - $20.00. However, those sites are next to club house."
Available this weekend
from $18 - $45 / night
"Allie and Spiro do a great job managing this park. Very friendly and helpful. Sites are gravel with picnic tables. Restaurant on site as well as propane. Full hookups, Kamp K9."
"Fight realize it until I walked into the office. Sites are nice size, gravel, and they take you to your site. Wish they all did that!!!!!"
"I try to keep it positive here this was a very basic campground with good spacing for large campers. Lots to do in Bisbee and Tombstone so we had a great spring break experience."
"Campground was quite and in a good location for checking out the area attractions."
Available this weekend
from $40 - $55 / night
ScoutWe haven't booked anything in advance but we were really well welcomed by the hosts. The place was exactly what we needed for a night in the desert close to Bisbee. The shower and restroom were also really clean
LegendWe stayed in space eight, which was the handicap space. Last space available so it was open to anyone. Right next to the bathrooms, which were fairly clean; 2 flush toilets and a sink. Trash containers throughout the park as well as Bear boxes. Water spickets available throughout the park as well. Great hiking trails throughout the park with easy to very difficult. Nice visitor center with good information. Although they state you can have a vehicle up to 29 feet, I think it would be difficult to maneuver through the tight turns and the dips in the park. Also no cell service but at the top of the mountain and WiFi at the visitor center.
RangerI try to keep it positive here this was a very basic campground with good spacing for large campers. Lots to do in Bisbee and Tombstone so we had a great spring break experience. As far as negatives with kids(ours 9,11&12) not too much to do. Pool table is 18 plus, lots of flies and bugs and all gravel so pretty dirty! All in all though this is the cheapest campsite we’ve stayed at to date so good value and the people were very friendly! :)
GuideStopping here didn’t disappoint! Nice spacious level sites. The animal features & dog park were added bonuses. It felt like we were at a KOA being escorted to our sites. The staff there was great!
GuideWe’ve actually stayed here before. Fight realize it until I walked into the office. Sites are nice size, gravel, and they take you to your site. Wish they all did that!!!!! They have a cozy restaurant on the property that serves good food and a heated pool. It’s close to a Loves station, Arby’s, and a McDonalds. It’s right off of I-10 West. Very easy access.
TravelerWe are spending a month in this location. Lots of fun site seeing in the area of Bisbee, dougles, and my favorite tombstone. The campground is spacious, clean, and quiet. Also, I’ve had good cell service and my hotspot worked well for my ruko tv. Also, love the weather in the 60 & 70’s.
GuideThis is a great campground very close to Bisbee and White Water Draw Sites are spacious with full service and sewage The campground has a really nice common room with ping pong and pool plus laundry facilities nice clean toilets and showers Super dog friendly with a nature trail But, it’s the close proximity to Bisbee that really made it for us- lovely little town with so much atmosphere. Finally, the owners are so friendly and welcoming!
TravelerWe stayed at the KOA Journey in Lordsburg, New Mexico on New Years Eve. Pulled in around 10:00 PM and rolled out about 10:30 AM, so this was a quick overnight, not a vacation.
I honestly did not know what to expect. In my head I pictured some campers doing a little holiday hangout, maybe a fire, maybe someone brave enough to share a questionable casserole. Nope. This place was as dead as a graveyard. Not a bad thing if you want sleep, but my imagination was doing way too much.
Late check in was easy. Staff left a map in the after hours registration box, and that was a life saver when you pull in late and just want to park and stop thinking.
Campground itself felt clean and basic. Nothing fancy, nothing sketchy. I did not use the restrooms at all, we used our trailer bathroom, so I cannot speak on the bathrooms.
What I did notice, they have a fenced dog run area, looks roughly 30 feet by 15 feet. There is a playground with a teepee and some little kid swings. There is a clubhouse type building with picnic tables out front and a basketball hoop. They also have a few small cabins you can rent, and one labeled “deluxe cabin” that looks a little bigger, plus it has its own private sitting area with walls around it. I am guessing it is for blocking wind and giving a little privacy, and there is a cover for shade.
Our hookups worked fine, no drama, and we had a nice little picnic table at the site. I also saw a propane tank setup, so I am assuming they sell propane if you need it. Also, random detail, there is an old phone booth on the property and it made me laugh, felt like stepping into 1993 for a second.
Overall, it did exactly what we needed, quiet, simple, clean, and easy to check in late. I would stay again for an overnight stop. If you are looking for a campground with a bunch of action, this probably aint it. I am giving it 4 stars for a solid no hassle night.
LegendWe had a minor problem with our camper and needed a place to stay so we could do the fixes. This KOA was close so we landed here. The road to the park has a few abandoned building but once you get here it is safe a secure. The sites are graveled and they are close together, but we came in October and it was fairly empty. Although they do seem to have a few long term campers. It is quiet at night in the park, but you can hear the train and the I10 freeway close by. The park has a great laundry room although I picked the day all the full time residents were doing laundry as well so it was crowded and took longer that I expected. They have a clubhouse, store, playground, pool and super clean bathrooms. They offer WIFI and cell coverage is decent. Staff was helpful and even came over to the office to check us in during their lunchtime. The tent site area has an outdoor sink and the have 3 small cabins and a larger one as well. Overall it was a good stay!
Cabin accommodations in the Portal area range from rustic forest service rentals to more modern options with varying amenities. The region sits at approximately 4,200 feet elevation in southeastern Arizona's Chiricahua Mountains, creating a high desert climate with four distinct seasons. Winter temperatures typically reach the 60s during day with cooler nights, while summer brings opportunities for shade camping.
Bird watching in Cave Creek Canyon: Cave Creek Canyon in the Chiricahua Mountains offers exceptional birding opportunities. According to a visitor at Chiricahua Mountains, "Small campground best suited for tents or small trailers. Ours is 24 and we just fit. Toilets and great tasting water are the amenities. The hiking and views were amazing as you walked thru the hoodos."
Hiking through mountain trails: Multiple established trails throughout the mountain range provide varying difficulty levels. One camper noted, "There's hundreds of beautiful, well maintained and overgrown trails throughout the mountain range. Tons of wildlife and big trees. It's a forest wonderland compared to the surrounding Arizona desert."
Stargazing from darker locations: The limited light pollution makes this area excellent for astronomy. At Rusty's RV Ranch, one visitor mentioned, "Very nice place, well maintained. Very quiet place too. Perfect for astronomer / stargazing. Concrete pad (could support 2 telescopes) are available with power outlet to run all astronomy gear."
Spacious, private sites: Many campgrounds offer well-separated camping areas. A reviewer at Desert Oasis Campground stated, "Sites have spaces between rigs to breathe. There is a large club house for weekly get togethers with food. Pool tables, paddle ball, library, videos, showers, rest rooms."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The diverse ecosystem supports various animal species. One camper noted, "If you take Turkey Creek Rd to Sycamore campground, you'll sleep with the beautiful sound of a mountain stream behind you... There's a good chance to see wildlife if you hike one of the various trails around the area."
Amenities in rustic settings: Some cabin rentals offer unexpected comforts despite remote locations. A visitor at Willcox-Cochise KOA commented, "Quality park. Great dog walking area, laundry, store, restaurant, and pool. Very friendly staff. Sites are large for a KOA."
Limited services and supplies: The Portal area has minimal shopping options. A camper at Rusty's RV Ranch advised, "Bring supplies because the closest place for decent shopping is Douglas, AZ about 55 miles south."
Seasonal considerations: Winter brings snow to higher elevations. A visitor noted, "Snows during winter often. Not as good for hiking and backpacking but makes for a fun snow day!"
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly across the area. One Rusty's RV Ranch guest reported, "AT&T was about four bars of 4g and Verizon is one bar of 4g, not very good."
Bear awareness required: Bears inhabit the mountain areas. A camper mentioned, "Bear boxes at every site. I'll be back!"
Wildlife education opportunities: The diverse ecosystem provides natural learning experiences. At Double Adobe Campground and Shotgun Sports, a visitor shared, "I really love this place! I spend my winters here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Portal, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Portal, AZ is Rusty's RV Ranch with a 4.9-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Portal, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 cabin camping locations near Portal, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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