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Rusty's RV Ranch in Rodeo, NM offers pet-friendly accommodations with designated hiking trails for dogs throughout the property. Just 25 miles from Portal, Arizona, the ranch maintains multiple campsites where pets are permitted including RV spaces, tent sites, cabins, and glamping options. The spacious grounds feature a dog exercise area where pets can stretch their legs after traveling. Coronado National Forest dispersed camping sites along Forest Road 42 allow pets with standard national forest regulations requiring leashes in developed areas. Dogs visiting the forest must remain under control at all times, with owners responsible for waste cleanup and proper disposal. The campground stays clean with regular maintenance and provides bear-proof trash receptacles throughout the grounds.
Several hiking trails throughout Cave Creek Canyon in the Chiricahua Mountains welcome leashed dogs, making the area well-suited for pet-friendly camping near Portal. Both Stewart Campground and Sunny Flat Campground permit pets at their standard sites, though wildlife sightings are common and pet owners should remain vigilant, especially at dawn and dusk. Multiple visitors have reported deer nesting near campsites, requiring careful management of curious dogs. The vault toilets at these locations are regularly maintained by volunteer hosts. During peak birding season in spring, campgrounds fill quickly, so arriving early or on weekdays improves chances of securing a pet-friendly site. The nearest veterinary services are located in Douglas, approximately 55 miles from the camping areas, and campers should bring all necessary pet supplies as the nearest full grocery store is also in Douglas.
"The campground is small, beautiful, shaded and right in the middle of some incredible scenery providing easy access to the fantastic hiking and wildlife viewing that is all around you. "
"Super underrated and amazing national monument on the south eastern border of Arizona. Definitely worth a stop in!"
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availability"There are some campgrounds that just stick out in your mind for their beauty, location, and proximity to other cool stuff. Sunny Flat is one of them."
"I stayed at site 4 and it was perfect , close to the water, and far enough away from other campers for some privacy ."
"We are birders and were happy with the proximity to many mountain canyons. Our space was private with a nice patio. Everyone was easy going and friendly. The dog park was convenient and clean."
"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!"
from $29 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"Our site was right next to a very clean flowing stream, which provided not only a nice soundtrack but also a filterable water source. "
"We went further SE on Pinery Canyon Road and found multiple spots under the trees and back away from the road right at the intersection to Fork Road. There was no water in the creek bed in October."
"From chiricahua entrance head on FSR 42. A mile or two in many many sites along dry creek in the trees. Some Otv and motorcycle activity during day. We stayed only 15 minutes from monument."
"A bit sandy of a drive. You have to open and close a gate but it is not locked. Quite, no lights nearby, dispersed camping at its best. Just a few cows. I would camp here again."
"This spot is about a tenth of a mile off the highway. I walked the road because of past reviews."
"The campground is situated right next to a mountain stream that is cool to explore. It's a little tough to get to but it's worth it. Not very many sites though so it may fill up on weekends"
"Campgrounds are next to a creek with a trailhead leading to a waterfall, couldn’t ask for more for a free campsite."
"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."
"The drive up is beautiful, the road isn’t maintained, but in pretty good condition. I stopped right after the cattle guard. There is another site going up about .5 mile in the left."
"The Cave Creek Canyon on the western edge of the Chiricahua Mountains is a spectacular area that will completely take you by surprise."
ScoutWe are birders and were happy with the proximity to many mountain canyons. Our space was private with a nice patio. Everyone was easy going and friendly. The dog park was convenient and clean.
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!
GuideThe bathrooms were a little outdated but that didn’t take away from how well kept the bathrooms were. Especially when I got there after hours. The water pressure for the shower in the bathroom was decent. It was a darker lot, which I’m not mad about because I don’t like sun beaming in the camper anyways. Made a reservation with a man on the phone, he was very nice. Came after hours & had no problem with it. The “dog park” isn’t the best of the KOAs I’ve been to.. but it’s better than nothing. If I was passing through, I’d stay again. & also, the pool wasn’t filled. Not sure why..
TravelerAlaskan RV Park is conveniently located off of I-10 at Exit 366 near Bowie. The park features affordable RV sites at $20/night. The sites are all spacious pull-throughs. There is a dump station on site($10), and water refill available (based on tank size, but not more than $20). The park is handicap accessible and pet friendly. No breed restrictions. Tenting is also available. There are showers and laundry available. Alaskan RV Park is Bowie's best kept secret as it was the site of the Sideman Jamboree each year and featured music from country stars. The park hopes to bring music back to the stage in the future.
LegendWe really liked this simple little RV park. Friendly and has character, even though it's like many other RV parks with the large gravel lot. Nice backdrop of the mountains. We liked the music vibe of the place, and that it is such a laid back and welcoming place.
Right off highway 10 so you get the road noise. Park has large gravel/dirt sites with hook ups.
Rate is $20/night with laundry, showers and bathrooms.
Pet friendly. Staff friendly as well.
GuideThought about staying on BLM Land but temp was predicted for 28. Discovered this little gem for 20.00 with electric! Such a friendly group of people. I considered I-10 as my “white noise “ and did not bother me. Good Verizon signal and clean restroom. Pet Friendly. Quail crossing in the campground!
ScoutSelected this RV park for the following reasons: Passport America discount, not along the railroad, I-10 or in the desert. It’s small and funky, weedy with, to our Bull terrier’s delight, many cats. They are dog-friendly and not too impressed with themselves like the more upscale and expensive RV parks are. $18 per night with full hookups. We’ve been boondocking out at Roosevelt lake for 2 weeks and this was convenient for laundry etc. Would stop here again for an overnighter with the 50% PA discount.
GuideWe wanted to get away for a few days during Covid and wanted to stay south where it was warmer so we found Rusty's RV Ranch in Rodeo New Mexico. It was quiet and friendly and just what we were looking for. While visiting we went exploring and visited the Chiricahua Desert Museum & the Apache Museum next door. Enjoyed all of the displays and history as Geronimo surrendered nearby.
We took a ride over to the Coronado National Forest and coming from the wide-open desert we felt like we had stepped into another world. Definitely worth the trip. 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. We went back the next day and went the other direction and went through the little town of Paradise. It was a long bumpy gravel road this way and really wasn't worth the trip....enjoyed the paved road in the National Forest much more.
We needed some supplies so we drove down to Douglas AZ at the Mexico border. Visited Walmart and got some tacos that were excellent. Not much between Rusty's and Douglas but was a good drive with little to no traffic. Did see a number of Border Control agents on patrol.
Rusty's RV Ranch was very clean and well maintained. You could tell that they have made a concerted effort to make the grounds nice from the Swan & Duck pond to the bird enclosures and Koi pond. Loved the hiking trails that went around the entire property and we used those a number of times.
The space was huge and very private. We didn't have to unhook our toad vehicle until we needed the car which was really nice. The management was very friendly and helpful.
We have t-mobile and I will tell you we had no service here. We hooked up to their park wi-fi but could barely check our email. We don't have satellite either so we were totally disconnected mostly.... but that was good too for a change. Fall and Winter are the busiest times here with people looking for warmer winters and avoiding the hot summers.
There are a couple of restaurants nearby and the closest has a convenience store but that is it... so be sure that you are stocked up on supplies before you go or expect to drive to get them. If you bring your pet be sure to have some flashlights to walk them at night because it is dark dark 😀
We would definitely visit Rusty's again!
Visit our website for more.
GuideSo if you are into rocks this really is a great place to check out. Be prepared as the drive in is difficult and long. Larger RVs are not recommended as the road has many steep washouts and ruts. The main dirt road leading into the area has bad washboard bumps. There is also an active cattle ranch in the area so be careful with any pets. You’ll find a logbook on the way in. Once there you’ll find plenty of places to park but don’t count on it being level. There are also lots of sharp rocks so watch your tires. There are no facilities here. The views are amazing especially at night. The wind never did stop. You got to really like rocks!
Camping opportunities near Portal, Arizona range from developed sites with vault toilets to primitive dispersed options along forest roads. Located at elevations between 4,700 and 5,600 feet, the area experiences drastic temperature swings between seasons, with summer highs averaging 95°F and winter nights potentially dropping below freezing. Most camping areas provide some tree cover for shade, though availability varies significantly by location.
Hiking to waterfalls: Multiple trails near West Turkey Creek Dispersed offer access to small waterfalls during wetter months. "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," notes Travis D., highlighting water features often overlooked by visitors.
Stargazing without light pollution: The remote location creates exceptional night sky viewing conditions. "Amazing views. A bit sandy of a drive. You have to open and close a gate but it is not locked. Quite, no lights nearby, dispersed camping at its best," reports holly C. about Granite Gap, where dark skies provide optimal celestial viewing.
Wildlife observation opportunities: The Chiricahua Mountains support diverse wildlife populations. "Saw many deer and turkeys in the area," reports Cole M. about his camping experience, with multiple visitors noting morning and evening being optimal for wildlife sightings.
Natural water features: Creek access enhances the camping experience at several sites. "Campgrounds are next to a creek with a trailhead leading to a waterfall, couldn't ask for more for a free campsite," writes Monique R. about Sycamore Campground, emphasizing the recreational value of water access.
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance receives positive mentions. "Bathrooms are modernized and super clean," notes Staci W. about Bonita Canyon Campground, adding "Food storage boxes and bear boxes are available! Some sites have their own and others share the boxes."
Privacy between sites: Many campers value the spacing between campsites. "Sites on the outside are large and very private. There are a ton of trees in the campground which I'm sure are great for shade in the warmer months," explains Melissa W., noting the physical separation between camping areas.
Road conditions can be challenging: Access roads to remote sites often require careful driving. "Paved road to the gate. Narrow sand and rock road after the gate. If a scratch in your paint concerns you…. proceed with caution," warns gary M. about accessing some dispersed camping areas.
Limited supplies available locally: Stock up before arrival as services are minimal. "Bring supplies because the closest place for decent shopping is Douglas, AZ about 55 miles south," advises SMCadventures4u.
Bear safety precautions: Food storage is a serious consideration. "Nice clean campground. Small. Gets very busy during spring," notes Mary Ann H. about Sunny Flat Campground, where bear-resistant storage containers are provided at sites.
No cell service in many areas: Communication options are limited. "We didn't have to unhook our toad vehicle until we needed the car which was really nice. The management was very friendly and helpful. We have t-mobile and I will tell you we had no service here," reports Charlie about connectivity challenges.
Sites with shade protection: Tree cover matters during warmer months. "Bonita Campground is tucked in on a quiet road in Chiricahua National Monument. Lots of tree shade and nicely maintained campsites," notes Molly S., highlighting natural protection from sun exposure.
Campsite parking limitations: Vehicle capacity varies by site. "Heads up parking spots can be small depending on what campsite you get. Our group of four stayed at campsite 21 and campsite 18. Campsite 21 could only fit one truck while campsite 18 could fit two cars," warns Molly S. about space constraints.
Low-difficulty hiking options: Kid-friendly trails exist near some campgrounds. "A 3 mile nature walk from the campsite. Very heavy canopy overhead," describes patty W., mentioning accessible recreational opportunities directly from camp.
Size restrictions matter: Many campgrounds have limitations on larger vehicles. "Small campground best suited for tents or small trailers. Ours is 24 and we just fit," advises Mary B. about Chiricahua Mountains camping, emphasizing the importance of knowing your vehicle dimensions.
Limited hookup availability: Most sites offer minimal services. "We have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 28 for 5 nights in early/mid September. The CG is clean, well maintained. The CG roads are gravel, as are the sites," reports Ray & Terri F. about Rusty's RV Ranch, one of the few locations offering more extensive RV amenities.
Designated pet exercise areas: Facilities for pets vary between locations. "The dog park was convenient and clean," notes Carla J., highlighting the dedicated spaces for pet activities at Rusty's RV Ranch, making it suitable for travelers with animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Portal, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Portal, AZ is Bonita Canyon Campground — Chiricahua National Monument with a 4.8-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Portal, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 57 dog-friendly camping locations near Portal, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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