Are you planning a tent camping trip to Portal? We've got you covered. Find the best information on tent campgrounds near Portal, including sites, reviews, and tips. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Portal, Arizona's most popular destinations.
Located on the west side of the Chiricahuas, Sycamore Campground straddles the banks of West Turkey Creek, a small perennial stream that cascades into the campground down a series of small waterfalls and through a rocky cleft decorated with wildflowers. These sycamore- and oak-shaded sites are located near the end of Turkey Creek Road in an area that serves as a jumping off place into the Chiricahua Wilderness. A number of trails start in the vicinity of the campground and climb to destinations and connecting trails high in the mountains. If you’re a hiker or an equestrian, you’ll find this an excellent base of operations with enough nearby trail miles to keep you busy for quite a while. Note: Black bears in area.
The Herb Martyr trailhead, located near Herb Martyr campgound, is one of the popular birdwatching and overall hiking areas in Cave Creek Canyon. Though South Fork is known for its trogons, there are plenty of other interesting and rare creatures to encounter here. Over 300 species of birds have been sighted in the Chiricahua Mountains, including the magnificent hummingbird, blue-throated hummingbird and Montezuma quail. Other interesting types of wildlife frequently sighted here include Apache fox squirrels, coatimundis and Coues white-tailed deer. The scenery is quite impressive in this area, too.
This camp is located at the end of a Forest road that wanders up Rucker Canyon into the Chiricahua high country. Campsites are situated on both sides of the road in a stand of big trees that include ponderosa pine, Apache pine and Arizona cypress. This is bear country, so you’ll want to take advantage of the bearproof food boxes for storing your cooler and any other odorous items. On the way to Rucker Forest Camp, you’ll pass old Rucker Lake bed, which silted in after the Rattlesnake Fire in 1994. Rucker Creek still runs nearby. Closer to the campground, a number of Forest trails offer opportunities to explore the Chiricahua Wilderness high on the upper slopes.
Guide
You can park very close to the rock formations here but I couldn’t find level ground ( bring some blocks). The road in is very wide and nice at first but gets pretty rough the farther you go plenty of spots. Alll in all a nice place.
Guide
Enter thru gate. Make sure you close behind you. Road is Sandy but doable in most vehicles.getting service with Verizon. 4g 1 or 2 bars. I'm at the last site top of the hill and it's beautiful!?
Guide
Stayed on a Sunday in mid January and lucked out on a last minute site that was available. It’s a small campground, so reservations are ideal if you can plan ahead.
There’s no fire rings but there are small grills to cook food and/or have a small “fire” in.
Food storage boxes and bear boxes are available! Some sites have their own and others share the boxes.
Bathrooms are modernized and super clean.
Overall a great campground and would definitely stay here again!
GuideSecond year visiting, awesome campground very busy, great place to watch the stars and hike long trails.
Guide
Cant give my honest opinion since we were led to the overflow path not the actual entrance No one here it was nice and secluded however a lot of loose dirt that gets everywhere. There was a one way road that you can take I wouldn’t recommend 40ft Rv taking the small path. Only stopped to let the dogs out and have some leg time off leash. Dry during the time we were there.
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
This campground has nicely spaced sites with lots of green around them. A 3 mile nature walk from the campsite. Very heavy canopy overhead. Sadly it took out the top of our campers ladder 😕Longer vehicles won’t make the road. Our Rv got a broken
Scout
We ended up staying longer than planned, very nice place close to bisbee but far enough to enjoy some quiet and beautiful night sky. Clean facilities with hot showers. the clubhouse is also a great place to hangout, with lots of appliances free to use. Owners very sweet and always here to help. Highly recommend and will be back!! They have RV sites with full hookups but also dry camping sites
GuideI love Bonita canyon campground in Chiricahua second time visiting, I plan to visit this amazing place every year Milky Way photography varies depending on the month of visit
GuideIf approved by congress, Chiricahua National Monument will become Arizona's fourth National Park. While the current monument is a compact area geographically, it definitely has the uniqueness of a national park and warrants the added protections. It will however make a very special place more popular, so you might want to visit sooner than later.
If you camp in a tent, van, micro-camper, or small travel trailer you will find Bonita Canyon Campground to be a memorable and wonderful place. Don't try to bring any big rigs as they simply won't fit. Reservations are a must.
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. Hosts were professional and friendly, bathhouse small but super clean, and the site boundaries were mostly marked with fences which is somewhat unique. This is an old CCC built campground. From the campground you can easily walk to the foundations of the original camp located nearby.
Pay attention to fire regulations and status. If permitted, campfires are limited to the raised grills (no rings) but you can bring your own solo type camp stove. You will need to bring your own wood and ice. Pay attention to your fuel levels in your vehicle as this is a remote place.
This is premier birdwatching country. If you can, I would highly recommend taking one of the guided walks provided by the rangers and park biologists. We learned a bunch and I am not even "a birder" and enjoyed it. The nearby visitor center will have the details.
The Arizona Coatimundi's are a very unique mammal and frequently visit the campground. Deer, turkeys, quail, and other wildlife are in abundance and easy to see from the hikes. The views of the night sky are unparalleled.
A short drive away provides access to some incredible trails for hiking or simply viewing the surrounding Wilderness areas. The rock features found in this area make it unique.
This continues to be one of our favorite places in Arizona to camp and hike.
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.
LegendBonita Canyon CG- Chiricahua NM: (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: Campsites in outer loop are more nicely spaced(rate 4) and trailer adds to privacy. Inner loop sites are often a bit close (rate 3).
Price 2024: $ 10 w interagency
Usage during visit: Very full, especially weekends.
Site Privacy: No
Site Spacing: Outside sites are spacious
Pad surface: Gravel
Reservations: Yes
Campground Noise: Very quiet.
Outside Road Noise: None
Through Traffic in campground: No
Electric Hookup: No
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: No
Potable Water Available: Yes. Spigots are scattered, locations clearly marked
Generators: Allowed, but other than ours, I never heard one.
Bathroom: Built by CCC. Clean and rustic. I like them.
Showers: No
Pull Throughs: I didn’t notice any
Cell Service (AT&T): No. WiFi at the visitor center
Setting: Woods
Recent Weather: 70s to low 80s.
Solar: At our site with good positioning, we were able to bring in 12amps per day with 400 watt fixed panels.
Insects: None now
Host: Yes, 2 couples
Rig Size: Limited to 24’.
GuideFirst off do not use Google maps. It will not take you to the right place. Use the built-in location found in DYRT. After you turn off I 10 on the left to travel approximately 10 miles the site will be on your right hand side. Follow the road to the left as you go through the gate. The site is very well-maintained. There are only a handful of sites available, but when I was there, I was the only one.
Traveler
Was a little busy and the bulls can get aggressive in your campsite.
Legend
Cochise stronghold campground is a rugged campground in a deep canyon. The canyon was the refuge for the Chiricahua Apache leader, Cochise. This is a National Forest Service campground. There are Eleven campsites and two group campsites. All are shaded by scrub oaks and surrounded by towering rock formations. The sites have picnic tables and grills. There is no water available so bring your own. No electricity or other facilities. There is a bathroom with flush toilets. There are food storage lockers due to bear activities. It is dog friendly (on leash). This campground is a little hard to get to, with several water crossings. I would not recommend attempting to drive without a high clearance vehicle. Sites are first come first served. Limit 6 people per site. $8 per night.
LegendBonita Canyon Campground at the Chiricahua National Monument is a quiet little campground in a scrub pine forest. Chiricahua National Monument is a “dark sky” park, so there is very little light at night. Bring flashlights but leave lanterns at home! There are 36 sites with picnic tables and grills. There are community water faucets, but all were turned off when we were there. There are bathrooms with flush toilet, but no hookups or showers. Most sites are small and could accommodate tents, a small class C or van campers. 25’ is the max length and 14 days is max stay. The sign said the campground was full but there were empty sites. All sites are reservable through the www.US.gov web site.
ScoutBeautiful location, but odds of finding an available campsite are almost nil. FCFS policy. Have tried several times, never successful. Similar for Stewart Campground nearby, these are the only ones open in winter. Be prepared for alternatives.
Scout
Rusty runs a tight ship, and the state of the campground reflects that. All services work properly and facilities are neat and clean. Price is $35 per night and absolutely no refunds are given for any reason (you sign a separate agreement to that effect).
Scout
Very friendly hosts. Made you feel welcome. Campground was quite and in a good location for checking out the area attractions.
Legend
Level gravel sites. FHU worked fine; appears to be maintained. Nice staff, well stocked store. Would stay here again.
RangerWe've stayed here a number of times, always in March. Very nice, quiet campground in a wooded canyon with a small stream running right through the CG. There are 25 sites, mostly smallish, better suited for small rvs/trailers or tents. Not enough room for very rigs in here.
Water spigots are scattered throughout, 1 restroom with flush toilet. Last time we were there they had an issue with water system and had to shut it off and bring in port-a-potties.
As far as other amenities, there's spotty cell service (at least Verizon) and Wifi at the visitor center not far from the CG. Nearest services and dump station are in Willcox, 37 miles away. There's also a gas station/convenience store at a place called the Mustang Mall (it's not a mall in the usual sense), 29 miles west of Bonita.
A number of good hiking trails, mostly up on top at Massai Point with a few additional trails starting at the CG. Our favorite is Echo Canyon to the Visitor Cntr.
One important note: Ground fires are not allowed (at least as of 2023), which means you can have one in the above ground little BBQ grill or you have to have your own fire pan to have a wood fire. Speaking of which, no wood is for sale at the Monument nor are you allowed to gather it.
So, bring everything you need!!
Scout
Road in is bad but not horrible. Lots of sites and many open on Wednesday in late February. Great views and clean. 1.5 miles to campground and trailhead.
TravelerMet up with traveling family for a week of visiting and exploring the area. Was last minute gathering and owner, James made it work . Two big rigs and a campervan. Beautiful views. Conveniently located to many attractions. Definitely recommend this campground. Owner and staff very friendly.
Ranger
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!🏞️💪🧘♂️
Tent camping near Portal, Arizona offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, with beautiful landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Portal, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Portal, AZ is Happy Camp Trail with a 4.6-star rating from 22 reviews.
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