The Dyrt can help you find the perfect horse camping site near Rio Rico. Finding a place to camp in Arizona with your horse is easier than ever. The Dyrt can help you find the perfect equestrian sites that are scenic and easy to access.
Surrounded by gorgeous, scenic mountains & grasslands, you will enjoy magnificent views & pure serenity here at Rancho del Nido. When you ride or hike out on the Empire Ranch, you will feel miles away from anything and 100 years back in time. Each RV site includes full water & electric hookups with an easily accessible community dump station for septic. Horse stalls, 2 arenas & round pens on site. Trail ride through our direct gate access to the historic Empire Ranch (Las Cienegas National Conservation Area) & enjoy thousands of acres of trails. Horses/pets welcome! OHV’s welcome! Close to over 18 wineries!
$40 - $50 / night
$30 - $35 / night
If you’d like to spend more than just the day, why not camp here under the magnificent Sonoran skies? Campsites are tucked among the magnificent saguaro cacti and mesquite trees in Posta Quemada canyon, an area developed in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. These grounds consist of two large areas, El Bosquecito and La Selvilla, plus a number of smaller areas totaling 30 individual sites.
Camping Rates
• Tent Camping: $10 per tent/night
• RV, Car and Horse Trailer Camping: $15 per vehicle/night
Check-in and pay at the Cave Shop before entering the camping area.
$10 - $15 / night
Rock Bluff Group Site is just a short distance from Parker Canyon Lake in a remote and scenic region of the Coronado National Forest in southeastern Arizona. The site is open to groups of up to 50 people to enjoy camping and picnicking, as well as fishing and boating at the lake.
Campers can enjoy an interpretive trail around the lake that begins a quarter-mile walk from Rock Bluff. Trailside benches are located at some of the best wildlife viewing areas. Bald eagles are regularly sighted during the winter, and osprey are sometimes seen migrating through the area in the fall.For those who like to fish, Parker Canyon Lake offers both cold and warm water species, including stocked rainbow trout and resident bass, sunfish and catfish. Boating is available with a limit of one 10-horsepower motor or less. Day use fee $8/day or $10/week
The group camping area sits at an elevation of 5,400 feet in a small, rocky canyon dotted with oaks and junipers. Animals unique to the southwest, such as coatimundi, javelina and roadrunners, occasionally make appearances around the lake. The Coronado National Forest covers 1.78 million acres of southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. Elevations range from 3,000 to 10,720 feet in 12 widely scattered mountain ranges, or "sky islands," that rise dramatically from the desert floor, supporting biologically diverse plant communities.
A lakeside developed recreation site, including a boat ramp, fishing pier, general store and boat rentals, is located just a short drive from the group area. Day use fee $8/day or $10/week per vehicle (pay on site with exact amount) or pay online ahead of time at https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74388 We also honor all America The Beautiful national passes for day use. Passes must be clearly displayed when in Day Use Areas.
$45 / night
Mesquite Ranch Campground is the perfect getaway from the crowded RV parks. This winter camping paradise is located approximately 55 miles south of Tucson. There is lots to do in this off-grid community including visiting nearby Buenos Aires National Refuge or fishing at Arivaca Lake. Rolling panoramic mountain views of the valley and some of Arizona's best birding and wildlife make Arivaca a unique destination. Some of our amenities include large BBQ areas, catch & release fishing pond. biking, hiking, boating, horse facilities, horseback rides and UTV rides.
$35 - $50 / night
Guide
Nice spot just off the AZT, stayed while on a bike trip on the trail. Camped in the La Selvilla section in the back of the canyon. Plenty of room and spots are not too tight and most had shade trees. All had flat tent pad, table and fire ring. There is a group spot with a pavilion that has running water, and pit toilets. Verizon was one bar, got a few calls out but text would not work. They do lock the gate at 4:00, so once in, you are there for the night. Only one other group when we were there. Would go back for sure.
RangerLoved this camp site. You have to go into the cave gift shop to pay. They do close gates at 4. Was only 10$ for a tent spot.
Scout
It's a no-frills campground. Basically it looks like a huge drive-in theater for RV's; without the movie. There are a few sections of this campground that have trees and nicer sites, but not everyone gets a tree site. In the open areas you don't want to put out your awning if you want to keep it. Don't bring the kids, not even a playground. However, what it lacks in frills it makes up in being neat and clean. Roads, laundry, bathrooms and park areas are well maintained. There is also a very nice desert nature trail with information signs about the vegetation. We were here for two hot weeks.
Scout
This campground with water and electric was quiet and beautiful. There were horse trails all around and you can bring your horses too. Dog friendly, and the owners were available if needed.
Come for the stars,if nothing else.
LegendLike most I’ve seen in this area, this RV park is pretty much a large gravel parking lot. Sites are level FHU and large enough to park tow vehicle or toad along side your RV. The great advantage of this place is the cost of $35 a day. FCFS, no reservations Park is frequently busy with events, rodeos, etc, which may limit access to some amenities. Drag strip next door may add sweet but brief engine noise
LegendThis was a nice spot to stop for the night. Take showers. Do laundry. Empty tanks full water tanks. Garbage. Quiet. Lots of spaces.
TravelerThis is horse ranch with great host and amazing views. They offer horse back riding which our kids loved.
Scout
We camped in April before it was too hot. Lots of well marked campsites with fire pits and room for pull through. Lots of large spaces for large campers. No shade. Good areas for birding. Roads well maintained. Surprisingly little campers here on a Saturday. Beautiful Mountain Views. There is a visitor center but it was closed on the day that we were there.
Guide
We stayed at the rock bluff for individual campers though. $20/night. Was a nice area but had no cell service or internet which is super important to us. There are vault toilets near by and each campsite has a fire pit and picnic table. We saw deer and blue birds during our stay. There is a little store at the day use area. They carry a variety of items from fishing gear to essentials you may have forgotten, extra propane bottles, wood, canned goods, etc. you have to hike down to the lake, which is kind of steep and rocky. I saw the hosts checking trash and cleaning up toilet areas regularly.
GuideGreat place to stay for visiting Tucson and surrounding area. We stayed for a week while visiting Saguaro NP. Cheap with full hook ups. Busy location as they hold rodeos and horse events regularly.
GuideOur hosts were extremely hospitable and accommodating. They worked around our schedule and made sure we were comfortable. They gave us numerous recommendations for local cuisine and sightseeing. The camp is peaceful and has fantastic views with horses, a fire pit, and hiking trails. We hope to return soon.
ScoutGreat rates
Traveler
Beautiful, scenic, and well maintained. Staff was very friendly and helpful.
GuideGood stopover. Showers and bathrooms are closed. Quiet place but dusty. Nice people running it.
TravelerWe stayed here for a week. $150 for a week, or $30 a night. 24 hour security is provided. Staff was very friendly and they are very strict on campground policies. The only little hassle was they have a lot of weekend shows going on and they change the line of travel for getting in and out of the facility. Other than that it was a very good stay and we would stay here again.
TravelerGreat place, if you don't mind occasional helicopters and A10 Warthogs in the distance. Lots of places to choose from for RV and tent camping. The road is a little rough but definitely done in a passenger car. Nights are beautiful.
GuideObviously, you have to be military, but the views are beautiful. The lady that runs it is very friendly and helpful. The spaces are large concrete slabs with shade trees. I would absolutely come back!
ScoutSuper cheap. The sites and restrooms needs some tlc. We were the only ones in the tent camping area which was a plus. This campground is good if you r doing tours in the day or just need a trip to get out.
TravelerI want to give this place 5 stars but not having a natural water source and locking the gates at night don’t get ya 5 stars 🤓 ...I understand their reasoning behind locking the gates however; bad humans out there that come in late at night and trash the place and don’t pay the measly $7 a night to camp - so locking the gates prevents that. Anyway, the picnic tables were nice and the entire canyon was just beautiful. It’s also a simple drive to Saguaro National Park (East) as well. We saw a deer in the morning too which was cool being that it seemed so out of place in the “desert” ha ha...we will definitely go back. Good times.
TravelerSites available for groups, RVs, tents, etc. No restrooms, but well maintained roads. Lots of border patrol. Hiking, hunting, off roading allowed.
TravelerGreat view nice weather
Scout
The campground host does everything within his power to make your stay enjoyable. The weather is cooler than Tucson and the views are amazing. My favorite place to camp.
GuideI took my Girl Scout daughter and her bff-first time camper to spend the night at Colossal Cave MP last Saturday. Living about an hour away, called and was told plenty of sites available, to just come on up. Arrived to find the campgrounds in dire need of maintenance and roads in pretty cruddy condition. Was informed of no campfires after checking in. :( Went in search of a site to find tentsites doublebooked between Sierra Club and a Girl Scout troop! Serendipitously the girls invited us to share - being sisters to every scout! :) Group site was next to parking and pit toilets and had water, grills and cement picnic tables were all available there. Cost was DEFINITELY a plus here- $7.50 per night!
LegendI hope this is the hardest campground review I ever have to write. The visit to Colossal Cave Mountain Park started pretty terrible but the property manager/caretaker (Gary) saved this review. Let me start from the beginning.
Upon arrival we were checked in and told there were fire restrictions in place so we wouldn't be allowed to have a fire. I told them that's not what their website said and they argued "well we tell everyone when they call in". Needless to say, I wasn't told when I reserved my spot that there was any restrictions. (and even now, when checking the forestry websites and county fire restrictions they all direct me here (https://firerestrictions.us/az/az-pima-county/) and the specific location of the campgrounds doesn't seem to be under restriction nor can I even determine which specific area to look at. The park said they were part of the forestry service but that area seems to end East of there)
We were told that with our "RV" we would be located at El Bosquecito. We drive to the grounds and find out it's a walk in group site with a small cul de sac with 2 small dirt pull outs to park. I called the caretaker and asked where exactly we were supposed to be setting up so he drove down to meet us. It became very clear very quickly this spot wasn't going to work and this is when he told us they had overbooked their RV spaces (they only have 3) and they were trying to find somewhere to put us. He offered to let us stay in the Day Use area and that is where we spent the next 2 days. (and over the next few days we ran into him a few times to get suggestions on things to do, etc)
Like any camping trip we went exploring to see what the rest of the park looked like. Here is what we found:
While we were there we also did the Regular Cave Tour and it was really neat. Dane was our tour guide and he was fun to listen to and very informative. It really was 70 in the cave and with it being in the 50s/60s outside we went in overdressed and ended up really warm. Trust the temperature they tell you! If you have any choice in the matter stay towards the front of the group. We went down with 17 people and there were a few times we couldn't hear the guide or see what he was pointing out because we were so far back.
So overall… I wasn't super impressed this trip. However, Gary gave us a great impression and explained a lot of the "problems" were parts of the park in transition. I totally believe this park could be really neat when it's running as intended. Until then - I strongly suggest you know exactly what you plan to get out of the trip and call ahead to ask for clarification if there is anything in particular you want to see. Their website is NOT kept up to date so it is not a reliable avenue for information. If you are just looking for a neat day trip or a group campground you may have more success than we did but it all depends what you are looking for. I hope to go back in the fall to give it another try.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Rio Rico, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Rio Rico, AZ is Rancho del Nido with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Rio Rico, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Rio Rico, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
