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Camping near Saguaro National Park

852 Reviews

Near Tucson, AZ — with the city dividing the national park in half — visitors and residents can find some of the best camping in the state. Saguaro National Park is named for the large desert cactus that decorates the Arizona landscape. Along with camping among the gigantic cacti, you can explore the Tucson Mountain District, follow trails to petroglyphs created by the ancient Hohokam from your campsite, and enjoy stunning sunsets and starry night skies in the Rincon Mountains. Campgrounds accommodate RV and walk-in campers. Visitors can also find roomy cabins near Saguaro National Park to stay in comfort.

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Best Camping Sites Near Saguaro National Park (179)

    1. Redington Pass - Dispersed Camping

    15 Reviews
    Saguaro National Park, AZ
    9 miles
    Website

    "The path leads up a mountain away from the city lights of Tuscon. It’s just a short drive away. There’s plenty of spots. Watch out for huge ants! We almost camped on a mound."

    "There was a lot of people parking next to me and unloading there off-road vehicles in the morning, so I decided to go further up."

    2. Tucson - Lazydays KOA

    49 Reviews
    Tucson, AZ
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 799-3701

    "It is a “resort” so it’s a little pricey, but we were just there for one night to visit Saguaro National Park. The sites are a little close together, but we were on the end, so we were not crowded."

    "When spending time on the road many times you will find campsite after campsite that is welcoming but not quite like home away from home."

    3. Rose Canyon Campground

    20 Reviews
    Willow Canyon, AZ
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 576-1477

    $31 - $180 / night

    "The lake was about a half mile walk from the campsite. There is also hiking trails close to the campground.

    Overall, the campsites are larger than normal and the sites are even."

    "The toilets were easily accessable and each had running potable water adjacent to the shelters.

    I would definately return again"

    4. Molino Basin Campground

    11 Reviews
    Willow Canyon, AZ
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 749-8700

    $100 / night

    "We drove toward the back of the campground to explore open sites and selected walk up site 23."

    "A national campground on the edge of Tucson Arizona with spectacular views, mountains, hiking, and biking trails. Quiet and campers spaced far apart. Beautiful!"

    5. Catalina State Park Campground

    62 Reviews
    Oro Valley, AZ
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 628-5798

    $50 / night

    "The bathrooms were a pretty long walk from our site (there is only one bathroom facility for that loop). There are some trails in the park."

    "We stayed at this campground for 2 nights in late October 2020 while visiting Saguaro National Park. "

    6. Happy Valley Saddle Campground — Saguaro National Park

    4 Reviews
    Saguaro National Park, AZ
    3 miles
    Website

    $8 / night

    "Happy Valley campground's name can be decieving.. its actually at 6,000' of elevation, 4.6 miles up the Miller Creek trail in the Rincon mountains east of Tucson."

    "It was so hot and the trail was a little confusing at times. Not many people so if you’re looking for some good exercise and solitude this is for you."

    7. Colossal Cave Mountain Park

    7 Reviews
    Vail, AZ
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 647-7275

    $10 - $15 / night

    "I 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"

    "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."

    8. Reddington Pass Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Saguaro National Park, AZ
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 749-8700

    "It’s a fun trail if you like a challenge of off roading. I wouldn’t recommend larger trailers or RVs to travel too far up the trail, we’ve seen them get stuck trying to turn around."

    "40 mile scenic drive on a 4x4 road, dispersed camping along the way. Extremely popular view to park off the road in the saguaros."

    9. Kartchner Caverns State Park Campground

    43 Reviews
    Benson, AZ
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 586-4100

    $30 - $99 / night

    "-Kartchner Cave is walking distance with a great observation center even if you don’t take a tour into the caves. -Couple stores within 20miles for any forgotten items."

    "Nice that the trailheads are just a few min walk from the campgrounds. The foothills loop is easy and takes you all around the area without being too challenging."

    10. Spencer Canyon Campground

    17 Reviews
    Mount Lemmon, AZ
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 749-8700

    $22 - $36 / night

    "Spencer Canyon Campground is a nice campground approx. 20 miles from Tucson up the General Hitchcock Highway(often called the Catalina Highway or Mt. Lemmon Highway)."

    "The drive alone is inspiring! There is a fee for camping which you should plan to leave in the box (yes, they do come around to check eventually)."

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Showing results 1-10 of 179 campgrounds

Recent Camping Photos near Saguaro National Park

142 Photos of 179 Saguaro National Park Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Saguaro National Park

852 Reviews of 179 Saguaro National Park Campgrounds

Guide to Saguaro National Park

Camping near Saguaro National Park, Arizona, offers a unique experience surrounded by stunning desert landscapes and iconic saguaro cacti. Whether you're in a tent, RV, or looking for a cabin, there are plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around the campgrounds. At Gilbert Ray Campground, one camper mentioned, "Sites have electric hook-ups and there is a bathroom, but no site water hook-ups and no showers." This makes it a great base for hiking adventures in the nearby Saguaro National Park.
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. A visitor at Cieneguita Dispersed Camping Area shared, "Prairie dogs and pronghorn antelope are daily visitors. Too many birds to count." This area is perfect for nature lovers.
  • Stargazing: The clear desert skies provide excellent stargazing opportunities. A camper at Kartchner Caverns State Park Campground noted, "The stars at night are beautiful!"

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers appreciate the beautiful surroundings. One reviewer at Catalina State Park Campground said, "It provides scenery and views comparable to $400 a night resorts in the same vicinity."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds are well-maintained. A visitor at Tucson - Lazydays KOA remarked, "All the amenities were clean and in good condition."
  • Friendly Atmosphere: Campers often mention the welcoming vibe. A reviewer at Cochise Stronghold Campground stated, "There are a lot of small campsites all grouped together... but we had great neighbors."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy. A camper at Gilbert Ray Campground noted, "Traffic noise continues well into the night."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A visitor at Snyder Hill BLM Camping Area mentioned, "There is no drinking water, no electric hookups, and no toilets."
  • Crowded Conditions: Popular spots can fill up quickly. A reviewer at Spencer Canyon Campground said, "The campsites are a little too close together for my taste."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with amenities for kids. At Tucson - Lazydays KOA, one camper noted, "There are so many offerings including two pools, a hot tub, a fitness center, corn hole, putting green, basketball, and bike/surrey rentals."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities planned. A visitor at Rose Canyon Campground mentioned, "It is downhill when hiking to the lake so be prepared for the uphill trek on the way back."
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on kids, especially in nature. A camper at Kartchner Caverns State Park Campground warned, "Watch your step, we came across a Diamond Back Rattle Snake about 4 feet from our picnic bench."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Road Conditions: Some roads can be tricky for larger RVs. A reviewer at Cochise Stronghold Campground mentioned, "Bumpy road washed out farther up but the dispersed area was fine."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need full hookups, make sure to choose the right campground. A camper at Tucson - Lazydays KOA said, "We maneuvered to get our 10’ sewer hose to fit between our two dump valves."
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Know where the nearest dump stations are. A visitor at Gilbert Ray Campground noted, "On our way out we drove to the dump station... and water was available at that location."

Camping near Saguaro National Park, Arizona, is a fantastic way to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of the desert. Just be prepared for the unique challenges and joys that come with it!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Saguaro National Park?

According to TheDyrt.com, Saguaro National Park offers a wide range of camping options, with 179 campgrounds and RV parks near Saguaro National Park and 47 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Saguaro National Park?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Saguaro National Park is Redington Pass - Dispersed Camping with a 3.9-star rating from 15 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Saguaro National Park?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 47 free dispersed camping spots near Saguaro National Park.

What parks are near Saguaro National Park?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Saguaro National Park that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.

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