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Camping near Saguaro National Park

879 Reviews

Camping options around Saguaro National Park in southeastern Arizona range from developed sites with amenities to primitive backcountry locations. The area features established campgrounds like Rose Canyon and Molino Basin alongside dispersed camping at Redington Pass, approximately 15 miles east of Tucson. Accommodation types include tent sites, RV spaces with hookups at locations like Tucson-Lazydays KOA, and cabin rentals at Kartchner Caverns State Park, providing visitors with various comfort levels while exploring the iconic saguaro cactus forests.

Road conditions and seasonal considerations significantly affect camping experiences in this desert region. The higher elevation sites like Happy Valley Saddle Campground (6,000 feet) remain cooler than lower desert areas but require substantial hiking to reach. "The hike up is BEAUTIFUL and not overly steep (but watch for snakes). The campground was great," noted one visitor about Happy Valley. Dispersed sites along Redington Pass require careful navigation on dirt roads with washouts and potholes, though most are accessible with standard vehicles when driven slowly. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F in lower elevations, making spring and fall the preferred camping seasons, while higher elevation sites like Rose Canyon often close from late October through mid-April.

Many campers appreciate the stark contrast between desert and mountain environments within short distances. The dispersed sites at Redington Pass provide panoramic views of Tucson and the surrounding desert landscape, though several reviews mention noise from off-road vehicles and shooting ranges, especially on weekends. One camper observed that "it is an absolutely beautiful area, and the views more than make up for some of the shortcomings of the site." Backcountry sites in Saguaro National Park offer greater solitude but require permits and substantial hiking effort. Most developed campgrounds provide basic amenities like toilets and picnic tables, while dispersed areas typically have no facilities. Wildlife viewing opportunities include coyotes, desert birds, and various reptiles, adding to the unique camping experience in this biodiverse region.

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Best Camping Sites Near Saguaro National Park (184)

    1. Redington Pass - Dispersed Camping

    16 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

    51 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

    63 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

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

    $50 - $129 / 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

    18 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 184 campgrounds

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Recent Camping Photos near Saguaro National Park

146 Photos of 184 Saguaro National Park Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Saguaro National Park

879 Reviews of 184 Saguaro National Park Campgrounds

  • Ricky R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 13, 2025

    Crazy Horse RV Park

    Easy access off I-10, Some covered full hookup sites

    Very friendly and helpful management. We stayed in a full hookup covered site. Significant noise from I-10 and other roads, also train noise and air traffic. Once you get past the noise this is decent location.

  • Ingrid M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 12, 2025

    Mountain View RV Park

    Well run

    This place was lovely, clean, well kept. Friendly people

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 12, 2025

    Cochise Lake Wildlife Viewing Area Dispersed

    Easy access from highway

    Very wide and smooth dirt road around the pond. Just pull to the side and park there are no pull off spots just parked on the road. The negative is the birds squawking all the time, I heard some coyotes howling and you can hear the trains as they go by. I’m a light sleeper so I woke up often.

  • cThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 12, 2025

    Cactus Forest Dispersed

    Rivals Saguaro national park

    There may have been more saguaros here than the national park! The best part, we got to sleep right under them! We stayed in two different spots, but you could wander around for hours looking for your favorite spot! More than enough dispersed parking spaces, dirt road 4x4 recommended. No services or amenities. Woke up to cows walking by but other than that no visitors. Amazing view of the stars!

  • Hillary B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 8, 2025

    Catalina State Park Campground

    Peaceful Getaway yet close to town

    Delightfully peaceful and large area with desert hikes and access to nearby network of paved bike paths across Tucson. Stayed for almost 2 weeks and there are stores, bike shop everything outside the park if needed. During evening we had spotty cellular (Verizon) so cell tower may have been overloaded (Nov 2024). Weekends had reptile exhibit run by volunteers which was fun for kids and adults. Would go back in a heartbeat.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 6, 2025

    Voyager RV Resort & Hotel

    Many amenities

    There are a ton of things to do here, with tennis, pickleball, and many more.

    They have a wood shop which you can become a member of or bring them a project to do for you for only a donation. Great service!

  • Thomas
    Nov. 2, 2025

    El Bosquecito

    Clean and Quite Campground

    Nice little get away campground. Only 4 RV spots here and it's first come first serve.  It was empty when we were there.  Operated and maintained by Colossal Cave Park and you will need to travel up to the Gift Shop to pay for the stay.  There is a road that leads up to more campgrounds, but vehicles/ camper over 20 Ft are not allowed and the road is for high clearance vehicles only.

  • WThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 31, 2025

    Davis Monthan AFB FamCamp- Boneyard Vista

    Easy Campgrounds with a View

    Check-in was a breeze; the office is centrally located and has good rig parking. The Campground is big with multiple sections. He office was also very easy on the phone to confirm availability as it is entirely first-come, first-served. Really cool view in the older section of the aircraft boneyard.

    We used the main gate (Craycroft) and ignored the little detour that Google Maps gave us through the housing area. Just keep straight by the pool for an easier drive.

  • Amilyn W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2025

    Tombstone RV Park

    Close to historic Tombstone

    This campground has everything... full hook ups, great rec room with games and a full kitchen, pool, laundry, bathrooms/showers, shade, 2 pet play areas, basic play area for kids, even horse corals and long term rv storage. Stay in a tent site, pull through rv site, large sites next to horse corals, a building with 4 motel rooms or one of their cute cabins. Motel and cabins do not have bathrooms, but the communal bathrooms are clean and have showers. Only down side we experienced was Verizon cell service just ok and the free wi-fi is again, just ok. Minutes to historic downtown. Would stay again.

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

Is camping allowed inside Saguaro National Park?

No, Saguaro National Park does not allow developed camping within its boundaries. The park is primarily a day-use area. However, backcountry camping is permitted in the Saguaro Wilderness Area within the Rincon Mountain District (east section) with a permit. These primitive sites require hikers to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. For those seeking developed camping near the park, Gilbert Ray Campground is located just outside the western district in Tucson Mountain Park and offers an excellent base for exploring the iconic saguaro forest.

What campgrounds are available at Saguaro National Park?

While Saguaro National Park itself doesn't offer developed campgrounds, it does have backcountry camping options in the Rincon Mountain District (east section) with a wilderness permit. For developed camping adjacent to the park, Molino Basin Campground is situated in the nearby Coronado National Forest with excellent access to the eastern district. This first-come, first-served campground provides a peaceful setting with basic amenities including toilets. Sites are typically available midweek, especially during the late winter season, making it a convenient base for exploring the park.

Where can I find camping options near Saguaro National Park?

Numerous camping options surround both districts of Saguaro National Park. For RV travelers, Desert Trails RV Park offers an adult-only resort experience on the edge of the park with full hookups and planned activities. Budget-conscious campers should consider Redington Pass Dispersed Camping, which provides free sites with mountain views overlooking the cacti. For those seeking a unique experience, Cactus Country RV Park provides a 55+ community environment minutes from the east section with convenient access to shopping and restaurants while still feeling remote.

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