Dispersed tent camping areas near St. David, Arizona range from desert basins at 4,000 feet to alpine settings above 6,000 feet elevation. Located within the Dragoon Mountains and Las Cienegas Conservation Area, these sites offer varied terrain from grasslands to pine forests. Summer temperatures in higher elevations can drop 15-20 degrees cooler than valley floors, with monsoon storms typically occurring July through September.
What to do
Rock climbing and bouldering: Indian Bread Rocks offers extensive climbing opportunities among massive boulder formations. One visitor reported, "If you're into rock climbing, theirs plenty of it and you could find some Indian artifacts."
Multi-day backpacking: Happy Valley Saddle Campground in Saguaro National Park requires a challenging 4.6-mile hike but rewards with high-elevation camping and access to summit trails. A camper noted, "Another 3.4 miles up the trail and you'll be at the summit of Rincon Peak (8,200'ish)."
Historical exploration: Visit the historic structures at Empire Ranch, which offers both established camping areas and dispersed sites in a working ranch environment. A visitor mentioned, "The ranch is wonderful to visit as is Las Cienegas with their amazing diversity of landscapes."
Wildlife viewing: The Dragoon Mountains host diverse wildlife including desert mule deer, javelina, and numerous bird species. Early morning and evening hours provide the best viewing opportunities at lower elevations.
What campers like
Secluded backcountry sites: Manning Camp in Saguaro National Park offers remote tent camping with unique ecosystems. One camper shared, "When the scenery changes you are met with large pine trees and such a different view, it is like night and day."
Primitive camping with stellar views: Miller Canyon Road provides dispersed camping access with panoramic vistas. A camper observed, "Overall this is better than most desert camping options if your vehicle can make it up bad roads."
Stargazing opportunities: The remote locations near St. David offer minimal light pollution. A visitor to Happy Camp Trail noted, "There is no light pollution so stargazing would have been awesome if not for the waxing moon."
Diverse terrain: Camping areas transition quickly from desert scrub to coniferous forest. According to one camper at Manning Camp, "The trek in we found numerous kinds of cacti scattered throughout the duration of the hike. Many flowering which made for a dramatic view along the way!!"
What you should know
Road conditions vary dramatically: Access to many dispersed tent sites requires navigation of unpaved roads. At Happy Camp Trail, a camper advised, "After enduring the 3 mile washboard road and pulling through the last cattle guard you'll find it was well worth the journey."
Water availability is limited: Bring sufficient water for your entire stay at most sites. Even Cochise Stronghold has limitations: "There is no water available so bring your own. No electricity or other facilities."
Wildlife precautions: Bears are present in higher elevations. A reviewer at Cochise Stronghold noted, "There are food storage lockers due to bear activities."
Cell service varies by carrier: Coverage can be spotty but some areas have surprising connectivity. At Happy Camp Trail, a camper found, "I had 3 solid bars of AT&T. Very quiet at night."
Open range livestock: Many camping areas have free-roaming cattle. A camper at Happy Camp Trail warned, "The bulls can get aggressive in your campsite."
Tips for camping with families
Best intermediate hike: General Hitchcock Campground offers family-friendly tent sites with easier access than backcountry locations. A camper noted, "There are about 14 camp sights, some right by the little river that forms during snowfall."
Temperature planning: Higher elevation camps can be significantly cooler than St. David proper. A winter camper at Happy Valley Saddle shared, "It was a bit chilly in December but slept comfortably."
Weekend timing matters: Some smaller campgrounds fill quickly on weekends. At General Hitchcock, a camper observed, "We were 1 of 2 groups there so very peaceful," suggesting weekday visits offer more solitude.
Prepare for limited facilities: Most tent camping areas near St. David require self-sufficiency. At Cochise Stronghold, facilities are basic: "The sites have picnic tables and grills. There is no water available so bring your own."
Tips from RVers
Clearance requirements: Most dispersed camping areas require high-clearance vehicles. At Happy Camp Trail, one RVer advised, "That's if you have a small to medium rig because for the big rigs their are only a couple sites and as popular as this place is getting you might not find a site."
Site selection strategy: Arrive early for better locations. An RVer at Empire Ranch reported, "There are many places to camp on empire ranch. Many are dispersed camping but there is also a really great group site for reservation. Great location for Ground Tents, Roof Top Tents, and RVs."
Seasonal considerations: Spring brings wildflowers but also more visitors. Fall offers milder temperatures but prepare for temperature swings of 30+ degrees between day and night in desert areas.
