D
Dan A.
Scout
ScoutPima County Fairgrounds RV Park
Laundry facility is a long ways away from the campground. It’s been quiet here, no real issues so far.
Equestrian Camping near San Manuel, AZ
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Catalina State Park Campground near San Manuel, Arizona offers trail access for horseback riding with multiple accommodation options. Located at the base of the Catalina Mountains, the park features a network of horse-friendly trails through Sonoran Desert landscapes. The campground accommodates both tent and RV camping with clean, well-maintained facilities. Trails range from easy walks through saguaro cacti to more challenging hikes into the mountains. The park provides picnic tables, water hookups, and electric connections at most sites, though specific horse facilities like corrals are not mentioned in the reviews.
Reddington Pass Dispersed camping area provides free primitive camping options with horses permitted. Located between the Rincon and Santa Catalina Mountains, the area offers drive-in access suitable for horse trailers on unpaved roads. The dispersed camping area allows fires and accommodates both tent and RV camping without hookups or facilities. This area requires self-sufficiency as it lacks drinking water, toilets, trash service, and developed horse facilities. Visitors consistently rate the experience highly despite the lack of amenities. Horse owners must bring their own portable corrals or use highlines, as no permanent horse containment structures exist on site.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near San Manuel (8)
1. Catalina State Park Campground
"It has 1 loop of non hook up sites that is listed as an overflow location & couldn't be reserved in advance. "
"Dump station near exit of loops and another near state park entrance. Nice selection of pull through and back-in sites. We had a back-in on outer edge and had beautiful views."
from $50 / night
Check Availability2. Reddington Pass Dispersed
"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."
3. Ringtail Loop Campground — Catalina State Park
"There are amazing hiking trails and the nature in this park is stunning, especially the saguaros."
from $25 / night
Check Availability4. Colossal Cave Mountain Park
"Choose your site Quiet
Out in saguaros
Campfires allowed (get wood before)
Cons:
Gates for entry/exit closed 4pm-8am!"
"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"
from $10 - $15 / night
Check Availability5. Pima County Fairgrounds RV Park
"Great 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."
"Laundry facility is a long ways away from the campground. It’s been quiet here, no real issues so far."
from $45 / night
Check Availability6. Clark Peak Corrals
7. Pato Blanco Lakes RV Resort
"Looking for a nice 55+ campground near Benson, Arizona and Tombstone? This is a friendly and clean RV resort near it all. And, there are even lakes!"
"Staff is visible and they drive around the park to keep an eye on things. Full hookups with pull thru lots. This is definitely a park to visit if you’re passing thru or need a few nights to relax."
8. Palo Verde Estates & RV Park
from $50 - $750 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 57 min from Tucson, AZ
- 1 hr 58 min from Sierra Vista, AZ
- 2 hrs 11 min from Phoenix, AZ
- 3 hrs 17 min from Prescott Valley, AZ
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near San Manuel, AZ
1 Photos of 8 San Manuel Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Equestrian Camping Reviews near San Manuel, AZ
96 Reviews of 8 San Manuel Campgrounds
Brian K.
GuidePato Blanco Lakes RV Resort
Great privately owned park
Very spacious park. Some full timers but all very well kept and patrolled by the owners/managers. Very friendly management. Love that the entire park is gravel and well kept. Pool, bathrooms and showers were impeccable. One of the best I’ve seen/used. Staff is visible and they drive around the park to keep an eye on things. Full hookups with pull thru lots. This is definitely a park to visit if you’re passing thru or need a few nights to relax. Nice laundromat with updated appliances and very clean. Only issue is the trains on the other side of the interstate run constantly throughout the night. Wife didn’t hear them but I did. Interstate noise wasn’t noticeable much. Highly recommend.
April H.
RangerCatalina State Park Campground
Well spaced electric sites
This AZ state park has 2 loops of sites, all with electric & water hook ups. It has 1 loop of non hook up sites that is listed as an overflow location & couldn't be reserved in advance. The sites are well spaced and the type of growth, shrubs & mesquite particularly, provide a small degree of privacy and some shade. There are tables but no fire rings. No fires of any kind are allowed on the ground. I believe this is due to the large amount of dry grass in the area, including the campground. Each site also features a standing BBQ. A lot of the patrons appear to be full time RVers. The park features an equestrian center, picnic areas and multiple trails for hiking, biking and riding. There is a central complex in each loop with bathrooms and showers, plus a small park store at the entrance. For good or bad, there is a large amount of encroachment in the surrounding areas, Oro Valley/Tucson. The proximity of this light reduces the night sky. That said, if you need something or would like to go out to dinner, it's very easy to do.
- BBeckyGuide
Colossal Cave Mountain Park
Weird Hours but quiet in nature
Pros:
Good price $15!
Choose your site
Quiet
Out in saguaros
Campfires allowed (get wood before)
Cons:
Gates for entry/exit closed 4pm-8am!
Bathrooms far from sites
We had a cute site with a little bridge over to a tent space, fire pit, and picnic table. There were 3 other sites nearby and only one occupied with a nice neighbor who had been there for a few days and no one else. There are a few more sites a bit farther down and even farther down the road is where there's more of a party atmosphere but you need the right vehicle to get there.
Would stay again except for the weird hours of access so plan accordingly! Seems like in the dessert would want to be out early and late for cooler hiking times so could be a deal breaker.
- BBart H.Scout
Catalina State Park Campground
Connectivity at Catalina
Catalina State Park doesn’t offer WiFi. With a Starlink Mini Roam account we had at least 105 download, 30 upload in our van with the Mini flat on the roof and not “oriented.” Cell service is adequate at 2 bars.
- LLeonard H.Ranger
Catalina State Park Campground
Good Location... Good Mountain Views
Super Walmart and other shopping and bike paths right outside front gate make this a good convenient park to visit. Paved level RV parking spots. Loop A restroom being rebuilt; however, walking paths connects to facilities in Loop B. Good restrooms with hot showers. Note warnings about potential flooding on main road might strand campers for a few days... check weather forecast and be prepared. Would definitely stay again.
David N.GuideCatalina State Park Campground
Beautiful but busy
This place is very difficult to get into and when you arrive you know why….. It’s a beautiful camping place with magnificent views of the mountains. The birdlife is amazing and there are great hiking trails Dog friendly Electric and water Very good visitor centre with knowledgeable staff We managed to get a cancellation but our site was right next to the bathrooms with little privacy We will be back and make sure to book well in advance next time
Greg I.GuideReddington Pass Dispersed
Noisy, trashy, and rough
I had to double-check that I was reviewing the same place as the 5-star reviews. Maybe I just hit it at a bad time? A Wednesday in January.
Even though it's indeed rugged and has its own back-country beauty, its failings put it in the 2-star category.
First of all, the road is VERY rough, full of potholes and rock ledges. Jeeps are okay/slow, but our 27' 4x4 motorhome was really thrashed by it. It's easily passable when wet, but that's the best I can say for it.
Second, it's really too close to "civilization", and as a consequence it's heavily trafficked even on weekdays, with cars and quads going back and forth from dawn to after dark.
Third, it's an unending shooting gallery, at least for the first 8 miles that we visited. Again dawn to dark, totally ignoring any "NO SHOOTING" signs (shot full of holes of course). I'm a gun nut too, but it would be nice to get away from the noise when I'm trying to just camp. Nope. Literally every site or pullout is a DIY target range.
Fourth, there are a limited number of places to camp, and even more limited for RV's.
Lastly, it's a continuous trash dump. Cans, bottles, broken glass, fired shells, broken targets, you name it. Redington Litter Road it should be called. I don't think we'll be back.
Lucy G.ScoutCatalina State Park Campground
Nice setting for the hearing impaired
Not great if your in a tent. Surrounded by rvs. Nice seeing but highway noise and neighbors up until 2am when I asked t them nicely to take it in the trailer. Women's bathroom had 2 toilets backed up and smelled bad. I was hoping for less lighting in the area for star gazing.
Guide to San Manuel
Camping options near San Manuel, Arizona vary from established sites with full amenities to primitive dispersed areas in the surrounding desert and mountains. The region sits at elevations ranging from 3,000 to 8,800 feet, creating diverse camping climates from hot desert floors to cooler mountain forests. During summer months, temperatures regularly exceed 100°F in lower elevations, while higher campsites offer relief with temperatures 15-20 degrees cooler.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: At Catalina State Park Campground, equestrians have access to multiple trail options through desert terrain. "Trails for mountain biking" are also available according to camper Annika D., making this a versatile recreation area for various outdoor activities.
Cave exploration: Colossal Cave Mountain Park offers unique underground adventures not far from San Manuel. "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," notes reviewer Krista Z.
Desert hiking: Several trails through saguaro forests provide memorable day hikes. "The hiking accessible from the campgrounds is fantastic with tons of desert landscape and saguaros dotting the skyline. Low mountains add to the scenic view," mentions Kristin S. from Catalina State Park.
What campers like
Stargazing opportunities: The dark skies at Reddington Pass Dispersed camping area provide exceptional stargazing. "At night the view of the stars was beautiful since there was hardly any light pollution," reports Tyler E., highlighting one of the advantages of more remote camping areas.
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting attracts diverse desert wildlife. At Catalina State Park, Carly E. reports, "We saw (and heard) coyote, prairie dogs, and a rattlesnake eating a prairie dog along a trail right behind our campground loop!"
High elevation escape: For summer camping, Clark Peak Corrals offers relief from desert heat. "Nothing beats the summer Arizona heat like escaping to the top of the Pinaleños. At 8800 ft elevation, this corral and campsite offers amazing weather in the summer and gorgeous views off the edge of the mountains," notes Beth G.
What you should know
Gate closure times: Several campgrounds have specific entry restrictions. At Colossal Cave Mountain Park, "They do lock the gate at 4:00, so once in, you are there for the night," explains Robbie B., which affects planning for late arrivals or departures.
Water availability: Many sites require bringing all water. Beth G. advises about Clark Peak Corrals: "Be prepared to bring in anything you might need, including water. There are only about 3 campsites located near the vault toilets."
Road conditions: Access to many horse-friendly camping areas requires appropriate vehicles. For Reddington Pass, Joshua M. warns, "You will want 4x4 to get up farther into the pass... It gets chilly in the fall and winter but it's great relief from the heat of Arizona."
Tips for camping with families
Bathroom considerations: When camping with children, bathroom access matters. Janet H. describes Catalina State Park facilities: "The restroom and shower facility in loop A was clean and adequate, with three toilet stalls (one of which was ADA compliant, as well as two showers)."
Shade availability: Desert camping can be hot, so choosing shaded sites helps with family comfort. "We were in site B48 - this site was at the edge of the loop so it was nice and fairly private - but there was very little shade. I probably wouldn't pick that site again in the warmer months! There were a lot of other sites that had some trees around them and seemed much shadier," advises Carly E. from Catalina.
Educational opportunities: Some campsites offer learning experiences for children. At Catalina State Park, "There are still plenty of miles of beautiful desert trails to enjoy," reports Janet H., while Pima County Fairgrounds includes "a very nice desert nature trail with information signs about the vegetation," according to Ahren A.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Catalina State Park, Kristin S. advises, "The sites were huge, very big-rig friendly, and private. Additional signage for numbered sites would have been helpful, but it's not hard to find your spot using the power of deduction."
Dispersed options limitations: For horse owners seeking equestrian camping near San Manuel, Reddington Pass offers space but with limitations. "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," cautions Cass G.
Hookup availability: For those needing full services, Pima County Fairgrounds offers complete amenities. Tod S. notes, "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near San Manuel, AZ?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near San Manuel, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near San Manuel, AZ is Catalina State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 69 reviews.
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equestrian camping near
San Manuel, AZ?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near San Manuel, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near San Manuel, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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