Holly F.
Traveler
TravelerCatalina State Park Campground
Nice size campsite. Clean. Staff was kind
Equestrian Camping near Summerhaven, AZ
1 campground with availability next weekend
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Horse-friendly camping is limited in the Summerhaven area, with no dedicated equestrian facilities identified in the available campgrounds. Reddington Pass Dispersed camping offers free, primitive sites accessible for both tent and RV camping where pets are allowed, potentially accommodating horses though no specific equestrian amenities exist. The area features both drive-in and walk-in access options with fires permitted, but lacks basic facilities like drinking water, toilets, and trash services. Triangle T Guest Ranch provides a more developed alternative with tent, RV, and cabin accommodations, though no specific horse corrals are indicated in the property features. Campgrounds tend to fill quickly during peak seasons.
Several miles south of Summerhaven, Catalina State Park accommodates both tent and RV camping with clean, well-maintained facilities. While not identified as having dedicated horse corrals, the park contains multiple hiking trails that might permit equestrian use, with some reviews noting the park's group camping areas provide substantial space. Water access is available at campsites, and the bathrooms feature showers described as spotlessly clean by visitors. The park's location at the base of the Catalina Mountains provides direct trail access for outdoor recreation, though summer temperatures can exceed 100°F, making fall through spring the optimal seasons for comfortable camping experiences. Trail riders should verify current equestrian access policies before planning trips.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Summerhaven (10)
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."
4 Sites AvailableAvailable next weekend
from $50 / night
2. Ringtail Loop Campground — Catalina State Park
"There are amazing hiking trails and the nature in this park is stunning, especially the saguaros."
Check Availabilityfrom $25 / night
3. 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."
4. 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."
Check Availabilityfrom $45 / night
5. 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"
Check Availabilityfrom $10 - $15 / night
6. Palo Verde Estates & RV Park
Check Availabilityfrom $50 - $750 / night
7. Rancho del Nido
"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."
"This is horse ranch with great host and amazing views. They offer horse back riding which our kids loved."
Check AvailabilityAvailable next weekend
from $40 - $50 / night
8. Triangle T Guest Ranch
"Beautiful site right off the interstate with amazing landscapes that make you feel like your a million miles away from it. Dry camping, electric only, or full hook ups available."
"It has history and character all around. Even though it's only a quarter mile from the 10, the noise is very minimal. We showed up while they were hosting a wedding there."
9. 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."
10. Florida Canyon
Drive Time
- 1 hr 20 min from Tucson, AZ
- 2 hrs 8 min from Sierra Vista, AZ
- 3 hrs 7 min from Phoenix, AZ
- 4 hrs 11 min from Prescott Valley, AZ
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Summerhaven, AZ
7 Photos of 10 Summerhaven Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Summerhaven, AZ
108 Reviews of 10 Summerhaven Campgrounds
- DDan A.
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.
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.
- PPamela B.Guide
Triangle T Guest Ranch
Bucket List Stop
I have been wanting to stop here in Texas Canyon for years, and this was the year. The place is so cool! Hiking around and on the boulders is fantastic. Jerry takes excellent care of everyone and is also the chef at the restaurant. First time here but won’t be our last.
Peggy M.GuideRancho del Nido
Ranch Nido
Specific site is not where Dyrt puts it. It is off by about 2 miles. I used instant book. Owners were very responsive and helpful. A beautiful spot with trees and sweet horses. About 2 miles of graded dirt and gravel road. Fine for most vehicles. The RV part is just a few spots with hookups and water. You can see them through the trees behind the port a potty in the photo. They are very close together. We are self sufficient in our setup for electricity. Wonderful fresh spring water for refilling our water containers, surprisingly fresh and clean port a potty. Was a great spot for exploring the area. Very easy to get to Saguaro National Park east side. And hour to Tombstone.
- 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.
Guide to Summerhaven
Camping opportunities around Summerhaven, Arizona sit at elevations between 4,500-8,000 feet in the Santa Catalina Mountains northeast of Tucson. Summer temperatures at higher elevations average 15-20°F cooler than the desert floor, making it popular during hot months. The area's diverse terrain transitions from saguaro-studded desert to pine forests.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: Catalina State Park connects directly to multiple desert trails with minimal shade. "There are Ironwood trees in the campground so some sites have shade. So it is hot, even in late October," notes Kim G. about Catalina State Park Campground.
Explore scenic off-road routes: Redington Pass offers 40 miles of rugged terrain for off-road enthusiasts. "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," advises Cass G. from Reddington Pass Dispersed.
Cave exploration: Tours available at Colossal Cave provide consistent 70°F temperatures year-round. "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," shares Krista Z. who camped at the park.
What campers like
Desert wildlife viewing: Early mornings offer opportunities to spot native species. "We saw (and heard) coyote, prairie dogs, and a rattlesnake eating a prairie dog along a trail right behind our campground loop!" reports Carly E. who stayed at Catalina State Park Campground.
Dark sky stargazing: Sites further from Tucson provide minimal light pollution. "Come for the stars, if nothing else," recommends Maryrose L. about camping at Rancho del Nido, noting "It is so quiet and beautiful."
Historical attractions: The area contains several historic sites and movie locations. "Plenty of hiking and horse back riding available. Tame horses roam free on the property. Lots of famous movie set areas to see like 310 to Yuma," describes Sandi at Triangle T Guest Ranch.
What you should know
Gate closure timing: Several campgrounds lock entrance gates at specific hours. "They do lock the gate at 4:00, so once in, you are there for the night," warns Robbie B. about Colossal Cave Mountain Park.
Access requirements: Many dispersed sites require high-clearance or 4WD vehicles. "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," advises Joshua M. about Reddington Pass.
Limited cell service: Reception diminishes quickly in mountain areas. "The further you go you'll run out of service, no bathrooms, no water hook ups, nothing, just dispersed wild camping!" notes Cass G. about Reddington Pass Dispersed camping.
Seasonal water concerns: Flash floods can occur during monsoon season. Per a visitor report, the Bighorn Fire of 2020 affected water drainage patterns at Catalina, causing ash-coated sand that prevents rainwater absorption and increases flood potential.
Tips for camping with families
Book ahead for group sites: Group areas provide more space for multiple tents and activities. "The group camping areas are set up very nicely being easy to do all camp activities in a large space," reports Jennifer H. who stayed at Catalina State Park.
Horse-friendly ranches: Several ranches offer guided rides suitable for children. "This is horse ranch with great host and amazing views. They offer horse back riding which our kids loved," shares Geraldine B. about Rancho del Nido, a potential option for equestrian camping near Summerhaven.
Wildlife education opportunities: Desert areas provide natural learning environments. "We saw a pair of owls keeping their nest safe," mentions Jennifer H. about Catalina State Park, adding "The camp is nestled into the mountains so it's so green and great for nature walks!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose perimeter sites for more privacy and protection. "The back-in sites around the outside of the loops are more private, particularly in Loop B," recommends G.F. about Triangle T Guest Ranch.
Utility hookup availability: Electric and water connections are available at select sites. "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," notes kristin S. about Catalina State Park.
Dump station timing: Plan dump station use strategically to avoid waits. "No sewer hookups and the dump stations were crowded when we left at 11:45am on checkout day," warns kristin S. about her experience at Catalina State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Summerhaven, AZ?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Summerhaven, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Summerhaven, AZ is Catalina State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 70 reviews.
What is the best site to find
equestrian camping near
Summerhaven, AZ?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Summerhaven, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Summerhaven, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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