Camping spots near Tombstone, Arizona range across the surrounding Cochise County with elevations between 4,500 and 5,500 feet. Located within the Sonoran Desert, most Tombstone camping areas receive less than 14 inches of rain annually. The mountainous terrain creates microclimates where temperatures can vary significantly between camping locations even just miles apart.
What to Do
Explore limestone caves: Kartchner Caverns State Park, about 18 miles from Tombstone, offers unique underground exploration. "We reserved and did the Rotunda/Throne Tour. It was very cool and our 1st cave tour. I would suggest reading the rules for tours before reserving. Access to the cavern is very controlled as far as how you get in and what you can take," notes Bill R.
Ride historic stagecoaches: Downtown Tombstone provides authentic western experiences. "We absolutely loved our stay, and we got to ride in a stagecoach! We pulled up our boot straps and mounted the 4WD pony and headed to town, which was just up the road," shares GoldDust D. from Tombstone RV & Campground.
Night sky observation: The remote desert camping areas offer exceptional stargazing conditions. "There is no light pollution besides maybe a neighbor that forgot to turn off their lights," reports David T. about Kartchner Caverns State Park Campground. Jennifer H. adds, "It's super dark at night, so sky viewing is great!"
Desert hiking trails: The Dragoon Mountains provide diverse trail options. "The area has both easy and more difficult hiking paths depending on what you want," with Rachel noting that Dragoon Mountains offers "beautiful rock backdrops and views with lots of trails."
What Campers Like
Wide camping spaces: Many campgrounds provide generous site dimensions. At Tombstone Territories RV Park, Harold P. appreciates that "spots are very large and spaced well." Similarly, at Kartchner Caverns, Alivia M. notes, "Each site is really big and everything is clean and well maintained."
Wildlife encounters: The desert ecosystem supports diverse animal species. David T. warns campers to "watch your step, we came across a Diamond Back Rattle Snake about 4 feet from our picnic bench" at Kartchner Caverns. At Tombstone Territories RV Park, one camper mentioned regularly seeing "deer will cross by the campground each evening."
Proximity to historic sites: Several camping options allow easy access to Tombstone's attractions. Christina H. values that Shootout Arena RV Park is "only a few minutes drive away from all the best attractions Tombstone has to offer, but the location is quiet and away from all the commotion." Rick I. adds it's "perfect for dry camping a short distance from historic Main Street Tombstone."
Desert solitude: For those seeking isolation, dispersed camping delivers. Jose L. appreciates that at Forest Road 687, "many to select from and a lot of privacy. The morning views were very beautiful." Joey B. describes the experience: "So quiet you can hear the crows flying near the mountains. The darkness is incredible."
What You Should Know
Road conditions: Access to remote camping areas often involves challenging drives. Deborah C. warns that at Cochise Stronghold Campground, "Middlemarch Road is wide but very washboard-y. Took us about 45 minutes to go 10 miles." Aron F. adds about Forest Road 687: "The washboard road was really rough and took me forty minutes to go 15 miles."
Limited facilities: Many sites lack basic amenities. Rick I. notes that at Shootout Arena RV Park, "There were no amenities, so be prepared!" George K. advises: "This is all dispersed camping so come well equipped, because if you forget anything the closest town with supplies is Sierra Vista or Benson."
Water availability: Water sources are inconsistent across camping areas. Shari G. reports: "There was no drinking water available at the campground (the website says there is), but there is a creek you can pull water from for filtering, so come prepared."
Weather variations: Desert conditions create extreme temperature swings. David T. cautions: "It's Arizona, summer times will be hot, our temp in June was 108." George K. adds: "Your roughly at 5000' so winter camping be prepared for snow on occasion. It also can be a little breezy."
Tips for Camping with Families
Nearby activities: Multiple family-friendly options exist around campgrounds. Drea M. shares that at Kartchner Caverns, "You can visit the caverns, hike and bike ride. If you forget something Walmart is one exit over."
Pool access: Some campgrounds offer swimming facilities. GoldDust D. appreciates that at Tombstone RV & Campground, "The pool was crystal clear and refreshing in the AZ heat."
Wildlife education: Desert camping provides opportunities for nature lessons. David T. suggests wildlife awareness: "Watch your step, we came across a Diamond Back Rattle Snake about 4 feet from our picnic bench."
Clean facilities: Bathroom quality varies by location. Harold P. found at Kartchner Caverns "Clean restrooms, nice showers, friendly camp hosts," while at Tombstone RV, campers report "Bathrooms and showers on site, although not the cleanest."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: RV sites often need adjustment. Amilyn W. advises at Shootout Arena RV Park: "Be prepared to level RV as the spots are nowhere near level."
Site dimensions: Some campgrounds accommodate large rigs better than others. Christina H. notes about Wells Fargo RV Park: "Although the park is big rig friendly, we found the turn into the row very tight for our 37ft 5th wheel and long tow vehicle (about 55ft total rig length)."
Hook-up availability: Services vary significantly between locations. Kelly K. reports: "Made it fairly easily in small Class A. Nice sites with soft dirt and sand. Beautiful views of the Dragoons." For full hookups, Frankie recommends: "Best perk is you're walking distance to downtown tombstone. Worth the cost to dump and refill before hitting our next dispersed site."
Space between sites: Privacy levels differ between campgrounds. Lisa S. observes at Kartchner Caverns: "The campsites are close together affording little privacy. Each has water and electric hookup, a picnic table and fire ring."
