The historic Wild West town of Tombstone has several camping options within a short drive. Kartchner Caverns State Park Campground sits about 18 miles away and has good sites for campers who want to check out the limestone caves during their stay. Campers looking for water activities can head to Patagonia Lake State Park where fishing and boating are popular. If you prefer more basic camping without neighbors, Cieneguita Dispersed Camping Area gives you space and good views across the Sonoran Desert. Spring and fall bring the best weather for camping around Tombstone, as summers get really hot and winter nights can get cold. You should book campsites ahead of time if you're coming during busy seasons. Most campgrounds have basic facilities, but you should bring extra water and supplies just in case. While camping in the area, you can visit the famous OK Corral in Tombstone or hike on trails in the nearby mountains. The area has both easy and more difficult hiking paths depending on what you want. Tombstone works well for short trips or longer stays with its mix of camping styles. Always check if any areas are closed before you head out. Between the old western history and different landscapes, camping near Tombstone makes for a good trip.
$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."
"The bathrooms are well kept, there is a nice hiking trail close and you can reserve a spot to see the caverns too. Close enough to Tombstone as well. Really like this place."
$25 - $40 / night
"Great campground just down hill from old town tombstone! You wont be disappointed, nicely run and kept, everything you need. Lots to see and do in area."
"About a mile outside of Tombstone. Very clean, large/wide sites, nice pool, dog parks, large clubhouse with TV, shuffleboard, ping pong, etc. Very helpful staff."
"About ten minutes from Tombstone."
"Coming from Tombstone you travel on N Middlemarch rd which is 10 miles of dirt washboard and just plain bumpy for 10 miles until FR 687 comes up as you Y to the left."
"The site I chose had a walking path that opened to a vast beautiful valley and dry river bed to explore! Can’t wait to go back. 10 miles of primitive road, but worth the drive!"
"Take Middle March road on left off of highway 80. Campsite is 10 miles on the left."
$10 / night
"You are right next to Tombstone so no need to drive to the local saloon for a beer….you can easily walk home! The stadium is only for bull riding and it is right up top from the camping area."
"This place is perfect for dry camping a short distance from historic Main Street Tombstone. There were no amenities, so be prepared! You cannot beat the price!"
"Sierra Vista has anything anyone would want and Tombstone is a tourist haven. Recommend this site to anyone that wishes to avoid large crowds and loves open skies and spaces."
"We moved to Tombstone Territories after dry camping for 10 days. We were ready for laundry and full hook ups. We were going to stay for 3 days, but extended 3 more."
$35 - $50 / night
"Best perk is you're walking distance to downtown tombstone. Worth the cost to dump and refill before hitting our next dispersed site. We stayed 2 nights and checked out bisbee as well."
"We were able to walk to all the Tombstone activities in town. Staff is great. Deer will cross by the campground each evening."
$20 / night
"Various Oaks and Alligator Junipers abound at this cute little National Forest campground tucked in the Dragoon Mountains, another of Arizona’s beautiful “Islands in the Sky.” "
"Easy access to hiking and adventuring in the granite boulder area. There was no drinking water when we were there late September, but there are several spigots around camp."
$29 - $50 / night
"Tombstone is definitely worth the trip & Wells Fargo RV park is an awesome place to rest your weary bones on the trail! Parderner!!!!"
$20 - $40 / night
"If you come to Tombstone and don’t stay here then you are missing out on great hospitality and amazing views. This property is literally on the edge of Tombstone with a view."
"Fun hosts just a short walk to downtown Tombstone. A block from BLM land. An entire herd of deer wandered thru on our first night."
Guidepretty secluded, only one other camper while we were there on a weekend. 10mi dirt road to get here, the last 2 require high clearance. fire pits available and next to hiking trails and climbing
ScoutPerfect stop in between hikes
TravelerWe were in the campground less than 18 hours. Had everything we needed. However there is only one bathroom per loop and the campground was FULL. Just something to keep in mind if you’re traveling in the busy season.
ScoutPerched on the edge of the Lavender Pit, this is a unique spot on the edge of Old Bisbee. Recently upgraded facilities with cable TV, water and electric. At the park there is 5 bars of Verizon 5G.
GuideSpecific 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.
LegendMust be an Escapee member to stay here. It's a great park. Your first week is only like $85 for full hook ups with access to everything the park has to offer. Laundry, showers, lots of different activities. Good hiking right in the park and super close to town.
Dry sites available for only $10. Definitely a good place to experience after weeks of boondocking. Friendly people too!
RangerIt's a dry camping spot in downtown Tombstone for $10.00 a night. No dumpsters, no water. It's just one big tourist trap, but I wanted to check it out. I can mark this off the bucket list.
ScoutWhatever it's called it is a very convenient place to spend the night. Just a very wide road around the lake. Find your favorite view and pull over . I stayed 2 nights while exploring the area. Freeway, trains and birds. None loud enough to bother me. Some traffic during the day. Quiet at night. Good cell service. Ill go back if in the area.
GuideOverall a nice place. Very friendly accommodating staff, clean showers and laundry. The pool area was beautiful, wish we had time to use it! Close to Seguaro National Park, retail and restaurants. I recommend it.
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.
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Tombstone, AZ?
The best campgrounds near Tombstone offer different experiences depending on your preferences. Dragoon Mountains provides peaceful dispersed camping about 10 minutes from Tombstone with gorgeous mountain backdrops and excellent stargazing. For those seeking amenities, Kartchner Caverns State Park Campground offers developed sites with minimal light pollution and walking distance access to the famous caves and visitor center. Other solid options include Tombstone RV & Campground, located downhill from the historic district, and Quail Ridge RV Resort, which offers a quiet, clean environment about 25 minutes from town. Most campgrounds in the area provide convenient access to Tombstone's historic attractions, with many offering beautiful desert scenery.
Can you tent camp in the Tombstone area?
Yes, tent camping is available in the Tombstone area with several good options. Tombstone Dry Camping RV Park has welcomed tent campers in the past, offering an affordable bare-bones camping experience within walking distance to Tombstone's historic district. For a more natural setting, Cochise Stronghold Campground provides tent sites surrounded by dramatic rock formations. The dispersed camping areas in the Dragoon Mountains are also tent-friendly with spacious sites and beautiful views. When tent camping in this desert region, be prepared for extreme temperature fluctuations, limited shade, and wildlife encounters. During summer months, higher elevation sites provide cooler temperatures, while winter evenings can get quite cold.
Are there RV parks in Tombstone with full hookups?
Yes, Tombstone has several RV parks with full hookups to accommodate visitors. Tombstone RV & Campground offers full hookup sites just downhill from the historic district, making it convenient for exploring the town's attractions. Wells Fargo RV Park provides full hookups only one block from downtown Tombstone, offering laundry facilities, showers, and all necessary amenities despite having somewhat tight spaces. For those willing to stay a bit further out, Pato Blanco Lakes RV Resort is a clean, friendly 55+ resort with full hookups near Benson, featuring lakefront sites with fishing opportunities. Most parks in the area accommodate larger RVs, though it's always best to call ahead for availability and site specifications.
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