Catalina State Park Campground offers equestrian sites on the outskirts of Oro Valley in Arizona's Sonoran Desert at an elevation of 2,700 feet. Located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains, this equestrian-friendly area maintains moderate winter temperatures between 50-70°F, making it popular for horse camping from October through April. Summer months regularly exceed 100°F, limiting comfortable trail riding to early mornings.
What to do
Mountain biking accessible trails: Catalina State Park provides multiple trail options suitable for riders of different experience levels. "Trails for mountain biking," notes one camper at Catalina State Park Campground, who also mentioned the wildlife viewing opportunities including "coyotes and some weird desert squirrels."
Desert wildlife viewing: Morning and evening hours offer prime opportunities to observe native desert animals. "We saw (and heard) coyote, prairie dogs, and a rattlesnake eating a prairie dog along a trail right behind our campground loop!" reports a camper who stayed at Catalina State Park.
Cave exploration: Located 30 minutes southeast of Oro Valley, Colossal Cave Mountain Park offers underground adventures. "We also did the Regular Cave Tour and it was really neat... It really was 70 in the cave and with it being in the 50s/60s outside we went in overdressed and ended up really warm," shares one visitor who recommends staying "towards the front of the group" during tours.
Horseback riding: Several local trails accommodate equestrian users with varying difficulty levels. The Arizona Trail sections near Oro Valley permit horses, with Reddington Pass Dispersed areas offering undesignated staging areas for trailers. "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 one regular visitor.
What campers like
Dark sky viewing: The outlying horse camping areas provide excellent stargazing opportunities away from Tucson's light pollution. "At night the campground is very dark," notes a visitor to Catalina State Park who appreciated the natural darkness despite proximity to urban areas.
Desert trail systems: The network of interconnected pathways allows for varied riding experiences. "There are a few trails in the park (Path of Ancestors, Bundrick, and the Arizona Trail). We did parts of all 3 but Path of Ancestors was my favorite. It has information boards along the way talking about the Hohokam tribe," shares one Colossal Cave Mountain Park camper.
Equestrian accommodations: While formal horse corrals are limited near Oro Valley, certain areas allow portable containment. At Rancho del Nido, about 45 minutes southeast, "This is horse ranch with great host and amazing views. They offer horse back riding which our kids loved," reports one family.
Affordable camping options: Most equestrian camping areas maintain reasonable fees. "Cost was DEFINITELY a plus here- $7.50 per night!" mentioned a Colossal Cave Mountain Park visitor, while another recent camper noted it's "only 10$ for a tent spot."
What you should know
Seasonal access limitations: Summer heat significantly impacts comfortable riding conditions. Visitors to Reddington Pass note that "It gets chilly in the fall and winter but it's great relief from the heat of Arizona."
Water availability varies: Many horse-friendly camping areas lack reliable water sources. At Pima County Fairgrounds RV Park, visitors appreciate the "Full hookups" and ability to "Empty tanks, full water tanks," which can be beneficial when preparing for rides in areas without services.
Fire restrictions: Rules regarding campfires change seasonally based on conditions. "We were told there were fire restrictions in place so we wouldn't be allowed to have a fire," reports one camper at Colossal Cave Mountain Park who recommended checking restrictions directly rather than relying on websites.
Road conditions: Many equestrian-accessible areas require appropriate vehicles. "The road is rough but if you don't mind driving slow over the holes and bumps then no big deal," explains a Reddington Pass visitor, while another notes "you will need a 4x4 in certain spots."
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife education opportunities: Children often enjoy observing desert animals. Catalina State Park offers "round-tailed ground squirrel burrows that are in abundance throughout the campground," according to one visitor who had to "choose carefully, as to not sleep atop an access hole."
Group camping areas: Larger equestrian parties can find accommodations designed for multiple families. At Colossal Cave Mountain Park, "El Bosquecito is actually a pretty neat group campground if you don't mind carrying your gear in. There was some tree coverage. There were BBQs, water faucets, bathrooms, and fire pits."
Avoid peak heat periods: Plan horse activities during cooler hours. "The further east you travel on the pass the less people you have to camp next to. The camping sites closer to the entrance get packed on the weekends," advises a Reddington Pass regular who recommends traveling deeper into the area for a better experience.
Site selection considerations: Choosing appropriate campsites impacts comfort significantly. "The back-in sites around the outside of the loops are more private, particularly in Loop B," recommends a visitor to Catalina State Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Most horse-friendly areas offer limited services. At Catalina State Park, "Price of $30/night +$5 booking fee was very reasonable for RV Electric and water hookups for the stay."
Dump station timing: Plan servicing stops strategically to avoid congestion. One RVer noted that at Catalina State Park, "The dump stations were crowded when we left at 11:45am on checkout day."
Size restrictions: Many equestrian-accessible areas cannot accommodate larger rigs. "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 a Reddington Pass visitor who frequently brings smaller vehicles to the area.
Weather considerations: Temperature swings impact both horse and RV comfort. "Water pipes at the campground froze overnight on an evening where temps barely touched 32 degrees. They were defrosted and flowing by 8:30am," reports a winter visitor to Catalina State Park.
