Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Tucson, AZ

Tucson - Lazydays KOA provides a dog wash station, pet waste disposal bins, and designated pet exercise areas throughout its extensive property. This full-hookup RV resort welcomes pets with minimal restrictions, featuring pet-friendly cabins and tent sites alongside RV spaces. El Pais Motel and Campgrounds accommodates pets across all its accommodation options with free-range chickens roaming the property. Davis Monthan AFB FamCamp offers spacious, level sites with concrete patios ideal for pet setups, though military affiliation is required for access. Clean bathrooms, showers, and 24-hour laundry facilities make extended stays comfortable at most pet-friendly Tucson campgrounds. The park staff at Crazy Horse RV Park maintain doggie bag stations throughout the grounds with garbage cans attached for convenient waste disposal. Campers reference The Dyrt for top tips on camping near Tucson, Arizona.

Free BLM camping at Snyder Hill accepts pets with no additional fees, providing primitive dispersed camping options approximately 15 miles west of downtown Tucson. Dogs must remain leashed in most campgrounds, particularly at Gilbert Ray Campground in the Tucson Mountain Park where wildlife encounters are common. The heated pools at several RV resorts provide relief from summer heat, though pets are not permitted in pool areas. Communal fire pits at El Pais create gathering spots where travelers share stories while pets socialize in the evenings. While most campgrounds have limited shade, citrus trees throughout Lazydays KOA provide scattered cool spots for pets. Nearby Saguaro National Park allows leashed pets on roads and developed areas but prohibits dogs on trails to protect sensitive desert ecosystems. The south side of Tucson offers multiple veterinary clinics within 15 minutes of most campgrounds.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Tucson, Arizona (126)

    1. Tucson - Lazydays KOA

    51 Reviews
    Tucson, AZ
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 799-3701

    "Plenty of space, the best dog parks ever!"

    "When spending time on the road many times you will find campsite after campsite that is welcoming but not quite like home away from home."

    2. Gilbert Ray Campground

    76 Reviews
    Cortaro, AZ
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 724-5000

    $10 - $75 / night

    "The scenery here is perfect for Arizona. Great views of Tucson Mountain and surrounded by all kinds of hiking trails in the Tucson Mountain Park. The sites are gravel and mostly flat."

    "Tucson Mountain Park offers an amazing opportunity to camp among the saguaros, just outside of the west side of Saguaro National Park."

    3. Snyder Hill BLM Camping Area

    34 Reviews
    Cortaro, AZ
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 258-7200

    "This BLM property, right off the Ajo highway near Tucson, is extremely convenient for a short or extended stay. Anyone can stay up to 14 nights, free of charge. "

    "Close to Tucson"

    4. El Pais Motel and Campgrounds

    8 Reviews
    Tucson, AZ
    3 miles
    +1 (520) 907-6848

    $30 - $50 / night

    "So glad we found this hidden gem in Tucson. It’s a beautifully renovated Rv campground owned by a mother and daughter. Great communications, clear directions, easy arrival."

    "All I can say is, if you’re in the Tucson area and need a night or longer to recharge batteries and fill water, or if you just want a really nice place to stay.. STAY HERE."

    5. Davis Monthan AFB FamCamp- Boneyard Vista

    6 Reviews
    Tucson, AZ
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 747-9144

    $15 - $29 / night

    "The campground is located on the base on the southeast side of Tucson."

    "Clean restrooms, shower , laundry facility, and dog washing room even . WiFi is not the best as they in the middle of an upgrade."

    6. Cactus Country RV Park - 55+

    8 Reviews
    Vail, AZ
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 574-3000

    "Close to Tucson. Cable and wifi. Pet friendly. Sites are close together but when we visited, we were spaced well."

    "This park is minutes away from the east section of Saguaro National Park. It may look and feel remote, but good shopping, restaurants and attractions are very close."

    7. Crazy Horse RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Tucson, AZ
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 574-0157

    "There are doggie bag stations throughout the park with garbage cans attached to dispose of dog waste. As for the sites, they are a tight squeeze with not much space. You are absolutely stacked in."

    "This park is located right off of I-10. We stayed monthly. (June-September) We were in a covered (Under the solar panels in the back) spot and we pay roughly $900 a month."

    8. Voyager RV Resort & Hotel

    6 Reviews
    Tucson, AZ
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Tucson is February is why this place exists. The have swimming, tennis. pickleball, crafts, hobbies. A on site restaurant. There is a mix of perm and transient RV’s. Many use golf carts."

    9. Rincon Country East RV Resort

    5 Reviews
    Tucson, AZ
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 886-8431

    $63 - $79 / night

    "Mount Lemmon is a short drive or bike ride away with snow capped top and great food offerings.  Skying is possible for those with young legs. "

    "Love the Rincon parks in general even if it's just for a drive. Great wildlife! Tad poles in the wash with the biggest eyes I've ever seen!! A Gila monster just chilling. SUCH beautiful sunsets!"

    10. Pima County Fairgrounds RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Vail, AZ
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 762-8579

    $45 / night

    "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."

    "Hookups, restrooms, private showers, laundry, and dog areas. Close to Saguaro and town."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Tucson, AZ

846 Reviews of 126 Tucson Campgrounds


  • Steve & Ashley  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2019

    Catalina State Park Campground

    Great Mountainside Campsite

    We have stayed here a couple of times on trips to the West Coast. The park is beautiful at the foot is the mountains overlooking Tucson. The elevation is fairly high up. So, the temps are quite moderate compared to Tucson. They have a mix of reservation and non reservation sites all ranges from large RVs to tent camper. Great showers and restrooms and good roadways all the way into the sites. Tucson is just minutes always and the State Park Entrance is near a residential neighborhood. The mountains are beautiful in the morning. I would highly recommend this site if you are wanting to camp near Tucson, Arizona.

  • Beth G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 17, 2020

    Bog Springs Campground

    Excellent weekend trip

    The sites are first come, first served but we didn’t have any issues finding a spot during the winter. Our site had plenty of space for 2 vehicles, 1x 3-person tent and 3x 1-person tents. The sites are well shaded with trees and each site has a fire pit and bear box.

    Lots of hiking trails available. Since it’s a wilderness area, they are all pet friendly. It is the perfect getaway from Tucson.

    The Ranger and camp host we meet were super friendly!

  • Rob F.
    Mar. 28, 2022

    Picacho Peak State Park Campground

    Great place close to Tucson

    This is a great place to camp near Tucson with great views and lots of hiking. If you plan to climb Picacho bring lots of water and gloves. There are parts of the climb you must use cables to pull yourself up. They have electrical hookups, but no water due to a water shortage. There is also a dump station to “unload” prior to departure from the campgrounds. I believe there is also WiFi available for a fee if you need it. Personally speaking, we go camping to unplug so we try not to use cellular or Wi-Fi connections.

  • Candy P.
    Jun. 29, 2021

    General Hitchcock Campground

    Perfect tent camping spot

    This sky island campground in Mt Lemmon is perfect for a quick weekend getaway from Tucson. The weather here is 10-15 degrees cooler than the city. This campground is small, with tent sites tucked away between pine trees. A vaulted bathroom is at the center of the parking lot.

  • Dray S.
    Sep. 8, 2019

    Spencer Canyon Campground

    Great, easy getaway if you don't mind company

    Spencer Canyon Campground is a nice campground approx. 20 miles from Tucson up the General Hitchcock Highway(often called the Catalina Highway or Mt. Lemmon Highway). It is located approximately 3 miles past the Palisades Visitor Center and the entrance is marked well by a big brown sign as you approach. Phill and Denise, the friendly campsite managers will give you advice and suggestions about campsites that suite your needs. The photos attached to this review are from campsite#6, which is close to the Phill& Denise’s camper location and the highway- yes, we did hear road noise. Most campers chose locations deeper in the campground, but we were there on a busy weekend so most of those“deeper” campsites were occupied. All sites have a large bear box, concrete picnic table, charcoal grill and an iron fire pit. The picnic area of the site is level but the whole campsite is NOT so pick your location carefully if you want to pitch your tent on a flat, level plot. We did find some firewood left over from prior campers but recommend bringing your own, dry wood if you have room in your rig. In my observation, there is a rather nice, vessel toilet house strategically located to serve 6- 7 campsites. There is also a water faucet to be shared by 6- 7 campsites. Campsite#6 has its own faucet so others might also. There are 60+ campsites throughout Spencer Canyon and I would suggest that those“deeper” in the campground are more desirable. It should be noted that most of the campsites are close together, that is, about 50-75 feet apart, hence, my“... if you don’t mind company” comment. It should also be noted that Phill& Denise are really nice and helpful, the campsites are well maintained and clean, it is only 22 miles from Tucson and less than 6 miles from the mountaintop hamlet of Summerhaven, and is situated at approximately 7,900 fee of elevation. Thus, Spencer Canyon Campground is a great getaway from the Arizona heat and close enough to Tucson for a 1- 2 night weekend.

  • Irene L.
    Sep. 30, 2017

    Kartchner Caverns State Park Campground

    Cool caves

    Even if you don’t want to camp here the caves are worth the drive from Tucson for the tours and to hike around the grounds (gift shop is good too). The trails are not long but have some good views and give a good sense of cactus country without long grueling hikes. The campgrounds are a short distance to the caves and museum. The campsites have sparse shrubs and nice views, not huge sites but not awful, lots of water. Birding is great certains times of year.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2022

    Cieneguita Dispersed Camping Area - Las Cienegas National Conservation Area

    Away from civilization with beautiful views

    I was traveling from Tucson to Sonoita and had myself a nice overnight. I saw one other camper here, but never heard them. Pulled down the road then through the gate and went about a mile. Beautiful secluded space, bugs weren't too bad. LOTS of nature sounds, heard a pack of dogs, plenty of cows and (?) And the birds are everywhere! It's super awesome! I'm camping in my car, so I didn't find a normal site, just pulled off the road and set up my chair to kick back and enjoy a local craft beer before bed.

  • Candy P.
    Jan. 23, 2021

    Kartchner Caverns State Park Campground

    A treasure in the desert

    Wow, what an awesome AZ State Park! If you live in Arizona and haven’t camped here you are doing something wrong! It’s a quick weekend getaway from Tucson or even Phoenix. The camp hosts are friendly and stopped by to say hello, leave us maps, and give us the run down on a few rules. Kartchner is a designated Dark Sky park, so they do a great job of making sure everyone keeps the lights off after 8pm so you can enjoy the stars. It really is an awesome perk of the park! The campgrounds are immaculate. Like the cleanest and most well taken care of sites I have ever seen. Everything was perfectly raked and swept prior to our arrival. *We didn’t use the restrooms, showers, or dish washing stations due to covid, so we can’t report on those. We did notice family restrooms, which is always welcomed with little ones! We walked around the loops, like we always do when camping, to make note of the best ones for future trips. There were too many to count! All the sites looked spacious (for state park standards), clean, and had plenty of mesquite trees (perfect for learning how to climb trees for the first time!) The hiking trails are aplenty and dog friendly. The caverns are a quick 5 min walk from the campsites. We didn’t visit due to covid, but in the future plan to visit the caves, discovery center, and cafe. Although the campsite seemed to be most occupied by snowbirds, it really is the perfect destination for families too! We can’t wait to go back!

  • Avery T.
    Dec. 16, 2024

    Tombstone Territories RV Park

    Nice big lots!

    Off the beaten trail a bit but we really enjoyed our stay here. Hiking trail entrances right in the park and it’s close to the San Pedro river.

    There is a laundry/mail room with a restroom and then a separate bathhouse near the front. Nice little dog park for our pooch to run around too and we used the public firepit.

    Kiddos said there were horseshoes to play.


Guide to Tucson

Camping options near Tucson span from 2,000 to 4,000 feet elevation across the Sonoran Desert, offering winter temperatures that rarely drop below freezing. The camping season extends year-round with summer daytime temperatures frequently exceeding 100°F, while monsoon season (July-September) brings sudden afternoon thunderstorms that can cause flash flooding in camping areas.

What to do

Explore Tucson Mountain Park trails: Gilbert Ray Campground provides direct access to hiking trails through saguaro forests. "The west-side scenic loop drive at sunset, hiking in the east district, and attending as many ranger programs as we could to get a better understanding of these desert giants" offers excellent opportunities, according to one camper at Gilbert Ray Campground.

Visit Pima Air and Space Museum: Located just minutes from Crazy Horse RV Park, the museum showcases hundreds of aircraft. A long-term camper noted, "The air and space museum is one mile down the road," making it an easy day trip from several eastside camping locations.

Stargaze from dispersed sites: The lack of light pollution at BLM sites provides exceptional night sky viewing. A camper at Snyder Hill BLM reported, "The solar system of stars is breath taking at night," making it worth the primitive conditions for serious astronomers and casual stargazers.

What campers like

Citrus trees in season: Multiple campgrounds feature fruit trees that provide both shade and fresh fruit. "You will find citrus trees on many of the sites," mentioned one reviewer about Tucson - Lazydays KOA, while another noted, "Fruit trees at our spot. As it is winter now in most states, people tend to stay throughout the winter."

Communal gathering spaces: Social opportunities are abundant at campgrounds with shared facilities. At El Pais Motel and Campgrounds, campers appreciate that "people gather under the pavilion in the afternoon and evening to cook, eat, enjoy a libation and socialize," creating a community atmosphere.

Level sites with patios: Many campgrounds feature concrete patios and level parking areas. A visitor to Davis Monthan AFB FamCamp noted, "Shady gravel pull through sites with concrete patio. Full hookups and clean bathrooms and laundry," making setup easier than at primitive locations.

What you should know

Summer heat precautions: Temperatures regularly exceed 110°F in summer months. One camper at Pima County Fairgrounds RV Park mentioned, "We stayed here for two hot weeks," highlighting the need for adequate cooling systems and shade structures when camping between May and September.

Neighborhood considerations: Some campgrounds are located in urban or transitional areas. A visitor to Crazy Horse RV Park observed, "The neighborhood across the road is very run down, there are dogs barking over there nonstop, and there's lots of litter everywhere. We also heard gunshots on more than one occasion."

Seasonal crowds: Winter months bring significant influx of seasonal campers. One review noted, "It is February in Tucson... There is a mix of permanent and transient RVs," explaining why reservations months in advance are essential for popular campgrounds from November through March.

Tips for camping with families

Wildlife safety education: Desert creatures require special awareness and precautions. A visitor to Gilbert Ray Campground warned, "Watch out for rattle snakes! Saw one right next to my fire pit," emphasizing the importance of teaching children proper safety protocols when camping in the Sonoran Desert.

Pool amenities: Several RV parks offer swimming facilities essential for summer visits. "Your kids will never complain of boredom here. There is an unlimited amount of activities to keep them occupied," reported a visitor to Cactus Country RV Park where the "super nice pool and hot tub" provide relief from heat.

Free chicken eggs: Some campgrounds offer unique experiences for children. El Pais Motel and Campgrounds provides "free chicken eggs from onsite chickens," allowing kids to collect fresh eggs each morning, creating a memorable camping experience.

Tips from RVers

Access challenges: Campground entrances and site access vary significantly. An RVer at Gilbert Ray Campground advised, "Some spots vary in size so make sure your rig can fit. Also some more difficult to back up into," highlighting the importance of researching site dimensions before arrival.

Covered solar sites: Summer visitors should look for specialized sites with overhead protection. A long-term RVer at Crazy Horse RV Park shared, "We were in a covered (Under the solar panels in the back) spot and we pay roughly $900 a month. Which I think is a little high but it's so worth it for the summer."

Dog-friendly facilities: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Tucson provide specialized pet amenities. "This koa had a dog park that i was able to take them to in order to get all of their energy out before the long car trip," reported one camper about pet facilities at Tucson - Lazydays KOA, which also features a dedicated dog wash station.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Tucson, AZ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Tucson, AZ is Tucson - Lazydays KOA with a 4.6-star rating from 51 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Tucson, AZ?

TheDyrt.com has all 126 dog-friendly camping locations near Tucson, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.