10 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Rancho del Nido offers horse trails throughout the property where visitors can bring their own horses for camping adventures. The campground provides water and electric hookups with accommodations for tents, RVs, and cabins. Sites include picnic tables and access to toilet facilities. The natural setting features expansive views and quiet surroundings ideal for horseback riding. Multiple reviews confirm the campground is highly suitable for equestrians, with horses welcome on-site and access to numerous riding opportunities. The property sits on a sloped area providing scenic vistas across the landscape, with spotlessly clean facilities maintained by the owners.
Located approximately 25 miles from Tumacacori, Rancho del Nido connects riders to miles of local horse trails. The campground owners serve as knowledgeable hosts who provide recommendations for local attractions and riding routes. Horse owners appreciate the peaceful environment with minimal noise disturbance, creating ideal conditions for animals and riders alike. The well-maintained grounds include level sites suitable for horse trailers and RVs with animals. Nights at the campground offer exceptional stargazing opportunities after a day of riding. Water from the on-site well is available for both horses and campers. The property's position provides convenient access to nearby wineries and additional hiking trails, making it suitable for extended equestrian camping trips combining horseback riding with other activities.
"The ranch features a roomy casita with a wood-burning stove, a pond that Dan actually stocks, and is surrounded by public lands with countless trails for exploring. (Bring your horses or ATVs.)"
from $35 - $50 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $40 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Lots of border patrol. Hiking, hunting, off roading allowed."
"Surrounded on the east and west by two small mountain ranges and the beautiful Baboquivari Peak in the Baboquivari Mountains to the west."
"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."
"FCFS, no reservations Park is frequently busy with events, rodeos, etc, which may limit access to some amenities. Drag strip next door may add sweet but brief engine noise"
from $45 / night
Check Availability"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"
from $10 - $15 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $45 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $50 - $750 / night
Check Availability
ScoutThis campground with water and electric was quiet and beautiful. 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.
GuideGreat 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.
TravelerThis is horse ranch with great host and amazing views. They offer horse back riding which our kids loved.
TravelerSites available for groups, RVs, tents, etc. No restrooms, but well maintained roads. Lots of border patrol. Hiking, hunting, off roading allowed.
GuideOur hosts were extremely hospitable and accommodating. They worked around our schedule and made sure we were comfortable. They gave us numerous recommendations for local cuisine and sightseeing. The camp is peaceful and has fantastic views with horses, a fire pit, and hiking trails. We hope to return soon.
GuideKim & Dan are wonderful hosts. The property is on the side of a slope with expansive views. Spotlessly clean porta potty. Safe. Peaceful. Horses and cows. I booked 2 nights and as soon as I set up camp I booked two more. So glad I did. Great location. Delicious well water.
TravelerThis is among our favorite campgrounds. We have spent a couple of months there for the past three winters and, because campers return to places they love, it has come to feel like an annual family reunion. Owners Dan and Sharon are incredible hosts, hosting holiday parties and regular pizza nights -- you bring the toppings and Dan provides the pizza oven and crusts.
The ranch features a roomy casita with a wood-burning stove, a pond that Dan actually stocks, and is surrounded by public lands with countless trails for exploring. (Bring your horses or ATVs.) Nearby Arivaca is tiny historic town with a fully stocked mercantile (with gas, diesel and propane), a hardware store with an incredible inventory, and La Gitana, a bar/cafe (also historic) with a mind-blowing chili cheeseburger.
Enough said. I'll regret revealing this gem for fear of too many people discovering it.
I should note that the GPS coordinates listed on The Dyrt are incorrect. The actual coordinates are 31°35'44.7"N 111°17'08.7"W.
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.
LegendI hope this is the hardest campground review I ever have to write. The visit to Colossal Cave Mountain Park started pretty terrible but the property manager/caretaker (Gary) saved this review. Let me start from the beginning.
Upon arrival we were checked in and told there were fire restrictions in place so we wouldn't be allowed to have a fire. I told them that's not what their website said and they argued "well we tell everyone when they call in". Needless to say, I wasn't told when I reserved my spot that there was any restrictions. (and even now, when checking the forestry websites and county fire restrictions they all direct me here (https://firerestrictions.us/az/az-pima-county/) and the specific location of the campgrounds doesn't seem to be under restriction nor can I even determine which specific area to look at. The park said they were part of the forestry service but that area seems to end East of there)
We were told that with our "RV" we would be located at El Bosquecito. We drive to the grounds and find out it's a walk in group site with a small cul de sac with 2 small dirt pull outs to park. I called the caretaker and asked where exactly we were supposed to be setting up so he drove down to meet us. It became very clear very quickly this spot wasn't going to work and this is when he told us they had overbooked their RV spaces (they only have 3) and they were trying to find somewhere to put us. He offered to let us stay in the Day Use area and that is where we spent the next 2 days. (and over the next few days we ran into him a few times to get suggestions on things to do, etc)
Like any camping trip we went exploring to see what the rest of the park looked like. Here is what we found:
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. 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. Trust the temperature they tell you! If you have any choice in the matter stay towards the front of the group. We went down with 17 people and there were a few times we couldn't hear the guide or see what he was pointing out because we were so far back.
So overall… I wasn't super impressed this trip. However, Gary gave us a great impression and explained a lot of the "problems" were parts of the park in transition. I totally believe this park could be really neat when it's running as intended. Until then - I strongly suggest you know exactly what you plan to get out of the trip and call ahead to ask for clarification if there is anything in particular you want to see. Their website is NOT kept up to date so it is not a reliable avenue for information. If you are just looking for a neat day trip or a group campground you may have more success than we did but it all depends what you are looking for. I hope to go back in the fall to give it another try.
Equestrian camping near Tumacacori, Arizona offers access to diverse terrain ranging from 3,000 to 4,500 feet elevation, with moderate winter temperatures averaging 65-70°F daytime and 35-45°F nights. The area features several horse-friendly campgrounds within 30 miles of Tumacacori National Historical Park. Most equestrian sites require advance booking during peak season from October through April.
Trail riding near Patagonia: La Siesta Campgrounds connects to multiple riding trails with varying difficulty levels. The campground sits at higher elevation than Tucson, providing cooler temperatures for summer riding. "The campground host does everything within his power to make your stay enjoyable. The weather is cooler than Tucson and the views are amazing," notes camper Mary S.
Explore historic sites: From Colossal Cave Mountain Park, riders can access trails leading to historic sites and natural formations. The park offers designated equestrian parking areas and water access. "Nice spot just off the AZT, stayed while on a bike trip on the trail. Camped in the La Selvilla section in the back of the canyon. Plenty of room and spots are not too tight and most had shade trees," reports Robbie B.
Birding on horseback: At Bueno Aires National Wildlife Refuge, equestrians can ride through multiple habitats while observing native bird species. "Good areas for birding. Roads well maintained. Surprisingly little campers here on a Saturday. Beautiful Mountain Views," says Karen.
Peaceful environment: Horseback riders appreciate the quiet setting at many campsites. At Rancho del Nido, camper Steve K. notes, "Great views! Great facility. The hosts were very communicative and helpful. Loads of wineries and hiking trails are a short drive away."
Night sky viewing: The area's minimal light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. "Come for the stars, if nothing else," recommends Maryrose L. about her experience at Rancho del Nido.
Proximity to wineries: Several equestrian-friendly campgrounds offer easy access to Sonoita-Elgin wine country. Tony C. shares, "Our hosts were extremely hospitable and accommodating. They worked around our schedule and made sure we were comfortable. They gave us numerous recommendations for local cuisine and sightseeing."
Limited water access: Many horse camping areas have restrictions on water availability. At Bueno Aires Wildlife Refuge, camper Melissa H. advises, "Sites available for groups, RVs, tents, etc. No restrooms, but well maintained roads. Lots of border patrol. Hiking, hunting, off roading allowed."
Gate closure times: Some campgrounds restrict entry after certain hours. At Colossal Cave Mountain Park, "They do lock the gate at 4:00, so once in, you are there for the night," explains camper Robbie B.
Seasonal considerations: Weather patterns affect trail conditions significantly. Summer months (June-September) often reach 90-100°F, limiting comfortable riding hours to early morning. Winter provides ideal riding weather but requires advance reservations at most facilities.
Kid-friendly horse experiences: Some properties offer special programs for younger riders. At Rancho del Nido, Geraldine B. shares, "This is horse ranch with great host and amazing views. They offer horse back riding which our kids loved."
Safety precautions: Parents should note varying terrain difficulties when planning rides with children. The Rock Bluff Group Site area provides gentler trails suitable for beginners. "We saw deer and blue birds during our stay. There is a little store at the day use area. They carry a variety of items from fishing gear to essentials you may have forgotten," mentions camper "radrealtoraz."
Budget considerations: Family camping costs vary widely among equestrian sites. Rock Bluff Group Site offers affordable options at $20/night for individual campers, while private ranches may charge $30-45 per night with additional fees for horse accommodations.
Site specifications: Most equestrian campgrounds accommodate RVs under 35 feet, but access roads may present challenges. At Pima County Fairgrounds RV Park, Tod S. advises, "Sites are level FHU and large enough to park tow vehicle or toad along side your RV. The great advantage of this place is the cost of $35 a day. FCFS, no reservations."
Travel planning: RVers with horse trailers should research road conditions in advance. "Drag strip next door may add sweet but brief engine noise," notes Tod S. about Pima County Fairgrounds, indicating the importance of checking nearby facilities that might affect horses.
Hookup availability: Not all equestrian camps offer full RV services. Check advance requirements for generators if electrical hookups aren't available. "We stayed for a week while visiting Saguaro NP. Cheap with full hook ups. Busy location as they hold rodeos and horse events regularly," reports Jordan L.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Tumacacori, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Tumacacori, AZ is Mesquite Ranch Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Tumacacori, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Tumacacori, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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