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Best Tent Camping near Vail, AZ

669 Reviews

Saguaro National Park and Coronado National Forest offer several backcountry tent camping options near Vail, Arizona. Happy Valley Saddle Campground in Saguaro National Park provides walk-in tent sites at 6,000 feet elevation, accessible via a 4.6-mile hike on Miller Creek Trail. Manning Camp, also in Saguaro National Park, offers hike-in tent-only camping with drinking water available. General Hitchcock Campground in the Coronado National Forest features tent sites tucked between pine trees, while Gordon Hirabayashi Campground provides year-round tent camping with access to multiple hiking trails. Empire Ranch offers dispersed tent camping in grassland settings with picnic tables and toilet facilities.

Most tent campsites in the Vail area require significant preparation as amenities are limited. Happy Valley Saddle has only three tent sites, each equipped with a fire ring and bear box, plus a vault toilet. Water sources are scarce throughout the Rincon Mountains, so tent campers must pack in all necessary water. Access to backcountry tent camping in Saguaro National Park requires permits ($8 fee) with a limit of six people per permit. Madera Canyon on Proctor Road offers primitive tent camping but requires high-clearance vehicles to access the dispersed sites. Winter camping at higher elevations demands proper cold-weather gear, while summer brings intense heat at lower elevations.

Tent campers frequently report solitude as a primary benefit of these sites. According to reviews, Happy Valley Saddle often has minimal occupancy, with one camper noting, "We were the only ones there and used site 3. It was very secluded and had a nice big bear box and a nice fire ring." General Hitchcock Campground provides a cooler alternative during hot months, with temperatures 10-15 degrees lower than Tucson. One visitor described it as "a sky island campground perfect for a quick weekend getaway." Empire Ranch offers tent camping with "wonderful vistas, a big sky and breezy" conditions. The dramatic elevation changes create diverse camping experiences, from desert cactus landscapes to pine forests, making the region particularly appealing for tent-only camping adventures.

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Best Tent Sites Near Vail, Arizona (23)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Vail, AZ

11 Photos of 23 Vail Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Vail, AZ

669 Reviews of 23 Vail Campgrounds

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 19, 2024

    Cochise Stronghold

    Secluded

    Cochise stronghold campground is a rugged campground in a deep canyon. The canyon was the refuge for the Chiricahua Apache leader, Cochise. This is a National Forest Service campground. There are Eleven campsites and two group campsites. All are shaded by scrub oaks and surrounded by towering rock formations. The sites have picnic tables and grills. There is no water available so bring your own. No electricity or other facilities. There is a bathroom with flush toilets. There are food storage lockers due to bear activities. It is dog friendly (on leash). This campground is a little hard to get to, with several water crossings. I would not recommend attempting to drive without a high clearance vehicle. Sites are first come first served. Limit 6 people per site. $8 per night.

  • Ash C.
    Oct. 13, 2021

    Spencer Canyon Campground

    Great campground clean bathrooms !

    While busy, this is a well ran and well managed campground. The hosts are diligent to touch base with everyone coming in (safety) and the campsites though somewhat close together, offer unique ways to capture some privacy. The mountain can get very cold and windy at night, so make sure you have a sleeping bag rated for freezing temps. This campground has some of the cleanest vault toilets I’ve ever seen! Seriously! I don’t know how they do it!

    The camp hosts have fire wood for sale as well, you just have to flag them down when they drive by. Each site has a fire ring and grill. I also found several fresh water pumps within walking distance from my camp. The site is very easily accessible but some of the dirt roads can get pretty rutty, so use caution with lower profile vehicles.

  • Jered K.
    Feb. 25, 2019

    Happy Valley Saddle Campground — Saguaro National Park

    Small & remote camp

    Happy Valley campground's name can be decieving.. its actually at 6,000' of elevation, 4.6 miles up the Miller Creek trail in the Rincon mountains east of Tucson. It lies within the Saguaro National Park so a permit is required ($8 fee). Up to 6 people per permit. There is 3 spots at the camp. Each spot has a fire ring, bear box, and some good size stumps to sit on around the fire. There is a vaulted toilet at the site as well. Water can be scarce in the Rincons so plan accordingly!

    Another 3.4 miles up the trail and you'll be at the summit of Rincon Peak (8,200'ish).

  • 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.

  • P
    Sep. 13, 2020

    Gilbert Ray Campground

    Very Nice

    My grandson and I stayed in a tent campsite for two nights. There are only a 5 tent sites and they don't have a tent pad. After two passes we were able to find a site with a smooth spot without rocks for the tent, B5, a picnic table but no shade. I felt there could have been more bathrooms and water spickets but honestly I did not do much walking in the campground. It is the quiet time of year, before snowbirds come, so we were able to have our pick of electric or not sites. It was quiet; I think three trailers and one other tenter. No generators allowed and 7 day strict limit. The coyotes were very vocal at night, which I enjoyed.This is more of an RV campground but suited us fine for two days. We interacted with the hosts and they were very nice. We explored the trails, visitor center and Sonora Desert Museum, which we loved. Thirty minute drive to Tucson. We went to the Reid Park Zoo, which we thoroughly enjoyed; LOTS of animals for a small zoo. We drove the loop in East Saguaro National Park. Some things closed in West Saguaro park so be aware of that, like Old Tucson, but we found lots to do.

  • Amelio S.
    Jun. 30, 2021

    Rose Canyon Campground

    Gorgeous mountain top site

    Got here on a Sunday evening and were incredibly lucky to get a site close to the lake! The drive up to the campground is gorgeous and the campground is great as well. Spots are drive up with picnic tables, bear boxes, and space to set up a tent or two. There’s a camp store and public pit toilets. We arrived in the evening and left early so we didn’t use the camp store. Would definitely come again, not sure if we’ll get so lucky w our site again tho

  • Candy P.
    Jun. 29, 2021

    Spencer Canyon Campground

    Large campground in Mt Lemmon

    Spencer Canyon campground in Mt Lemmon is nestled under the pine trees and boasts a 15-20 degree drop in temperature from nearby Tucson. Bear boxes are provided as are vaulted toilets. I’ve seen trailers travel down the canyon, but I wouldn’t try it. The roads are steep and narrow. Perfect for tent camping

  • R
    Jun. 30, 2024

    Shootout Arena RV Park

    A Gem of a Campground

    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! For car/tent camping there are some private spaces with a little shade and evidence of past campfires. Be sure to stay to the left of the sign to go into the lower camping area. Pay your 10 bucks at the drop box.

  • Lisa S.
    Jan. 15, 2021

    Bog Springs Campground

    A Favorite

    What this campground lacks in amenities, it makes up for in its’ superb environment. Long grass, Mountain mahogany, pinion, oak,sycamore and juniper trees create a habitat for over 100 bird varieties and species. Deer roam around inside the campground perimeter and hiking trails lead directly out to miles of Mountain trails including to the top of 9427’ Mt. Wrightson.

    There are only seven back in or curb side sites, and five walk in tent sites. All have water, picnic tables and fire rings. There is a building with pít toilets.

    This is not a place for big rigs or glampers.

    There is a lodgings nearby where an array of feeders attracts dozens of birds for Public viewing and where there is also a gift shop.

Guide to Vail

Nestled near Vail, Arizona, tent camping offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the stunning landscapes of the region. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you'll find the perfect spot to set up your tent and unwind.

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Tent campers should check out local hiking trails

Unique features of nearby campgrounds

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Vail, AZ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Vail, AZ is Happy Valley Saddle Campground — Saguaro National Park with a 4.8-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Vail, AZ?

TheDyrt.com has all 23 tent camping locations near Vail, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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