Mount Lemmon's campgrounds offer seasonal escapes with temperatures typically 15-20 degrees cooler than nearby Tucson. The area transitions from Sonoran Desert to pine forest across its 6,000-foot elevation gain. Dispersed camping sites on Mount Bigelow are available year-round but fill quickly during summer weekends when temperatures in the valley exceed 100°F.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Rose Canyon Campground, visitors can fish for trout in the stocked lake. "Rose canyon lake is stocked with trout for some easy and fun fishing and camping. Gets crowded during times when lake is stocked," notes Tanner H.
Hiking near campgrounds: The Molino Basin Campground serves as an excellent base for trail exploration. Go Play Outside Family G. shares, "One morning we did the Sky Island Scenic Byway to the top of Mt. Lemmon and visited the cute little general store to grab souvenir stickers for the kids. In the afternoon we drove the 30 minutes to Saguaro National Park East which was the highlight of this trip."
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings offer opportunities to see local wildlife. "We saw lots of wildlife in just one night. Very fun little campground," reports Bradley B. about Peppersauce Campground. At Peppersauce, campers have spotted wild turkeys, deer, javelina, and even coatimundis in the early mornings.
What campers like
Elevation camping: Spencer Canyon Campground sits at approximately 7,900 feet, providing cool relief during hot months. Christina C. notes, "This is the highest National Forest campground on Mount Lemmon and your best bet for cooler temps during the summer."
Dark skies: Redington Pass Dispersed camping areas offer excellent stargazing opportunities away from city lights. Kati H. explains, "It is an absolutely beautiful area, and the views more than make up for some of the shortcomings of the site. There was a full moon when we went, but I would imagine the stars are just brilliant out there on darker nights."
Solitude: Off-season camping (November-February) provides quieter experiences. "We arrived on a Wednesday afternoon in late February and were pleasantly surprised to find this first come, first serve campground nearly empty," reports Go Play Outside Family G. about Molino Basin.
What you should know
Bear safety: Campgrounds in the Mount Lemmon area require proper food storage. Owen M. notes that Rose Canyon has "pit toilets. Very clean and well-cared-for" and is "at Rose Canyon Lake. Lots of spots. Though the campground was very nearly full, it was quiet."
Fire restrictions: Seasonal fire bans frequently affect the area, particularly during dry periods. Jenn L. reports about Mount Bigelow Dispersed: "We would have gone somewhere closer to home if this app had updated information that campfires (wood) are currently not allowed."
Traffic considerations: Some campgrounds experience through traffic or day visitors. At Peppersauce Campground, Kathleen M. advises, "Starting just after 6 am until after midnight, even the Pinal County Sheriff drove up there for an hour or so."
Tips for camping with families
Accessible recreation: The campgrounds offer various difficulty levels for family activities. "We hiked and spent about 3 nights here. We were 15 people and had a couple of sites right next to each other. Sites are a good size for a paid campground, not small like most others," shares Taleen D. about Spencer Canyon.
Kid-friendly exploration: Gilbert Ray Campground provides excellent access to cactus forests safe for supervised children. Ashley C. notes, "Beautiful scenery. Very full campground but everyone is friendly! Nice loop to have kids run around."
Temperature preparation: Pack for significant temperature drops after sundown, even in summer months. "It was packed on the weekends, but holy cow, was it gorgeous. Bunch of hiking trails near by, and perfect temperatures in the summer heat," explains Ethan B. about Mount Bigelow.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger vehicles. Christina C. advises about Spencer Canyon Campground: "Parking can be limited with only a few of the sites having adequate parking for trailers up to 22 feet. Your best bet for a good site for the weekend is to get there on Thursday or early Friday."
Road conditions: Access roads to dispersed camping areas can be challenging. Monte W. reports about Redington Pass: "The directions to this area were accurate. Multiple sites off of the dirt road. Traffic was a little heavy during the day but died down at night."
Dog friendly campgrounds near Willow Canyon: For pet owners seeking campgrounds that welcome dogs, consider site selection carefully. Elizabeth M. shares about Rose Canyon: "I stayed 2 nights with my dog and it was a fantastic experience. The lake was beautiful, the creek made for lovely hiking, and the campsite hosts were friendly and helpful."
