Dispersed camping near Willcox, Arizona takes advantage of the region's 4,000+ foot elevation and transitional desert terrain where the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts meet. Winter temperatures often dip below freezing at night while summer daytime highs regularly exceed 100°F. The region features several equestrian-friendly camping options located near mountain trails and wildlife viewing areas without formal facilities.
What to do
Wildlife viewing at Willcox Playa: Playa Dispersed Campsite offers proximity to thousands of migrating sandhill cranes from October through March. "March 6th 2024 camped here. Got here about 6 PM and the lagoon was filled with cranes. Got amazing pictures of them. In the morning the lagoon was empty," reports Ken, who rated the experience 4 stars.
Horseback riding in the Dragoons: Cochise Stronghold Campground provides access to mountain trails through oak and juniper forests. "We loved staying at Cochise. The sunsets were amazing every night, there were tons of trees for shade and hanging hammocks and it was a great place to make a basecamp for a couple days of climbing," notes Leah W.
Explore historic towns: Located 32 miles south of Willcox, Tombstone RV & Campground serves as a convenient base for exploring the Old West. "About a mile outside of Tombstone. Very clean, large/wide sites, nice pool, dog parks, large clubhouse with TV, shuffleboard, ping pong, etc. Very helpful staff," writes Rich J.
What campers like
Remote desert camping: Campers appreciate the solitude at free dispersed sites. "Absolutely loved this spot! Wide open skies, peaceful surroundings, and incredible sunrises made for a perfect desert camping experience. The solitude was just what we needed, and the stars at night were unbelievable," shares Aaron A. about Playa Dispersed Campsite.
Horse-friendly access: While formal corrals are limited, several areas accommodate equestrians. "This forest road is gated off during the winter months and this area is not accessible," notes Beth G. about Clark Peak Corrals, indicating seasonal restrictions for horse campgrounds near Willcox, Arizona.
Mountain scenery: Campers enjoy the contrast between desert and mountain environments. "Rustic camping paradise. Endless trails, with amazing sights at every bend. Stumble upon rivers, vistas, sunning reptiles, and imagine what its like to be a native, shaking up settlers and hiding from Colonialists," describes Dan N. about Cochise Stronghold.
What you should know
Weather considerations: The region experiences extreme temperature fluctuations. "At 8800 ft elevation, this corral and campsite offers amazing weather in the summer and gorgeous views off the edge of the mountains," reports Beth G. about Clark Peak Corrals.
Water access limitations: Most sites near Willcox require bringing your own water. "Be prepared to bring in anything you might need, including water. There are only about 3 campsites located near the vault toilets, but their are dispersed sites further down the forest road," explains Beth G.
Road conditions: Access to some horse-friendly camping areas requires navigating rough terrain. "The road is rough but if you don't mind driving slow over the holes and bumps then no big deal," explains Cass G. about Reddington Pass Dispersed camping area, approximately 60 miles west of Willcox.
Campfire restrictions: Fire regulations vary by location and season. "We were checked in and told there were fire restrictions in place so we wouldn't be allowed to have a fire," notes Krista Z. about Colossal Cave Mountain Park.
Tips for camping with families
Budget-friendly options: Family camping needn't be expensive. "Super cheap. The sites and restrooms needs some tlc. We were the only ones in the tent camping area which was a plus," reports Joe F. about Colossal Cave Mountain Park, which costs around $7-10 per night.
Cave exploration: Children enjoy guided tours at nearby caves. "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," shares Krista Z. about activities near Colossal Cave Mountain Park.
Western-themed entertainment: Family-friendly activities abound in nearby towns. "We embraced the WildWest and chose to stay at Tombstone RV park. The whole trip didn't disappoint! We pulled up our boot straps and mounted the 4WD pony and headed to town, which was just up the road," writes GoldDust D.
Tips from RVers
Internet connectivity: Some Willcox area campgrounds offer surprisingly good connectivity. "I have Verizon and management stated Verizon is the best in this small town and look at my screen shot, it's no joke. This is on top of their 2 free wifi access they provide which are already fast!" shares C.W. about Grande Vista RV Park in Willcox.
Off-road considerations: RVers should be cautious with 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," warns Cass G. about Reddington Pass.
Winter camping: RV campers often find mild winter conditions appealing. "Quiet park, level and clean gravel sites. About 5 minutes from the town of Tombstone. It's was getting down to freezing temperatures in November briefly over night. You can rent an outdoor fireplace and buy firewood on site too," notes Jose J.
