Cabin rentals are a great way to see Winkelman without the hassle of setting up a tent. The Dyrt can help you find the best cabin camping destinations for your next trip. You're sure to find the perfect cabin rental for your Winkelman camping adventure.
The Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin is located within the Palisades Administrative Site in the Santa Catalina Mountains, 20 miles northeast of Tucson, Arizona. The cabin is reached via the East Catalina Highway, which becomes the General Hitchcock Highway, a historic and scenic drive that takes visitors through multiple biozones from the Sonoran Desert to the dense forests at 8,000 feet elevation. The cabin has indoor plumbing, electricity, a full kitchen, furniture, beds and an enclosed front yard. The cabin is available from late March to early November depending on the weather.
The Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin is approximately one hour from Tucson, AZ, 18.4 miles up Mt. Lemmon. The cabin location provides access to a myriad of recreational opportunities, including hiking, camping, birding, horseback riding, picnicking, sightseeing, mountain biking, rock climbing, and visiting historic areas. Fishing is also available at nearby Rose Canyon Lake. Winter sports are available at higher elevations, depending on snowfall; Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley in the Santa Catalina Mountains is the southernmost ski area in the United States.
The Santa Catalina Mountains comprise one of the "sky islands" in the Coronado National Forest. From the desert floor to the upper slopes of Mt. Lemmon, biozones vary from Sonoran desert to subalpine forest, with wildlife communities that are equally diverse. An extensive trail network offers opportunities for day and extended trips, with easy access to the nearby Pusch Ridge Wilderness.
Numerous attractions are also available nearby, including: the Sky Island Scenic Byway (General Hitchcock Highway), Rose Canyon Lake, Mt Lemmon Ski Valley, The University of Arizona Mt. Lemmon Sky Center, the hamlet of Summerhaven, Arizona, as well as numerous hiking trails, and opportunities for photography and picnicing. Attractions within one hour's drive include Sabino Canyon Recreation Area and Saguaro National Park East.
$125 / night
Timber Camp Recreation Area has one of the most popular family and group campgrounds in the Tonto National Forest offering both day-use sites and over-night areas.
Abundant recreation opportunities such as cross-country horseback riding, hiking, in-season hunting, exploring, off-highway vehicle use and wildlife viewing are in close proximity. In the spring, whitewater rafting trips on the Upper Salt River launch a mere 20-minute drive from the site. Brundrett 2 and the equestrian sites are excellent places to stage authorized outdoor group events (a separate permit may be required). While there are no dedicated equestrian trails, the surrounding terrain is ideal for cross-country horseback riding.
Located within the Timber Camp Mountains and surrounded by a ponderosa pine and juniper woodland, this area offers a cool get away from the hot summer months. Five miles east of the site, the area eventually meets the ledges and beautiful vistas of the Salt River Canyon and the Salt River Canyon Wilderness.
Approximately 10 miles north along Highway 60, on White Mountain Apache Tribal Lands, lies Seneca Lake and Falls, a popular recreation area for sightseeing and fishing (WMAT permit required). As you continue further north along Highway 60, the road cascades down into the Salt River Canyon where several overlooks allow you to capture the magnificent beauty of "Arizona's other Grand Canyon". Only 24 miles south from Timber Camp, the City of Globe offers an array of restaurants, as well as antique, grocery, and feed and tack stores.
$16 - $150 / night
The Sollers Cabin is a two-story, six-room cabin suitable for up to eight people. The cabin has 3 bedrooms, each with a queen-sized bed, a dining/living room, 1.5 bathrooms, and a fully equipped kitchen. The living room contains two queen-size futons. The dining room has a table which seats eight. The newly added sunroom is great for morning coffee or a good book. The kitchen is equipped with an electric stove and oven, microwave, refrigerator, pots, pans, utensils, dishes, a toaster, and a coffee pot. The house has electricity, electric heating (no A/C), and running water. While the cabin has amenities for comfortable lodging, guests do need to provide some of their own supplies, including food, sleeping bags, linens, pillows, towels, dish soap, matches, a first aid kit, toilet paper, and garbage bags. At this time, guests are not to use the fireplace in the cabin. Unless fire restrictions are in effect, guests can have a fire in the fire ring outside. Although electricity is available, it is recommended that guests bring an additional light source in case of emergencies.
The Sollers Cabin is approximately one hour from Tucson, Arizona, and provides excellent access to a myriad of recreational opportunities, including hiking, camping, birding, horseback riding, picnicking, sightseeing, mountain biking, rock climbing, and visiting historic areas. Fishing is also available at nearby Rose Canyon Lake. Winter sports are available at higher elevations, depending on snowfall; Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley in the Santa Catalina Mountains is the southernmost ski area in the United States.
The Santa Catalina Mountains comprise one of the "sky islands" in the Coronado National Forest. From the desert floor to the upper slopes of Mt. Lemmon, biozones vary from Sonoran Desert to subalpine forest, with wildlife communities that are equally diverse. An extensive trail network offers opportunities for day and extended trips, with easy access to the nearby Pusch Ridge Wildernes
Numerous attractions are also available nearby, including: the Sky Island Scenic Byway (General Hitchcock Highway), Rose Canyon Lake, Mt Lemmon Ski Valley, The University of Arizona Mt. Lemmon Sky Center, the hamlet of Summerhaven, Arizona, as well as numerous hiking trails, and opportunities for photography and picnicking. Attractions within one hour's drive include Sabino Canyon Recreation Area and Saguaro National Park East.
$175 / night
Located within a ponderosa pine stand. Close proximity to Upper Salt River access. Site is adjacent to US Highway 60 Trail system is in design phase.
$16 / night
Legend
The perfect place to beat the Tucson heat! Located in Mount Lemmon, you’ll be nestled under the pine trees. Bird watching in this area is aplenty, as is stargazing. Head to the town of of summerhaven for pizza and cookies at the cookie cabin. Make reservations via recreation.gov
Guide
Clean camp with full hookups. We stayed here to get away and visit Rooster Cogburns Ostrich farm. That was fun.
Ranger
This place is not the type of resort you "girl's trip" to. It's the kind of resort where you plan to spend all day on the lake and come back to a shower and a real bed. You can choose to camp in your tent/RV or start in the motel.
The resort offers:
There is a $10 fee to use any of their land. Even if you're just launching your boat. Emergency personnel have a base on the property which is comforting. Cell service is scarce on the lake but works great close to the resort. Only gave the resort 4 stars because I prefer camping around less people.
LegendWhen traveling to new places, I want new things to look at and unique experiences when I camp. I couldn't have asked for a more unique first day in AZ when I made my way to Apache Lake Campground (at the Marina) in AZ. It was late when I arrived, and I was starved, so it was the perfect time for dinner and a great view!
It says that it takes over an hour to go less than 30 miles to the campground, and I assumed this was one of those GPS errors...until I saw the road to get there. Mostly washboard dirt, a little asphalt and a lot of twists and turns. Upper speed limits of 20 mph made it very clear that the GPS knew what it was yapping about. At one point, I thought I was on a movie set and seriously didn't know how any car coming the opposite direction would pass, if it came to that. But all that aside, it was a beautiful, peaceful drive! Just don't do it in the dark. It's called the Apache Trail and it's Arizona's oldest highway, originally built in 1905. Serious history here! Absolutely worth the drive, if you don't have a fear of heights and have extra time to kill. It passes through a little town called Tortilla Flat and there is apparently an ice cream shop there with prickly pear gelato!
About the campground. It's deep in a valley, on Apache Lake. What a view!! Down a steep road that's about a mile off the main highway (Route 88), you can see the camp before you even get there. Once there, it's a little confusing to find what you need because signage isn't terribly apparent and it's a kind of "lazy-kicked-back" sort of atmosphere. Nothing up scale about it, at all. But that's part of it's charm. I guess I was there at the tail end of the "off" season, so it wasn't terribly busy. It's not fancy, by a long shot, but what you need is at your fingertips. You have to check in at the main building, which isn't very clear, especially upon arrival in the dark, but in the office, they will take your money, show you a map, and point you in the right direction.
There's a section for RVs with hookups (and they do have a dump station). There are restrooms in a few spots, and while not fancy, they let you "do the job" you came to do. Also some showers, and again, not the Ritz, but there is water to rinse with. I'd suggest shower shoes. The camping is kind of cool, though. It's dispersed. I mean, there are many little spots nested in the trees, around the lake, on the sand, where you can just pick a spot and stay. It was only $10 to pop a squat (I think it says $5 online, but that is incorrect). Some are far better than others (on little jetties or in the trees) but they all have sweet lake views and fire rings! You are allowed to collect dead wood to use, so that makes it easier to fire up at evenings end, but they sell firewood bundles too.
I had a little spot right off the lake, and it was quiet. A few night sounds, but nothing more than fish and birds. The only thing that bothered me were some bright lights, almost like on a jet plane, that were at the other end of the marina. I just positioned my tent so that I didn't get the runway lights right through my screen. In the morning, I took advantage of the big huge bathtub outside my tent (most people call that a lake) and took a very quick dip, since it was like ice water. Boy was it refreshing!!! Perfect little site for my first night in the desert. Not dessert. Big difference.
Traveler
Me and thefamily decided to go camping for the weekend and chose this campground. On the website it says that the road is good enough for sedan vehicle which is true in good conditions. If you're afraid of heights this might not be the drive you want to take as most of the way you are looking off the side of the mountain with no rails.
It is all worth it once you make it to the to top. Unfortunately with the fire restrictions we weren't able to light a fire and the hiking trails were closed. Please keep in mind that you are at elevation and temperatures drop significantly. We stayed at campsite 1 which seemed to be the biggest of the 3 sites there. We didn't have any neighbors the whole weekend but I can see this place getting busy.
LegendCampground Review
Upper Pinal campground is tiny. I’m not even kidding you… tiny. There are literally 3 campsites surrounding a 100 foot wide dirt turnaround in the center. The campground does not take reservations so it’s a long way to drive with a good chance you won’t find an open site. However, if you’re lucky enough to get one of the spaces you may really enjoy it. To the South is Unit 1 (where we stayed) and it’s an uphill driveway with a raised area with a fire pit and metal picnic table. If you have a small tent you can camp on the elevated area near the table and fire pit but otherwise you do have room to back in a small pop up trailer (beware, it is a curved driveway so if you aren’t comfortable backing up a trailer I wouldn’t suggest it). The site is almost completely surrounded by very tall trees which blocked both most of the morning and afternoon sun.
The East side of the circle is Unit 2. This is right on the edge of the circle and could be easily pulled right up to. The downside to that is that there is little to no privacy for that camp unit. It also has a fire pit and picnic table.
The North side has another campsite with a smaller (and straighter) uphill driveway. You wouldn’t be able to put a trailer facing towards the fire but you likely could camp with a small pop up in this unit and park lower down the driveway.
The West side of the circle had the single unit unisex bathroom building. It was really clean and well stocked with toilet paper (but another camper one of the nights we were there decided it was a smoking room, yuck).
The entire area had a lot of downed and broken trees for firewood. We could have easily supplied our fire all weekend with just broken pieces but we had a small handsaw so we were able to cut slightly larger logs from fallen trees.
The only other thing I’d touch on is the road to get to the campground. I wouldn’t suggest trying to travel up without decent ground clearance. There was a bit of wash boarding and obvious ruts in the road from where the road was traveled when muddy. We have gone through that area in snow/slosh and I wouldn’t even want to travel that road without 4 wheel drive in that situation. Know your vehicle and your driving skills!
Product Review
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time – on this trip I tested the Renogy E.LUMEN Multi-functional Flashlight. Upon opening the box I noticed the flashlight was much larger than I had anticipated. As such, I don’t think it would be ideal for everyday carry. However, it does have quite a few really neat features and I think it would be a great addition to any bug-out bag. Of course, my curiosity got the better of me and I was dying to test the seat belt cutter (because I’d rather know how it’s going to work before my life depends on it). Luckily, I had the belt from an expired car seat and decided that would be the perfect test subject. I angled the belt over my chest where a shoulder strap would sit and it was hard to get it to cut all the way through. It took a few tries and a lot of strength but it did make it through. I could imagine that while a knife may cut through it easier in a panic situation I’d hate to end up accidentally stabbing myself using a knife instead of the safety guided blade on this flashlight. To see the full video check out the YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/xWqkgSS7iEs
In addition to the belt cutter the flashlight can be solar charged and has a USB out so you can charge other devices. If you plan to use the solar charger the manual says it can take up to 30 hours for a full charge. Thankfully, there is also a USB charging option to cut that charging time into around 6 hours. Depending on use you’ll get anywhere from 3-7 hours of use from each charge. The light itself is very bright but of course using the brightest setting will put you towards the lower end of the usable time at around 3 hours.
The flashlight also boasts a compass on the bottom of the handle. We tested this a few times and it seemed to be completely inaccurate against 3 other compasses we had. I was able to true it up a bit by running a magnet along the needle a few times but that seemed to be a temporary solution. My 2 cents is that I would not trust this compass as a first choice.
The last thing I wanted to touch on was the magnet on the side of the flashlight they state is for mounting and storage. When I tried to hang my flashlight on my metal fridge it buckled under its own weight slamming on the ground and breaking one of the plastic clips for the wrist strap. It will not support itself in ideal situations and definitely will not support its weight in a violent car accident. If you choose to put this in your car it will need to be secured by some other means.
So overall, would I buy it again… yes. For the price you can beat the peace of mind knowing that if you were to get lost in the woods you’d have a way to charge your phone to call for help and have a light source if necessary.
GuideThe trip to the top of pinal Mountains is a journey, very cool and beautiful scenic views, the road is not the best, especially if you don't have a higher clearance vehicle.
Overall it is Awesome, took an hour from Globe to the campground because speed is minimal.
Scout
Enjoyed this hidden gem. Located in the Cactus Forrest. Lots of pristine scenery.
GuideGreat views. Great staff. There’s a pool and laundry. A little on the pricier side
GuideRide a side by side rzr or similar off-roader?? This place is geared for your ride
TravelerThis was the first time we have ever been to a KOA as we have never owned a trailer until now. This place had a very friendly staff and the new own is on sight and working to make it even better. Our stay was 3 days, 2 Night and we enjoyed the weekend. Clean all around, heated pool, very kid friendly. The only down side and the reason for not get 5 stars is you can hear the Highway Traffic and Trains all night long.
GuideWe tent camped here one night. We’ve stayed at a lot of KOAs across the country and this is the cleanest one I’ve ever been to. Excellent facilities- laundry, bathrooms, pool area, dog run, and clear tent spots. Staff was so helpful and the camp store was well stocked. 10 minutes from Picacho Peak hiking and don’t miss the Ostrich Ranch!
TravelerThe Picacho/Tucson NW KOA was the first place we camped at when we purchased our Bunkhouse motorcycle tent trailer. We wanted to stay close to home in case something didn't work on our camper.
The KOA is clean and the hosts were great. The sites are well spaced but could be a little bigger for more privacy. The sites are made of small gravel and very level. No roots, rocks, stumps, etc. There is a picnic table, water spigot, electrical hookup and BBQ grill at each site, in addition to a fire ring. Bathrooms are clean and there is a small camp store. There is a doggie run in the park as well as a pool and playground for the kids.
When we stayed, the new hosts had just purchased the KOA a few months earlier and they were working on improving it. We stayed there in late 2019 (before COVID).
The only reason I gave this KOA 3 stars instead of 5 is because of the loud traffic noise from the freeway. There is literally no peace or ability to sleep during the night (in a tent camper). Perhaps in a solid sided RV, it would be great, but we didn't get a wink. I even slept with earplugs in and I could still hear the noise.
I will not be returning to this KOA, but sure wish I could because it was really nice and clean.
TravelerClose enough to Tucson and areas south and an easy one to access from I-10. Clean and very well managed by cool new owners. Fabulous locally made pickled beets and eggs if not sold out. Super friendly hosts.
ScoutCouldn’t drive any longer so used my KOA app on the road and booked it. Pulled in after hours and folder was waiting with map and site number. Very convenient to the I-10 with big gas stations nearby for coffee and gas for early exit. Full hook ups, easy pull through and well marked sites. Would use again if needed.
TravelerVery clean. Loved the designated tent area. Everything was in great condition and the staff were extremely friendly and helpful.
ScoutNot a bad place to stay, but wouldn’t stay here again.
GuideSo many beautiful desert plants, some Saguaros, Yuca, Agave… Really lovely, clean KOA with awesome wifi. It was pretty quiet at the time we camped here so that was nice. Spacious spots with a little Ranch with a couple of horses nearby.
ScoutCool place, great staff.
ScoutStay for a couple nights on the way up from Tucson. It was perfect and quiet except the trains which is not the fault of the facility. The laundry was perfect although busy and a little small. Over all was a nice experience and cannot wait to come back.
ScoutEasy to get to close to several places to visit, half way between Tucson and Phoenix. Highway traffic noise at some times. Gravel pads.
ScoutNot freen 55 plus
ScoutThis KOA is a good place for families and it has a lot of amenities. The sites are close together and not private unless you have a patio site for an extra cost. The sites by the playground and clubhouse area are noisy during the day with children playing as children do. There is road noise and frequent trains which didn't bother me. There is also a neighboring horse ranch which had loud music for a while. This park is well-maintained, clean, friendly, and safe, but it can be noisy. It is also very busy and the wifi is very slow and unreliable. Only 15 minutes from Picacho Peak State Park. If you're looking for a quiet place I would not recommend it. If you have children and enjoy a neighborhood/community atmosphere it's a great place to be. The staff does a good job of driving around and maintaining the grounds. They also escort you to your site.
GuideQuick over night. Got in late didn’t see interior buildings. Sites clean. Services good. Rocking chairs, charcoal BBQ, table and chairs with umbrellas. Care taken with arch site. Everything flat. Nice dessert shrubs and cactus.
RangerRight next to the I10 so real easy to get to. Big roomy level spaces, we had a premium spot. There is a cow farm behind the KOA and a train track that uses its horn which can be a bit annoying but really not a big deal when you consider that you're in a safe place to rest for a couple of nights. We enjoyed our stay.
TravelerWe stayed here one weekend in early April and had. A nice relaxing weekend. This campground is well cared for and the owners are very friendly. I would say the kids park could use some updating and the pool was too cold to swim in this time of year but we still had a nice stay 🙂. Only downside was the noisy train that goes by a few times a night... we hear everything in a pop up.
ScoutFilthy, crowded and loud. Music festival environment. Reserved RV spot but someone had taken. Trash all over, broken down cars, tents on side of road. Not beautiful, peaceful or relaxing. Not worth the drive.
Cabin camping near Winkelman, Arizona offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the comforts of home. With a variety of well-reviewed options, you can find the perfect spot for your next getaway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Winkelman, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Winkelman, AZ is Upper Pinal Campground with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Winkelman, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 cabin camping locations near Winkelman, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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