Looking to go glamping near Winkelman and enjoy a rustic retreat into nature? Glamping near Winkelman, AZ is a great way to go camping with the tastes of home. You're sure to find glamping for your Winkelman camping adventure.
Pioneer Pass Pioneer is a large site composed of dispersed campgrounds located in the Globe Ranger District of Tonto National Forest. Set in the cool Pinal Mountains South of Pioneer Pass is the Squaw Springs Trail that leads to Pinal Peak along with the East Mountain Trail. These trails are fun for nature viewing, day hikes, and family outings. ACTIVITIES Camping: 23 camp units with tables and fire pit grills Picnicking: tables and fire pit grills available
This area of Mt Lemmon camping is located at the head of a shallow, forested canyon a short distance off the Catalina Highway. Spencer Canyon faces the city of Tucson and the Santa Cruz Valley, both of which are visible as a distant panorama through openings in the forest canopy. Spencer Canyon Campground has 66 sites. Each site has a concrete table, firepit, B-B-Q and bear box for food storage. A beautiful night view of Tucson can be seen from several sites. Spencer is rugged, rustic in layout and close to the hamlet of Summerhaven. Each camping area has clean, stocked vault toilets. Campground hosts live on site. Firewood may be purchased from the hosts. The Catalina Highway is paved, but it can be snow covered in winter when chains and/or 4-wheel drive may be required.
$22 - $36 / night
This small, sheltered campground is tucked away just off the Catalina Highway, along the rocky streambed that forms the floor of upper Bear Canyon. Campsites are nestled under a canopy of ponderosa pines, junipers and oaks. Some sites are located right along Bear Creek among large rocks. The Creek generally only flows during rainy periods or during the Spring snowmelt, but be vigilant of flash floods.
$10 / 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 / night
Traveler
The campground is nestled in a secluded canyon amongst the Ponderosa Pines and next to an intermittent mountain stream. The views on the drive up from Globe to the campground at 5,900 feet are gorgeous.
The campground and bathrooms were clean. Some of the sites are a little close together, but others are nicely separated.
Each site has a nice fire pit with a grill gate and a concrete picnic table.
Scout
Not freen 55 plus
Traveler
I spent my late-September camping weekend at Spencer Canyon Campground in the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson, Arizona. Overall it was an ok experience, but I’m kind of nitpicky. The campsites are a little too close together for my taste. There was some noise at night, but for the most part folks were well-behaved during my 2-day stay. There is a nice view of the Tucson city lights at night, although I tend to want to avoid such things while camping because it takes me out of the experience. The staff was friendly and helpful. The site that I had was pretty small, but I came too late to get choice of the bigger ones.
For those who don’t mind a somewhat tightly packed campground and a view of sparkly city lights at night, Spencer Canyon is a nice place to stay.
Scout
There are about 14 camp sights, some right by the little river that forms during snowfall. We camped at site 6, right across from the restrooms. Has some nice boulders to tuck your tent away in, and no really close neighbors. Seems like the rest of the sites you have neighbors right next to you, basically sharing a camp. We like to be as far away from others as possible lol. Light traffic in and out and the sites are right near the road. Decent spot for 20 dollars a night. We chose this spot because our normal spot at camp molina basin campground we closed for the summer
GuideRight 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.
ScoutEasy to get to close to several places to visit, half way between Tucson and Phoenix. Highway traffic noise at some times. Gravel pads.
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.
TravelerBeautiful, clean campground. Sites are nicely spaced apart, bathrooms are clean, and fire pits are great.
ScoutCool place, great staff.
GuideGreat place for a weekend, I went with a couple a friends if you go prepared with winter gear you won’t be cold, hiking trails are great and near campsite. Great views.
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.
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.
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.
ScoutNot a bad place to stay, but wouldn’t stay here again.
Scout
This site is actually about an hour further up toward Mt Lemmon. Search “Whitetail campground” to find it. All the roads in this area are gated off
Ranger
Enjoyed three nights and generally had the place to ourselves excluding the host. The host was very nice. The fee station was out of order during our stay, so we paid via daily tickets at a place in Globe on our way out. The campground is right off the highway so there was a fair amount of traffic noise, but not unbearable. Little to do in the way of hikes within walking distance, but we enjoyed walking around the campground and into the woods to the north and east. Verizon service was great the entire time. Sites are well maintained and level. Vault toilets were clean. Each site has a steel fire ring and grate as well as a nice metal picnic table. There a a few group areas with full grills and communal tables. The campground appears fairly new.
GuideClean camp with full hookups. We stayed here to get away and visit Rooster Cogburns Ostrich farm. That was fun.
ScoutWhile 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.
TravelerVery clean. Loved the designated tent area. Everything was in great condition and the staff were extremely friendly and helpful.
LegendSpencer 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
LegendThis sky island campground in Mt Lemmon is perfect for a quick weekend getaway from Tucson. The weather here is 10-15 degrees cooler than the city. This campground is small, with tent sites tucked away between pine trees. A vaulted bathroom is at the center of the parking lot.
RangerI don’t pay for camping too often but glad I did here. Just passing through on an AZ trip and decided to pay for a couple nights just to relax.
This CG is huge with 60+ sites (can’t remember exactly how many) however they do fill up quick prior to the weekend. It’s in a wonderful area off the Highway and feels quiet and peaceful. Hosts were excellent, bathrooms were clean, and everything else was about as perfect as it gets. Majority of people here were respectful and kept noise down so it was great to enjoy the surroundings.
Overall this is one of the better paid CGs I’ve been to and wouldn’t hesitate to stop here again
LegendThis campground boasts several group sites, complete with plenty of parking, large gazebos with multiple grills for your group gatherings, and tent pads scattered throughout. The tent pads are not close together, giving you the privacy you need to retreat to your tent but still close to the amenities of the group site. Some sites are handicap accessible. A great place to beat the heat with family or scouts group. Hit up the town of Summerhaven for cookies and pizza at the cookie cabin.
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.
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.
TravelerProbably beautiful. Had to turn around and drive all the way back. Do not go unless you have a 4x4 or are positive about the condition at the top. It was 67° in Globe this day. I have an E350 dually and I was sliding. I turned around at the sign. Was told several people in cars and trucks were stuck from a guy coming down.
I did find "1" campsite on the way down. Sky was amazing at night. Good luck.
ScoutGreat spot to relax after driving thru Salt Canyon. Very convenient, close to highway, with very little noise. ATT was full scale. We will return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Winkelman, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Winkelman, AZ is Pioneer Pass Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Winkelman, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 glamping camping locations near Winkelman, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
