Rose Canyon Campground

Great place to camp 🏕

Cool little lake, with river that was flowing when we were there in May. it is downhill when hiking to the lake so be prepared for the uphill trek on the way back

The front stand staff double booked us into a campsite that was already reserved online. They were unable to come up with a solution and kept the money anyway. Coincidentally, there was another group that had a similar issue around the same time we went. If I had to go back, I’d make sure I had an online reservation.

This WAS one of my favorite campgrounds.😔😟 While checking in at Rose Canyon Campground 9/23/22 with my reservation, I was asked to show my Senior Annual Pass. I ALWAYS have my hangtag with my Senior Annual Pass to show. Shane, at kiosk, said Recreation.gov ONLY honors Senior Lifetime Pass. Shane charged me extra$52.00 because I didn't have a Senior Lifetime Pass. My friends behind me in their car were witnessing this transaction. After my camping trip up at Rose Canyon Campground, I went to Sabino Canyon Visitor Center to inquire about why Recreation.gov changed their Senior Passes and how I had to pay an additional fee of$52.00. The employees showed me their brochure which clearly states that my Senior Annual Pass was VALID and I should have NOT BEEN CHARGED the extra fees!. I promptly notified Recreation.gov and through lengthy emails, screen shots of charges, Rose Canyon Campground Facility Manager said that I DID NOT SHOW my Senior Annual Pass to Shane and that's why I was charged!!! WOW!!! MY FRIENDS WERE EYE WITNESSES THAT I SHOWED MY HANGTAG TO SHANE!!! I know the PROTOCOL because I camp a lot and KNOW TO SHOW MY HANGTAG WITH MY SENIOR ANNUAL PASS!!! Rose Canyon Campground Facility Manager has accused me of something I did not do in order for them NOT to reimburse me for the extra fees of$52.00.*** How many SENIOR CITIZENS have they done this to??? SHAME ON YOU ROSE CANYON CAMPGROUND FACILITY MANAGER AND SHANE FOR EXTRA CHARGES AND TREATING A SENIOR CITIZEN FREQUENT CAMPER AT ROSE CANYON CAMPGROUND IN THIS MANNER!!!😢😭

We had so much fun. We stayed in one of the RV spots with out pop up. It was spread area out and a well maintained camp site. Has grill, bear box, picnic table, fire pit. It was great for our 5 year old to explore and was beautiful weather (needed heater at night!!) They allow day visitors to the lake and it gets busy. We waited until the evening to enjoy the lake with less people there.

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. I cannot wait to stay again!

Rose canyon lake was a nice place to relax and do some fishing.

Campsites are well maintained. For our setup with a roof top tent there aren’t a lot of sites that can accommodate. Camp ground is super busy. The lake was completely surrounded with people fishing. No swimming and no kayaking without a special permit. Restrooms were well maintained. Camp hosts were super friendly and readily available.

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

There was a small complication about my reservation, which was entirely my mistake and the wonderful camp hosts fixed (thanks, Shane and Vicky!), but I ended up doing a first-come-first-serve campsite search. Midweek in May, I had my pick, and found a wonderful site with tons of room, right at the base of a colorful mountain to climb. My only neighbors quickly became my new best friends, and even the camp hosts joined us in a spontaneous campsite gathering.

And then, quiet. The trees keep the wind out, and once the sun goes down, the birds are silent. Plenty of good sleep to be had, which allowed me and my dog to wake early and explore the mountain tops... which was the secret place to find cell service, by the way. I had site #56, and a fun, but steep, hike to the top of the mountain behind me gave a glorious spot to catch up on a few emails. But don't tell anyone. Otherwise, you're miles from using your phone for much else other than pictures.

The lake is more of a big pond. They stock it for fishing, but I'm more of a swimmer, and I wasn't about to swim in there. Pretty, but not user-friendly for a plunger like myself. 

The bathrooms are pit toilets, but clean and treated well so they actually had a pleasant scent. 

The road to the park is full of amazing places to park and take in the view. Quite a drive. I'll be back. And yes, I documented the place with pictures of my dog, Ko'olau.

Many camp sites available to reserve as well as a few that are first come first serve. Also many cabins available for rent a little up the mountain. Rose canyon lake is stocked with trout for some easy and fun fishing and camping. Gets crowded during times when lake is stocked.

This campground is great. Awesome lake. Clean bathrooms. Well kept sites.

Camping here was a great way to enjoy Mt. Lemmon. The campground was beautiful with a great lake for fishing and i believe you can also Kayak. The campground was very full, but it wasn't too loud and our site still offered privacy. Explore around the lake and be sure to bring your fishing pole!

Camping high in the mountains above Tucson was great. Rose Canyon campsites are spaced out and quiet. The lake was about a half mile walk from the campsite. There is also hiking trails close to the campground.

Overall, the campsites are larger than normal and the sites are even. There are also ample trees to hang a hammock to relax during the day.

At Rose Canyon Lake. Lots of spots. Though the campground was very nearly full, it was quiet. Has several loops separated by shallow ravines. Pit toilets. Very clean and well-cared-for. Friendly, helpful camp hosts.

Camp sites are decent, but a little pricey per night. Our campsite was a short walk to the lake; some are closer, some further. You can’t swim in the lake and it gets pretty warm in the summertime. Good fall time spot!

Came in for a single nights visit obmy motorcycle. The young lady at the gate was very nice and the hosts very friendly. The camp sited were all well maintained with bear boxes for each site. The toilets were easily accessable and each had running potable water adjacent to the shelters.

I would definately return again

The last trip up was a little cool, so just about perfect. Our campfire pit was full of dirt and coals we had to ask to have it cleaned out took awhile for them to get around to it.

G

Campground is well cared for. Some sites can be challenging to get to. Can be very difficult to get spots during the summer. No hookups, but there are bathrooms available in the loops. Lake can be extremely crowded during summer time also