## Overview

 Rose Canyon Campground is just 17 miles northeast of Tucson, Arizona, off the Catalina Highway Scenic Drive near the summit of Mt. Lemmon. This area is popular for day use as well as overnight camping. With a high elevation, forested setting, two group picnic areas and opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing and fishing, Rose Canyon offers a great summer respite from the city.
## Recreation

 The lake is sheltered by trees and offers a pleasant setting for a walk in the woods, relaxing on the shore or spending an afternoon fishing for stocked trout. A one-mile trail around the lake is convenient for anglers and hikers. The trail is accessible from the lower parking area to a floating dock near a dam. The surrounding national forest boasts a variety of hiking and mountain biking trails, including several that traverse the 9,157-foot Mt. Lemmon.
## Facilities

 The campground offers spacious, single-family campsites, as well as two group day use areas with picnic shelters, which can be reserved for up to 120 guests.\_\_ The campground is equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings with grills and vault toilets. 
## Natural Features

 The campground sits high on the slopes of the Santa Catalina Mountains, at an elevation of 7,000 feet. Because of its elevation, it can be much cooler than the lower-elevation campgrounds in the area. The campsites are spacious and spread out among stands of large ponderosa pines and clusters of Gambel oak. During the summer rainy season, Rose Creek meanders through the area to the six-acre Rose Canyon Lake at the lower end of the campground. The Coronado National Forest covers 1.78 million acres of southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. Elevations range from 3,000 to 10,720 feet in 12 widely scattered mountain ranges, or \"sky islands,\" that rise dramatically from the desert floor, supporting biologically diverse plant communities. 
## contact\_info

 For facility specific information, please call (520) 576-1325. 
## Nearby Attractions

 Catalina Highway, also known as General Hitchcock Highway and Sky Island Scenic Byway, is the only paved road that leads to the upper reaches of Mt. Lemmon and the Santa Catalina Range. It is one of the most scenic highways in the southwest and is a popular day trip. Other notable attractions include Saguaro National Park, Sabino Canyon and Colossal Cave.

Rose Canyon Campground

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

Nice summer getaway

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.

Camping on Mt. Lemon

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!

Busy but cozy and beautiful!

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.

Quiet and Friendly

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

Nice getaway from summer heat

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!

Peaceful and Beautiful 

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. 

Great trip, excited to go back!

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!!!😢😭

WAS one of my favorite campgrounds 

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