Where To Camp Near Saguaro National Park?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Tucson Mountain Park's (Gilbert Ray Campground)

is the closest public to Saguaro National Park – Western District. It is located about 4 miles south of Saguaro's Red Hills Visitor Center. Camping is on a first come first serve basis and it has 130 R.V. sites with individual 30 amp electrical hookups.

Is camping allowed in Saguaro National Park?

Here is the link for reservations.

Camping is allowed at 6 designated campgrounds within the Saguaro Wilderness Area

, a permit is required for all overnight stays. These camp sites are not accessible by vehicles and must be hiked to. The fee for this permit is $8.00 per campsite, per night.

Can you sleep in Saguaro National Park?

– CAMPING:

Camping and fires are prohibited on the Tucson Mountain District (Saguaro West)

. Nearby Gilbert Ray Campground, a county campground, is located 3 miles from the park. You can contact that campground at 1-800-877-6000. -Back country camping on established sites is allowed on the east side of the park.

Which is better East or West Saguaro National Park?

The eastern section is larger and more mountainous, the western portion is lower in elevation and boasts a denser saguaro forest. The east has more hiking trails and is the only region where backpacking is allowed,

the west is the better choice if time is short

.

Can you drive an RV through Saguaro National Park?


Saguaro National Park is accessible by vehicles and RVs

, however there are six designated campgrounds in the park, all of which are backcountry campgrounds located throughout the wilderness areas.

Is Rose Canyon Lake open right now?

Current Conditions: Opening and Closing are weather dependent. During the winter season, the gate will be closed, walk-ins allowed for fishing. Open Season: April – October

Is there BLM land near Tucson AZ?


The BLM Tucson Field Office manages more than 600,000 acres of desert, mountains, and grasslands within five southeastern Arizona counties

and shares the international border with Mexico.

Can I shoot in Saguaro National Park?

Saguaros are a protected species in Arizona, which makes damaging one a crime.

Discharging a firearm in a park is also a crime

, as is removing or harming a natural or cultural resource in a park.

Can you fly a drone in Saguaro National Park?

Drones and Aircraft

Launching, landing, or operating an unmanned aircraft from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Saguaro National Park is

prohibited except as approved in writing by the Superintendent

.

Can you ride horses in Saguaro National Park?


Saguaro Stables are the perfect alternative for horseback riding at Colossal Cave Mountain Park

! We offer rides for the Beginners to the advanced riders. We offer a variety of different rides from 1 hour on private property to a 4-hour ride through the Saguaro National Park…

Can you picnic at Saguaro Lake?

The Saguaro del Norte Recreation site is near the dam and includes Saguaro Lake Marina, which includes a restaurant and boat concession, a Maricopa County Sheriff's aid station,

picnic tables

, restrooms and boat ramps.

Is Saguaro Lake dog friendly?

Outdoors with Pets

For the protection of your animal, visitors, and Saguaro National Park, pets are allowed only on roadways, picnic areas (except Mam-A-Gah picnic area in the Tucson Mountain District-west) and paved trails (Desert Ecology Trail & Desert Discovery Trail).

Which entrance to Saguaro National Park is best?

There are two entrances/districts to Saguaro National Park: the most popular is the

Tucson Mountain District (TMD) or Saguaro West

. The other is the Rincon Mountain District (RMD) or Saguaro East.

Are there 2 Saguaro National Park?


Saguaro is really two parks

. Saguaro National Park consists to two “districts,” one to the east of Tucson and one to the west. Although separated by only 30 miles, these districts are different both geologically and biologically.

Is it worth visiting Saguaro National Park?

Deemed a national treasure by recent visitors,

this park is the perfect place to come if you want to see some iconic southwestern landscapes

. Although both sections of the park are worth your time, many recent visitors recommend the Tucson Mountain District over the Rincon Mountain area for its spectacular sunsets.

Is Molino Basin Campground open?

Area Amenities: Accessible,Tent camping,Camping trailer,Fee charged for some activities,Picnic tables,Toilets,Parking Restroom: Yes

What time does Saguaro Lake close?

In the Rincon Mountain District (east), the park is open to vehicles from 5:00 a.m. –

8:00 p.m. in the summer, and 5:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. in the winter

. You can walk or bike into the park 24 hours a day.

Can you camp on Mount Lemmon now?


Whitetail Campground offers group campsites in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains of southeastern Arizona, 5 miles south of the town of Summerhaven and the top of Mt. Lemmon

. Groups can enjoy picking, hiking, camping and wildlife watching while enjoying a cool respite from hot summer.

Is camping allowed on Mt Lemmon?

Lemmon,

providing paved access to trailheads, campgrounds, picnic areas and a ski area

. The Santa Catalinas are also home to Sabino Canyon and the 56,933 acre Pusch Ridge Wilderness area. For information about road conditions on Mount Lemmon Highway call 520-547-7510.

How much does it cost to camp at Mount Lemmon?

Description Fee Info
Group Site (up to 50 persons)


$95


Daily rate per group
Group Site (51-90 persons) $130 Daily rate per group

Can I sleep in my car in Tucson?


Yes. ADOT welcomes travelers to sleep in their vehicles at all Arizona Rest Areas

. One of the primary goals for a rest area is to promote safety, which is why ADOT uses the term, “Safety Rest Area”. You are not allowed to “camp” at a rest area, however.

Where can I camp for free in Tucson?

  • Rincon Country East RV Resort. 3 Reviews.
  • Cactus Country RV Park – 55+ 4 Reviews.
  • Coronado National Forest Whitetail Group Site. 2 Reviews.
  • Redington Pass – Dispersed Camping. 14 Reviews.
  • Snyder Hill Dispersed BLM. …
  • Molino Basin Campground. …
  • Snyder Hill BLM east. …
  • Justin's Diamond J RV Park.

Can you camp on BLM land in Arizona?


Camping is allowed on public lands in Arizona for no more than a period of 14 days within any period of 28 consecutive days, unless otherwise identified

.

How many days do you need in Saguaro National Park?

We recommend spending

1-2 days

in Saguaro National Park. There are so many fun places to explore and things to do in Saguaro National Park. If you want to go at a slower pace, you can take an extra day to explore the park and add in a stop at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

Where can I watch the sunset in Saguaro National Park?

On the west side,

Gates Pass (the end of Speedway Blvd to the west)

is the ideal spot for a sunset. There is a parking lot at the top of the winding road in Tucson Mountain Park, but this closes just after sunset.

Is shooting allowed in Tonto National Forest?

Discharge of firearms.

The Tonto National Forest also has areas that are

closed to recreational shooting year-round

due to proximity to local communities (see Forest Closure Orders). During periods of high fire danger, additional restrictions on the use of firearms may be imposed.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.