The Best Camping near Tucson, Arizona

While the summers are scorching, fall and winter visitors to Tucson can appreciate the desert’s cooler temperatures. The best campgrounds nearby tend to be in the national forest and state park land, where visitors can enjoy the desert sunrises, though the city has several conveniently located RV resorts.

As the second largest city in Arizona, Tucson was home to 545,340 people in 2020. It has a little bit of everything for your vacation, from top-notch restaurants, shopping, and tourist attractions, to nearby nature in the Tuscon Mountains. Snowbirds love to flock to southern Arizona for warmer temperatures, perfect for camping from fall to spring.

Tucson’s Top Tent and RV Campgrounds

There are campgrounds near the city perfect for your RV or travel trailer requiring full hook-ups, as well as plenty of nearby sites in the Great Outdoors to pitch a tent. Consider the following list of campgrounds for your next visit to southern Arizona. While you’re there, make sure to plan a visit to the surrounding hot springs.

Here are the best and closest campgrounds to Tucson, AZ, in order of proximity:

Sentinel Peak RV Park (2 miles)

Sentinel Peak is the only RV park in downtown Tucson and the most convenient location for exploring the city. You’ll be just a short drive from the most popular dining, shopping, and attractions in the exciting downtown area. Though you’re in the city center, you’ll have unadulterated views of Arizona’s famous desert sunsets.

Travelers should note that there is a maximum RV age of 10 years. All others must be approved by management prior to your stay.

• Closest Town: Tucson, AZ (2 mi)
• Specs: 23 RV sites, open year-round, full hookups
• Amenities: Wi-Fi, firewood for sale, ice for sale, laundry, restrooms, recreation hall, swimming pool, outdoor games, picnic tables
• Reservations: Yes, visit campspot.com/…
• Address: 450 N Grande Ave, Tucson, AZ 85745 (Map)

Prince of Tucson RV Park (3 miles)

If you want to be near the heart of the city without parking your rig downtown, Prince of Tucson is in the city’s northwestern section. When you’re ready to enjoy the local outdoor scene, you’ll be close to major freeways and able to quickly hit the road toward Santa Catalina Natural Area or Tucson Mountain Park. Should you require anything during your stay, the staff is on-site daily until 10:00 pm.

• Closest Town: Tucson, AZ (3 mi)
• Specs: 176 RV sites, full hookups, open year-round, dump station
• Amenities: Pet-friendly with breed restrictions, picnic tables, complimentary Wi-Fi in the main buildings, on-site convenience store, propane service to the site, laundry, showers, clubhouse, heated outdoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, outdoor games, walking paths
• Reservations: Yes, visit princeoftucsonrvpark.com/… or call (520) 887-3501
• Address: 3501 N Freeway, Tucson, AZ 85705 (Map)

Tucson/Lazydays KOA Resort (8 miles)

This KOA offers the highest level of luxury, as it’s a “resort” level stay. Expect all the amenities you’re used to at a KOA with several extras to make your stay even more comfortable. You’ll find outdoor activities on-site, including a nine-hole putting course and a bike rental station. If you want to get out of the tent for a night, there are several deluxe cabins here.

• Closest Town: Drexel-Alvernon, AZ (2 mi)
• Specs: 353 RV sites, 12 cabins, four deluxe tent sites, full hookups, open year-round, max length of 73 feet
• Amenities: Cable TV, snack bar, firewood, dog park, swimming pool, propane, pavilion, Wi-Fi, hot tub, sauna, mini golf, bike rentals, dog wash, laundry, activity room, playground, wood fire-pit rental, food delivery, lounge area, nine-hole putting course, workout room, on-site pond
• Reservations: Yes, visit koa.com/… or call (828) 521-0433
• Address: 5151 S Country Club Rd, Tucson, AZ 85706 (Map)

Gilbert Ray Campground (12 miles)

This Pima County-run campground allows you to commune with nature in comfort. While not resort-level, there is a whole host of campground comforts, including modernized restrooms and spacious sites. Keep in mind that while updated restrooms are on-site, there are no showers or RV water hookups available.

• Closest Town: Tucson Estates, AZ (4 mi)
• Specs: 130 standard tent and RV campsites, five tent-only sites, open year-round, dump station, 30-amp electrical hookups
• Amenities: Restrooms, administration building, potable water, picnic tables, pet-friendly, outdoor dishwashing station
• Reservations: Yes, visit apm.activecommunities.com/…
• Address: 8451 W McCain Loop, Tucson, AZ 85735 (Map)

Catalina State Park (12 miles)

Catalina State Park is one of only two Arizona State Parks in the Tucson area. Located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains, travelers can experience the best of high elevations and the desert floor on the same day. Because of this, the state park is a highly popular destination for outdoor pursuits. For photographers, it’s the place to be to photograph desert flowers and scenery.

• Closest Town: Oro Valley, AZ (2 mi)
• Specs: 114 standard tent and RV campsites, 29 rustic campsites, water and electric hookups, dump station, open year-round
• Amenities: Laundry, showers, picnic tables, fire pits, grills, potable water,
• Reservations: Yes, visit azstateparks.com/…
• Address: 11570 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85737 (Map)

The RV Park at The Pima County Fairgrounds (21 miles)

The Pima County Fairgrounds holds easily the largest park in the greater Tucson area. With roughly 400 available spots, this is a good place to check for last-minute reservations. While fairgrounds RV parks aren’t always the most luxurious, this one has a full suite of amenities for the whole family.

Everything you’d expect at an RV park is here, along with an on-site fitness trail and multiple dog parks divided by breed size.

• Closest Town: Vail, AZ (9 mi)
• Specs: 386 RV sites, full hookups, open year-round with sporadic exceptions in the month of April, dump stations
• Amenities: Propane, Wi-Fi, RV parts, two dog parks, laundry, on-site office, showers, business center, walking trail, big rig friendly, picnic tables, ramadas
• Reservations: Yes, call (520) 762-8579
• Address: 11300 S Houghton Rd, Tucson, AZ 85747 (Map)

Molino Basin Campground (21 miles)

The Coronado National Forest is home to several great camping spots, with Molina Basin being the closest and most accessible. For travelers heading to Arizona in cooler weather, the campgrounds operate on the opposite schedule of most in this section of the Coronado National Forest. Due to being at a lower elevation, Molino is a destination for late fall to early spring travelers.

• Closest Town: Tanque Verde, AZ (10 mi)
• Specs: 36 standard tent and RV campsites, one group campsite, max length of 22 feet for trailers and RVs, open from the beginning of November to the end of April, no hookups
• Amenities: Picnic tables, grills, fire rings, food lockers, tent pads, no potable water, pet-friendly, toilets
• Reservations: All single sites are first come, first served; group sites are reservable at recreation.gov/…
• Address: Molino Basin Campground, Catalina Hwy, Tucson, AZ 85749 (Map)

General Hitchcock Campground (27 miles)

Also located in the Coronado National Forest, General Hitchcock Campground is an option for travelers any time of year. This spot is on the smaller side, and the roads leading in aren’t as forgiving as some of Coronado’s other sites.

While you don’t need a high-clearance vehicle, it’s recommended that trailers and RVs look for other options. Rugged, off-road trailers may not have trouble, but the roads can be rocky.

• Closest Town: Tanque Verde, AZ (16 mi)
• Specs: 11 standard tent and RV campsites, open year-round
• Amenities: Pet-friendly, no potable water, picnic tables, toilets
• Reservations: No. First come, first served
• Address: General Hitchcock Campground, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619 (Map)

Colossal Cave Mountain Park (30 miles)

Colossal Cave is one of the most unique attractions in the Tucson area, both as a campground and as an outdoor park. As the name suggests, the main draw here is cave tours, but there are several multi-use trails for hikers, bikers, and equestrian enthusiasts to enjoy. Whatever mode of travel you choose, the trails here are a great way to learn about the ecosystem of the Sonoran Desert.

Campgrounds here are rugged and offer no hookups. While potable water and restrooms are available, you’ll want to be well-prepared and err on the side of self-sufficiency.

• Closest Town: Vail, AZ (11 mi)
• Specs: 30 standard tent and RV campsites, no hookups, open year-round
• Amenities: BBQ, fire rings, potable water, restrooms
• Reservations: No. First come, first served
• Address: 16721 E Old Spanish Trail, Vail, AZ 85641 (Map)

Rose Canyon Campground (33 miles)

Rose Canyon is the largest of the Coronado National Forest campgrounds near Tucson. It’s a relatively unique system here in that only half of the sites are reservable, and the rest are on a walk-in basis. While you’ll be better off getting a spot in advance, you can walk in with success during less crowded times.

Wildlife does come through this campground, so be sure to lock up food and anything with a smell in the provided bear boxes at your site.

• Closest Town: Tanque Verde, AZ (22 mi)
• Specs: 66 tent-only campsites, six standard tent and RV sites, one accessible tent-only site, open year-round
• Amenities: Amphitheater, general store, campground host, vault toilets, BBQ, picnic table, fire ring, food locker, lantern poles, tent pads
• Reservations: Half of the campground is first-come, first-served; for the other half, visit recreation.gov/…
• Address: Rose Canyon Campground, Catalina Hwy, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619 (Map)

Happy Valley Saddle (33 miles)

Saguaro National Park has six total backcountry campgrounds, but Happy Valley Saddle is the most accessible. While all six require some hiking, Happy Valley Saddle is the shortest walk at 4.1 miles. If you want more of a challenge, the other five range from a 5.3-mile to a 10-mile hike to get to.

Since these are backcountry sites, you’ll need to get a backcountry permit for a nominal fee. Depending on what time of year you’re going and the weather, Saguaro National Park’s website has information to recommend a campground to stay at.

• Closest Town: Vail, AZ (17 mi)
• Specs: Three backcountry campsites
• Amenities: Potable water is available sporadically throughout the year
• Reservations: Yes, visit recreation.gov/…
• Address: Happy Valley Saddle, Vail, AZ 85641 (Map)

Spencer Canyon Campground (37 miles)

Last but not least for the Coronado National Forest is the Spencer Canyon Campground. While not much smaller than the Rose Canyon Campground, all the sites here are on a walk-in basis.

Note that Spencer Canyon is at the highest elevation, so expect cooler weather later in the year and plan accordingly. Because of this, Spencer Canyon is only open from mid-spring to early fall. Smaller trailers are allowed, but use your discretion as the roads here may be too narrow for inexperienced drivers.

• Closest Town: Tanque Verde, AZ (26 mi)
• Specs: 66 standard tent and RV campsites, one double family campsite, open from April to October (weather dependent), no hookups, max length of 22 feet for trailers and RVs
• Amenities: Firewood for purchase, pets allowed in the campground but not trails from January to April, pets allowed on trails the rest of the year, potable water, picnic table, toilets
• Reservations: No. First come, first served
• Address: Spencer Canyon Campground, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619 (Map)

Picacho Peak State Park (38 miles)

Besides Catalina, Tucson-are travelers can head to Picacho Peak State Park. The wildflowers here are a big draw, and the hiking sure isn’t bad either! Note that fire bans aren’t an uncommon occurrence in the park, so be sure to check the website for the most updated information.

Photographers and nature viewers will cherish the early mornings here, where you can catch a glimpse of the park’s reptiles and mammals. Larger wildlife is also found, like the desert mule deer, so visitors are encouraged to be aware and keep their distance on the trail.

• Closest Town: Red Rock, AZ (7 mi)
• Specs: 78 campsites, electrical hookups, open year-round, max length of 40 feet for RVs and trailers, dump station
• Amenities: Grills, picnic tables, fire pits, restrooms, showers
• Reservations: Yes, visit azstateparks.com/…
• Address: 15520 Picacho Peak Rd, Picacho, AZ 85141 (Map)

There’s a wide variety of top campsites for those visiting Tucson, Arizona. Whether you’re traveling to the Grand Canyon State in your tent or trailer, you’ll have plenty of options for accommodations.