Camping in Tucson, Arizona

A complete guide to camping in Tucson

Camping under starry Arizona skies in Tucson's Sonoran Desert landscape

Photo Credit: C Von Gellhorn

Overview

Tucson sits at 2,389 feet in the Sonoran Desert, ringed by five mountain ranges that rise from the desert floor to over 9,000 feet. Saguaro National Park flanks the city on both its east and west sides, putting the iconic cactus landscape within 20 minutes of downtown in either direction. The camping scene here splits between desert-floor RV parks in the metro and mountain campgrounds in the surrounding ranges that provide summer relief from the valley heat.

Crazy Horse RV Campgrounds and Rincon Country West RV Resort provide the largest RV park options in the metro. South Forty RV Ranch, Mission View RV Park, and J and J Ranch serve the winter snowbird market with seasonal and long-term sites. Gilbert Ray Campground in Tucson Mountain Park sits among saguaro forest on the west side of town, adjacent to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park. It is the most scenic campground in the immediate Tucson area.

The Santa Catalina Mountains north of the city rise from desert floor to over 9,000 feet in 25 miles, creating a vertical mile of ecological change accessible by the Catalina Highway (Mount Lemmon Road). The drive passes through five life zones from cactus to spruce forest. The mountain summit area runs 20 to 30 degrees cooler than the desert floor and provides the primary summer camping relief for Tucson residents.

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Weather & Best Seasons

Best months: October through April

Tucson camping follows the desert calendar. Winter is peak season with January averaging 49 degrees and dry, sunny days. October through April provides comfortable desert camping. Summer temperatures exceed 100 degrees on the valley floor from June through September. Monsoon thunderstorms arrive in July bringing afternoon rain, lightning, and flash flood risk. Mount Lemmon at 9,000 feet stays 20 to 30 degrees cooler and provides summer camping when the desert is uninhabitable.

Season

Things to Do in Tucson

Drive through Saguaro National Park (both east and west districts) among the largest saguaro cacti in the world, some over 150 years old and 40 feet tall. The Bajada Loop Drive in the west district and the Cactus Forest Drive in the east district provide windshield tours with short hike options.
Visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a combination zoo, botanical garden, and natural history museum set in the Sonoran Desert landscape west of town. Raptor free-flight shows, desert animal exhibits, and native plant gardens. Adjacent to Gilbert Ray Campground.
Drive the Catalina Highway (Mount Lemmon Road) from desert floor to spruce forest, climbing through five life zones in 27 miles. The summit community of Summerhaven has restaurants and hiking trails among ponderosa pine.
Hike Sabino Canyon on the northeast side of town, a desert riparian corridor with saguaro, pools, and a tram that runs into the canyon. Morning hikes before 10 AM avoid the worst heat.
Explore the Pima Air and Space Museum, one of the largest aviation museums in the world with over 400 aircraft on 80 acres. Adjacent to the Boneyard (aircraft storage) at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
Walk the San Xavier del Bac Mission, a white stucco Spanish Colonial church built in the 1790s south of Tucson on the Tohono O'odham reservation. Known as the White Dove of the Desert.

Camping Tips for Tucson

Gilbert Ray Campground in Tucson Mountain Park is the most scenic option near the city, surrounded by saguaro cactus with sunset views. First-come, first-served. Fills on winter and spring weekends.
Summer camping on the desert floor is dangerous. June through September exceeds 100 degrees regularly. Camp at elevation (Mount Lemmon area) or wait for October.
Rattlesnakes and scorpions are active at desert campgrounds year-round but most common from April through October. Shake out boots and check under sleeping pads. Use a UV flashlight at night to spot scorpions.
Saguaro National Park has no campgrounds inside its boundaries. Gilbert Ray Campground in Tucson Mountain Park sits adjacent to the west (Tucson Mountain) district. The east (Rincon Mountain) district has backcountry camping only.
The Catalina Highway to Mount Lemmon is a 27-mile drive from the desert floor to 9,000 feet. Temperatures drop 20 to 30 degrees between bottom and top. Pack layers for the elevation change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I camp in Saguaro National Park?

Saguaro National Park has no drive-in campgrounds. The Rincon Mountain District (east) has backcountry camping accessible by hiking. Gilbert Ray Campground in Tucson Mountain Park sits adjacent to the Tucson Mountain District (west) and provides the closest camping to the saguaro landscape. The campground is surrounded by saguaro cactus.

When is it too hot to camp in Tucson?

June through September when daily highs regularly exceed 100 degrees. Heat-related illness is a genuine emergency risk at desert elevation. Mount Lemmon at 9,000 feet provides summer camping relief 20 to 30 degrees cooler than the valley. October through April is the comfortable desert camping season.

Which campground is best for RVs in Tucson?

Crazy Horse RV Campgrounds and Rincon Country West RV Resort are the largest full-service RV options. South Forty RV Ranch and Mission View RV Park serve the seasonal market. Many Tucson RV parks cater to winter snowbirds staying November through March. Gilbert Ray Campground accommodates RVs but has no hookups.

What is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum?

A combination zoo, botanical garden, and natural history museum set in the Sonoran Desert on the west side of Tucson. It showcases desert wildlife (javelinas, rattlesnakes, raptors, mountain lions) and native plants in naturalistic settings. The raptor free-flight demonstration is a signature program. Adjacent to Gilbert Ray Campground and Saguaro National Park west district.

Can I escape the heat near Tucson?

Mount Lemmon (27 miles up the Catalina Highway) sits at 9,000 feet and runs 20 to 30 degrees cooler than the desert floor. When Tucson hits 105, the summit hovers around 75. The drive takes about an hour. Summerhaven at the top has restaurants and trailheads. Forest Service campgrounds in the Santa Catalinas provide mountain camping above the heat.

Spring	Mar-May	73°F	61°F	October through April provides comfortable desert camping.
Summer	Jun-Aug	88°F	76°F	Summer temperatures exceed 100 degrees on the valley floor from June through September.
Fall	Sep-Nov	73°F	61°F	October through April provides comfortable desert camping.
Winter	Dec-Feb	57°F	45°F	Winter is peak season with January averaging 49 degrees and dry, sunny days.

Camping in Tucson, Arizona

Overview

Weather & Best Seasons

Featured Parks in Tucson

Crazy Horse RV Campgrounds

Rincon Country West RV Resort

El Pais Motel & Campgrounds

Mission View RV park and estates

Nearby National Parks

Saguaro National Park