Thinking of booking a Saguaro National Park camping trip? Here’s everything you need to know – the top sites and tips to help you ace your trip like a pro.
Named after the towering cacti that dot the landscape (the largest cactus in the US), no trip to Tucson is complete without swinging by Saguaro National Park. And, if you want a really authentic experience, you need to camp.
Saguaro National Park is a hiker’s dream (you can read about all my favourite trails here), so immersing yourself in the rugged beauty of the park is a no brainer. Stunning mountain ranges and pine trees set the tone for an idyllic wilderness escape. And, to up the charm, most campsites are easily accessible on foot.
Looking for a magical destination to pitch up in Tucson, Arizona? Get your camping gear ready, the Saguaro National Park campgrounds are waiting.
Best Spots for Camping in Saguaro National Park
Manning Camp
Saguaro National Park
- Open dates: year-round
- Number of sites: 6
- Types of camping available: tent
- Amenities: fire rings, fresh water, picnic tables and a stationed ranger from April- September
First up, the most popular Saguaro National Park backcountry camping spot. The Manning Camp is a charming space with an interesting history built by former Tucson Mayor Levi Manning.
The campground takes camping to new heights (quite literally). It has the highest elevation of all the campgrounds on this list reaching almost 8,000 ft. However, this is intentional, as Manning’s temperatures are more relaxed in summer compared to lower sitting sites.
Trust me – bringing your camera is necessary to snap up gorgeous sunsets and scenery from these heights.
That said, it’s also pretty tough to reach, making your legs work for 14-18 miles from Tucson. But as you’ll only pay $8 per night to reserve this site, I’m sure you won’t mind too much.
Happy Valley Saddle Campground
Saguaro National Park
- Open dates: year-round
- Number of sites: 3
- Types of camping available: tent only
- Amenities: bear boxes, pit toilet and fire rings
Happy Valley Saddle Campground is the shortest hike (3.9 miles) to a campsite in Saguaro Park. Sitting in the foothills of the Rincon Mountains (eastern district), abundant natural beauty surrounds you.
While it’s a short hike, the dirt road leading up to the trailhead is rough with stream crossings and may even be impassable during winter. Made for backcountry camping, this rustic site feels completely remote, giving you access to climbing Rincon Peak ensures that adrenaline junkies get their fill.
Enjoy a night under the stars and wake up to the sounds of nature, then embark on scenic hikes into the mountain. A maximum of six people per group can camp here for $8 per night.
Spud Rock Spring Campground
Saguaro National Park
- Open dates: year-round
- Number of sites: 3
- Types of camping available: tents
- Amenities: pit toilets, campfire rings
Spud Rock is the most secluded site out of the six campgrounds in Saguaro National Park. It’s here where you’ll feel cut off from civilization, so expect underdeveloped, backcountry conditions — it’s beautiful, though.
As with all campgrounds in the park, you’ll need to hike to the site (5 miles) and pay an $8 fee per night to sleep over. This backcountry campground can only host a maximum of six people per site. The area will be under a few feet of snow during winter, so visiting during spring or fall may be better.
Spud Rock’s pines and aspens create enough shade to avoid the sweltering summer heat, so even that’s an option. While water is available around the area during wetter months, bringing enough water with you is still advisable.
Juniper Basin Campground
Saguaro National Park
- Open dates: year-round
- Number of sites: 3
- Types of camping available: tents
- Amenities: pit toilet, campfire ring
Nestled in Saguaro National Park East, this camping area in Juniper Basin is the ideal primitive location for backcountry camping. It’s rustic, surrounded by whimsical juniper woodlands and rugged beauty.
The nearly 7 miles hike along Tanque Verde Ridge to the campground is moderate and features stunning views.
Like most camping spots here, I’d recommend this site for experienced campers who know their way around underdeveloped and isolated campgrounds. A maximum of six people can book a site for $8 per night.
Grass Shack Campground
Saguaro National Park
- Open dates: year-round
- Number of sites: 3
- Types of camping available: tents
- Amenities: pit toilet, bear boxes and freshwater streams
Head to the Grass Shack campground for an authentic feel of the wilderness under the clear star-filled Tucson skies. It’s rough and bumpy, alright, and overgrown with giant sycamores, so it’s pretty primitive but still beautiful.
Reaching this campground is moderately challenging, with a few climbs to try and avoid the prickly saguaros. It’s a 10-mile hike from Camino Loma Alta, boasting breathtaking vistas to the south. Well-prepped, avid campers will enjoy this backcountry camping area for $8 per night.
Campfires are prohibited here, as this region has a fragile riparian ecosystem. While it’s always advisable to bring sufficient water, there is freshwater access from the Chimenea Creek and Madrona Creek streams throughout the year.
Douglas Spring Campground
Saguaro National Park
- Open dates: year-round
- Number of sites: 3
- Types of camping available: tent camping
- Amenities: pit toilet, bear boxes for food storage
Douglas Spring is the perfect spot for camping at Saguaro National Park during colder months. That’s because it’s the lowest campground in the park, offering some shelter from the winter storms.
Getting to this humble little spot is not easy with a 7.5 mile hike through cottonwoods and oaks. However, the gorgeous sweeps over Tanque Verde Falls will have you whipping out your camera.
You’ll pay a wonderfully cheap $8 to spend a night, but ensure you pack a camping stove, as fires are not allowed here. The campground is well-maintained with a pretty neat privy for those who prefer top-level cleanliness.
Molino Basin Campground
Coronado National Forest, Catalina District
- Open dates: October to April
- Types of camping available: tent and trailer camping
- Amenities: picnic tables, parking, toilets, and fire rings
If you ask me, the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains are exactly where to camp near Saguaro National Park. My top choice, Molino Basin, is a well-developed campground in a scenic mountainous region with abundant biking and hiking opportunities.
Ideal for family and group camping, each site hosts up to 10 people per site, which you can book for $20 per night.
Now for the nitty gritty details: remember that there’s no drinking water on-site. And if you bring your pets, they should always be on a leash.
General Hitchcock Campground
Coronado National Forest, Catalina District
- Open dates: year-round
- Number of sites: 11
- Types of camping available: tent camping
- Amenities: picnic tables, vault toilets, parking and fire rings
Just off Catalina Highway sits a quaint, sheltered campground on the rocky banks of Bear Canyon. The General Hitchcock campground is ideal for solo or group camping with a maximum of 10 persons per site.
What I love so much about this site is that encircling the camp are majestic ponderosa pines, junipers and oaks, with some camping spots even sitting on Bear Creek.
Rates are pricier than some of the other spots at $10-20 per night, with most sites working on a first-come-first-serve basis. It’s still excellent value, though. Dogs are welcome too, as long as they are on a leash.
Practical Tips for Booking Campsites in Saguaro National Park
- The desert heat is no joke and can sometimes lead to fatalities if you’re not prepared, so pack on the sunscreen. Also, water is scarce at most campsites, so make sure you carry way more than you’ll need – it’s better to be safe than sorry.
- Consider the best time to visit Saguaro National Park for outdoor activities, basically every season except summer. Trust me, as temperatures soar to 43°C (110°F) in the shade.
- Permits are necessary for overnight camping. Saguaro National Park’s camping permits are available right here.
- Though rare, black bear or mountain lion encounters have been known to happen. Stay alert, keep any food tucked away in sealed boxes and purchase bear spray if you want to be on the safe side.
