Majestic Desert Camping in Saguaro National Park, RV Camping Tips and Tricks for First-Timers, 9 Small Campers You Can Pull with Almost Any Car, 7 Campgrounds in Florida That Campers Can't Get Enough Of, 9 Tips That Make Sleeping in Your Car Way Less Miserable, 14 Wilderness Survival Tools You Should Always Have in the Backcountry, Warm Up in These Utah Natural Hot Springs, Camping & COVID-19: What Campgrounds Are Open? We actually had a third boondocking spot lined up when originally planning this trip. We were lucky to get in for a week in mid-January and really enjoyed all of our neighbors, almost all seasonals with some full-timers; every one of which loves this park. Near the Desert Museum, restaurants and the Saguaro National Park. A Few Tips. 2740 S Kinney Rd Suite 7. Remember to be flexible when boondocking. There are six cleared tent pads, as well as one accessible tent site and a large group area. Long, gravel, 30-50A campsites with pit toilets and a dump, but NO water, for FREE! On average, 3-star hotels in Saguaro National Park cost £76 per night, and 4-star hotels in Saguaro National Park are £142 per night. You'll be south of Phoenix and northwest of Tucson. If you're looking for something really special, a 5-star hotel in Saguaro National Park can on average be found for £204 per night (based on Booking.com prices). Yep, you heard right, paid camping is this week’s deal. Take in the soaring saguaro cacti at this massive national park in Tucson. We love the serenity and waking up to beautiful views outside our RV windows. Look no further for some of the best camping in Saguaro National Park, plus tips to enjoy your stay from The Dyrt Ranger team the Switchback Kids. Also, within striking distance is Saguaro National Park. Informed RVers have rated 4 campgrounds near Jarbidge, Nevada. We've boondocked in the Coconino National Forest in Northern Arizona for two years in a row now and it was time to finally give the south a try. Make a mini road trip loop out of your time in Cochise County in order to avoid feeling rushed. We managed to squeeze in a trip to Saguaro National Park for the 5 kids to earn their Junior Ranger Badges and to check out the largest cacti we’ve ever seen. Camping near Saguaro National Park&research=1. Of course, there's the Sonoran Desert National Monument. It is located about 4 miles south of Saguaro's Red Hills Visitor Center . The scale, located on the lower left corner of the image, on the Tucson area map is 1 inch equal to 5 miles. The front seem to be a kind of barrel cactus and the back look like saguaro cactus( it takes as much as 50 to 80 years for a saguaro to grow arms). Cuisines: American, Cafe, Southwestern. After six miles, turn right onto W Ironwood Road. Sites are on a first-come, first-served basis, and there is no available water source. This park has a lot to offer. There are also lots of exciting new features we want to add to our website. Rincon (East) District. Posted in: Adventures Filed under: Arizona, Cactus, Saguaro National Park, Tucson Subscribe to Blog via Email Enter your email address to subscribe to this … But, the sites are nestled under a thick canopy and some are located right along Bear Creek among large rocks, which more than makes up for it. Our first stop was Sunny Flat Campground in the Cave Creek Area of Coronado National Forest, near Portal. I want give away any spoilers now, but we hope you'll like them - many were suggest… While not the boondocking experience we had planned, the views here were amazing, too! Yes, it's touristy. If you’re looking for a terrific overland opportunity in the southern Arizona with loads of nature, you should really check out Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Apart from the Saguaro National Park, which is near Tucson, it's one of the best places to see the cactus in large quantities in Arizona. Or you could drive south to explore Organ Pipe National Monument. Here is the link for reservations. 8.3 miles from Saguaro National Park. By entering your email, you are opting in to receive future information from Winnebago Industries. Camping is allowed at 6 designated campgrounds within the Saguaro Wilderness Area, a … We actually had a third boondocking spot lined up when originally planning this trip. Each site has full hookups with 30 and 50 amps, free WiFi and basic cable. Amazingly, these two vast national park systems hug the east and west flanks of the bustling city of Tucson, which is home to about a million people. Be careful not to run over any of the desert plant life when looking for a spot though. We camped at Catalina State Park in Tuscon, AZ, and snagged a great spot. Hike, bike, walk, or drive through the forest of saguaros. Though this is a resort geared towards 55+, families with children are welcome to stay for up to two weeks. The view east over Reef Rock, lower left, from Rincon Mountains near Manning Camp in Saguaro National Park, June 2, 2016. Surrounded by Saguaro Nalt monument, neighbors Ironwood Nalt park, in rural area. When he isn't explaining the difference between Australia and the United States, you can find Mark in the mountains, at a show or on his skateboard. We saw plenty of passenger cars on the road, but you'd definitely want to check weather conditions and avoid driving anything that's not 4x4 if it has rained within 48 hours. Excellent water. Find more campgrounds in Arizona by browsing The Dyrt’s campsite reviews. With 360-degree, in-your-face, amazing scenery, abundant trees, and wildlife, this is one of the most spectacular campgrounds you'll encounter anywhere in the southwest. Then to the north, you have Tonto National Monument. Case in point: Saguaro National Park. Amenities: Rincon Country East is one of the well-loved RV parks near Saguaro National Park. Even though I have already visited Saguaro National Park in early 2011 I tend to visit a National Park when camped nearby one, no matter if I already have . Located just outside the Saguaro National Park, Gilbert Ray Campground is a perfect base camp for exploring the area. [October 2020], Explore The Heart of Arkansas at These 7 Remarkable Little Rock Campgrounds, 7 of Jacksonville, Florida’s Most Popular Campgrounds—According to Campers, The 6 Most Sought After Campgrounds Near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Here’s November 2020’s Campground Review Contest Winners, Explore The Outdoors at These 7 Great Campgrounds Near Columbus, Ohio, The 7 Most Popular Campgrounds Near Portland, Oregon—The Dyrt’s Hometown, 7 Awesome Places to Go Camping Near Amarillo, Texas. Whether you just need to know where to camp nearby or you want to plan a free camping road trip, we've got you covered.You can simply use your smart phone's GPS to find camping near you or even use our trip planner to plan your route from coast to coast.. Our community provides the best free camping information available. Because the road becomes a National Forest dirt road, this is best for those of you with towables and 4x4 vehicles (like the Revel). Located 5.5 miles from the base of Mt. An entire army of these majestic sentinel-like cacti are protected by Saguaro National Park and are the park’s centerpiece. This boondocking location is convenient to the Saguaro National Park, Red Hills Visitor Center located just 10.8 miles away. So, be sure to arrive early and pack plenty of water. This was a combined Colorado state park/wildlife management area until 2017, but the state park was “closed” and the water turned off. We're excited to share them! There are 11 sites that are spaced fairly close together, so the privacy isn’t great. Please resist the urge to through yourself in their welcoming, outstretched arms. Also, within striking distance is Saguaro National Park. We LOVE hiking, but we are anything but seasoned hikers. The park’s unspoiled beauty gives you an opportunity to explore and see Arizona how it used to be. There you will find information you will need in order to start planning a backpacking trip here at Saguaro National Park. The area, once the home of the Apache Chief, Cochise, is rich in history. Exit off of I-8 on Vekol Valley Road, which becomes a dirt road, and choose a spot. This road will become a dirt road, and it goes all the way to the developed campground. Coming off I-10, you'll take exit 318 which is Dragoon Road. This week my “home” is in Gilbert Ray Campground just outside the National Park boundary. Saguaro has trails for every fitness level. Plus, this boondocking spot is conveniently close to Maricopa, which is great for groceries and dining out. Find the best campgrounds & rv parks near Jarbidge, Nevada. Find a Free Campsite. Then, finish exploring the area with a little bit of kitschy fun at Tombstone. So, we made plans for me to fly out of Phoenix but first, we wanted to go explore Saguaro National Park which is on the way. We were thrilled to find that Gilbert Ray places you right among the Saguaro Cacti. There's also a generous assortment of visitor facilities and mind-blowing viewpoints. We stayed on the south side of the interstate. Lemmon and about a 30-minute drive from Saguaro National Park, Molino Basin Campground is nothing short of a convenient spot. We've been to about 20 more National Park Units than we've published videos or blog posts about so far, and we want to get those edited and live as soon as possible. ... Joshua Tree National Park; Boondocking at Borrego Springs, Ca; On to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park; New Solar Panels ... Pismo Beach to Paso Robles to Sequoia National Park. For a more urban experience, check out charming Bisbee. AT&T cellular service clocked in at .073 Mbps … Directions to this spot are exactly as Google states. On the eastern end of the affair, near Chiricahua National Monument, Sunny Flat Campground and Pinery Canyon Road offer varying degrees of remote wilderness camping, surrounded by about a dozen other boondocking, forested spots where one can enjoy the pristine nature of Southeastern Arizona’s Chiricahua Mountains without concerns of noisy cell phone interference, or … I accept that Winnebago may store my data and send me newsletters as described in the Saguaro National Park Travel Vlog! Split in two and separated by the city of Tucson, Saguaro National Park embraces the Rincon Mountain District in the east and the Tucson Mountain District in the west. Paved road to driveway, easy access. Realistically, it's going to take us a few months. One of the many benefits of camping at Gilbert Ray is its affordability and the amazing opportunity to camp among the saguaros. Being up close and personal to these desert giants is an experience like no other. Located about 20 miles from Saguaro National Park, General Hitchcock Campground is a small, sheltered campground just off the Catalina Highway. *Permits have moved to Recreation.gov. We camped at Gilbert Ray Campground, a developed campground, instead. So many great options for using your parks pass! We're playing catch-up right now to work through our backlog of videos, blog post and exciting website changes. Easy access to hiking and atv trails. Both sections offer plenty of trails and desert flora but differ in terms of size and climate. However, it is rather washboarded. While there are no developed campgrounds in the area, these three sites are your best bet for exploring Saguaro’s natural beauty. It's on the east side of the Chiricahua Mountains. This campground can fill up fast so booking well in advance is key. The right trail for us is about 5 miles long and has a decent amount of elevation gain without being too extreme. This campground can fill up fast so booking well in advance is key. Located just outside the Saguaro National Park, Gilbert Ray Campground is a perfect base camp for exploring the area. While there are restrooms at this campground, there is no access to drinking water, so come prepared. Plus, this boondocking spot is conveniently close to Maricopa, which is great for groceries and dining out. Have 30 amp elec and water available for $15.00. So, what? The monument is a superb place for hiking and horseback riding on trails through terrains very different from the usual forest or lakeside trails. 218 reviews. Welcome to Saguaro National Park. You can opt out at any time. Verizon cellular service clocked in at 15.9 Mbps download speed and 1.47 Mbps upload speed. One of the many benefits of camping at Gilbert Ray is its affordability and the amazing opportunity to camp among the saguaros. “ Lunch at the Cafe ” 03/14/2020. Reviews & Photos Explore Saguaro On black Friday we decide to get out of the RV and leave our boondocking spot. Remember to be flexible when boondocking. Hotels near Saguaro National Park, Tucson on Tripadvisor: Find 13,212 traveller reviews, 29,743 candid photos, and prices for 30 hotels near Saguaro National Park in Tucson, AZ. We quickly looked up ticket prices and we had enough frequent flyer miles that I could go back to Knoxville for real cheap. Camping is on a first come first serve basis and it has 130 R.V. Boondocking near Bryce Canyon National Park in Dixie National Forest, Utah by Tim / September 1, 2018 September 4, 2018 Getting There I’d say the most harrowing parts of boondocking are not knowing if there will be an open spot … The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. Hotels near Saguaro National Park, Tucson on Tripadvisor: Find 13,314 traveler reviews, 31,416 candid photos, and prices for 155 hotels near Saguaro National Park in Tucson, AZ. Coyote Pause Cafe. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park, to the east and west of the modern city of Tucson. From scenic drives to hikes and fascinating ranger led programs, this unique desert ecosystem has so much to offer. © 2020 Winnebago Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Located just outside Tucson Arizona, Saguaro National Park is a massive 92,000 acre National Park spread out at two separate locations. Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. Also, be absolutely sure to explore the Chiricahua National Monument. There is a developed campground, however, it's tight and at the end of a washboard road, so we chose to explore the dispersed camping area. Switchback Kids Ranger Tip: If you decide to backpack in the eastern unit, be prepared with plenty of layers for the cold evenings in higher elevations. But the best wildlife area campground we have found is San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area near Great Sand Dunes National Park. So many great options for using your parks pass! The project is located in the Saguaro National Park near the North Tucson Mountain Park District. Cochise County is strikingly beautiful and has a little bit of everything. #79 of 1,621 Restaurants in Tucson. It's fun! Saguaro National Park is split into two sections, the Western section (the Tucson Mountains) and the Eastern section (the Rincon Mountains). Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star Saguaro National Park. We met Malimish & Aluminarium who introduced us to boondocking and the boys chatted about solar power for 2 days straight. “ Great food, nice people ” 10/27/2020. Mix in Walmart stays and regular campground stays to cut down on driving a bit or make a series of day trips in order to be able to see more of the area. Access 1 trusted reviews, 0 photos & 0 tips from fellow RVers. Just outside the Sonoran Desert National Monument and off of I-8, are some great, all-rig-friendly, boondocking on Bureau of Land Management land (pictured in the featured photo above). We decided to hang out in the Tucson area for the day instead of heading back toward Phoenix and doing a couple of smaller points of interest there. Can discuss longer stays, week or month. Privacy Policy. Nestled in Arizona's Dragoon Mountains is a stunning woodland area known as Cochise Stronghold. Our free BLM campsite in Tucson, Arizona is a mere ten miles from the Saguaro National Park. We planned to boondock outside of Saguaro National Park on BLM land (W Tucson-Ajo Hwy & S San Joaquin Rd), but this spot was full. Sites are open to overnighters. This is the second installment of Saguaro National Park, and one that we did not even know about until we showed up at the Red Hill (West) District two days prior. This is a charming park, well managed by sweet and organized people. There's no place where it's more obvious that life can thrive and be beautiful, even in the harshest of conditions. Icon of the American Southwest and North America’s largest cactus, the saguaro is a well-recognized and imposing plant whose uplifted arms give it a regal presence. Tucson Mountain Park's (Gilbert Ray Campground) is the closest public camping to Saguaro National Park - Western District. Near Old Tucson studio and Desert museum, approx 8 miles to shopping. Boondocking is one of our favorite things to do. It also has plenty of hiking and mountain biking opportunities amongst scenic mountain surroundings. Boondocking at the Gunsight Wash BLM area just north of the park. You'll make a right onto Dragoon Road and continue for 11 miles until you turn right onto Cochise Stronghold Road. Go for some wine tasting in the numerous vineyards and tasting rooms in Wilcox. Sitting on our list for a while was Southern Arizona. sites with individual 30 amp electrical hookups. Specific facilities, such as the pool, have age and usage restrictions. The site is located in the northwest region on the greater Tucson area, just to the west of the I-17. The Dyrt’s Ranger duo the Switchback Kids, who spent a year visiting all 59 National Parks, have put together this incredible video to document their firsthand experience in Saguaro with the hopes of improving the visit of others. 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