Please resist the urge to through yourself in their welcoming, outstretched arms. For a more urban experience, check out charming Bisbee. 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. We met Malimish & Aluminarium who introduced us to boondocking and the boys chatted about solar power for 2 days straight. Remember to be flexible when boondocking. There you will find information you will need in order to start planning a backpacking trip here at Saguaro National Park. The site is located in the northwest region on the greater Tucson area, just to the west of the I-17. 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. By entering your email, you are opting in to receive future information from Winnebago Industries. 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. Realistically, it's going to take us a few months. We actually had a third boondocking spot lined up when originally planning this trip. The view east over Reef Rock, lower left, from Rincon Mountains near Manning Camp in Saguaro National Park, June 2, 2016. I accept that Winnebago may store my data and send me newsletters as described in the Access 1 trusted reviews, 0 photos & 0 tips from fellow RVers. Both sections offer plenty of trails and desert flora but differ in terms of size and climate. We quickly looked up ticket prices and we had enough frequent flyer miles that I could go back to Knoxville for real cheap. The scale, located on the lower left corner of the image, on the Tucson area map is 1 inch equal to 5 miles. 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. 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. After six miles, turn right onto W Ironwood Road. Privacy Policy. Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. It also has plenty of hiking and mountain biking opportunities amongst scenic mountain surroundings. 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. Plus, this boondocking spot is conveniently close to Maricopa, which is great for groceries and dining out. Coming off I-10, you'll take exit 318 which is Dragoon Road. 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. 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. This boondocking location is convenient to the Saguaro National Park, Red Hills Visitor Center located just 10.8 miles away. Though this is a resort geared towards 55+, families with children are welcome to stay for up to two weeks. Also, be absolutely sure to explore the Chiricahua National Monument. Welcome to Saguaro National Park. This was a combined Colorado state park/wildlife management area until 2017, but the state park was “closed” and the water turned off. [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. So, what? 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. While there are restrooms at this campground, there is no access to drinking water, so come prepared. Paved road to driveway, easy access. Because the road becomes a National Forest dirt road, this is best for those of you with towables and 4x4 vehicles (like the Revel). Take in the soaring saguaro cacti at this massive national park in Tucson. 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 … 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. 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. 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). 8.3 miles from Saguaro National Park. “ Great food, nice people ” 10/27/2020. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. ... 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. Each site has full hookups with 30 and 50 amps, free WiFi and basic cable. AT&T cellular service clocked in at .073 Mbps … Amenities: Rincon Country East is one of the well-loved RV parks near Saguaro National Park. Saguaro National Park Travel Vlog! This road will become a dirt road, and it goes all the way to the developed campground. 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. #79 of 1,621 Restaurants in Tucson. Our free BLM campsite in Tucson, Arizona is a mere ten miles from the Saguaro National Park. You'll make a right onto Dragoon Road and continue for 11 miles until you turn right onto Cochise Stronghold Road. Excellent water. Then, finish exploring the area with a little bit of kitschy fun at Tombstone. The right trail for us is about 5 miles long and has a decent amount of elevation gain without being too extreme. Surrounded by Saguaro Nalt monument, neighbors Ironwood Nalt park, in rural area. Here is the link for reservations. This campground can fill up fast so booking well in advance is key. However, it is rather washboarded. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star Saguaro National Park. Long, gravel, 30-50A campsites with pit toilets and a dump, but NO water, for FREE! The monument is a superb place for hiking and horseback riding on trails through terrains very different from the usual forest or lakeside trails. We LOVE hiking, but we are anything but seasoned hikers. 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. Also, within striking distance is Saguaro National Park. On black Friday we decide to get out of the RV and leave our boondocking spot. There are six cleared tent pads, as well as one accessible tent site and a large group area. This park has a lot to offer. Lemmon and about a 30-minute drive from Saguaro National Park, Molino Basin Campground is nothing short of a convenient spot. This is a charming park, well managed by sweet and organized people. Sites are on a first-come, first-served basis, and there is no available water source. So, be sure to arrive early and pack plenty of water. Yep, you heard right, paid camping is this week’s deal. A Few Tips. Directions to this spot are exactly as Google states. From scenic drives to hikes and fascinating ranger led programs, this unique desert ecosystem has so much to offer. Plus, this boondocking spot is conveniently close to Maricopa, which is great for groceries and dining out. Near Old Tucson studio and Desert museum, approx 8 miles to shopping. Located just outside the Saguaro National Park, Gilbert Ray Campground is a perfect base camp for exploring the area. Camping is on a first come first serve basis and it has 130 R.V. Boondocking is one of our favorite things to do. 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. Tucson Mountain Park's (Gilbert Ray Campground) is the closest public camping to Saguaro National Park - Western District. An entire army of these majestic sentinel-like cacti are protected by Saguaro National Park and are the park’s centerpiece. 2740 S Kinney Rd Suite 7. Find a Free Campsite. It's on the east side of the Chiricahua Mountains. You'll be south of Phoenix and northwest of Tucson. 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. Yes, it's touristy. Posted in: Adventures Filed under: Arizona, Cactus, Saguaro National Park, Tucson Subscribe to Blog via Email Enter your email address to subscribe to this … Camping is allowed at 6 designated campgrounds within the Saguaro Wilderness Area, a … We stayed on the south side of the interstate. 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. Also, within striking distance is Saguaro National Park. 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). Specific facilities, such as the pool, have age and usage restrictions. One of the many benefits of camping at Gilbert Ray is its affordability and the amazing opportunity to camp among the saguaros. Located about 20 miles from Saguaro National Park, General Hitchcock Campground is a small, sheltered campground just off the Catalina Highway. So many great options for using your parks pass! Located just outside the Saguaro National Park, Gilbert Ray Campground is a perfect base camp for exploring the area. Near the Desert Museum, restaurants and the Saguaro National Park. We're playing catch-up right now to work through our backlog of videos, blog post and exciting website changes. 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. But the best wildlife area campground we have found is San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area near Great Sand Dunes National Park. 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? Verizon cellular service clocked in at 15.9 Mbps download speed and 1.47 Mbps upload speed. *Permits have moved to Recreation.gov. Sitting on our list for a while was Southern Arizona. 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). 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. 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. Can discuss longer stays, week or month. Saguaro has trails for every fitness level. Located 5.5 miles from the base of Mt. So many great options for using your parks pass! 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. Or you could drive south to explore Organ Pipe National Monument. Be careful not to run over any of the desert plant life when looking for a spot though. You can opt out at any time. While not the boondocking experience we had planned, the views here were amazing, too! This week my “home” is in Gilbert Ray Campground just outside the National Park boundary. Find more campgrounds in Arizona by browsing The Dyrt’s campsite reviews. Remember to be flexible when boondocking. 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. 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 … 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. It's fun! “ Lunch at the Cafe ” 03/14/2020. Make a mini road trip loop out of your time in Cochise County in order to avoid feeling rushed. 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. 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. Boondocking at the Gunsight Wash BLM area just north of the park. Cochise County is strikingly beautiful and has a little bit of everything. 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 with individual 30 amp electrical hookups. This campground can fill up fast so booking well in advance is key. Rincon (East) District. There's also a generous assortment of visitor facilities and mind-blowing viewpoints. 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