Coronado National Forest Camping Guide

Coronado National Forest is a United States National Forest that covers 1,780,000 acres of southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico.

Coronado National Forest has camping opportunities that vary from primitive, backcountry camping to developed campgrounds with full amenities. Many campgrounds are located near scenic areas and offer excellent recreation opportunities.

Campgrounds

Coronado National Forest offers a range of developed and primitive campgrounds, with campsites are available from an elevation of 3,000 feet up to 9,000 feet. The climate allows year round camping and a full spectrum of vegetation and climate zones.

Most of the forest service campgrounds offer toilets or outhouses, and many are located near paved roads, making them accessible by even the tamest passenger car. Some will accommodate RVs or trailers, though you should check before you go with the local ranger district to make sure your RV or trailer will fit in the campground.

Douglas Ranger District

Located in southeastern corner of Arizona; southwestern corner of New Mexico, Douglas Ranger District includes the Chiricahua, Dragoon, and Peloncillo mountain ranges.  Visitors can enjoy hiking trails, the Chiricahua wilderness, several campgrounds, and Cave Creek Canyon, a world-famous birdwatching area.

• Camp Rucker
• Chiricahua Mountains
• Herb Martyr Campground
• Idlewilde Campground
• Rustler Park Campground
• Stewart Campground
• Sunny Flat Campground
• Sycamore Campground
• Dragoon Mountains
• Cochise Stronghold Campground

Nogales Ranger District

• Santa Rita Mountains
• Bog Springs Campground
• Tumacacori Mountains
• White Rock Campground

Safford Ranger District

• Pinaleño Mountains
• Arcadia Campground
• Columbine Corrals Campground
• Cunningham Campground
• Hospital Flat Campground
• Noon Creek Campground
• Riggs Flat Campground
• Shannon Campground
• Soldier Creek Campground
• Stockton Pass Campground

Santa Catalina Ranger District

• Santa Catalina Mountains
• General Hitchcock Campground
• Gordon Hirabayashi Campground
• Molino Basin Campground
• Peppersauce Campground
• Rose Canyon Campground
• Spencer Canyon Campground

Sierra Vista Ranger District

• Huachuca Mountains
• Lakeview Campground
• Ramsey Vista Campground
• Reef Townsite Campground

Dispersed Camping

You may camp outside of developed areas across most of the Coronado National Forest at no charge. Potable water, restrooms, and other amenities are not available at dispersed sites. If you choose to camp outside developed areas, be sure to bring adequate water or be prepared to purify any water source before drinking.  No permits are required to camp in wilderness areas.

The Coronado National Forest has a 14-day stay limit on all camping. Areas designated as “Day Use Only” are limited to posted hours, no overnight use.

Douglas Ranger District

• Chiricahua Mountains
• Dragoon Mountains
• Rockfellow Dome
• Peloncillo Mountains

Nogales Ranger District

• Pajarito Mountains
• Santa Rita Mountains
• Tumacacori Mountains
• Arivaca Lake

Safford Ranger District

• Galiuro Mountains
• Pinaleño Mountains
• Frye Mesa Reservoir Lakes

Santa Catalina Ranger District

• Rincon MountainsSanta Catalina Mountains
• Sierra Vista Ranger District
• Canelo Hills
• Huachuca Mountains

About Coronado National Forest

Coronado National Forest offers awesome scenery, diverse vegetation from deserts to conifer forests, and a wide variety of recreation settings from pristine wilderness to places with many amenities like visitor centers and campgrounds. Millions of people visit the Coronado each year to sightsee and enjoy the great outdoors. Some popular activities are hiking, camping, birdwatching, and visiting historic areas. The Coronado also offers mountain bike trails, OHV areas, lakes for fishing and boating, equestrian facilities, and a ski area.