The Best Places to go Camping Around Saguaro National Park 

As you probably know, we are on a mission to visit all 63 US National Parks. We’ve been lucky enough to visit Saguaro National Park but didn’t have enough time to camp there.

So, we asked our friend Candice from CS Ginger, who is a camping aficionado to help us out and create this ultimate Saguaro National Park camping guide.

This guide will help you plan the perfect camping trip to Saguaro National Park!

Camping in Saguaro National Park

Camping in Saguaro National Park is a unique experience that allows visitors to view the park’s namesake cacti in their natural habitat. Each of the campsites around Saguaro National Park has something different for campers.

No matter which campsite you choose, you’re sure to enjoy a memorable camping experience in this beautiful national park.

There are six campgrounds within Saguaro National Park. However, none of these campgrounds are accessible via car or RV. All of these campgrounds require that you hike in.

The campground with the shortest hike is Happy Valley Saddle which has a 4.1-mile hike.

Each of the campsites within the park is very small and has either three or six campsites. If you do not want to hike to your campground, you will need to stay outside Saguaro National Park.

Campgrounds near Saguaro National Park

1. Gilbert Ray Campground

The Gilbert Ray Campground is only 6 min from the Saguaro National Park. The campground has first come, first serve sites and takes reservations.

The campground has a beautiful view of the desert and offers picnic tables, updated bathrooms, and an RV dump station. The campground does not have showers, but they do have RV electric hookups.

The campground is very economical, with their tent sites being 10 dollars and their RV sites being 20 dollars.

2. Snyder Hill BLM Camping

The Snyder Hill BLM area is a great spot close to Tucson and Saguaro National Park. You will also get decent cell coverage in the area, which can sometimes be the downside of dispersed camping.

The area is large and not overly rough making it a great spot for large and small RVs. You will want to ensure your deep-cycle RV batteries are in good working order.

Good RV deep-cycle batteries are a must when boondocking.

3. Desert Trails RV Park

The Desert Trails RV Park offers great amenities for those camping around Saguaro National Park. The RV park has laundry facilities, showers, and WiFi.

The RV park is also pet friendly and has several dog walking areas on site. This is a great option for those who want to stay in a nice RV park while visiting Saguaro National Park.

Remember that this is an adult 40+ RV park, so if you are traveling with your kids, this won’t be the place for you.

4. Tucson/ Lazydays KOA Resort

The Tucson/ Lazydays KOA Resort is a great place to camp if you’re looking to be near Saguaro National Park. The resort offers a variety of amenities, including a pool, arcade, and playground. There are also several restaurants and stores within walking distance, making it the perfect place to stay while exploring the area.

You will love staying at a nice KOA like Lazydays. It gives you many options and flexibility to explore or relax with the whole family. This is a great campground to enjoy the time outdoors while cooking on your outdoor grill, one of our favorite RV kitchen accessories.

5. The Prince of Tucson RV Park

Located just 8 miles from Saguaro National Park, The Prince of Tucson RV Park is a great option for those looking to camp with their RV. They offer spacious hookups and amenities such as free WiFi and laundry facilities.

The park also offers daily activities for guests, making it the perfect place for a fun and comfortable camping experience.

Sometimes it is nice to camp in the wilderness where there are few amenities, and sometimes you want the amenities and comfortable surroundings. When looking for a glamping experience, you will want to check out the Prince of Tucson RV Park.

6. Molino Basin Campground

The Molino Basin Campground is a great option for those looking for a primitive camping experience. The campground offers hikers the opportunity to camp in the beautiful Molino Basin. The campground has vault toilets but no water, so be sure to pack in all of your supplies.

The campground is great for those looking to camp in the winter as this campground is only open from October to April.

It is not big rig friendly and can only fit campers up to 22 feet long.

7. Justin’s Diamond J RV Park

Justin’s Diamond J RV park is a great place for those camping around Saguaro National Park. The RV park has all the necessary amenities like laundry facilities, showers, and WiFi.

This is an adult-style RV park, so make sure you call the facility to ensure you are of the appropriate age to stay.

They are also part of the Good Sam program, so if you have a Good Sam membership, you can get a discount. This has been one of our favorite and most used RV gifts.

8. Catalina State Park Campground

The Catalina State Park campground offers a variety of camping options, from primitive camping to RV hookups. The campground has restrooms, showers, and a dump station.

The campground is pet friendly and is a great option for those looking for a family-friendly campground near Saguaro National Park.

Another great thing about this campground is that it does not have any length restrictions.

9. Rincon Country West RV Resort

Rincon Country West RV Resort is an award-winning 55+ RV resort with five-star amenities. You will have everything for an enjoyable stay.

If you are looking to be busy exploring, meeting new friends, or just relaxing and enjoying the great Arizona weather, this resort has what you need.

There are great social events, classes, and arts and crafts that make the stay a fabulous experience.

10. Hipcamp

Using Hipcamp is a great way to stay near Saguaro National Park. If you have not used Hipcamp, it is similar to Airbnb or HomeAway, where people rent their houses, but Hipcamp is camping-focused.

People create camping spaces on their land where people can camp with their RVs or tents. It is a great option to use when looking for places to camp.

A few notable Hipcamp locations in the area you may want to look at are.

La Hacienda Chuparosa

Rancho Relaxo

El Pais Motel and Campground

Where can I camp when visiting Saguaro National Park?

There are multiple options when looking to camp when visiting Saguaro National Park, but depending on the type of camping you are looking for will determine where you end up.

If you are looking for primitive options, you can look inside the park but be ready to hike because you will need to hike at least 4 miles to get to the campsite.

For those who don’t want to hike but still be on the primitive side, check out the BLM camping options like Snyder Hill. You can also stay at Catalina State Park or try something new with Hipcamp.

When is the best time to go camping in Saguaro National Park?

Winter, as well as early spring and late fall, is the best time to go camping in Saguaro National Park. This is because the weather is not super hot. This is typically between October to March.

Is camping allowed in Saguaro National Park?

Yes, you can camp in Saguaro National Park, but the type of camping is not your typical camping where you drive your car or truck to the campsite and unload.

Camping in the park will require you to hike at least 4 miles to the closes campground with all your supplies. If you don’t want to hike to your campground, you will want to stay outside the park.

Is Boondocking legal in Arizona?

Yes, boondocking is legal in Arizona, and there are some great spots to boondock on BLM land and in the national forests.

Boondocking is a great way to save money and a great way to camp if you want more space. You will typically have more space when boondocking than staying in an RV park or campground.

✅ Click here to find Free boondocking sites!

What is the closest city to Saguaro National Park?

The closest city to Saguaro National Park is Tucson. Tucson is less than a 20 min drive to Saguaro National Park, less than 13 miles away.

Conclusion

Saguaro National Park is a great place to visit. There are limited options to stay inside the park, and the options in the park are for those who want to backpack to their campsites.

However, there are still some really good options for those who want to stay close to the park. You have a wide variety when choosing where to camp near Saguaro National Park. You can camp in a nice RV park, a state park, a KOA, or boondock – less than 30 minutes from the park.

You will love visiting the national park and seeing some of the most unique and huge cactuses in the world.

Candice, CS Ginger 
www.csginger.com