Camp at Picacho Peak State Park
Campground Loop B, Arizona
Details
Distance
3.1 miles
Elevation Gain
800 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Description
Added by Michael Wigle
Only 30 minutes outside of Tucson Arizona is an affordable family-friendly campground with spectacular trails.
Drive about 30 minutes west on I-10 from Tucson, AZ to the Picacho Peak Rd. Exit and follow the signs south to the park entrance. The campgrounds are about a half mile inside the main gate to the right.
You can either make a reservation at Pichacho Peak State Park or arrive the day of and pay. Even when the office is closed, there is an honor-system pay box that is followed up by the camp manager. Pick an open spot and set up if after hours, all for $30 a night.
The benefits to camping here versus visiting is that you get access to half of the park after hours from the road that wraps all the way around to the Sunset Trail at the western end of the park. This is a great way to experience the milkyway or the stars as Picacho Peak blocks the light pollution from Tucson to the southeast.
In the evening about two hours before sunset, take the Sunset Trail from the western end of the road. The last two miles are steep and have a cable railing to get to the peak, so the rangers recommend using gloves. Once the sun sets, just head back and your campsite is waiting.
Checkout the Hunter Trail Adventure for an epic sunrise hike!
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Camp at Picacho Peak State Park Reviews
Picacho Peak Campground is an amazing place to spend the night, surrounded by 360-degree views and some of the most incredible sunsets you’ll ever see. They offer two types of campsites: electric and rustic. The electric sites are $50 per night, and the rustic sites are $25 per night. While the sites don’t have full hookups, there’s a convenient dump station near the entrance where you can easily empty your black and gray tanks. The campground has three loops, with additional rustic sites that are sometimes open depending on the season. The park is very well-maintained, and the bathrooms are spacious and clean. Each site includes a picnic table and a fire pit (which you can use as long as there are no fire restrictions in place). One of our favorite features is the access to a trail from the campground that leads directly to the main hiking trails in the state park and even takes you all the way to the front office. This is our second time here, and we absolutely love it. Whether you’re here for the hiking, the peaceful views, or just a quiet place to camp, Picacho Peak never disappoints. Highly recommend!
5.0
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Calloway Trail
Photograph the Wildflowers at Picacho Peak State Park
Picacho Peak's Hunter Trail
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