Campgrounds close to Sagauro NP?

[Josh Z.]

I'm thinking about spending this upcoming holiday at Saguaro NP. Does anyone have any campground recomendations that is good for tents (few RVs) and close to the park?

Thanks.

[QT Luong]

Right next to the West unit, there is a decent campgrouund.

[Eric Woodbury]

QTL is right. It is just a little east of the West Saguaro NP. I think I see it on the google satellite photo, but the map doesn't show it. It's a regional or city campground. I've stayed there a couple of times and altho it has been a bunch of years, it was empty when I was there. Ground is pretty rocky, so take a pad if you are sleeping on the ground.

[Hiro]

I think the site mentioned is the Gilbert Ray Campground in Tucson Mountain Park.
http://www.pima.gov/nrpr/places/parkpgs/gil_ray/index.htm
Also Catalina State Park to the north and some backcountry sites in Saguaro East.

I'll be in the Tucson area during the holidays, too, although I'm spending much time in Chiricahua and Organ Pipe Cactus NM's. I'll give a holler if I see someone with LF in Saguaro.

[Eric Woodbury]

Hiro
The campground at Chiricahua must be the coldest one I've ever been to. It sits in the shade of that mountain and in the winter I don't think it gets above freezing. Take you woolies.

[Hiro]

Eric,
Thanks for the warning. I realized it's pretty high up around 7,000 ft, so I'm not camping at least this time (yeah, I'm a wimp, too). Some earthly comfort should be forgiven for the Thanksgiving weekend.