Where to Camp south of Tucson? (Catalina, Cave Creek: camping, cost, activity)

[oracle31]

I am planning a 1 week camp trip to southern arizona from December 17-24. I really do not know what to expect as far as weather. Most campgrounds I have checked out are all well over 3,000 ft in elevation. I will be camping in the southern part (cochise/pima county area). Im trying to make this a cost friendly trip, so campsites without fees would be nice.

I am using this page as my guide of sorts. Let me know if any of these are nice places to camp.

"*Campgrounds & Camping in Southern Arizona - Tucson & Other Areas - RV - MH - TT - Tent Camping "

Thanks!

After going over some of the camps, these seemed to have no fee. Still a little advice would be helpful.
Molino Basin
Lakeview Campground
Patagonia Lake State Park
Peppersauce Campground
Picacho Peak State Park
Sunny Flat Campground
Sycamore Campground
West Turkey Creek Campground

[vjsoto]

Are you looking for campgrounds with services? Santa Rita Mts has some backwoods camp sites that have absolutely no improvements/services. Taking the back way via Patagonia is another way to get into the Santa Rita Mts, again with no services.

[Matt Kim]

I would not go further south than the signs that say the US government has surrendered that land to Mexican drug lords.

[azdr0710]

Originally Posted by Matt Kim

I would not go further south than the signs that say the US government has surrendered that land to Mexican drug lords.

gee, I've never seen any sign like that...do you have a picture of one?????!!!....thanks

[vjsoto]

Originally Posted by Matt Kim

I would not go further south than the signs that say the US government has surrendered that land to Mexican drug lords.

You won't see any of that up in the mountains. The drug mules usually are sent packing to the east and west of the Santa Rita range (mostly to the west of I19). Sending someone up the side of a mountain with 100 lbs of drugs strapped on their back just doesn't make good business sense.

[vjsoto]

Originally Posted by azdr0710

gee, I've never seen any sign like that...do you have a picture of one?????!!!....thanks

They have some signs near the southern reaches of the Santa Rita mountains in box canyon and along highway 83 warning of drug activity. Next time I'm out off-roading I'll be sure to snap a picture.

[oracle31]

Coronado national forest is where im looking around. I kinda of assumed there could be some drug activity, being that close to mexico.

Hows the weather in the area and elevation in December?

[coatimundi]

I camped at Pena Blanca a few years ago and had a good time. The Chiricahuas, particularly Cave Creek Canyon on the east slope, are great for camping, although that's a bit far from Tucson.
The warning signs about drug and smuggling activity are about 500 feet from the border along FR 60. It's never been a good idea to camp down there, but people do so anyway near a nice creek that pours out of the Santa Ritas almost perennially. I would be more concerned in the Tonto NF with the marijuana growing operations people have stumbled across.

[oracle31]

Originally Posted by coatimundi

I camped at Pena Blanca a few years ago and had a good time. The Chiricahuas, particularly Cave Creek Canyon on the east slope, are great for camping, although that's a bit far from Tucson.
The warning signs about drug and smuggling activity are about 500 feet from the border along FR 60. It's never been a good idea to camp down there, but people do so anyway near a nice creek that pours out of the Santa Ritas almost perennially. I would be more concerned in the Tonto NF with the marijuana growing operations people have stumbled across.

Whats the weather like in December? Snowing? temps?

[vjsoto]

Santa Rita in December is cold but bearable with winter wear. Snow falls occassionally in the backwoods campsites there (about hafway up the mountains in terms of elevation). The Santa Catalinas get more snow and of course Mt. Lemmon can stay covered in snow all winter. It really depends on the elevation of the campsite.