Rose Canyon
Rose Canyon Campground is just 17 miles northeast of Tucson, Arizona, off the Catalina Highway Scenic Drive near the summit of Mt. Lemmon. This area is popular for day use as well as overnight camping. With a high elevation, forested setting, two group picnic areas and opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing and fishing, Rose Canyon offers a great summer respite from the city.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Arizona · reservable in Arizona · pets allowed in Arizona · group sites in Arizona
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Tent-only | 24 |
| RV, no hookups | 6 |
| group standard area nonelectric | 1 |
| group picnic area | 1 |
| Host/management | 45 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 22 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
32 sites in 10 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Barnum | Tent only | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 002 | Barnum | Tent only | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 003 | Barnum | Tent only | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 004 | Barnum | Tent only | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 005 | Barnum | Tent only | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 069 | Black Bear Flats | Tent only | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 070 | Black Bear Flats | Tent only | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 071 | Black Bear Flats | Tent only | Paved | 8 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 072 | Black Bear Flats | Tent only | Paved | 8 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 073 | Black Bear Flats | Tent only | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Fees | Group site fees are as follows: up to 50 persons $95; 51-90 persons $130; 91-120 persons $150 per day. |
| Accessibility | Sites Rose Canyon Amphitheater, 1 are listed accessible |
The campground offers spacious, single-family campsites, as well as two group day use areas with picnic shelters, which can be reserved for up to 120 guests. The campground is equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings with grills and vault toilets.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | April to October |
| Forest | Coronado National Forest |
| Booking | There are 30 assigned tent/RV sites that can be reserved through Recreation.gov. There are 43 sites that will be available for camping on a first come first serve basis. |
| Fees | Camping fee is $28.00 per night for single sites. No more than 6 people per numbered site, including children and visitors. Double Family site is $46.00. Vehicles (up to 6 people) are $11.00 per vehicle. Extra persons, walk-ins, and bicycles are $1.00 each. Firewood is $8.00 per bundle/bag. |
| Rules | RV Camping is 22 feet and less. No hook-ups. Tents, trailers to 22 ft; and small motor homes permitted. No boats or swimming is allowed in the lake. Pets must be on a leash. Pack and saddle stock are not permitted in campground or picnic area. Bear boxes must be used. Noisy generators are not allowed. No generators between 10 pm-6am (quiet time). No generators in tent camping areas. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Tucson, Arizona, take Catalina Highway/Arizona Route 39 northeast. The campground is located between mile markers 17 and 18 on the Catalina Highway.
| Nearest town | Mt. Lemmon, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 32.3950° N, 110.6911° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 15.6 mi |
| Outdoor gear | REI ↗ | 18.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Frost RV ↗ | 19 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Rose Canyon Campground Mount Lemmon AZ - Camping in Arizona
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miGreen Mountain4.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miIncinerator Ridge1.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miBrush Corral ↗6.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.8 miBrush Corral Shortcut0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1 miMaverick Springs0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.1 miGuthrie0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Pusch Ridge Wilderness begins about 2.4 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 2.4 miPusch Ridge Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 56,973 acres
- 7.6 miSaguaro Wilderness ↗Wilderness · National Park Service · 70,905 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Lemmon Rock Lookout HouseBuilding · Tucson · 6.4 mi
- Lowell Ranger StationBuilding · Tucson · 9.4 mi
- Charles S. Todd HouseBuilding · Tucson · 11.4 mi
Natural features
The campground sits high on the slopes of the Santa Catalina Mountains, at an elevation of 7,000 feet. Because of its elevation, it can be much cooler than the lower-elevation campgrounds in the area. The campsites are spacious and spread out among stands of large ponderosa pines and clusters of Gambel oak. During the summer rainy season, Rose Creek meanders through the area to the six-acre Rose Canyon Lake at the lower end of the campground. The Coronado National Forest covers 1.78 million acres of southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. Elevations range from 3,000 to 10,720 feet in 12 widely scattered mountain ranges, or "sky islands," that rise dramatically from the desert floor, supporting biologically diverse plant communities.
Recreation
The lake is sheltered by trees and offers a pleasant setting for a walk in the woods, relaxing on the shore or spending an afternoon fishing for stocked trout. A one-mile trail around the lake is convenient for anglers and hikers. The trail is accessible from the lower parking area to a floating dock near a dam. The surrounding national forest boasts a variety of hiking and mountain biking trails, including several that traverse the 9,157-foot Mt. Lemmon.
Nearby
Catalina Highway, also known as General Hitchcock Highway and Sky Island Scenic Byway, is the only paved road that leads to the upper reaches of Mt. Lemmon and the Santa Catalina Range. It is one of the most scenic highways in the southwest and is a popular day trip. Other notable attractions include Saguaro National Park, Sabino Canyon and Colossal Cave.
Guidebooks for Arizona
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Best Backpacking Trips in Utah, Arizona, and New MexicoMike White and Douglas Lorain, 2016Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Rose Canyon?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Rose Canyon?
Group site fees are as follows: up to 50 persons $95; 51-90 persons $130; 91-120 persons $150 per day.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Rose Canyon?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Rose Canyon open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season April to October.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Rose Canyon have?
77 sites, including 24 tent-only sites, 6 RV sites without hookups, 1 group standard area nonelectric, and 1 group picnic area.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Rose Canyon?
Rose Canyon is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Rose Canyon?
Yes, pets are allowed at Rose Canyon. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Rose Canyon?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. RV Camping is 22 feet and less.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Rose Canyon?
Sites Rose Canyon Amphitheater and 1 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Rose Canyon?
The lake is sheltered by trees and offers a pleasant setting for a walk in the woods, relaxing on the shore or spending an afternoon fishing for stocked trout. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Rose Canyon?
Mt. Lemmon, Arizona. Catalina Highway, also known as General Hitchcock Highway and Sky Island Scenic Byway, is the only paved road that leads to the upper reaches of Mt.
Source: Getting there
What if Rose Canyon is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are General Hitchcock Campground (1.2 mi, first-come), Showers Point Group Site (2 mi), and Whitetail Campground (2.7 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby