Calabasas
Calabasas Group Campground is a place for groups of up to 250 people to enjoy scenery and privacy in a remote, natural setting. Weddings, family reunions and other social gatherings are especially popular during winter due to pleasant seasonal temperatures, yet it is open year-round. Calabasas is situated in Coronado National Forest in southern Arizona, home to a variety of ecosystems and recreation opportunities. It is located a short distance off Ruby Road near Peña Blanca Lake, 67 miles south of Tucson and 14 miles northwest of Nogales, Arizona.
More like this: reservable in Arizona · pets allowed in Arizona · group sites in Arizona
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| group standard area nonelectric | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Shade | People / vehicles | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Partial | 250 / 25 | Standard |
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 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Max vehicle length | 22 ft |
| Pets | Allowed |
The camping area can be reserved by one group at a time. Facilities at Calabasas include 14 tables, 12 campfire rings with grills, three pedestal barbecue grills, benches, a parking area and toilets. The site is spread out, so there is enough space to set up additional tables and facilities. There is no drinking water available; visitors must bring their own.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Coronado National Forest |
| Fees | $55 per night - reservable at recreation.gov |
| Rules | RV Camping is 22 feet and less. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Tucson, Arizona, take I-19 south for about 56 miles. Exit onto AZ 289 (Exit 12). Turn right (west) onto AZ Highway 289 (Ruby Road) and continue to the Pe Blanca Recreational Area. From Nogales, Arizona, take I-19 north for about 4.4 miles. Exit onto AZ 289 (Exit 12).
| Nearest town | Nogales, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 31.3850° N, 111.0519° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 13.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 54.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 2.4 miPena Blanca0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 3.4 miBorder ↗8.6 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
This campground sits inside Coronado National Forest.
- inCoronado National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,785,091 acres
- 6.3 miPajarita Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 7,499 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
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
Campsites within the group area are spread out among a stand of oak trees within a shallow, grassy valley. A few well-worn pathways lead to low hilltops in the area where visitors will find good views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. Calabasas sits at an elevation of 4,000 feet. 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 plant communities as biologically diverse as those encountered on a trip from Mexico to Canada.
Recreation
A major attraction at Calabasas Group Site is nearby Peña Blanca Lake. The 45-acre, man-made lake provides birding, boating and fishing opportunities year-round. Anglers can try for rainbow trout, bass, sunfish, crappie and catfish. Groups also enjoy picnicking in the camping area, hiking or mountain biking on area trails or visiting historic sites.
Nearby
Visitors can take an educational day trip to Tumacácori National Historical Park, which protects three Spanish colonial mission ruins, and Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, which preserves the ruins of the oldest Spanish Presidio site in Arizona. The border town, Nogales, is also close by. Tumacácori National Historical Park
Guidebooks for Arizona
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- 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 Calabasas?
Sites at Calabasas are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Calabasas?
$55 per night - reservable at recreation.gov
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Calabasas?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Calabasas open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Calabasas have?
1 site, including 1 group standard area nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Calabasas?
The longest site here provides 22 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Calabasas?
Yes, pets are allowed at Calabasas. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Calabasas?
A major attraction at Calabasas Group Site is nearby Peña Blanca Lake. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Calabasas?
Nogales, Arizona. Visitors can take an educational day trip to Tumacácori National Historical Park, which protects three Spanish colonial mission ruins, and Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, which preserves the ruins of the oldest Spanish Presidio site in Arizona.
Source: Getting there
What if Calabasas is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are White Rock Campground (2.3 mi, first-come), Bog Springs Campground (25.9 mi, first-come), and Rock Bluff Group Site (35.5 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby