Peppersauce
With its picturesque vegetation and dramatic setting at the foot of 9,157' Mt. Lemmon in southeastern Arizona, Peppersauce Campground is an outstanding area for enjoying an afternoon picnic or a weekend campout. This year-round facility is a popular stop among off-road vehicle enthusiasts and families. Hunting, hiking and scenic driving opportunities are nearby. It is located 8 miles from the town of Oracle.
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 · dark sky 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Area | Full | 35 / 10 | 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 |
| Dark sky | 4.8 miles from Oracle State Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
Peppersauce Campground has one reservable group camping area for up to 35 people at a time. The facility is equipped with vault toilets, several tables and benches, a grill, campfire rings and lantern posts. The parking area can hold up to 10 vehicles. First-come, first-served individual campsites are also available. A campground host is available on-site for visitor assistance.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | Year-round |
| Forest | Coronado National Forest |
| Fees | Single site: $15. With Golden Age/Access or Interagency Senior/Access pass $7.50. Group site: $50 plus $10 per vehicle. Payable with cash or check. |
| Rules | RV Camping is 22 feet and less. No RV hook-ups. Trailers are discouraged as the sites are small and there are no pull-throughs. Pack and saddle stock are not permitted in campground or picnic area. Pets must leashed at all times. Please Pack it in, pack it out. Limit of 2 vehicles and 10 persons per site. Campers must occupy site for the first 24 hours. 14-day stay limit per year. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Tucson, drive north on Oracle Road (U.S. Highway 89). Continue for 27 miles to State Highway 77. Turn right (east) and drive 10 miles to the town of Oracle. Take the first Oracle exit and travel 4 miles through the town to Forest Road 38. Follow 38 to Peppersauce Canyon.
| Nearest town | Oracle, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 32.5383° N, 110.7164° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 17.2 mi |
| Outdoor gear | REI ↗ | 22.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Frost RV ↗ | 23.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 3.2 miCody ↗3.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_scenic_or_historic
- 4.3 miCanada del Oro ↗7.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.4 miCatalina Camp1.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.8 miOracle Ridge ↗12.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_scenic_or_historic
- 4.8 miRed Ridge ↗4.7 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 7.5 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 7.5 miPusch Ridge Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 56,973 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
- La Casa del High JinksBuilding · Oracle · 2.6 mi
- American Flag Post Office RanchBuilding · Oracle · 2.9 mi
- Kannally RanchBuilding · Oracle · 5 mi
Natural features
Campsites at Peppersauce are spread throughout a creekside oasis of enormous Arizona sycamore and walnut trees that provide shade in summer and color in autumn. The campground sits at an elevation of 4,700 feet alongside Peppersauce Creek. The creek is normally dry except during heavy rains or the area's summer monsoon season. Campers should be aware that the creek is prone to flash flooding during rain events.
Recreation
The Santa Catalina Mountains are known for their exceptional hiking. Hikers can find access to the Arizona Trail, which runs from Mexico to Utah, about 5 miles from the campground along Forest Road 38. Off-road vehicle trails are also available in the area. A few nearby caves afford visitors the opportunity for caving and spelunking.
Nearby
Visitors can explore several historic, cultural and natural attractions within a day trip, including the University of Arizona's Biosphere 2, the city of Tucson, 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 Peppersauce?
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 Peppersauce?
Single site: $15. With Golden Age/Access or Interagency Senior/Access pass $7.50. Group site: $50 plus $10 per vehicle.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Peppersauce?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Peppersauce open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Year-round.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Peppersauce have?
1 site, including 1 group standard area nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Peppersauce?
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 Peppersauce?
Yes, pets are allowed at Peppersauce. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Peppersauce good for stargazing?
Oracle State Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park, is 4.8 miles away. Skies that dark carry for miles; a moonless night here should show the Milky Way.
Source: DarkSky International
Is there cell service at Peppersauce?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Peppersauce?
The Santa Catalina Mountains are known for their exceptional hiking. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Peppersauce?
Oracle, Arizona. Visitors can explore several historic, cultural and natural attractions within a day trip, including the University of Arizona's Biosphere 2, the city of Tucson, Saguaro National Park, Sabino Canyon and Colossal Cave.
Source: Getting there
What if Peppersauce is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Spencer Canyon Campground (8.4 mi, first-come), Whitetail Campground (8.8 mi), and Showers Point Group Site (9 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby