Reef Townsite Group Area
This high-mountain group campground and day use area is located on a site that was once occupied by the old mining town of Reef. Many relics of Reef's mining history, including the remains of the town's old water system, are still visible in and around the campground. Groups of up to 50 people can enjoy walking an interpretive history trail, hiking, horseback riding and watching wildlife in this cool mountain setting.
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 | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Full | 50 / 10 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Reef Townsite can accommodate one group of up to 50 people at a time. Facilities include a picnic shelter that contains six picnic tables, two large group barbecue grills and two food preparation tables, as well as toilets, a parking area and a large shaded area for tents.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | Spring to Winter |
| Forest | Coronado National Forest |
| Booking | Single sites are first-come, first-served. Reservations are not accepted. |
| Fees | Single site: $15. With Golden Age/Access or Interagency Senior/Access pass $7.50. Payable with cash or check. |
| Rules | Trailers limited to 12 feet and less. Longer trailers and motor homes cannot negotiate the switchbacks on Carr Canyon Road. No utility hookups. Pets need to beon a leash at all times. Pack and saddle stock are not permitted in campground or picnic area. Properly licensed motorbikes may be used only for entering or leaving campgrounds. Limit 2 vehicles and 10 persons per site. 14 day stay limit. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Tucson, Arizona, drive east on I-10 to exit 302 to State Route 90. Drive south 25 miles through Sierra Vista. Proceed 8 miles south of Sierra Vista on State Route 92 and turn west onto Carr Canyon Road/Forest Road 368.
| Nearest town | Hereford, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 31.4292° N, 110.2906° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 28.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
- 10.7 miHereford Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miReef Townsite Loop0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miOld Sawmill Spring0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miHang Glider0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.8 miCarr Peak3.4 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.8 miComfort Spring2.3 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.8 miRamsey Vista Link0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.1 miOld Sawmill Spring #126 Trailhead ↗Coronado National Forest
- 1.2 miMiller Canyon #106 (Upper) Trailhead ↗Coronado National Forest · Season Year-round
- 1.4 miCarr Canyon Perimeter Trailhead ↗Coronado National Forest · Season Year-round
- 1.9 miMiller Canyon Perimeter Trailhead ↗Coronado National Forest
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 Miller Peak Wilderness.
- inMiller Peak Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 20,251 acres
- 12.4 miSan Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area ↗Riparian National Conservation Area · Bureau of Land Management · 61,493 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
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
This site rests on the "Reef" rock formations in the in the Huachuca Mountains. At an elevation of 7,200 feet, it provides a cool respite from the heat of surrounding lower deserts in summer. 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
Reef Townsite Loop Trail, an interpretive trail that highlights the mining history of this area and showcases beautiful views, begins and ends at the northeastern edge of the campground. The national forest has a variety of hiking and mountain biking trails for those who wish to leave the facility for a day trip.
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 Reef Townsite Group Area?
Sites at Reef Townsite Group Area are reservable on Recreation.gov. Single sites are first-come, first-served. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Reef Townsite Group Area?
Single site: $15. With Golden Age/Access or Interagency Senior/Access pass $7.50. Payable with cash or check.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Reef Townsite Group Area open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Spring to Winter.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Reef Townsite Group Area have?
1 site, including 1 group standard area nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Reef Townsite Group Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Reef Townsite Group Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Reef Townsite Group Area?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Trailers limited to 12 feet and less.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Reef Townsite Group Area?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 4G LTE, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Reef Townsite Group Area?
Reef Townsite Loop Trail, an interpretive trail that highlights the mining history of this area and showcases beautiful views, begins and ends at the northeastern edge of the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Reef Townsite Group Area?
Hereford, Arizona.
Source: Getting there
What if Reef Townsite Group Area is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Ramsey Vista Campground (0.8 mi, first-come), Lakeview Campground (9.5 mi, first-come), and Rock Bluff Group Site (9.6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby