Stockton Pass
Named after "Old Man Stockton," a rancher who settled in this area in the 1870s, Stockton Campground lies off the beaten path in the high desert of the Pinaleño Mountains in southeastern Arizona. Groups of up to 30 people can come here to camp and enjoy hiking, picnicking and wildlife viewing. The facility is located on a beautiful scenic drive with panoramic views of the mountains.
The group site takes reservations. Single sites are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Arizona · reservable in Arizona · big rigs 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton Pass | Partial | 110 / 20 | Yes | 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 12:00 PM.
The site record lists 110 people. The campground description says up to 30 people.
Amenities & rules
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | This site has a $25 per night fee and a $5 per vehicle per night fee. Your check-out through recreation.gov will only include the Nightly/Daily rate. You must pay the per vehicle fee by cash or check upon arrival at the designated Fee Station. |
Stockton Pass has one group camping area that can be reserved by a single group of up to 30 people at a time. Amenities include vault toilets, several picnic tables, pedestal grills and campfire rings with grills. Bear-proof trash cans are provided to keep visitors and wildlife safe. Several first-come, first-served individual sites are located nearby (must pay separately). Dead-and-downed firewood may be collected in and around the campsite.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | Year-round |
| Forest | Coronado National Forest |
| Booking | Single sites are first-come, first-served. Reservations are not accepted. Reserve the Stockton Pass Campground group site on www.recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Single site: $15. With Golden Age/Access or Interagency Senior/Access pass $7.50. Double site: $30. Group site: $25 plus $5 per vehicle. Payable with cash or check. |
| Rules | Vehicle restrictions: Trailer camping is 22 feet and less. Camping restrictions: Pack and saddle stock are not permitted in campground. 14 day stay limit. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Safford, Arizona: Take State Route 191 south for 17 miles. Turn right onto State Route 266 and continue 12 miles to the Stockton Pass Campground (MM 116.5) on the right. The campground is past the second cattle guard. From Tucson, Arizona: Take I-10 East for 90 miles. Take exit 352 for State Route 191, and turn left toward Safford.
| Nearest town | Safford, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 32.5917° N, 109.8494° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Gila Outdoor ↗ | 18.5 mi |
| RV sales & service | Trek RV ↗ | 18.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miShake3.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.6 miBear Canyon ↗7.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.8 miLadybug ↗5.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.8 miDutch Henry Canyon ↗5.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.4 miTurkey Flat0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.1 miHeliograph0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 2.6 miLadybug Trailhead ↗Coronado National Forest · Season Year-round
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Heliograph Lookout ComplexStructure · Old Columbine · 4 mi
- Bonita StoreBuilding · Bonita · 7 mi
- Columbine Work StationBuilding · Safford · 8.6 mi
Natural features
This site encompasses an area of beautiful desert grassland mixed with oak woodlands. Many species of birds and wildlife live in the area, including deer, black bear and mountain lions. Stockton Pass serves as a route over the Pinaleño Mountains into Sulphur Springs Valley. The campground is located at the apex of the pass and offers good views of the south slopes of some of the mountain range's highest peaks, as well as views of surrounding valleys and mountains. With an elevation of 5,600 feet, temperatures are cooler than the surrounding low deserts in summer but still allow for camping in fall and winter. 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
A leisurely drive on SR 266 reveals large cattle ranges, rugged mountain ranges, and broad grasslands dotted with desert plants, a true southwestern experience. The Pass is open year-round, though summer can bring soaring temperatures and muddy rainstorms. The area offers excellent hiking, and trails are easily accessed from the campground. The Shake Trail #309 winds through the high desert landscape and begins a climb that continues to the Swift Trail, high in the Pinaleño Mountains. The campground’s setting is also inviting for an afternoon picnic, with tables set in a desert grassland with the occasional oak, manzanita tree, or cactus.
Nearby
SR 266 West will take you out to the Galiuro Wilderness area, equipped with a variety of additional trails, including the West Divide Trail #289/Powers Garden Trail #96, which will bring you to the Power’s Family Cabin. The Power’s family were pioneers that farmed, ranged and mined in the Rattlesnake Canyon in the early 1900s until three members of the family were involved in a gunfight with law officers on a gold claim they were working. Two of the members escaped, at the time becoming the object of one of the longest manhunts in Arizona’s history. SR 266 East will bring you back to SR 191, where you could continue heading north to reach the town of Safford (approximately a 1 hour drive from the Stockton Pass campground). Safford is home to our Ranger Station, where you can go to find information about trails, camping, hunting and fishing, and other questions you may have about our district (open Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm).
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 Stockton Pass?
For some sites. The group site takes reservations. Single sites are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Stockton Pass?
This site has a $25 per night fee and a $5 per vehicle per night fee. Your check-out through recreation.gov will only include the Nightly/Daily rate. You must pay the per vehicle fee by cash or check upon arrival at the designated Fee Station.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Stockton Pass?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Stockton Pass open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Year-round.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Stockton Pass have?
1 site, including 1 group standard area nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Stockton Pass?
The longest site here provides 40 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 Stockton Pass?
Yes, pets are allowed at Stockton Pass. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Stockton Pass?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Vehicle restrictions: Trailer camping is 22 feet and less.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Stockton Pass?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 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 Stockton Pass?
A leisurely drive on SR 266 reveals large cattle ranges, rugged mountain ranges, and broad grasslands dotted with desert plants, a true southwestern experience. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Stockton Pass?
Safford, Arizona. SR 266 West will take you out to the Galiuro Wilderness area, equipped with a variety of additional trails, including the West Divide Trail #289/Powers Garden Trail #96, which will bring you to the Power’s Family Cabin.
Source: Getting there
What if Stockton Pass is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Lower Twilight Group Site (3.9 mi), Upper Twilight Group Site (3.9 mi), and Snow Flat Dispersed Camping Area (3.9 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby