Whitetail Campground
Whitetail Campground offers group campsites in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains of southeastern Arizona, 5 miles south of the town of Summerhaven and the top of Mt. Lemmon. Groups can enjoy picking, hiking, camping and wildlife watching while enjoying a cool respite from hot summer. The facility can accommodate groups for day or overnight use.
More like this: electric hookups in Arizona · reservable in Arizona · pets allowed in Arizona · group sites in Arizona
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| group standard electric | 5 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 26 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
5 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 26 | Paved | Full | 15 amp | 40 / 8 | Yes | |
| 02 | 26 | Paved | Full | 15 amp | 60 / 12 | Yes | Yes |
| 03 | 26 | Paved | Full | 15 amp | 45 / 8 | Yes | |
| 04 | 26 | Paved | Full | 15 amp | 45 / 9 | Yes | |
| 05 | 26 | Paved | Full | 15 amp | 90 / 16 | 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 | Electric |
| Max vehicle length | 26 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Site 02 is listed accessible |
All five group areas have picnic shelters that can accommodate between 40 to 90 people each and come equipped with drinking water, electricity (small appliances only), trash collection 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 (weather dependent) |
| Forest | Coronado National Forest |
| Fees | Site #1 is $135 a night, with a maximum of 40 people and 8 parking spaces. Site #2 is $151 a night, with a maximum of 60 people and 12 parking spaces. Site #3 is $135 a night, with a maximum of 45 people and 8 parking spaces. |
| Rules | Absolutely NO RVs, generators, etc. may plug into these outlets. Also, groups must pre-plan parking as it is limited. Emergency vehicles must have access to all sites. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Tucson, Arizona, go north on Catalina Highway approximately 30 miles from Tucson until you reach Milepost 20. Turn Left on Whitetail Road.
| Nearest town | Mt. Lemmon, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 32.4119° N, 110.7319° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 13.3 mi |
| Outdoor gear | REI ↗ | 16.5 mi |
| RV sales & service | Frost RV ↗ | 17.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 0.7 miBox Camp ↗5.2 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.8 miPalisade ↗6.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1 miCrystal Spring3.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.1 miBigelow0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.2 miButterfly ↗4.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.2 miKellogg0.5 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 0.5 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 0.5 miPusch Ridge Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 56,973 acres
- 8.9 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 · 3.7 mi
- Lowell Ranger StationBuilding · Tucson · 8.6 mi
- DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Historic DistrictHistoric district · Tucson · 10.9 mi
Natural features
Whitetail Campground sits high on the slopes of the Santa Catalina Mountains at an elevation of 8,000 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 big ponderosa pines 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
Hiking and sightseeing are popular activities. The surrounding national forest boasts a variety of trails, including some on the 9,157-foot Mt. Lemmon, for those who wish to venture away from the campground for the day. The University of Arizona runs an observatory just up the road, and visitors can also drive a few minutes to the small town of Summerhaven, which offers amenities and attractions on Mt. Lemmon's summit. Anglers can try for stocked trout at nearby Rose Canyon Lake.
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, offering a scenic 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 Whitetail Campground?
Sites at Whitetail Campground 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 Whitetail Campground?
Site #1 is $135 a night, with a maximum of 40 people and 8 parking spaces. Site #2 is $151 a night, with a maximum of 60 people and 12 parking spaces. Site #3 is $135 a night, with a maximum of 45 people and 8 parking spaces.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Whitetail Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Whitetail Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season April to October (weather dependent).
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Whitetail Campground have?
5 sites, including 5 group standard electric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Whitetail Campground?
The longest site here provides 26 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
Does Whitetail Campground have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Whitetail Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Whitetail Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Whitetail Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Absolutely NO RVs, generators, etc.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Whitetail Campground?
Site 02 is 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
Is there cell service at Whitetail Campground?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Whitetail Campground?
Hiking and sightseeing are popular activities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation