Camping is a popular activity in the Mt. Lemmon area, which is northeast of Tucson, Arizona. This higher-altitude recreational area offers an escape from the summer heat of the surrounding areas with nearby lake activities. Mt. Lemon links to the Catalina Scenic Byway and hosts several options for tent camping and the use of recreation vehicles.
Rose Canyon Campground offers large camping sites nestled in a pine forest at an elevation of 7,000 feet. This cool escape from the desert heat is a popular lakefront haven for campers that is open between April and October of every year.
Trout fishing on the six-acre Rose Canyon Lake, hiking along wooded trails and extremely comfortable summer temperatures are among the campground's most attractive offerings. Tent camping is available at Rose Canyon, as are trailers less than 22 feet in length and small motor homes. There are no sewer hookups, but bathrooms and drinking water are available.
On the lower mountain slopes sits Molino Basin Campground, a wintertime option for campers in the area. Because of its lower elevation than the other Mt. Lemmon-area camping facilities, it is open in the fall, winter and spring as opposed to the winter closings at most alternate camping areas.
Nestled among rocky hills on desert grassland covered in mesquite trees, this campground feels and looks like you would expect Arizona to be. At 4,500 feet, the temperatures here are mild throughout the cooler parts of the year. The Arizona Trail runs directly through the campground. This trail is a wilderness pathway that cuts from Mexico to Utah.
There is no drinking water and no sewer hookups on this campground. Toilets are available throughout, and black bears and bighorn sheep frequent the area.
Showers Point stands at 7,900 feet in elevation just off the Mt. Lemmon Highway. This campground has spectacular views of Palisade Canyon and the Santa Catalina Range. The elevation makes for cool, comfortable temperatures in the summertime, but the area is closed in the winter. The upper trailhead of the Palisade Trail that leads to Sabino Canyon is located within the campground.
Showers Point contains three group campsites with no hookups. Each site allows five vehicles and no trailers. Up to 20 people can occupy one site. Traveling on the roads near Showers Point may not be possible without four-wheel drive if snow is present.
