Airstrip Group Campsite
Las Cienegas National Conservation Area
Write a Review East Empire Ranch Rd. Vail, AZ 85641 520-258-7200 Official WebsiteGPS: 31.7914, -110.63
Overview of Airstrip Group Campsite
This is a group camping location. This group site can accommodate up to 150 people or 30 vehicles with horse trailers or recreational vehicles. A Special Recreation Permit is required to camp here. More information on this permit can be obtained by calling (520) 258-7200.
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads.
Learn more: Boondocking 101
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by LivingOurDreamNow on 6/2/2022
Longest RV Reported: 36 feet (Fifth Wheel)
Reported by LivingOurDreamNow on 6/2/2022
Pad Type dirt
Elevation 4,527 ft / 1,379 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Featured Video by The Wandering Shores
Q&A - Ask the Community about Airstrip Group Campsite
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 520-258-7200
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Reviews of Airstrip Group Campsite 4 people have reviewed this location.
“Awesome Boondocking within an Hour of Tucson”
Reviewed 6/2/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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RV Length: | 36' (Fifth Wheel) |
We found free camping at the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, Airstrip Campsites in AZ. In this video, we take you to the airstrip free camping area within the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area in Arizona. The campsites at this BLM free camping area are big rig friendly. Verizon cellular service clocked in at 34.4 Mbps... more
We found free camping at the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, Airstrip Campsites in AZ. In this video, we take you to the airstrip free camping area within the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area in Arizona. The campsites at this BLM free camping area are big rig friendly. Verizon cellular service clocked in at 34.4 Mbps download speed and 2.92 Mbps upload speed. AT&T cellular service clocked in at 9.78 Mbps download speed and 3.91 Mbps upload speed. T-Mobile cellular service clocked in at 0.13 Mbps download speed and 0.23 Mbps upload speed. Grid coordinates for this free camping location are as follows: 31.789519, -110.632493
LivingOurDreamNow would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Seemed nice”
Reviewed 2/8/2019
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 0 |
Site Number: | 0 |
RV Length: | 23' (Bus) |
But all sites were full. Would consider it again in the future. But it Way be too popular.
Lilmsnomad would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Peaceful, Remote, Big Rig Friendly & Perfect!”
Reviewed 12/9/2018
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 14 |
RV Length: | 36' |
What an incredible location! We arrived after dark and were a little concerned about getting up to the group area not knowing what to expect. The group area is roughly 3 miles from the highway with a third of that being dirt road. You never know what you're getting into on dirt roads, and heading down an unfamiliar one at night is less... more
What an incredible location! We arrived after dark and were a little concerned about getting up to the group area not knowing what to expect. The group area is roughly 3 miles from the highway with a third of that being dirt road. You never know what you're getting into on dirt roads, and heading down an unfamiliar one at night is less than ideal.
Turns out the road is fantastic as far as BLM dirt roads go. We are traveling with three Class A RVs in our group. A 33 foot, a 35 foot and a 36 foot. Two are towing and none of us had any issues getting to the group area. There was a little washboard here and there but nothing to extreme. We've been on significantly worse roads and consider this an ideal dirt road for RVs this size all things considered.
There are a couple of areas you can camp in the group area. We chose a large one that has trees with room for probably 5 or 6 RVs. It's right at the top of the hill just 3 minutes (driving) from the historic Emerald Ranch (a joint venture between a non profit and BLM). This is where we found the best cell service of all the areas in this BLM managed piece of land. We have Verizon and AT&T. Verizon had two bars LTE that went to 3 bars LTE boosted. AT&T was 2 bars 4G that went to two bars LTE boosted.
Another advantage of the group area vs the non group area a little to the south is that up in the group area you are elevated giving you 360 degree views of the horizon. Stunning sunrises and sunsets!
There are two very clean pit toilets up here but no place to dump garbage. Keep that in mind is that you definitely have to pack in, pack out up here. No services at all.
There is a dollar store and a little gas station/mercantile about 7 miles away, which is convenient. You're roughly 50 minutes from Tucson, 50 minutes from Tombstone and 50 minutes from Sierra Vista. Just far enough to be "away" from it all with it all within a short drive if you want/need it.
Don't bother with that noisy BLM spot in Tucson. Come out here and enjoy nature at its finest. Highly recommend.
EPIC Nomad TV would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“GROUP CAMP ONLY”
noted 12/14/2023
This is only for groups not for individuals, it is still a nice location but be sure to reserve in advance with a group of your friends.
“Great Spot but IMPORTANT UPDATE about Air Strip and Maternity Well Group Sites”
noted 4/23/2023
We just got finished (April 2023) our stay of 14 days over at Cieneguita Campground and while there had a chance to talk to the ranger. We were informed that both the Air Strip and Maternity Well camping process is going to be newly enforced. To stay in those areas you must be with a group (size requirements listed below) as well as have a permit. We found the gate to the airstrip locked (and no one inside) when we arrived. They are still in the process of placing a fence around Maternity Well but once they do that same requirement will be imposed. She indicated that if you camp in those areas and are not part of an organized group with a permit you will be asked to leave.
We also did a video review that we posted on the video tab of this location.
There are multiple camping areas here
Cieneguita Campground (7 designated very large camping spots)
Airstrip Group Camp (permit required minimum of 50 people required)
Oak Tree Canyon Camp (directly next to Airstrip, approx 8 medium spots)
Maternity Well Group Camp (permit required minimum of 29 people required)
GPS Coordinates for NCA
31.768716,-110.682699
Cell/Internet Speeds
Verizon 35 mbps down and 3 mbps upload speed.
T-Mobile 3 mbps down and under 1 mbps upload speed.
Starlink- little to no obstructions, Residential with Roaming 50-190 mbps down and 10-20 mbps up.
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Recreation
- recreation trail
Facilities
- group campground
- restrooms: vault
Pets
- pets
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