Gilbert Ray Campground
Tucson Mountain Park
Write a Review 8451 W. McCain Loop Rd. Tucson, AZ 85735 520-403-8116 520-724-5000 Official WebsiteGPS: 32.2208, -111.1444
Overview of Gilbert Ray Campground
Weight restrictions apply to Gates Pass Rd. Long rigs should enter Tucson Mountain Park from Ajo Highway to Kinney Rd.
Generators are not permitted. Dogs are not allowed in Tucson Mountain Park, however, they are allowed in the campground.
Last Price Paid: $30
Reported by Digger on 4/22/2024
Longest RV Reported: 40 feet (Class A)
Reported by Geardowntravels on 1/12/2022
Number of Sites 130
Pad Type gravel
Reservations yes
Elevation 2,624 ft / 799 m
Max Stay 7
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Gilbert Ray Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 520-403-8116
Kkenney asked on 2/14/2023
Are the site lengths listed on-line accurate? Looking at a site that is 28’ long, but we are 31.5’. Class C.
TwoChihuahuasTraveling asked on 2/6/2023
Are the skies pretty dark? Yes,I know that they're pretty, but, we'd love to see the stars! Thanks!
Ledhead asked on 1/2/2022
From what I'm seeing, I take it there are no sewer hookups at the sites?
nygirly asked on 2/11/2021
Does Gilbert Ray Campground have standard plug 15 amp electric service at the campsites?
Reviews of Gilbert Ray Campground 154 people have reviewed this location.
“Beautiful Desert Campground”
Reviewed 10/28/2020
Nightly rate: | $20 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 33A |
RV Length: | 30' (Fifth Wheel) |
Very large park. Spaces are nice and secluded. Pretty busy but had our pick. Arrived around 1:00. Slight road noise but listened to a pack of Coyotes howling very close by. Heard some ground birds clucking. Pretty sunset coming up. Not easy to find. Check local routes before going
dnay would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Perfect in every way, close to Tucson and Saguaro NP”
Reviewed 10/26/2020
Nightly rate: | $20 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | A1 |
RV Length: | 26' |
Love this campground! I’ve heard it’s crowded from January-April, but in October it’s blissfully quiet and you have your pick of a multitude of spaces, all with electric. Potable water is available as well as a dump station. Self-register until December or so. Saguaro National Park is just a few miles down the road, and Tucson is just... more
Love this campground! I’ve heard it’s crowded from January-April, but in October it’s blissfully quiet and you have your pick of a multitude of spaces, all with electric. Potable water is available as well as a dump station. Self-register until December or so. Saguaro National Park is just a few miles down the road, and Tucson is just down the mountain, although lots of places in Tucson are not fully open due to Covid. A wonderful spot to relax and get away from it all.
MommaP would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful surroundings ”
Reviewed 8/16/2020
I’ve camped here a few times. In the winter the park is completely full and -no surprise - in summer it’s completely empty. It’s always beautiful. Sites have electric and picnic tables. Water spigots are shared between sites. Some tent sites don’t have electric. The surrounding desert is gorgeous. There are many hikes in the area, you ... more
I’ve camped here a few times. In the winter the park is completely full and -no surprise - in summer it’s completely empty. It’s always beautiful. Sites have electric and picnic tables. Water spigots are shared between sites. Some tent sites don’t have electric. The surrounding desert is gorgeous. There are many hikes in the area, you really can’t go wrong. I think 2020 was the first year they started taking reservations. So be sure to check in advance if you plan to come in the busy months.
I get decent cell service here. Some road noise from yahoos at times. The first time I stayed we were treated to gunshots at road signs during the night. Otherwise it’s quiet and lovely.
shoshannah would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Hidden Little Gem”
Reviewed 6/10/2020
Nightly rate: | $20 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 25c |
If you want to see Saguaro cactus and pay a small fee this is your spot. Great campground. All sites have power and there are water hydrants every so often through out campground to fill your trailer. Or fill your reserve portable tank to fill your trailer. Five minutes from West Saguaro National Park. The do not have showers or they... more
If you want to see Saguaro cactus and pay a small fee this is your spot. Great campground. All sites have power and there are water hydrants every so often through out campground to fill your trailer. Or fill your reserve portable tank to fill your trailer. Five minutes from West Saguaro National Park. The do not have showers or they would have gotten a 5th star. It is a pay by envelope campground in the summer, so bring your check book or cash. Close to Tuscon as well.
RabbitDaddy would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great camping amongst the Saguaros!”
Reviewed 6/9/2020
Nightly rate: | $20 |
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Days stayed: | 4 |
Site Number: | A23 |
RV Length: | 27' (Travel Trailer) |
Campground Tuesday... Gilbert Ray Campground is less than 30 minutes from Downtown Tucson and is the closest you will get to the Saguaro National Park West. The Red Hills Visitor Center is only 10 minutes away. Also nearby is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and the Old Tucson movie set. The rate for RVs is $20 per night for electric h... more
Campground Tuesday... Gilbert Ray Campground is less than 30 minutes from Downtown Tucson and is the closest you will get to the Saguaro National Park West. The Red Hills Visitor Center is only 10 minutes away. Also nearby is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and the Old Tucson movie set. The rate for RVs is $20 per night for electric hookups only. There are water spigots located throughout the camping areas. Restrooms and dump station are both onsite, but no showers. Max stay of 7 days. Last year it was first come first serve, but it looks like starting in 2020 you can now make non-refundable reservations. The underbrush takes over some of the sites. And we read ahead of time that there are a lot of mice out there, and you will see people leaving their vehicle hoods open over night and under lighting. But camping amongst the Saguaros was worth stringing up a few lights. We arrived late and grabbed the first site we thought was spacious, then the next day when we were walking we stumbled across Site A1 (see photos) which was huge. We did notice the reservation flags on the posts were outdated. So don't assume a piece of paper means it is reserved, check the dates.
gonenomad would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Very quiet and beautiful ”
Reviewed 4/26/2020
Nightly rate: | $20 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 20 |
We had the best site, right next to the big saguaro! Campsite is 10% occupied this time a year and spots are on first come first serve basis. There was a dump. Water hookups And electricity is at campsites. We had a really great time here.
Tats would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Wonderful location, quiet, stunning views.”
Reviewed 4/8/2020
Nightly rate: | $22 |
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Days stayed: | 4 |
Site Number: | 11 |
Camped in a 35” motorhome. We are self-contained so cannot comment on restrooms/shower facilities. Electric only sites. Water fill and Dump station on site. Site #11. We love this campground – will return. Pros – - Super close to the Desert Museum (a must see) and Saguaro West Nat’l Park. - Friendly workers in the office.... more
Camped in a 35” motorhome. We are self-contained so cannot comment on restrooms/shower facilities. Electric only sites. Water fill and Dump station on site. Site #11. We love this campground – will return.
Pros –
- Super close to the Desert Museum (a must see) and Saguaro West Nat’l Park.
- Friendly workers in the office.
- Beautiful views of the cactus landscape and mountains.
Cons –
- Can only stay a week due to the number of people that want to stay here during high season.
- Tough to get an on-line reservation. First year for reservations – was previously 100% FCFS. They are still working out the bugs.
Gina would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful park but a bit crowded in February”
Reviewed 3/1/2020
Nightly rate: | $20 |
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Days stayed: | 6 |
Site Number: | C14 |
RV Length: | 26' (Travel Trailer) |
Stayed here 2/17/20 to 2/23/20. Some friends had made reservations here and I was really happy to find that I was able to grab a site right across from them only a week or two in advance. Apparently they just started taking reservations, and it seems like they fill up pretty quickly. I was in the C loop, in one of the interior sites (#... more
Stayed here 2/17/20 to 2/23/20. Some friends had made reservations here and I was really happy to find that I was able to grab a site right across from them only a week or two in advance. Apparently they just started taking reservations, and it seems like they fill up pretty quickly. I was in the C loop, in one of the interior sites (#14) and the site was pretty small. I think it was 35' and my trailer is 29' with the hitch, so getting both my truck and trailer into the site took some creative parking. Overall there were a lot of people here and it felt pretty tight to me, but the sites had a ton of vegetation between them so it never felt like you were looking right in on your neighbors.
Apparently the pack rats are an issue out here, so definitely make sure you bring some rope lights when you come. Almost every person here put lights under their rig and their truck, and also opened the hood on their truck at night. I just used some old christmas lights I had and opened the hood and never had an issue.
The campground has great access to the National Park and the desert museum, as well as a bunch of great trails within the park itself. Trips into Tucson usually seemed to take about 20-30 minutes depending on traffic.
Blake would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great location and nice campground”
Reviewed 2/29/2020
Nightly rate: | $20 |
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Days stayed: | 4 |
Site Number: | A65 |
RV Length: | 29' (Fifth Wheel) |
The reservation process is a mess, don’t leave a voicemail because you will not get a return call. We were told at check in that they were only dealing with the walk ins at this point in time. Make your reservation far in advance. The campground is nice with electric sites. Great location for exploring the area.
Shellywinz would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“We’ll Be Back!”
Reviewed 2/26/2020
Nightly rate: | $20 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | A9 |
RV Length: | 29' (Travel Trailer) |
Great campground. Friendly staff. Adjacent to Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park - so endless hiking options. Very quiet. We lived this place. AT&T delivered 4 bars of 5g lte.
ChuckGrothaus would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Amenities
Hookups
- 30 Amp
- Partial Hookups
Recreation
- picnic area
- recreation trail
Site Amenities
- big rig
- picnic table
- pull thru
Facilities
- dump station
- ADA Accessible
- recycle
- restrooms: flush
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
Nearby
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