Stockton Pass Campground

After we had to change our weekend plans to camp at Chiricahua National Monument due to a wildfire in the area (The Pinery Fire), we looked for an alternate spot. Stockton Pass Campground is about the same distance north of Willcox, AZ as Chiricahua is south, and at about the same elevation. We decided to give it a try.

We camped there for three nights in our 26' classic GMC class-A motorhome (actually just outside of the "campground" in a clear area). The campground it's self is geared more toward tent camping, although there are a few spots to park a small RV or trailer there. It is equipped with tables, fire rings, and a pit toilet, along with a couple rows of trash cans. The Shake trail leaves from the campground and continues into the Pinaleno mountains and is about 5.1 miles long with an elevation gain of 3,000+ feet. We hiked almost halfway up and enjoyed some beautiful scenery.

In the middle of May, the temps were in the low 50s at night and the mid 80s in the afternoon. We parked near a nice Juniper tree that provided afternoon shade, but allowed plenty of sun on our solar panels most of the day. There was one other person at the campground the first night, no one but us the second night, then a well behaved group the third night, but we were far enough away that we barely noticed they were there.

Overall it was a great weekend get away from Tucson and was very isolated, quiet and dark at night. The location is fairly close to Willcox and Safford, AZ and has plenty of opportunities for daytime activities. Cell service (Verizon) was sketchy even with a signal booster, which allowed us to really get away from it all.

Only one RV the first night and I had the place to myself the next evening. It was winter but tent camping was great and a nice trail leaves right from the campground and heads up the mountain.

I arrived at night, but finding the actual campground was a bit tricky. I need GPS as I don't recall that the entrance was marked.