Spencer Canyon Campground
This mountain campground is located at the head of a shallow, forested canyon a short distance off the Catalina Highway. Spencer Canyon faces the city of Tucson and the Santa Cruz Valley, both of which are visible as a distant panorama through openings in the forest canopy. Spencer Canyon Campground has 66 sites. Each site has a concrete table, firepit, B-B-Q and bear box for food storage. A beautiful night view of Tucson can be seen from several sites. Spencer is rugged, rustic in layout and close to the hamlet of Summerhaven. Each camping area has clean, stocked vault toilets. Campground hosts live on site. Firewood may be purchased from the hosts.
More like this: first-come in Arizona · tent only in Arizona
Site map
5 campsite locations mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The site numbers are theirs and may not match the posts at the campground. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Fees | Camping fee is $28.00 per night for single sites. No more than 6 people per numbered site, including children and visitors. Double Family site is $44.00. Extra vehicle is $11.00 per night per site. No more than two vehicles per site. Extra persons, walk-ins, and bicycles are $1.00 each. |
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 |
| Forest | Coronado National Forest |
| Booking | Spencer campground is at the highest elevation and has 68 first come first served sites. There are no RV hook-ups available. Fire pits, grills, and tables are available at the sites. |
| Fees | Camping fee is $28.00 per night for single sites. No more than 6 people per numbered site, including children and visitors. Double Family site is $44.00. Extra vehicle is $11.00 per night per site. No more than two vehicles per site. Extra persons, walk-ins, and bicycles are $1.00 each. |
| Rules | No hook-ups. Tents, trailers to 22’, and small motor homes permitted. Pack and saddle stock are not permitted in campground. A large area of nearby Pusch Ridge Wilderness is closed to dogs from January to April for the protection of desert bighorn sheep. |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 32.4186° N, 110.7383° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 13 mi |
| Outdoor gear | REI ↗ | 16.5 mi |
| RV sales & service | Frost RV ↗ | 17.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miBox Camp ↗5.2 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.6 miButterfly ↗4.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miSunset1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.9 miCrystal Spring3.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.2 miAspen3.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.2 miAzt Connector ↗1.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_scenic_or_historic
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 0.4 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 0.4 miPusch Ridge Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 56,973 acres
- 9.4 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
Historic landmarks nearby
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 Spencer Canyon Campground?
No. Spencer Canyon Campground is first-come, first-served. Spencer campground is at the highest elevation and has 68 first come first served sites. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.
Source: Forest Service
How much does it cost to camp at Spencer Canyon Campground?
Camping fee is $28.00 per night for single sites. No more than 6 people per numbered site, including children and visitors. Double Family site is $44.00.
Source: Forest Service
Is Spencer Canyon Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 26, 2026. Season April to October.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Spencer Canyon Campground have?
66 sites.
Source: Forest Service
Can I bring an RV to Spencer Canyon Campground?
Spencer Canyon Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Forest Service
What if Spencer Canyon Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Whitetail Campground (0.6 mi), Showers Point Group Site (1.3 mi), and Rose Canyon (3.2 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby