Facilities

Club House

Laundry Room

Swimming Pool

Hot Tub

Fitness Center

Game Room

Rec Hall

Pavilion

Exercise Room

Restroom/Shower

Restroom Only

Shower Only

Restaurant

Groceries

RV Supplies

ATM Machine

WiFi

Dog Park

Cocktail Lounge

Dog Washing Station

Pit Toilet

Snack Bar

Play Ground

Sites

Water

20 Amp

30 Amp

50 Amp

Sewer

Cable TV

Services

Escort to Site

Self-Service RV Wash

Metered LP Gas

Firewood

Fishing Supplies

Pet Supplies

Onsite Rentals

Worship Services

Golf Carts

Fishing Guides

Onsite RV Service

Staffed RV Wash

Fishing Licenses

Complimentary Breakfast

Recreational activities in or near the park

Recreational Activities

Archery Range

ATV Riding

Biking

Boating

Body Of Water

Casino

Climbing

Dock

Driving Range

Fishing

Golf

Heated Pool

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Horseshoes

Kayaking

Lawn Bowling

Mini Golf

Paddle Boats

Pickle Ball

Putting Green

Ramp

Sauna

Shuffleboard

Snow Sports

Splash Pad

Swimming

Tennis

Wading Pool

Water Slide

Water Sports

Water Umbrella

Whitewater Rafting

Policies

RV Age Restrictions

Pets Welcome

Pet Restrictions

Pet Restriction on Quantity

Pet Restriction on Breed

Pet Restriction on Size

No Pets

Tent Camping Allowed

Folding Tent Campers Allowed

No Tents

No Overnight Guests

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Rose Canyon Campground offers a refreshing high-altitude escape within the <strong>Coronado National Forest</strong>. Located just a short drive from the desert floor of Tucson, this destination transforms the landscape from saguaro cacti to towering <strong>Ponderosa pines</strong>. It provides a tranquil atmosphere where the scent of evergreen fills the air, offering a stark contrast to the urban bustle. This is a rustic forest service site designed for those who appreciate a quiet, natural setting under a broad canopy of trees.</p><h2>Location & Surroundings</h2><p>Situated along the famous <strong>Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway</strong>, the drive to the park is one of the most beautiful in Arizona. As you ascend the Santa Catalina Mountains, the temperature drops significantly, making it a popular summer refuge. The campground is centered around the six-acre <strong>Rose Canyon Lake</strong>, a rare alpine water feature in the region. The surrounding terrain is rugged and mountainous, offering stunning vistas of the rocky canyons and the distant valley floor below.</p><h2>Amenities & Park Features</h2><p>This is a traditional forest campground, meaning it specializes in a rustic experience without <strong>utility hookups</strong>. Most sites feature a paved parking spur, a heavy-duty picnic table, and a <strong>fire ring with a grill</strong>. While there are no showers or electricity, visitors have access to vault toilets and seasonal potable water stations. The campground is well-spaced to provide a sense of privacy, allowing the sounds of the wind through the pines to remain the primary soundtrack of your stay.</p><h2>Nearby Attractions & Things to Do</h2><p>Outdoor recreation is the main draw here, starting with <strong>trout fishing</strong> at the nearby lake. Hikers can explore several nearby trailheads that wind through the mountains, offering varying levels of difficulty and spectacular views. A short drive further up the mountain leads to the charming town of <strong>Summerhaven</strong>, where travelers can enjoy local dining and gift shops. For those interested in science, the Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter provides world-class stargazing opportunities just a few miles away.</p><h2>Who This Park Is Best For</h2><p>Rose Canyon is ideal for <strong>dry campers</strong> and small-to-mid-sized RV owners who prioritize nature over resort-style luxuries. Because of the winding mountain roads and site lengths, it is best suited for those in <strong>camper vans or smaller trailers</strong>. It is a perfect match for outdoor enthusiasts looking to fish, hike, or simply escape the intense desert heat of the Tucson valley for a weekend in the cool, crisp mountain air.</p>



Coronado Rose Canyon is a scenic canyon located in Tucson, Arizona. The canyon is part of the Coronado National Forest and is a popular destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and nature lovers. The canyon is filled with a variety of wildlife, including deer, javelina, and coyotes. The canyon is also home to a variety of plants, including saguaro cacti, ocotillo, and palo verde trees. The canyon is a great place to explore and enjoy the beauty of the Sonoran Desert.

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Coronado/Rose Canyon

Escape to Rose Canyon Campground in Tucson, AZ. Enjoy cool mountain air, fishing at Rose Canyon Lake, and rustic RV sites in the Coronado National Forest.

Rose Canyon Campground Tucson AZ | RVing in Coronado NF

Looks like a nice CG though closed when I visited in early March.

Pleasant woman will explain everything. 11 dol per car day pass, no swimming lake. BBQ and fishing. Unfortunately very small amount of parking lots, so better to come first.

Nice place to go when the heat is on in Tucson... Bring a fishing pole and ya might get lucky 😉

Awesome experience.  The camp hosts Mark and Nancy were super helpful and kind.  Mark let me have the rest of his green bottle of propane, as I forgot to pack.  Always a hoot up on the Lemmon!

I love Rose Canyon Lake I Campground.  The staff are nice and informative. The lake is calm & peaceful

We had a great time. The walk was nice going down. Had to take a break or two on the way up. Our 7 year old managed with little complaints. Between 3 of us, we caught 8 trout. They started biting after 1pm.

It's a nice little lake to get away on a hot summer day. As in all things in life, it's much smaller than I remember as a child. Additionally, if you don't have a permit for a camping spot or a picnic table or Ramada, there really isn't any place to picnic directly around the lake -- especially since every free spot will be taken by a fisherman. You can climb up on the sides which are steep and spread a blanket around, but there are no tables around the lake. Despite the fact that it is in the national Forest and you might have a park pass, there is a separate entry fee for this lake and camping ground. There are bathrooms at the parking lot above the lake.

Now, I've listed a few negatives if you want to picnic and didn't reserve one of the tables, which are quite a bit further away from the lake, but don't let that dissuade you from coming. It's a lovely escape. If you go on the right side of the lake, it's full of fishermen so there's no chance of sitting by the lake. You'll have to climb up on rocky, loose soil where it's flatter and you can sit. On the left side, The trail is higher up from the shore, so there are fewer fishermen and there are spots where you can picnic closer to the lake. Additionally, there are easier climbs on better soil (it's forested) where you can go to the top of the hill to the east and have a great lookout point.

Didn't know this cute little lake was here, paid a small fee to enter (so bring cash). When we got to the parking area of the lake, there was a mini scenic walk. Handicap parking is closer down by the lake, so space for handicapis limited. Just be careful for people walking on the narrow road to and from the lake. It was a beautiful experience, and I plan on going back with my kids. I believe kids 10yo and under fish free.

Hiked to the lake from campground and had a picnic lunch in the group area. This is a fishing lake only. It is a beautiful area on Mount Lemmon. There were several people catching fish. All facilities were clean and rangers on site. Trails well maintained. Great scenery.

It’s a nice place, the parking is small not to many cars allowed and when you parking you have to walk down the lake (3min) but it’s really beautiful there. During the summer it gets full pretty quick so we wait until evening to enter. You can fishing but not swimming or boat are allowed.

I love the hosts, Victoria and Shane. They keep the restrooms clean, the sites spotless, and are a wealth of knowledge  about wildlife. I like that they are not timid about asking people to keep the the noise down after 10 pm. Finally hosts  who do a great job!

Reviews

Coronado/Rose Canyon

User Reviews