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Gilbert Ray (Pima County Park)
Overview
Overview
Gilbert Ray Campground is a premier municipal RV park located within the rugged beauty of the Tucson Mountains. Managed by Pima County, this park offers a unique opportunity to stay surrounded by a massive saguaro forest rather than a standard commercial layout. It provides a quiet, desert-focused experience that prioritizes the natural landscape, making it a favorite for those who value peace and authentic scenery over high-density resort amenities.
Location & Surroundings
Situated on the western edge of Tucson, Arizona, the park serves as a gateway to the Sonoran Desert. Guests are positioned directly adjacent to Tucson Mountain Park, which features sweeping vistas and dramatic sunsets. While the setting feels remote and wild, it remains just a short drive from the city center, allowing travelers to transition easily from secluded desert hiking trails to urban dining and cultural experiences without a long commute.
Amenities & Park Features
The campground accommodates a variety of rigs, featuring over 100 sites equipped with electric hookups and water. While there are no sewer connections at individual sites, a convenient dump station is available on-site for guest use. The facility includes clean restrooms and showers, picnic tables, and ample space between sites. The environment is notably big-rig friendly, ensuring that larger motorhomes and fifth wheels can navigate the loops and park comfortably under the desert stars.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The park is perfectly positioned for outdoor enthusiasts. You can spend your mornings exploring the neighboring Saguaro National Park West, which is famous for its dense cactus forests and extensive trail systems. Additionally, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is located just a few miles away, offering an immersive look at local wildlife and botanical gardens. These attractions make it an ideal base camp for hikers, birdwatchers, and photography lovers looking to capture the unique desert light.
Who This Park Is Best For
Gilbert Ray is best suited for nature-loving RVers who prefer an authentic, quiet desert atmosphere. If you enjoy boondocking-style privacy combined with essential utility connections, this location is perfect for you. It appeals specifically to travelers seeking a low-key environment, retirees looking for a seasonal escape, and adventurers who want to wake up steps away from some of the best hiking trails in Southern Arizona.
Features & Amenities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
Reviews
Fabmumof2
Great campground right in The Tucson Mountain park and a few minutes drive from the Saguaro NP west. So many saguaros at this park you almost feel like you are in the NP. Campground links to quite a few nice walking trails, none of which are dog friendly. Plenty of rattlesnakes, so be mindful at night and use a flashlight and we were also advised to leave our good up due to the pack rats. Water fill station slow with quite low pressure. Electric at sites and quite a few large rocks/boulders to maneuver past. Would definitely stay here again.
Kerry Murray
We’ve stayed here many times and usually appreciate the great sunsets and generally friendly, relaxed neighbors. We just checked out from a 4-night stay and had a truly terrible experience with the camp hosts. This couple came by 3 different times between 10:15 and the 11:00 am checkout time. We told them we were packing up and that we might have a slight delay as our son was performing in a concert overseas and the live feed was set for 10:30-10:50 Tucson time. They were obviously uninterested in our communication but I didn’t think anything of it at the time. Our son’s concert ran a bit over and we were ready to roll at 11:08. This is when things got truly whacked. The camp hosts came by for their 4th or 5th pass and I just jokingly mentioned that we “We’re gone” since we were ready to pull out. The female camp host responded “No, you’re not gone” in an incredibly rude way. I was rather taken aback as in our experience the camp hosts at Gilbert Ray are typically kind and engaging. The one time we went a few minutes past checkout due to a work meeting, the host was considerate and accommodating. To add to the bad behavior, the male camp host then marched onto our site saying something about a towel and proceeded to stab a piece of cloth that had blown behind our rig with his knife. As we were closing up I went to run our dog’s waste to the dumpster and I got an elaborate pantomime from the male camp hosts of looking at his watch. I called him on his ridiculous behavior and he started to argue with me. Then he stomped to his golf cart and drove off. I have been a camp host at an RV park and understand the issues but rule number one is to have some basic customer service skills. A few minutes leeway at check out when the rig is obviously packed up and ready to go should not have sent these two into such rude dramatics. They had zero work to do to flip the site for the next camper. I honestly could not believe the juvenile behavior from two people in their 60s. I hope the campground will re-evaluate who they choose to be camp hosts and make sure hosts actually have the ability to interact well with guests.
Alison Leach
What a beautiful campground. Very clean, the camp hosts were so friendly and helpful. The location is beautiful yet it's very close to Tucson. Very quiet, even when it is busy. Everyone was so respectful and friendly. Nice variety of sites, from tent only to accommodating a 40ft class A. Power hookups with water spigots in every loop. If we ever come back to this area we are definitely coming back to stay here.
Dusty
Great campground. The dump, the flush water is ridiculously low as non existent. If you want to flush your tank minimally it won't even do that. Pressure from not flushing a minute or two will build up on your next stop from feces in the pipe, and that's not fun. Terrible reservation policies, the feeling of being scammed of money from this county is apparent.
D W
Wonderful campground with outstanding staff and beautiful scenery, highly recommended! I especially want to give a big thank-you to Jodie (CTA). I accidentally left a steel wind shield from my camp stove at the campsite. I emailed the campground the same day, and Jodie replied promptly and kindly. I was able to come back the next day and retrieve my item with no issues at all. Would absolutely stay here again.