Reviews
Gilbert Ray (Pima County Park)
User Reviews
Andrew B
Limiting to 40 ft total between truck and trailer is extreme and not reasonable by any measure. Stated they have "hair pin turns" which is not true on loop A at all. I understand massive Class A's not coming in, however; not being able to bring in a 25 foot TT and Truck is over the top.
Paul W
This county owned campground is quite nice, with lots of sites, but they now have a new policy that disallows tow vehicles and campers in excess of 40 feet, total in length. Inquire before you come here.
Michael McLeod
This is a great campground. So quiet. The flora is incredible. Cholla’s, prickly pear, of course saguaro’s, and ocotillo will surround your campsite. The road in is winding and hilly so take it slow. No water or septic at your site but there were 4 or 5 dump stations and water spigots all over. Less than 10 minutes to Saguaro National Parks entrance. A little expensive at $35/night but still worth it for a short stay.
Will Fishburn
Caution when booking campground. They will only refund 50% of the cost if you cancel before 14 days. I lost $125 and didn't even stay there. I canceled more than a month in advance because of change in plans. This is absolutely criminal. If you are staying it is a nice place and the desert museum is great.
C Rains
Sites are very small, our 16 ft trailer and the truck filled it up. We did not understand that they do NOT have a place to shower. It would be a great winter camp, late August not so much!
Cynthia Cassidy
Stayed 2 nights here to visit Saguaro NP and it was so gorgeous. We had a wonderful site and went to sleep under the blooming Saguaro & Ocotillo cactus. The area is absolutely gorgeous. Site A64 was angled well to back in and very roomy. I think there were some semi homeless people in an old/rundown RV nearby. The woman tried to steal my husband's toiletry bag at the sink behind the bathrooms for dish/hair washing. She bolted out of there and left it on the ground when he heard her and turned around. It was nice to see the county sheriffs coming through occasionally. Other than that, we made sure to completely secure our site and belongings and truly enjoyed our visit to the area. The setting was absolutely gorgeous.
Chris Phillips
Nice campground. Electric at RV sites, water and dump at station. Bathrooms are clean. Close to Old Tucson Studios (walking distance). Some sites are tight and not all are level. Overall a nice place to stay
Micheline R
We stayed here for the allowable 7 nights. Such a quiet campground. I loved hearing the coyotes howling at night, so peaceful. The bathrooms here are very clean, with a very good setup for washing your dishes outside. The camp hosts in Loop H, Perry, and his wife were very friendly and kind people. Enjoyed our talks and appreciate everything you guys do for this campground. There are 4 camp hosts all together doing an amazing job! There are no showers here and only have electric hookups, 30 and 50 amp. but the dumping station and water stations are nicely situated and easy to maneuver around. There were some sites that we're a bit narrow or on the short size, so be careful when booking. There are so many trails and other things to do around here. We needed the 7 days, lol. We will for sure come here again, if we come back down next year. Thank you so very much!
Kieran F
This campground is in a beautiful location, surrounded by cacti and ridges which reflect the orange sunlight as twilight falls. The restroom here was excellent by campground standards. Large stalls and clean faucets. The flush -however- is notable, as there is no lever, only a button above the shitter; which causes an immense rush of water to befall the blissfully unaware basin. This may be the loudest wash-down I have yet heard.
Hi Hola
We arrived at Gilbert Ray Campground late at night, making it a convenient overnight stop on our way to our final destination. Initially, we were unsure about late check-in procedures and gate access. Thankfully, we made it to our campground designated spots without needing to check in. Similarly, our early morning departure was seamless; a quick email to the campground confirmed we were good to go, despite the posted checkout time. The true highlight of Gilbert Ray is its stunning natural beauty. The night sky was absolutely breathtaking, offering a panoramic view of countless stars and the silhouette of the surrounding mountains. In the morning, we were greeted by a friendly bunny and serenaded by distant coyote calls, adding to the peaceful ambiance. The campground's amenities were well-maintained. The central dump station was exceptionally clean, and accessing fresh water was easy. The water station is conveniently located before the dump station, and for novice RVers like us, the circular layout made navigating the area straightforward. Our only suggestion for improvement would be to provide clearer information regarding late check-in and early checkout procedures. While our experience was smooth, having this information readily available would add to the peace of mind for late arrivals and early departures. Overall, Gilbert Ray Campground offers a remarkably peaceful and scenic experience. The combination of stunning views, well-maintained facilities, and a tranquil atmosphere makes it an excellent choice for a restful stay.
Jeff Harrits
2 nights, January 2025 - the second time we stayed here. We were in loop A, made through the reservation system. Most sites are pretty level, although our space, A27 had quite a drop-off from the blacktop to the gravel, with crumbling chunks of cement. There were a few other spots with similar conditions, but most sites appeared to be in good shape. Otherwise the campground was as nice as we remembered it. You have the desert and all it has to offer. We wish there was at least one "dog accessible" trail in the area, but at least the campground is large enough to ensure our dog could get a good walk. Two of the loops in the campground were getting updates. The one we were able to walk around was looking very nice with upgraded electric posts and to ensure the spots were level.
Buddy Ray
Sites are spaced apart very nicely. Watch and get one long enough for your rig, some are quite short. 30amp power only but our connection was on the wrong side and way in the back. Luckily I had 50ft of 30amp cord. The view here is amazing, great place to camp!
FriT Glassware
Great Campground. Couldn't make it to Saguaro before sundown so we stopped here and were able to easily grab a site and self register. $20 for an RV site with power! only 50amp plug though so keep that in mind. lots of sites have BBQ Grills charcoal fires only. Nice Bathrooms no showers. excellent views
Mary Littiebrant
This park is beautiful! Campsites are set in the middle of the desert. You can see the sun rise and set over the Sonoran desert. There are easy and more difficult hikes in the area. The Saguaro National Park is just a few miles away. There are no showers available in the campground. You can only stay for 1 week at a time.
Aurelia Ann Farinas Schanzenbacher
Great County maintained campground and very reasonable. Campsites are level gravel sites with electricity and the surrounding area is peaceful. Grateful for the electricity since the temps were hitting the 90s. No other utlities on campsite, but there is a free dumpststion. The campground is located conveniently near the desert museum and the Saguaro National Park visitor center. Lots of trails nearby and within the campground. Clean bathroom and nice people.