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Coronado/Rose Canyon
Overview
Rose Canyon Campground offers a refreshing high-altitude escape within the Coronado National Forest. Located just a short drive from the desert floor of Tucson, this destination transforms the landscape from saguaro cacti to towering Ponderosa pines. 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.
Location & Surroundings
Situated along the famous Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway, 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 Rose Canyon Lake, 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.
Amenities & Park Features
This is a traditional forest campground, meaning it specializes in a rustic experience without utility hookups. Most sites feature a paved parking spur, a heavy-duty picnic table, and a fire ring with a grill. 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.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor recreation is the main draw here, starting with trout fishing 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 Summerhaven, 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.
Who This Park Is Best For
Rose Canyon is ideal for dry campers 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 camper vans or smaller trailers. 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.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Crazymama Nachemodane
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.
David Loomis
Nice place to go when the heat is on in Tucson... Bring a fishing pole and ya might get lucky 😉
Earl Armstrong
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!
Angela Watkins
I love Rose Canyon Lake I Campground. The staff are nice and informative. The lake is calm & peaceful
Cynthia Gates
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.
Shawn Pendley
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.
Jaynell Ranae
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.
Kim Hayes
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.
Waleska Davila
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.
JA Be Blank
What a pleasant surprise it was to have two new campground hosts taking care of our loop this season. Tate and Tim were helpful, friendly and conscientious about their job duties. It was a pleasure to see happy, helpful hosts in the park this year! We hope they stick around.