How much does camping cost at Ringtail Campground?

Camping fees at Ringtail Campground range from $25-$50/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Ringtail Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Ringtail Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Ringtail Campground before I book?

Yes! Ringtail Campground has 19 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Ringtail Campground?

Ringtail Campground is open Open year-round. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Ringtail Campground?

Yes, Ringtail Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Can I have a campfire at Ringtail Campground?

Fire policies at Ringtail Campground: Wood burning is never allowed in the campground; fires may use charcoal, firelogs (e.g., Duraflame) or propane.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Ringtail Campground have?

Ringtail Campground has 120 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Ringtail Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Ringtail Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Ringtail Campground?

Ringtail Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Ringtail Campground?

Popular activities at Ringtail Campground include Hiking, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Ringtail Campground

2.83

6 reviews

Ringtail Campground

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

2,703 ft

Price

$25 - $50/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

120 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on Arizona State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

2,703 ft

Price

$25 - $50/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

120 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on Arizona State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Ringtail Campground

$25.00 - $50.00 / night

Campsite Fees

$50 per night for A and B loop campsites (electric 20/30/50A and water hookups). Equestrian Center camping $25 per night. $3.60 non-refundable...

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Arizona State Parks

Provider

1-877-MY PARKS (877-697-2757)

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Ringtail Campground

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

Campground Map

Ringtail Campground

32.4274, -110.9165

Weather at Ringtail Campground

Best Time to Camp at Ringtail Campground

Fall is the sweet spot. Daytime temps run 65–85°F, humidity drops after the monsoon, and late-season rains can trigger wildflower blooms and dramatic evening light on the mountains. Winter draws snowbirds and books up fast. Expect cooler nights, around 8°F below Tucson's temps at this elevation. Summer is hot and stormy. Trails dry out after monsoon storms but remain accessible into fall.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm days. Most facilities open. Reserve ahead.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round

About Ringtail Campground

Ringtail Campground sits at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains in Catalina State Park, 2,703 feet up in the Sonoran Desert north of Tucson. The campground has 120 sites with paved or gravel access, modern bathhouses with hot showers, and electric and water hookups in some loops. Ringtail loop itself is tight. Reviewers consistently describe it as a gravel parking lot with minimal separation between rigs. But the mountain views and trail access keep it popular.

Catalina State Park offers RV and tent camping options across its campgrounds, with electric and water sites available at many sites and designated equestrian camping at the Equestrian Center.

Weather and SeasonsFall is the sweet spot. Daytime temps run 65–85°F, humidity drops after the monsoon, and late-season rains can trigger wildflower blooms and dramatic evening light on the mountains. Winter draws snowbirds and books up fast. Expect cooler nights, around 8°F below Tucson's temps at this elevation. Summer is hot and stormy. Trails dry out after monsoon storms but remain accessible into fall.

Natural Features and SceneryThe Santa Catalina Mountains rise sharply from the desert floor, visible from almost every site. Outer-facing back-ins catch the best views: sunsets over the foothills, saguaros silhouetted against granite peaks. Ground squirrels dart between campsites. Some trails follow seasonal creeks through pockets of grass and mesquite. The desert here is典型 Sonoran: open, rocky, dotted with cactus, and stark until the fall rains green it up.

Geological RegionSonoran Desert; at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains

Scenic ViewsMountain views of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

2:00 PM

Check-out

12:00 PM

Stay Limit

14 consecutive nights

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsArizona State Parks online reservations or by phone at 1-877-MY PARKS (697-2757)

Total Campsites120 campsites

Best CampsitesIn Ringtail, sites 1 and 22 offer the most room, but the whole loop is cramped. Reviewers strongly prefer A or B loops for space and hookups. In B loop, outer-facing back-ins like B10-12, B45-48, and B68-75 get the best mountain views and a bit more privacy. If Ringtail's full, Gila overflow sometimes has more breathing room.

Need help booking Ringtail Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Catalina State Park campgrounds offer electric and water sites, paved roads and parking slips, picnic tables and BBQ grills at each campsite, modern flush restrooms with hot showers, and RV dump stations in the park. Wood burning is never allowed in the campground; charcoal, firelogs or propane are permitted.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

The park offers extensive trail access and organized interpretive programs (guided hikes, bird walks and ranger-led events), making it a popular spot for hiking and wildlife/bird viewing. Visitors also use the park for biking on nearby routes and day-use trail access from camp.

Hiking

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsCamping Flood Advisory is referenced by the park (PDF available) — visitors should consult the park for flood-related warnings.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

2.8

6 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Ringtail Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitors consistently praise the park for excellent mountain views, clean modern restrooms and hot showers, and close access to trails. Common complaints focus on tight/cramped sites in some campground loops (notably Ringtail per web reviews) and occasional poor cell reception.

Review Summaries

Based on 6 reviews

What Campers Love

Scenic Catalina Mountain views and sunsets; clean, modern bathhouses with hot showers; paved sites with picnic tables and BBQ grills; convenient trail access from camp.

Based on 6 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Go if

RV campers in A or B loop get the best of it: electric and water hookups, bigger sites, and sunrise views of the Santa Catalinas. Fall is the prime window, 65–85°F days with post-monsoon clarity. Reserve early; it books fast.

Skip if

Big rigs or anyone who values site separation should read the Ringtail loop reviews carefully, multiple visitors describe it as a gravel parking lot. No pets allowed, no cell signal for Verizon users, and no wood fires if that's part of your ritual.

Nearby Campgrounds

2.8

(6)

Campground Ringtail Loop

11570 North Oracle Road, Tucson, AZ 85737

Ringtail Loop sits at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains in Catalina State Park, 15 minutes north of Tucson. The 120-site campground offers RV hookups, flush toilets, hot showers, and a dump station, with fees running $25–$50 per night. Reservations are difficult to secure year-round.