Gordon Hirabayashi Campground

4.57

184 reviews

5700 N. Sabino Canyon Rd., Tucson, AZ 85750

Featured in:Camping Near Saguaro National Park

Quick Facts

4,700 ft

Price

$20 - $40/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

11 campsites

Season

Open seasonally from...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Santa Catalina Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

4,700 ft

Price

$20 - $40/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

11 campsites

Season

Open seasonally from...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Santa Catalina Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Gordon Hirabayashi Campground

$20.00 - $40.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Camping fees are $20 per single site per night and $40 per double site per night. Discounts apply for holders of Golden Age, Golden Access,...

Standard Site Fee$20.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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USFS

Provider

(520) 749-8700

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What Campers Say

4.57

Top-Rated

Based on 184 reviews

177 Google reviews

Most mentioned

hiking

"User reviews emphasize the site's historical significance, scenic beauty, and suitability for hiking and rock climbing. Positive experiences include the unique trails and the memorials, while complaints often focus on the lack of drinking water, cell service, and occasional theft."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

5700 N. Sabino Canyon Rd., Tucson, AZ 85750

Gordon Hirabayashi Campground

5700 N. Sabino Canyon Rd., Tucson, AZ 85750

Driving directionsTake the Catalina Highway off Tanque Verde Road in Tucson. Drive 4.2 miles to the Forest boundary and continue approximately 7 miles to the campground. As you go up the mountain, the campground entrance is on your left.

Access is via Catalina Highway, also known as General Hitchcock Rd. and later Sky Island Scenic Hwy. The road is paved but includes steep grades and winding sections. Gravel parking is available within the campground.

Nearby places

Tucson (approximately 15 miles).

Nearby supplies

Supplies including groceries, camping gear, and fuel are available in Tucson, AZ, approximately 15 miles from the campground.

Best Time to Camp at Gordon Hirabayashi Campground

Experience the dramatic dance of desert seasons at 4,700 feet, where each time of year paints the landscape in different hues. Winter and spring arrive as gentle companions, blessing visitors with crystalline days in the 50s to 80s and crisp nights that dip into the 30s and 50s—perfect for campfire conversations and stargazing. Summer transforms the campground into a high-desert refuge where temperatures climb past 90 degrees, punctuated by the theatrical arrival of monsoon rains that can unleash sudden flash floods, reminding all who visit of nature's raw power and the importance of weather awareness.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

Not recommended

Campground closed May–Oct; summer access not available.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Open beginning Nov 1; reviews note peak season starts in November and cooler-season appeal.

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring praised for climbing and hiking; open through April with many spring reviews.

Best

Winter(Dec-Feb)

4.0 / 5

Top 23% in AZ

Open through winter (Nov–Apr); occasional snow reported and many positive winter-season reviews.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: November through April.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open seasonally from November 1 through April 30.
Current Alerts: None are specified, although closures may occur due to flash flood risks.

About Gordon Hirabayashi Campground

Nestled in the rugged embrace of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Gordon Hirabayashi Campground weaves together a powerful story of resilience and natural splendor. Once known as Prison Camp and Federal Honor Camp, this transformed sanctuary now welcomes adventurers to its 11 thoughtfully positioned sites along a babbling seasonal creek. Whether you arrive with horses in tow, climbing gear at the ready, or hiking boots laced tight, you'll find yourself camping on grounds that echo with both historical significance and the timeless call of the desert mountains. The single spur design creates an intimate camping experience where tent enthusiasts and RV travelers alike can connect with both nature and history.

Gordon Hirabayashi Campground offers 11 combined tent and RV sites, a group camping area with horse corrals, and equestrian-friendly facilities.

Historical SignificanceWalk where history's conscience was tested and dignity prevailed. During World War II, these grounds served as a Federal Honor Camp where Japanese Americans and conscientious objectors were unjustly interned, their hands building the very roads that now lead visitors into the Santa Catalina Mountains. In 1999, the campground was rededicated to honor Dr. Gordon Hirabayashi, a courageous soul who challenged the constitutionality of internment orders. Today, each campsite serves as a living memorial to those who faced imprisonment due to wartime hysteria and racial prejudice, transforming a place of confinement into one of reflection, education, and outdoor communion.

Weather and SeasonsExperience the dramatic dance of desert seasons at 4,700 feet, where each time of year paints the landscape in different hues. Winter and spring arrive as gentle companions, blessing visitors with crystalline days in the 50s to 80s and crisp nights that dip into the 30s and 50s—perfect for campfire conversations and stargazing. Summer transforms the campground into a high-desert refuge where temperatures climb past 90 degrees, punctuated by the theatrical arrival of monsoon rains that can unleash sudden flash floods, reminding all who visit of nature's raw power and the importance of weather awareness.

ElevationPerched at 4,700 feet above sea level, the campground exists in a sweet spot where desert meets sky, creating a high-altitude oasis that offers blessed relief from the valley heat below. This elevation gifts visitors with a remarkable transition through life zones, where saguaro-studded lower slopes give way to pine-scented heights, and where every thousand feet climbed reveals new ecosystems, cooler temperatures, and increasingly spectacular vistas that stretch across the Sonoran Desert.

Natural Features and SceneryThe Santa Catalina Mountains rise like ancient sentinels around the campground, their weathered peaks and hidden canyons creating a dramatic backdrop for your outdoor adventures. A seasonal stream whispers through camp when monsoons bless the land, while the commanding presence of Mount Lemmon dominates the horizon. This rugged desert terrain surprises visitors with its biodiversity—from century plants and ocotillos to the occasional glimpse of desert bighorn sheep navigating impossible cliffsides in the nearby Pusch Ridge Wilderness. Each sunrise and sunset transforms the rocky amphitheater into a canvas of gold, rose, and purple, reminding campers why this landscape has captivated hearts for millennia.

Geological RegionThe Santa Catalina Mountains tell a geological story written over millions of years, where ancient granite cores thrust skyward through younger rock formations, creating the dramatically rugged terrain that defines this sky island ecosystem. These mountains rise abruptly from the Sonoran Desert floor, their steep canyons carved by seasonal streams that rage during summer monsoons and whisper during winter rains. Desert flora clings tenaciously to sun-baked slopes, while hidden springs and shaded grottos harbor surprising pockets of lush vegetation, making this geological wonderland a paradise for those who seek adventure in landscapes shaped by time, weather, and the patient work of erosion.

Best Campsites

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Check-in

Information not provided.

Check-out

Information not provided.

Stay Limit

Maximum of 14 consecutive nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Information not explicitly provided.

Groups

Group sites include horse corrals, allowing equestrian campers to keep their horses nearby.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe campground layout consists of 11 sites in a single spur design. Some sites are clustered in pairs, promoting a community feel. Inside the loop are corrals for equestrian campers.

Reservation PlatformsNo reservations available. Sites are first-come, first-served.

Walk-in AvailabilityThis campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations.

Cancellation PolicyNo specific details about cancellation policies are provided.

AccessibilityThe site includes wheelchair-accessible restrooms. However, the campsites themselves and other facilities are not wheelchair-accessible.

Site SizeThe 11 combined sites accommodate both tents and recreational vehicles. Gravel parking aprons are present but may require leveling due to uneven ground.

PrivacySeveral campsites are clustered, which provides a community or family camping feel. Sites 11 and 12, for instance, share a drive/parking and have tables right next to each other.

Total Campsites11 campsites

Recommended SitesFor groups, consider sites 11 and 12, which offer shared parking and tables close to one another. Solo campers or smaller groups may prefer sites along the spur for more privacy.

Amenities available

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Group Sites

Activities you can enjoy

The campground provides access to a variety of activities, including hiking, historical exploration, and outdoor recreation such as horseback riding. It is also a gateway to the Arizona Trail.

HikingMultiple trails are accessible from this site. The Molino Basin Trail spans 2.3 miles and permits foot, horse, and mountain bike use. The Bug Springs Trail is 4.6 miles long and also allows these activities. Notably, these trails connect to the 800-mile Arizona Trail.

BikingThe trails accessible from this campground permit mountain biking. However, mountain bikes are generally allowed east of the campground and not in wilderness areas.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include flash floods in the seasonal creek, steep and uneven terrain, and encounters with wildlife such as desert bighorn sheep.

Active AlertsNone are specified, although closures may occur due to flash flood risks.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

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

Food Storage RequiredBear-proof food storage lockers are available at each site, ensuring safety and convenience for campers.

Fire PolicyNo specific fire policies are mentioned.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are enforced from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.

Emergency ServicesNearest emergency services are located in Tucson, AZ, including hospitals, police stations, and fire departments.

Trash & RecyclingThere are no trash or waste disposal facilities available on-site. Campers must pack out their trash.

Water FeaturesA seasonal creek runs through the campground, and the area is near natural water bodies such as Sycamore Reservoir.

Camp HostCampground host presence is mentioned but no specific contact details or services are provided.

Weather at Gordon Hirabayashi Campground

Reviews

4.6

184 reviews

Top-Rated

Gordon Hirabayashi Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews emphasize the site's historical significance, scenic beauty, and suitability for hiking and rock climbing. Positive experiences include the unique trails and the memorials, while complaints often focus on the lack of drinking water, cell service, and occasional theft.

Review Summaries

Based on 184 reviews

What Campers Love

Visitors appreciate the historical context and memorials of the site. One user remarked, 'This campsite is beautiful. You're not getting the woods but what you get is a gorgeous desert-oasis.' The...

Based on 184 reviews

Common Concerns

Common issues include the absence of potable water, unreliable cell service, and theft, such as a stolen camp chair. Some visitors found the road conditions challenging, especially in the group...

Based on 184 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing sufficient water and securing personal belongings. Early arrival is advised to secure preferable sites.

Based on 184 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews suggest that the site is more popular during cooler months, aligning with its open season (November through April). Several users highlight the area's appeal during spring for climbing and...

Based on 184 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Awesome hiking and historical education. The creek was lovely and the trail is so unique for this area of Arizona.' - Meagan Valadez 2. 'We camped here early in the winter and again this spring....

Based on 184 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Sites 11 and 12 share a driveway and parking area, making them ideal for groups but less private. Several users have noted the clustered arrangement of campsites.

Based on 184 reviews

Accessibility Features

While restrooms are wheelchair-accessible, the lack of an overall accessible design limits this site's usability for individuals with disabilities.

Based on 184 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Dogs are allowed but must be leashed at all times. Note that certain areas, such as the Pusch Ridge Wilderness, are closed to dogs to protect local wildlife like desert bighorn sheep.

Based on 184 reviews

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