Go if
You want scenic mountain camping with wildlife viewing and don't mind packing your own water.
Molino
4.3880 reviews5700 N Sabino Canyon Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85750, USA
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Quick Facts
4,500 ftPrice
$100/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
37 campsites
Season
Molino Campground is...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
RV Friendly
Get DirectionsReal-Time Availability
Select a month, then check for open campsites
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
Quick Facts
4,500 ftPrice
$100/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
37 campsites
Season
Molino Campground is...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
RV Friendly
Get DirectionsMolino
$100.00 - $100.00 / night
Campsite Fees
GROUP STANDARD AREA NONELECTRIC: $100.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).
Group Site Fee$100.00
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5700 N Sabino Canyon Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85750, USA
Molino
5700 N Sabino Canyon Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85750, USA
Nearby places
Tucson, AZ - approximately 10 miles, 15-20 minutes by car.
Weather at Molino
About Molino
RV details
Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist
Skip if
You need on-site drinking water or reliable cell coverage for work or emergencies.
From the U.S. Forest Service
Reference information about Molino sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
Overview
<p><img alt="Molino Basin Campground" src="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd748380.jpg" title="Molino Basin Campground" /></p><p>While most other campgrounds in the Catalina District are closed in winter and open in summer, Molino Campground and Picnic Area has a season that is just the opposite. Because it is located lower on the slopes of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Molino is open during the late fall, winter, and early spring.</p><p>The weather here is pleasantly mild then, and any of those seasons is a good time to visit. Campsites are located in savannah -- desert grassland dotted with oaks. Along the banks of Molino Creek, which flows only during and immediately after rain or snowmelt, species such as cottonwood, Arizona live oak, and mesquite provide a scenic setting for the campsites they shelter. Views are dominated by nearby rugged, rocky hills. Roads in the campground are paved.</p>
About the campground
The elevation is 4,100 ft. The campground is next to Catalina Hwy. in Molino Canyon. Some sites are shaded by Evergreen oaks, but most are open. Sites 1 through 10 are located along a seasonal stream. Most tent sites are walk-ins. The sites are generally scattered along the canyon with some parking aprons somewhat sloped. Many sites are rocky, with some so rocky that pitching a tent could be a challenge. Some campsites are shaded with ramada-covered picnic tables. Lantern poles and bear-proof food storage boxes provided. This is bear country; practice safe food storage techniques. The campground is convenient for many things to see and do in and around Tuscon. Notable among these are the Saguaro National Park, Sabino Canyon, Colossal Cave, and a drive along Catalina Scenic Byway to Mt. Lemmon, all explained below. 1. The Saguaro National Park is divided into two districts - Saguaro East and Saguaro West. Saguaro East is the closest to the campground and is the district visited by the authors. It is located at the foot of the Rincoon Mountains and is comprised of an aging Saguaro forest. There is an interesting 8-mile loop drive and 128 miles of trails. 2. Sabino Canyon is referred to as a "desert oasis" in the Coronado National Forest. Part of it can be viewed from a privately owned open-air shuttle bus. The ride is 45 minutes and departs from the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center. Call (520) 749-2861 for information and tour schedules. 3. Explore the Colossal Cave, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. The cave was discovered in 1879 and is dry or dormant. In other words, due to lack of water, the formations are not growing. Call (520) 647-3299 for additional information. 4. Experience an amazing drive up the Catalina Scenic Byway (a.k.a. Sky Island Scenic Byway/General Hitchcock Hwy.) to Mt. Lemmon. The trip ". . . can be compared to a trip from Mexico to Canada, with vegetation ranging from Saguaro cactus in the lowland deserts to pine, fir, and spruce at the highest elevations." The drive has many gorgeous views of the Santa Catalina Mountains and rises some 5,000 feet above Tucson. Coronado National Forest 155
Seasons & access
Open November 1 through April 25 - weather dependent.
Facilities
A wheelchair friendly toilet is located at campground entrance.
RV information
The parking aprons are paved.
Directions
In Tucson, AZ, on Interstate 10, take the Speedway Blvd. exit (exit 257) to Speedway Blvd. Turn east onto Speedway Blvd. and go 9.2 miles (past University of Arizona) to Pantano Rd. Turn left onto Pantano Rd. and go 1.1 miles to the Tanque Verde Rd. ramp. Bear right onto the ramp and go 1.6 miles (on Tanque Verde Rd.) to Catalina Hwy. Turn left onto Catalina Hwy. and go 10.3 miles to Molino Basin sign. Turn left into campground.
- National Forest
- Coronado National Forest
- Ranger District
- Santa Cantalina
- Elevation
- 4100
- Rate
- $10 per day
- Maximum Stay
- 14
- Open Season
- October – April
