How much does camping cost at Upper Campground?

Camping fees at Upper Campground range from $50-$129/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

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

Upper 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 Upper Campground before I book?

Yes! Upper Campground has 20 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 Upper Campground?

Upper Campground is open Group/tent camping may be reserved June–October (first-come, first-served).. 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 Upper Campground?

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

Can I have a campfire at Upper Campground?

Fire policies at Upper Campground: Each campsite provides a fire ring; grills/charcoal BBQs are available in shared-use group areas. No additional fire restriction details are provided on the camping page.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Upper Campground?

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

What amenities are available at Upper Campground?

Upper Campground offers: 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 Upper Campground?

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

Upper Campground

4.51

162 reviews

Upper Campground

B+Report Card

Stargazing

Featured in:Camping Near Carlsbad Caverns National Park#1 Camping Near Saguaro National Park

Quick Facts

4,619 ft

Price

$50 - $129/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Group/tent camping m...

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on Arizona State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

4,619 ft

Price

$50 - $129/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Group/tent camping m...

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on Arizona State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Upper Campground

$50.00 - $129.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Campsites $50/night (includes water and electric hookups). Cabins $129/night plus a $5 reservation fee; cabins require a $50 refundable cleaning...

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

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

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Arizona State Parks

Provider

(520) 586-4100; Reservations: 1-877-MY-PARKS (877-697-2757)

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Upper Campground

31.8366, -110.3489

Nearby places

Benson

Bisbee

Sierra Vista

Tombstone

Weather at Upper Campground

Current alert: Construction along Interstate 10 is impacting travel time to the park. See the project link here.

Best Time to Camp at Upper Campground

Fall brings the most comfortable conditions for exploring the area. Daytime highs settle in the low 70s to mid-80s°F, with cool nights in the 40s-50s°F. Post-monsoon, thunderstorm risk drops and trails dry out, while temperatures stay mild enough for long hikes without the extremes of summer heat or winter cold. Weekends see moderate crowds; weekdays are quieter. The upper loop closes during summer because of lower visitation, leaving only the lower loop open. Winter and spring also draw positive reviews, though expect cooler nights.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Fall is described as most comfortable: highs low‑70s to mid‑80s and cool nights.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Group/tent camping may be reserved June–October (first-come, first-served).

About Upper Campground

Upper Campground sits at 4,619 feet in the Arizona desert at the base of the Whetstone Mountains, offering 63 paved sites with water and electric hookups. The campground is a base for exploring Kartchner Caverns State Park's limestone cave system, with sites ranging from $50-$129 per night. The park gate closes at 10 p.m. nightly.

The park offers RV and tent campsites, seasonal group/tent reservations, and on-site camping cabins for rent.

Historical Significance

The campground provides access to Kartchner Caverns State Park and the Discovery Center, which interpret and manage the protected, active Kartchner Caverns limestone cave system.

Weather and SeasonsFall brings the most comfortable conditions for exploring the area. Daytime highs settle in the low 70s to mid-80s°F, with cool nights in the 40s-50s°F. Post-monsoon, thunderstorm risk drops and trails dry out, while temperatures stay mild enough for long hikes without the extremes of summer heat or winter cold. Weekends see moderate crowds; weekdays are quieter. The upper loop closes during summer because of lower visitation, leaving only the lower loop open. Winter and spring also draw positive reviews, though expect cooler nights.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies desert terrain in the Chihuahuan-Sonoran transition zone, with the Whetstone Mountains rising to the east. Outer perimeter sites back directly to open desert and rocky slopes, giving unobstructed views of the mountains and surrounding hills. The landscape is classic Sonoran Desert: saguaros, mesquite, rocky outcrops, and wide blue skies. Videos and reviews highlight the spacious, open feel and good sunrise and sunset views over the desert. The Discovery Center and trailheads sit within walking distance of the loops.

Geological RegionDesert landscape at the base of the Whetstone Mountains (Chihuahuan–Sonoran desert transition zone noted in secondary sources).

Scenic ViewsViews of the Whetstone Mountains and surrounding desert landscape; perimeter sites back up to desert and mountain slopes (per secondary sources).

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

2:00 p.m.

Check-out

12:00 noon

Stay Limit

14-day limit

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReserve online through Arizona State Parks Reservations (UseDirect) or by phone at 1-877-MY-PARKS (877-697-2757).

Cancellation PolicySee Reservation Terms & Conditions on the Arizona State Parks reservations page.

Best CampsitesOuter perimeter sites deliver the best privacy, views, and space. Sites 1-5 are pull-throughs on the outer edge with good desert and mountain views. Sites 13, 16, 17, and 24 stand out for length and relatively level pads. Sites in the high 20s and low 30s (especially 24 and 29-32) are deep, fairly flat, and well-spaced. Avoid inner-circle sites like 14, 15, 18, 21, 23, 25, and 26, which tend to be short or noticeably sloped and complicate RV leveling.

Need help booking Upper 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

Upper Campground sites include paved pads with electrical and water hookups, a picnic table, and a fire ring. Restroom and shower buildings (with bottled water vending machines and dishwashing sinks) and a dump station are located within the campground.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Dump station

Fire rings

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Campers can take guided cave tours via the park Discovery Center and explore nearby easy-to-moderate hiking trails. The campground setting also supports wildlife and bird photography from the desert landscape.

Hiking

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsOfficial site notes construction on Interstate 10 affecting travel times (delays up to an hour). No other specific hazards are listed on the camping page.

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

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

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

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From Booking Sources

4.5

162 reviews

Top-Rated

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

Visitors consistently praise the cave tours and well-maintained campground facilities (paved pads, water/electric hookups, clean restrooms/showers, and a dump station). Common negatives mentioned by visitors include uneven/sloped sites that can complicate RV leveling, occasional road/highway noise, and seasonal closure of the upper loop.

Review Summaries

Based on 162 reviews

What Campers Love

Highly rated cave tours and Discovery Center; clean, well-maintained campground with paved pads, electric and water hookups, picnic tables, fire rings, good restrooms/showers, and a convenient dump...

Based on 162 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reserve cave tours in advance; choose outer/perimeter or longer sites for better views and more level/longer spaces; verify site length and grade when booking (sites vary from ~35' to 60'); cabin...

Based on 162 reviews

Camper Quotes

“The campground is beautiful and very clean. Many are well spaced offering privacy.” — Google review. “We had a spacious site with full hook-ups ... Site #11 is the best!” — Google review.

Based on 162 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Upper Campground

$50.00 - $129.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Campsites $50/night (includes water and electric hookups). Cabins $129/night plus a $5 reservation fee; cabins require a $50 refundable cleaning...

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 alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Arizona State Parks

Provider

(520) 586-4100; Reservations: 1-877-MY-PARKS (877-697-2757)

Go if

Cave-focused trips with a mid-size RV or a cabin stay. Perimeter sites back to open desert with Whetstone Mountain views; fall weekdays hit the sweet spot for mild temps, quiet loops, and post-monsoon trail conditions.

Skip if

Big rigs needing level ground should verify site grade before booking since several upper-loop sites run short or noticeably sloped. Campers who've read reviews describing unwelcoming staff interactions toward visitors outside the local cultural mainstream may want to weigh those

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Campgrounds

Kartchner Caverns

Upper Campground

B+

Camper Report Card

How campers graded it

Rated higher than 86% of graded campgrounds

Graded on what 85 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.

Strengths

Grade A-.Cleanliness
Grade A-.Things to do
Grade B+.Staff & hosts

Watch-outs

Grade D.Booking
Grade D.Belonging
Grade C-.Rules & policies

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.

How we grade →See how Arizona grades overall

About Folsom Lake

Context for the broader area surrounding Upper Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Recreation at Folsom Reservoir is managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation, Central California Area Office. The reservoir was created by <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/mp/sod/projects/folsom/">Folsom Dam</a> across the American River. The dam is a feature of the Central Valley Project - American River Division - <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Project.jsp?proj_Name=Folsom+and+Sly+Park+Units+Project">Folsom and Sly Park Units</a>. Folsom Lake offers 75 miles of shoreline. Usually open 7 days a week, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., contact the park office for seasonal variations. Facilities include 3 public campgrounds, 2 with showers, 60 miles of equestrian trails, 10 miles of paved bicycle trails, 8 miles of advanced mountain bike trails, and excellent year-round bank or boat fishing. Several launch ramps provide continuous boat launching access throughout the lake fluctuation zone. At capacity, Good fishing for both cold- and warm-water species including rainbow trout, brown trout, black bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill. The American River Water Education Center at Folsom Dam contains exhibits that promote water education directly related to the American River Watershed.

Directions

Folsom Lake is located 20 miles northeast of Sacramento via Highway US 50.

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