How much does camping cost at Calabasas?

Camping fees at Calabasas are $55/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Calabasas first-come first-served or reservation?

Calabasas 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 Calabasas before I book?

Yes! Calabasas has 10 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 Calabasas?

Calabasas is open January 01 to December 31. 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 Calabasas?

Calabasas does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Calabasas have?

Calabasas has 1 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Calabasas?

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

What amenities are available at Calabasas?

Calabasas offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Calabasas?

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

Calabasas

4.04

30 reviews

303 Old Tucson Road, Nogales, AZ 85621, USA

Top 3% in AZWinter

Summer Destination

Featured in:Winter Camping Arizona

Quick Facts

4,000 ft

Price

$55/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Not specified Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

4,000 ft

Price

$55/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Not specified Official Website

Get Directions

Calabasas

$55.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP STANDARD AREA NONELECTRIC: $55.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

Group Site Fee$55.00

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

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(520) 281-2296

I manage this campground

Ask Camp Sage about Calabasas

Availability, what to pack, similar spots — ask anything and get an instant answer.

Campground Map

303 Old Tucson Road, Nogales, AZ 85621, USA

Calabasas

303 Old Tucson Road, Nogales, AZ 85621, USA

Nearby places

Nogales, AZ (14 miles northwest, approximately 30-minute drive)

Tucson, AZ (67 miles south, approximately 1.5-hour drive)

Weather at Calabasas

Best Time to Camp at Calabasas

Best season: winter. Winter offers the most comfortable weather at Calabasas — daytime highs typically in the low 60s°F (around 58–66°F) with crisp nights dipping into the mid-30s to low-40s°F (around 32–42°F), ideal for daytime hiking, backyard-style group gatherings, and clear-night stargazing. This season avoids the desert heat and monsoon storms that affect lower elevations, so trails, wildlife viewing, and outdoor ceremonies (weddings) are at their best. Expect moderate weekend crowds and higher demand for the Peak months: January, February, December, March

Best

Winter(Dec-Feb)

4.5 / 5

Top 3% in AZ

Described as the most comfortable season with daytime highs ~58–66°F and crisp nights.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 01 to December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.

About Calabasas

Calabasas is a very small campground in Coronado National Forest near Nogales, Arizona, offering tent, RV, and group sites close to Peña Blanca Lake. Operated seasonally during peak months, it provides vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables in a mid-elevation forest setting with a gated entrance. Campers come for hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing, with spacious group sites that work well for gatherings under clear winter skies.

Calabasas Group Campground is tailored exclusively for group camping and does not support individual or primitive sites.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: winter. Winter offers the most comfortable weather at Calabasas — daytime highs typically in the low 60s°F (around 58–66°F) with crisp nights dipping into the mid-30s to low-40s°F (around 32–42°F), ideal for daytime hiking, backyard-style group gatherings, and clear-night stargazing. This season avoids the desert heat and monsoon storms that affect lower elevations, so trails, wildlife viewing, and outdoor ceremonies (weddings) are at their best. Expect moderate weekend crowds and higher demand for the Peak months: January, February, December, March

Elevation4000 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a grassy valley shaded by mature oaks, where the Sonoran Desert transitions into higher woodland zones. Saguaros give way to mixed scrub and oak groves as elevation climbs. Peña Blanca Lake sits nearby. Hilltops surrounding the site offer views across layered mountain ranges. At 4,000 feet, Calabasas straddles the ecological crossroads between desert floor and sky island forests, creating a mix of vegetation zones rare in southern Arizona.

Lodging & AccommodationsOnly group camping facilities are available; no hotel-style lodging is provided.

Programs & ActivitiesNearby attractions include Tumacácori National Historical Park and Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, offering educational experiences of Spanish colonial history.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay is 14 nights during any visit.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Up to 250 guests allowed for group reservations.

Groups

The group site accommodates up to 250 people, with ample space for RVs and tents. The site’s gated nature ensures privacy.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityNo details on specific accessibility features were provided.

Site SizeDesigned for groups of up to 250; large and spacious with enough room for multiple RVs and camping setups.

PrivacyThe site is private and secured by a gated entrance, but unauthorized access from new wildcat roads has created concerns about theft and vandalism.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended SitesCall ahead for gate code. Bring portable toilets for groups over 50. Carry a shovel for cleaning due to livestock intrusion.

Need help booking Calabasas?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Calabasas Group Campground provides facilities tailored to large groups. The site includes 14 tables, 12 campfire rings with grills, three pedestal barbecue grills, benches, a parking area, and toilets. However, there is no drinking water available, and visitors must bring their own supply.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Group Sites

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Calabasas

Calabasas offers recreational opportunities focused on group gatherings and proximity to natural features such as Peña Blanca Lake. Activities include hiking, fishing, boating, picnicking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing.

Fishing4.0/5

Peña Blanca Lake nearby with trout, bass, sunfish, crappie and catfish; popular fishing spot (note: some mercury concerns noted).

Hiking3.5/5

Area has hiking trails of varied difficulty with scenic valley and mountain views.

Wildlife viewing3.5/5

Oak-grassy valley and transition zone provide wildlife viewing opportunities.

Water Sports3.0/5

Lake boating is supported; kayaking likely feasible though not specifically highlighted.

Cultural and Educational Programs

Winter Activities

Signature experiences

Stargazing3.5/5Secluded, low-density site with good privacy; conducive to night skies though light pollution unknown.

Photography4.0/5Oak-shaded valley, lake, layered mountain views and wildlife create strong photo opportunities.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

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

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available; pit toilets are the only option on-site.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

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

Rate Calabasas

Been here? Tap a star to start. Takes about a minute.

Sign-in required only if you want your name on it.

From Booking Sources

4.0

30 reviews

Satisfactory

Calabasas is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Users generally appreciate the size, privacy, and natural beauty of Calabasas Group Campground. Concerns include poor maintenance of pit toilets, unauthorized access to the site, and livestock entering the campground.

Review Summaries

Based on 30 reviews

What Campers Love

Spacious group site; proximity to Peña Blanca Lake; gated entrance adds security; scenic surroundings.

Based on 30 reviews

Common Concerns

Pit toilets are described as 'gross' and poorly maintained; unauthorized access via wildcat roads; livestock entering the campsite; overfilled trash trailer.

Based on 30 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 1 is cited frequently in reviews, with mixed sentiments about size, privacy, and facilities.

Based on 30 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring portable toilets for groups exceeding 50 people; secure food due to local wildlife; call ahead for gate code.

Based on 30 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Winter is noted as a preferred season due to pleasant temperatures. Major holidays are often reserved a year in advance.

Based on 30 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'We annually come to this group area for an RV outing and enjoy our stay.' - IRA C 2. 'The campground is very nice situated in a small valley with some large oaks. It’s gated for security.' -...

Based on 30 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews specifically addressing accessibility features.

Based on 30 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No reviews specifically addressing pet experiences.

Based on 30 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.

Calabasas

$55.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP STANDARD AREA NONELECTRIC: $55.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

Group Site Fee$55.00

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

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(520) 281-2296

Go if

You want a small, gated campground near lake fishing and wildlife viewing with room for group gatherings.

Skip if

You need consistently maintained facilities or guaranteed security from unauthorized access.

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited

4.3

(39)

White Rock Campground

White Rock Campground, Nogales, AZ 85621

White Rock Campground sits in Peña Blanca Canyon in Coronado National Forest, about 4,000 feet above sea level near the border. The 15 sites are split between Upper White Rock (13 sites) and Lower White Rock (2 sites), with fees ranging from $7.50 to $30 per night. Some sites have ramadas, and the campground is a short walk from Peña Blanca Lake. Reviews praise the quiet setting and proximity to water, but mention overflowing trash bins and spotty maintenance.

Calabasas

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Ask Camp Sage about Calabasas

Campground Map

Weather at Calabasas

Best Time to Camp at Calabasas

Planning Tips

About Calabasas

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Calabasas?

Amenities available

RV details

Things to do at Calabasas

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews

Get Notified When Available

Go if

Skip if

Explore related camping guides

Ask Camp Sage about Calabasas

Best Time to Camp at Calabasas

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Calabasas?

Amenities available

Things to do at Calabasas

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews