Catalina State Park Campground
Arizona State Park
Write a Review 11570 N. Oracle Rd. Tucson, AZ 85737 520-628-5798 Reservations: 877-697-2757 Official WebsiteGPS: 32.4166, -110.9368
Overview of Catalina State Park Campground
Entrance fee included in campsite fees.
Last Price Paid: $35
Reported by ElaineS on 6/29/2024
Longest RV Reported: 43 feet (Class A)
Reported by RamblinDino on 2/13/2019
Number of Sites 120
Pad Type gravel
Reservations yes
Elevation 2,624 ft / 799 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Catalina State Park Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 520-628-5798
Reviews of Catalina State Park Campground 106 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 63 Users
Last reported 6/29/2024
Confirmed by 31 Users
Last reported 11/6/2023
Confirmed by 12 Users
Last reported 5/15/2024
“Great park with wonderful hikes”
Reviewed 6/29/2024
| Nightly rate: | $35 |
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| Days stayed: | 7 |
| Site Number: | A-6 |
| RV Length: | 35' (Fifth Wheel) |
Overall Rating
I travelled here with a 35’ 5th wheel, long bed pickup and stayed in #A-6, an E/W, BI site for $25/night plus a $10 fee for electricity and the reservation fee of $8. I have stayed at Catalina before and submitted a more detailed review at that time. I really like this park with it’s easy access to Tucson, yet you feel like you are not... more
I travelled here with a 35’ 5th wheel, long bed pickup and stayed in #A-6, an E/W, BI site for $25/night plus a $10 fee for electricity and the reservation fee of $8. I have stayed at Catalina before and submitted a more detailed review at that time. I really like this park with it’s easy access to Tucson, yet you feel like you are not close to a large city. Plus there are great hikes and wonderful views. A-6 was very easy to get into. It is right next to where the dumpster was located, but this time of year it was not a problem. In hotter weather, who knows? The picnic table was also on the back side of the RV which isn’t as convenient. My preferred sites for a rig my size are: A-Loop – 10, 11, 12, 19, 33, 34, 35, and 39; B-Loop – 9, 12, 37, 46, 59, 70, 71.
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ElaineS would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“One of my favorite state parks!”
Reviewed 6/22/2024
| Nightly rate: | $35 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | A-11 |
Overall Rating
We booked Catalina so that we could explore Saguaro National Park, but we ended up spending more time at Catalina than Saguaro because we loved it so much! There are tons of trail options with differing levels of difficulty. We took the nature trail each evening to watch the sunset. The bathrooms are clean with hot water in the showers... more
We booked Catalina so that we could explore Saguaro National Park, but we ended up spending more time at Catalina than Saguaro because we loved it so much! There are tons of trail options with differing levels of difficulty. We took the nature trail each evening to watch the sunset. The bathrooms are clean with hot water in the showers.
If visiting in the heat of summer like we did, I recommend site A-11. It was, by far, the shadiest spot in the park which was clutch in triple digit weather. The shade does come at a small price - you can't see a view of the mountains from the spot, but you can if you walk over a couple of sites. Worth it for the cooler temps though!
camper-744737 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Clean, functional”
Reviewed 6/3/2024
| Nightly rate: | $38 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | A27 |
| RV Length: | 24' (Class C) |
Overall Rating
We stayed here after visiting Saguaro NP, spent previous night at Gilbert Ray and wanted shower facilities this night. Site was level, well spaced from other sites. We did not try the trails. It was hot when we were here, but comfortable sitting under shade of trees. Bathrooms/shower facilities were clean.
TXtraveler would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Better Than Expected ”
Reviewed 5/21/2024
| Nightly rate: | $35 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 43 |
Overall Rating
Visiting friends in Tucson for a couple of days and stayed at the SP. what a wonderful experience. Clean huge bathrooms and showers. Across the heyday from Walmart and several eateries. The bike trail from the park goes straight to it. Very nice n quiet. Hiking is awesome we seen so much wildlife. We will definitely be visiting again!!!!
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camper-904159 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful, quiet Campground ”
Reviewed 5/15/2024
| Days stayed: | 2 |
|---|---|
| Site Number: | 40 |
Overall Rating
I really like this campground! The surrounding mountains are beautiful and there are many hiking trails to explore. Most of the sites are nicely spaced apart. Bathrooms/showers are clean.
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T-Mobile 5G
camper-898335 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Perfection”
Reviewed 4/23/2024
| Nightly rate: | $35 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 13 |
| Site Number: | B-11 |
| RV Length: | 25' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
I keep coming back to this park because I love it SO MUCH!! The Santa Catalina mountains are incredibly beautiful ... all day long with different light & shadows. Hiking is incredible!! Biking is great - take a stroll out of the park on beautiful paved trails or ride the gravel & rock trails in the park. Asphalt sites are nice and ... more
I keep coming back to this park because I love it SO MUCH!! The Santa Catalina mountains are incredibly beautiful ... all day long with different light & shadows. Hiking is incredible!! Biking is great - take a stroll out of the park on beautiful paved trails or ride the gravel & rock trails in the park. Asphalt sites are nice and long, have water & electric (no sewer at the campsites but a dump station in the park), pedestal grills (no fires). Very clean campground and the showers are very nice & clean. Already have my 14 day reservation for 2025. Excellent shopping & dining just a few short miles away. Oro Valley is a very nice community!!
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lrcunning would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great campground, close to Oro Valley & Tucson.”
Reviewed 2/16/2024
| Days stayed: | 10 |
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| Site Number: | a11 b45 |
Overall Rating
Really like this campground. We don't often camp in an "urban" venue but this is so nice and right on the edge of civilization, so to speak. It's perfect for us because we camp mostly in Forest Service and BLM sites, feels good to take shower and have some connectivity. Not to mention the view of the Santa Catalina Mountains which is a... more
Really like this campground. We don't often camp in an "urban" venue but this is so nice and right on the edge of civilization, so to speak. It's perfect for us because we camp mostly in Forest Service and BLM sites, feels good to take shower and have some connectivity. Not to mention the view of the Santa Catalina Mountains which is almost mind blowing. Great facilities, modern restrooms with showers, dbl dump stations in each loop.
Some good trails from the campground as well as other more adventurous ones just down the road. We've stayed here on three different road trips starting in 2019 and keep coming back (as long as we can get a reservation, which ain't easy). Did an early exit in March of 2020 when the Pandemic hit.
Our trips have always been in March or April and we been lucky to experience dealing with running water, a bonus in the desert - sometimes a little and sometimes enough to fill Sutherland Wash.
One other important note - No wood fires are allowed. Some, including us, use a propane firebowl.
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HPD would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Loved it!”
Reviewed 1/1/2024
| Nightly rate: | $35 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 6 |
| Site Number: | A44 |
| RV Length: | 34' (Toy Hauler Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
This is a fabulous park and a lovely campground. So why the 4 rating, you wonder. It's all about the way the pull throughs on the inside of Campground A face. Because of the one way (and where the electric/water is), you are supposed to pull in so that your door opens directly to the street with your "yard" and picnic table behind you.... more
This is a fabulous park and a lovely campground. So why the 4 rating, you wonder. It's all about the way the pull throughs on the inside of Campground A face. Because of the one way (and where the electric/water is), you are supposed to pull in so that your door opens directly to the street with your "yard" and picnic table behind you. We had to go in the wrong way to orient ourselves so that our camper opened on what we considered the correct side. When we go back, and we already have reservations, we will be in a backup site so that we do not have this problem. We were in site A44.
Other than that, it's all superlatives. There are several fun trails right in the park, it's close to Tucson's long bike trail, and it was very quiet. I don't use the bath house, but my husband did and said it was very clean. It's also close to Saguaro National Park, and also to urban facilities like grocery stores and dining options...but it feels like a different world than its urban setting might imply.
We had good cell service with Verizon, and were able to use our laptops and even stream using a hot spot, Mid December seemed to be a sweet spot for weather, with highs in the 60s/70s and nighly lows above freezing. It was fun listening to the coyotes at night, though our dogs were kind of afraid to go out at night because of them.
We will definitely go back (already have reservations).
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Sgmensing would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Delightful!”
Reviewed 12/20/2023
| Nightly rate: | $35 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
| Site Number: | A19 |
| RV Length: | 16' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
Lovely, quiet campground with miles of hiking trails and beautiful mountain vistas out your window. Price per night included $10 a night for electricity. There's a dump site on site. The bathroom and showers are tiled and a little dated but functional--and free which was a treat after the California State Parks. Definitely need r... more
Lovely, quiet campground with miles of hiking trails and beautiful mountain vistas out your window.
Price per night included $10 a night for electricity. There's a dump site on site. The bathroom and showers are tiled and a little dated but functional--and free which was a treat after the California State Parks.
Definitely need reservations the place is booked every night this time of year. But the sites have a decent amount of space between them and some trees along the lower number of the A loop which helps for privacy.
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Kit would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Gorgeous Mountain View Setting”
Reviewed 12/3/2023
| Nightly rate: | $35 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 6 |
Overall Rating
One of the best we’ve stayed at. Surrounded by the Santa Catalina Mountains. Sites are spaced nicely and are pretty level. We stayed 3 nights (first night in site #2) and two nights in site 6. Very peaceful and quiet, with exception of the coyotes howling and yipping. Restrooms and Showers are some of the best and cleanest of the parks... more
One of the best we’ve stayed at. Surrounded by the Santa Catalina Mountains. Sites are spaced nicely and are pretty level. We stayed 3 nights (first night in site #2) and two nights in site 6. Very peaceful and quiet, with exception of the coyotes howling and yipping. Restrooms and Showers are some of the best and cleanest of the parks we have been in. No wood fires allowed at this time. Bighorn Wildfire in 2022 and a lot of burned trees. The campground area looks as if it needs to be tidying up, as in, all of the brush. Just looks a bit unkept. Otherwise, a fantastic place. We hiked one of the trails and did the trail to the ruins. Outside the park, there is a marketplace for shopping and there’s an InNOut Burger. Few miles down the road, there are grocers and additional restaurants, Discount Tire (we picked up a screw in our tire and they were able to get us in quickly and did the repair). Biosphere2 isn’t too far away, which we visited. Cool place. Highly recommend the park. We had a fantastic time. We wish we could’ve stayed longer and hope to visit again.
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TwoTravelers would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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48 reviews
“What A Shady Business! ”
noted 1/9/2024
First, let it be known I travel nationwide for work and have seen just about every kind of state parks there is. Most are generally average, some are astoundingly beautiful. But the Arizona State Park system is an absolute rip off. 1) Made a reservation for a two night stay, but they has to move me to a different site each day due to availability. Fine, no problem. 2) Be aware there is a service fee, not for each call as most state parks charge, but ADDITIONAL service charge for EACH site. They didn’t disclose this and I didn’t see it until I got my reservation. Annoying and greedy, but whatever. 3) Had to cancel my reservation 5 days later due to getting work done on my camper. Called the reservation number and was told I would get a full refund as I cancelled within the stated time parameters, which I knew. BUT, was told that the “system is down” and they couldn’t do a refund now but I would get an email later in the day. Never got the email and called back for status update. Was told the system was still down and they would send me a check to my home address. In Florida. I refused the check and asked my card to be credited. Rep told me she had to “escalate” the issues and I would be getting return call . Got the call and was offered a GIFT CARD to Arizona State Parks, which I refused. I AGAIN asked for my credit card to be refunded as this was the original way the reservation was purchased. Was told there would be “a 10 day review period, and then an additional 10 days” for refund. I’ve never heard of such a fly by might refund policy!! In the mean time I randomly met someone and was talking to them about this issue and they faced the same issue when they cancelled and asked for a refund, after being told the “system is down!” I’m pretty sure at this point the system was never “down” and that they just don’t want to give you your money back. I have emailed and called and have heard NOTHING back from Arizona state parks and at this point I’m pretty sure I will never see my 50+ dollars. So be warned, if you need to cancel, you will not get a refund on the credit card you used to purchase the reservation. I’m sure this is a beautiful park, but I can tell you I won’t be staying here, or at any other Arizona state park EVER!
373 reviews
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Amenities
Hookups
- 50 Amp
- 30 Amp
- 20 Amp
- water
- dry camping
- Partial Hookups
Recreation
- picnic area
- recreation trail
Site Amenities
- big rig
- picnic table
- pull thru
Facilities
- dump station
- general store
- group sites
- ADA Accessible
- horse corral
- recycle
- restrooms: flush
- showers
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
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Nearby
Speedway Gas Station
Last review was this time Last year so good to see its still here. You need your own clean up hose.
- Ahr
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