Portal Bunkhouse
Campground · Arizona · 1 bookable site ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Coronado National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 1
- Bookable site
- 20 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 4
- People per site
- 4,947 ft
- Elevation
Overview
The Portal Bunkhouse is a two-room cabin located one mile west of Portal, Arizona. Constructed in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Bunkhouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The structure is one of the finest remaining examples of river-cobble masonry construction from that era.Recreation
Cave Creek Canyon is located on the eastern slope of the Chiricahua Mountains in southeastern Arizona, about 2.5 hours from Tucson. It is world-renowned for its dramatic rock formations and diverse wildlife. Birding is exceptional year-round, and particularly rewarding during the summer months. Hiking and rock-climbing are also popular activities, and picnic areas dot the canyon for its many hikers.Facilities
The Portal Bunkhouse is a two-room cabin, suitable for up to four people. It has electricity, heater, and running water. The cabin has a bedroom with bathroom including a shower, sink, and toilet; and a kitchen with a dining area. The bedroom has a twin-over-double bunk bed and a single bed. A small dinette with seating for four is located in the kitchen, which is equipped with a stove, oven, microwave, refrigerator, and coffee pot. Pots, pans, utensils, and dishes are provided. Outside, guests will enjoy using the propane grill and picnic table for outdoor dining.
Although the cabin has amenities for comfortable lodging, guests will need to provide some of their own supplies, including food, sleeping bags or linens, pillows, towels, dish soap, matches, a first aid kit, toilet paper, and garbage bags. It is recommended that guests bring additional drinking water, and a flashlight in case of emergencies.
Natural Features
The Portal Bunkhouse is located at the entrance to Cave Creek Canyon at an elevation of 5,000 feet. The canyon's soaring cliffs, with their caves and pinnacles, are often described as "Arizona's 'Secret' Grand Canyon." Cave Creek, a perennial stream, flows through the canyon nearby. The diverse wildlife that can be seen in the canyon include a stunning variety of bird species.Nearby Attractions
The Portal Bunkhouse is located approximately 1 mile west of Portal, Arizona. Attractions in the area include Chiricahua National Monument, Fort Bowie National Historical Park, historic Camp Rucker, the Geronimo Surrender sites, and the International Border and the border community of Douglas, AZ.The facts
- 1 bookable site
- Vehicles up to 20 ft
- Up to 4 people per site
- Loops: PORTAL BUNKHOUSE
Site types
- 1 Cabin Electric
Amenities
- Picnic tables
- Shade
- Campfires allowed — not available
- Pets allowed — not available
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, grills.
1 campsite at Portal Bunkhouse
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Grade | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PORTAL BUNKHOUSE | PORTAL BUNKHOUSE | Cabin Electric | Parallel | Gravel | Slight | 20 ft | 4 |
Getting there
From Tucson, take I-10 east for 139 miles to Road Forks, NM. Turn right (south) on US 80 and drive 28 miles to Portal Road. Turn right (west) and drive 7 miles through the town of Portal. Turn left on Forest Road 42 for approximately 1 mile. The Bunkhouse is the rock masonry building just past the Visitor Information Center.
31.89856, -109.16235 · 31°53'54.8"N 109°9'44.5"W
Typical weather
Typically 89°F in Jun, down to 55°F in Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 56 | 60 | 66 | 73 | 81 | 89 | 88 | 85 | 81 | 75 | 64 | 55 |
| Low °F | 25 | 28 | 32 | 37 | 43 | 52 | 58 | 57 | 51 | 41 | 32 | 26 |
| Precip in | 1.4 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 1.7 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Portal Bunkhouse
- Can you reserve a site at Portal Bunkhouse?
- Yes, Portal Bunkhouse is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Portal Bunkhouse have?
- 1 site.
- What is the maximum RV length at Portal Bunkhouse?
- 20 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Portal Bunkhouse?
- No, pets are not allowed at Portal Bunkhouse.
- Are campfires allowed at Portal Bunkhouse?
- Campfires are not allowed at Portal Bunkhouse.
Also listed by
Portal Bunkhouse also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Portal Bunkhouse's operator.
Camping near Portal Bunkhouse
- Portal CCC House 0.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Bonita Canyon Campground 13.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Camp Rucker Group Site 15.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Idlewilde Campground 0.4 mi · Campground
- Stewart Campground 0.7 mi · Campground
- Sunny Flat Campground 1.2 mi · Campground
- Herb Martyr Campground 4.6 mi · Campground
- Rustler Park Campground 6.9 mi · Campground
- Sycamore Campground 10.4 mi · Campground
- Chiricahua National Monument Visitor Center 13.6 mi · Facility
- Walnut Grove Campground 15.6 mi · Campground
- Fort Bowie National Historic Site Visitor Center 23.4 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone (520) 364-3468
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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