Portal CCC House
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 5
- People per site
- 4,933 ft
- Elevation
Overview
The Portal CCC House is a five-room cabin located just west of Portal, Arizona. The fieldstone masonry cabin has been determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the few remaining structures from the 1930s-era Cave Creek Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) Camp. The CCC House was built to serve as the camp's garage; the large vehicle entries were later filled in and the structure was converted to housing for a telephone switchboard and its operator. While the historic appearance has been maintained on the exterior, the interior was remodeled to provide modern amenities for visitors.Recreation
Cave Creek Canyon is located on the eastern slope of the Chiricahua Mountains in southeastern Arizona, about 2 1/2 hours from Tucson. Cave Creek Canyon 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 the canyon has numerous picnic areas along Cave Creek for hikers.Facilities
The Portal CCC House is a five-room cabin, suitable for up to five people. It has electricity and running water. The cabin has two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a large kitchen/dining area. The first bedroom has a twin-over-double bunk bed; the second has a queen-sized futon. A table with seating for four is located in the dining area, which also has a wood burning stove (firewood is provided). The kitchen 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 furniture 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 flashlight in case of emergencies.Natural Features
The Portal CCC House 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 nearby.Nearby Attractions
The Portal CCC House is located approximately one 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, Arizona.The facts
- 1 bookable site
- Vehicles up to 20 ft
- Up to 5 people per site
- Loops: PORTAL CCC HOUSE
Site types
- 1 Cabin Electric
Amenities
- Picnic tables
- Shade
- Pets allowed — not available
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, grills.
1 campsite at Portal CCC House
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Grade | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portal CCC House | PORTAL CCC HOUSE | Cabin Electric | Parallel | Gravel | Slight | 20 ft | 5 |
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 to the town of Portal. Turn left on Forest Road 42 into Cave Creek Canyon; the signed gate to the Portal CCC House is approximately 0.9 miles on the right.
31.90087, -109.16086 · 31°54'3.1"N 109°9'39.1"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, 2.9 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 CCC House
- Can you reserve a site at Portal CCC House?
- Yes, Portal CCC House is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Portal CCC House have?
- 1 site.
- What is the maximum RV length at Portal CCC House?
- 20 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Portal CCC House?
- No, pets are not allowed at Portal CCC House.
Also listed by
Portal CCC House also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Portal CCC House's operator.
Camping near Portal CCC House
- Portal Bunkhouse 0.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Bonita Canyon Campground 13.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Camp Rucker Group Site 15.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Idlewilde Campground 0.5 mi · Campground
- Stewart Campground 0.9 mi · Campground
- Sunny Flat Campground 1.4 mi · Campground
- Herb Martyr Campground 4.7 mi · Campground
- Rustler Park Campground 6.9 mi · Campground
- Sycamore Campground 10.5 mi · Campground
- Chiricahua National Monument Visitor Center 13.6 mi · Facility
- Walnut Grove Campground 15.7 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 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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