Whitetail Campground
Campground · Arizona · 5 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Coronado National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 5
- Bookable sites
- 26 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 90
- People per site
- 1
- Accessible site
- 8,092 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Whitetail Campground offers group campsites in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains of southeastern Arizona, 5 miles south of the town of Summerhaven and the top of Mt. Lemmon. Groups can enjoy picking, hiking, camping and wildlife watching while enjoying a cool respite from hot summer. The facility can accommodate groups for day or overnight use.Recreation
Hiking and sightseeing are popular activities. The surrounding national forest boasts a variety of trails, including some on the 9,157-foot Mt. Lemmon, for those who wish to venture away from the campground for the day.The University of Arizona runs an observatory just up the road, and visitors can also drive a few minutes to the small town of Summerhaven, which offers amenities and attractions on Mt. Lemmon's summit.
Anglers can try for stocked trout at nearby Rose Canyon Lake.
Facilities
All five group areas have picnic shelters that can accommodate between 40 to 90 people each and come equipped with drinking water, electricity (small appliances only), trash collection and vault toilets.
Natural Features
Whitetail Campground sits high on the slopes of the Santa Catalina Mountains at an elevation of 8,000 feet. Because of its elevation, it can be much cooler than the lower-elevation campgrounds in the area. The campsites are spacious and spread out among stands of big ponderosa pinesThe Coronado National Forest covers 1.78 million acres of southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. Elevations range from 3,000 to 10,720 feet in 12 widely scattered mountain ranges, or "sky islands," that rise dramatically from the desert floor, supporting biologically diverse plant communities.
Nearby Attractions
Catalina Highway, also known as General Hitchcock Highway and Sky Island Scenic Byway, is the only paved road that leads to the upper reaches of Mt. Lemmon and the Santa Catalina Range, offering a scenic day trip.Other notable attractions include Saguaro National Park, Sabino Canyon and Colossal Cave.
The facts
- Season: April – October (weather dependent) — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 5 bookable sites
- 1 accessible site
- Vehicles up to 26 ft
- Up to 90 people per site
- Loops: WHITETAIL
Site types
- 5 Group Standard Electric
Amenities
- Electric hookups
- Campfires allowed
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits.
5 campsites at Whitetail Campground
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 11:00 AM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | WHITETAIL | Group Standard Electric | — | Paved | 26 ft | 40 | 🐾 |
| 02 | WHITETAIL | Group Standard Electric | — | Paved | 26 ft | 60 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 03 | WHITETAIL | Group Standard Electric | — | Paved | 26 ft | 45 | 🐾 |
| 04 | WHITETAIL | Group Standard Electric | — | Paved | 26 ft | 45 | 🐾 |
| 05 | WHITETAIL | Group Standard Electric | — | Paved | 26 ft | 90 | 🐾 |
Getting there
From Tucson, Arizona, go north on Catalina Highway approximately 30 miles from Tucson until you reach Milepost 20. Turn Left on Whitetail Road.
32.41194, -110.73194 · 32°24'43.0"N 110°43'55.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 80°F in Jun, down to 49°F in Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 50 | 50 | 55 | 62 | 71 | 80 | 80 | 79 | 75 | 68 | 59 | 49 |
| Low °F | 34 | 33 | 37 | 43 | 51 | 60 | 64 | 62 | 59 | 49 | 40 | 33 |
| Precip in | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
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 Whitetail Campground
- Can you reserve a site at Whitetail Campground?
- Yes, Whitetail Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Whitetail Campground have?
- 5 sites.
- What is the maximum RV length at Whitetail Campground?
- 26 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Whitetail Campground?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Whitetail Campground.
- Does Whitetail Campground have hookups?
- Electric.
- Are campfires allowed at Whitetail Campground?
- Campfires are allowed at Whitetail Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Whitetail Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Whitetail Campground's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- Site #1 is $135 a night, with a maximum of 40 people and 8 parking spaces. Site #2 is $151 a night, with a maximum of 60 people and 12 parking spaces. Site #3 is $135 a night, with a maximum of 45 people and 8 parking spaces. Site #4 is $135 a night, with a maximum of 45 people and 9 parking spaces.
Restrictions:
- Absolutely NO RVs, generators, etc. may plug into these outlets. Also, groups must pre-plan parking as it is limited. Emergency vehicles must have access to all sites.
Accessibility:
- Accessible to persons with disabilities.
Camping near Whitetail Campground
- Showers Point Group Site 0.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin 1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sollers Cabin (AZ) 1.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Rose Canyon 2.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Molino 5.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 2 8.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 1 8.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Spencer Canyon Campground 0.6 mi · Campground
- Palisades Visitor Center 1 mi · Facility
- Rose Canyon Campground 2.1 mi · Campground
- General Hitchcock Campground 3.6 mi · Campground
- Gordon Hirabayashi Campground 5.1 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 520-576-9198
- 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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