Gilbert Ray Campground Arizona
8451 W McCain LoopTuscon, Arizona 85735
520 724-5000
Lat / Long:
Gilbert Ray Campground (Tucson Mountain Park) has 135 campsites and is located in a beautiful Sonoran desert on the west side of the Tucson Mountains. There are 130 campsites with electric hookups (30-amp) and 5 tent only campsites in Loop B.
The campground now takes reservations, but H-Loop are first-come first serve. The busiest time of year generally runs from November through April. Campers will find many large Saguaro scattered among the campsites.
Campground amenities include drinking water, modern restrooms (flush toilets) and an RV dump station. There are no showers at this campground. Each campsite also has a table. You cannot have wood forest, bur charcoal fires are permitted (confined to grills). Cell service is good in the area.
Gilbert Ray – Area Recreation
Outdoor activities include hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, horseback riding, stargazing, hunting (archery only) and photography. There’s also some nice wildlife viewing opportunities in the area. Tucson is also just 13 miles away if you want to visit the city.
Other campgrounds in the area include Catalina State Park, Colossal Cave Mountain Park and Picacho Peak State Park.
Make a Reservation for Gilbert Ray
Best Campsites
A5, A7, A9, A11, A33, A35, A39, A42, A43, A45, A47, A50, C25, C31, H6, H11
Regions
Campsite Types
- ADA
- Electric Hookup
- RV
- Tent
- Trailer
Season:
Year Round
Elevation:
2,627
# of Campsites:
135 ( 5 Tent only)
# of RV Campsites:
130
Amenities
- BBQ Grills
- Campsite Tables
- Cell Service - Good
- Drinking Water
- Dump Station
- Equestrian trail
- Grills
- Pets OK
- Picnic Tables
- Restrooms (Flush Toilets)
- RV Hookups
- Visitor Center
Activities
- Biking
- Bird Watching
- Hiking
- Historic Sites
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Mountain Biking
- Nature Trails
- Picnicking
- Stargazing
- Visitor Center
- Wildlife Viewing
Gilbert Ray Photos
Gilbert Ray Comments & Reviews
Visited Gilbert Ray Campground lately? We'd love to hear about your adventure. Did you find us useful? Did we forget something? Anything our community should know before heading out to Gilbert Ray?
13 Replies to “Gilbert Ray”
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Fire rings are not present. Wood fires are expressly prohibited
Thank you for pointing that out. We have made the correction.
As of January 2, 2020, sites are reservable. For this year only H loop will be first come, but next year they will all be reservable.
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for the heads on Gilbert Ray campground reservations. We’ve updated the camping page and provided a link to make reservations at Gilbert Ray campground. Happy New Year!
Not sure what changed but the picture for C25 is actually C22 and C28 is the picture for C25. Not sure if campground changed site markers since the site marker for picture C22 says C25.
you are totally right Joan – i noticed that too!
All correct now – thanks again for your help!
Does anyone know why c31 doesn’t exist? Does it have another number now?
Hi Kelly,
Campsite c31 was alive and well when we photographed it in 2019. They may just keep a few campsites off the reservation system (for first-come, first-serve), but not sure.
Hi!
On May 24th, our friend and us have reserved a campsite to the Gilbert Ray campground in Tucson, AZ. Unfortunately, I lost your confirmation of the reservation. Then, is it possible to you, to post an other email of my reservation? The information of the reservation of our friend Jean-Guy Goyette, is the site #11 for April 23, 2023 to April 26, 2023. Our dates should be the same.
I hope your response soon.
Thank you!
Pierre Laliberte
St-Christophe d’Arthabaska
Quebec, Canada
Hi Pierre,
I recommend you contact reservations (Pima County) for Gilbert Ray Campground to get your confirmation information:
Tel. (520) 724.5000
Email: frontdesk.NRPR@pima.gov
Web: https://apm.activecommunities.com/nrpr/Facility_Search/Location_Maps
Are there first come first serve sites available? How does this work and what time would you suggest on arriving to have a chance at a space
Hi Debbie,
Gilbert Ray Campground does have first-come, first-serve campsites in the H-Loop. During peak season I’d recommend trying to arrive mid week if you can. If a Friday arrival, then by 9am.