Portal Bunkhouse
Coronado National Forest — riverside, hiking
Location: Douglas, AZ, AZ
Price: From $100 per night
Rating: 4.1 out of 5 (73 reviews)
Season: Year-round
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.The Portal Bunkhouse is a two-room cabin, suitable for up to four people.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Drinking Water, Showers, Electric Hookups
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/portal-bunkhouse to be notified when sites open up.
Historic 1933 Civilian Conservation Corps cabin listed on the National Register of Historic Places, featuring exceptional river-cobble masonry construction. Campers praise its cleanliness, working amenities, and proximity to Cave Creek Canyon hiking with wildlife viewing opportunities.
Wildlife alert: New Mexico Black Bear, Northern Black-tailed Rattlesnake, Desert Spotted Skunk, White-nosed Coati, and Eared Quetzal present in the area.
Insider tips for Portal Bunkhouse: Bring a mattress pad—the bed is notably hard Book early as it's a popular federal campground with only 1 site Hike the peak directly in front of the cabin for sunrise views
Skip Portal Bunkhouse if: You need electrical hookups—most sites lack hookups. You prefer modern accommodations—cabin is 88+ years old. You require flexibility during peak season—advance booking essential.
Best time to visit Portal Bunkhouse: Year-round — Campground operates year-round; Google reviews mention successful Christmas visits..
Nearby campgrounds: Portal Ccc House (Douglas, AZ), Bonita Canyon Campground (Willcox, AZ), Half Moon Ranch (DOUGLAS, AZ), Shaw House (Pearce, AZ).
Cell Phone Coverage at Portal Bunkhouse
Cell signal at Portal Bunkhouse (Douglas, AZ): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.The Portal Bunkhouse is a two-room cabin, suitable for up to four people.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBring a mattress pad
the bed is notably hard
Book early as it's a popular federal campground with only 1 site
Hike the peak directly in front of the cabin for sunrise views
Campground operates year-round; Google reviews mention successful Christmas visits.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: AT&T.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Coronado National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Coronado National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Portal Bunkhouse cost per night?+
What season is Portal Bunkhouse open?+
Does Portal Bunkhouse have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Portal Bunkhouse?+
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What is the cell service like at Portal Bunkhouse?+
What season is Portal Bunkhouse open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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