Reef Townsite Group Area
Federal campground in Coronado National Forest
Location: Hereford, AZ, AZ
Price: From $45 per night
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (2 reviews)
Season: May through October
This high-mountain group campground and day use area is located on a site that was once occupied by the old mining town of Reef. Many relics of Reef’s mining history, including the remains of the town’s old water system, are still visible in and around the campground. Groups of up to 50 people can enjoy walking an interpretive history trail, hiking, horseback riding and watching wildlife in this cool mountain setting.Reef Townsite can accommodate one group of up to 50 people at a time.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/reef-townsite-group-area to be notified when sites open up.
High-mountain group campground on a historic mining town site with an interpretive trail, cool breezes, and nearby hiking opportunities. Google reviewers consistently praise it as a true mountain escape from the desert.
Wildlife alert: Mountain Lions, Arizona Ridgenose Rattlesnakes, Ringtails, and White-nosed Coatis present in the area. Whiskered Screech-Owls and Rivoli's Hummingbirds also documented.
Insider tips for Reef Townsite Group Area: Book early—this is a federal campground with high demand Group site includes a ramada with 4 picnic tables, 2 prep/cooking tables, and 2 grills No water available; plan accordingly or verify water status before arrival
Skip Reef Townsite Group Area if: You need hookups—no hookups available at this campground. You require reliable water access—water availability is inconsistent. You visit outside May-October—campground operates seasonally only. You prefer easy-to-navigate trails—some campers reported getting lost on interpretive trails.
Best time to visit Reef Townsite Group Area: May through October — Official operating season for the campground.
Nearby campgrounds: Rock Bluff Group Site (Hereford, AZ), Canelo Ranger Office (Sonoita, AZ), Kentucky Camp Cabin And Headquarters Building (NOGALES, AZ), Kent Springs Cabin (NOGALES, AZ).
Cell Phone Coverage at Reef Townsite Group Area
Cell signal at Reef Townsite Group Area (Hereford, AZ): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 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.
This high-mountain group campground and day use area is located on a site that was once occupied by the old mining town of Reef. Many relics of Reef’s mining history, including the remains of the town’s old water system, are still visible in and around the campground. Groups of up to 50 people can enjoy walking an interpretive history trail, hiking, horseback riding and watching wildlife in this cool mountain setting.Reef Townsite can accommodate one group of up to 50 people at a time.
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 entryBook early
this is a federal campground with high demand
Group site includes a ramada with 4 picnic tables, 2 prep/cooking tables, and 2 grills
No water available; plan accordingly or verify water status before arrival
Official operating season for the campground
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Tucson, Arizona, drive east on I-10 to exit 302 to State Route 90. Drive south 25 miles through Sierra Vista. Proceed 8 miles south of Sierra Vista on State Route 92 and turn west onto Carr Canyon Road/Forest Road 368. Forest Road 368 is a narrow gravel road with steep mountain grades, tight switchbacks and recomended for vehicles with good clearance. Contact Sierra Vista Ranger District Office if you have questions or want to know current conditions.
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 Reef Townsite Group Area cost per night?+
What season is Reef Townsite Group Area open?+
Does Reef Townsite Group Area have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Reef Townsite Group Area?+
How do I make reservations at Reef Townsite Group Area?+
What is the cell service like at Reef Townsite Group Area?+
What season is Reef Townsite Group Area open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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