Rose Canyon
Coronado National Forest — lakeside, fishing
Location: Mt. Lemmon, AZ, AZ
Price: From $31 per night
Price range: $31–$51 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (322 reviews)
Season: May through October
Rose Canyon Campground is just 17 miles northeast of Tucson, Arizona, off the Catalina Highway Scenic Drive near the summit of Mt. This area is popular for day use as well as overnight camping. With a high elevation, forested setting, two group picnic areas and opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing and fishing, Rose Canyon offers a great summer respite from the city.Catalina Highway, also known as General Hitchcock Highway and Sky Island Scenic Byway, is the only paved road that leads to th
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, Vault Toilets, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/rose-canyon to be notified when sites open up.
Rose Canyon offers a forested, high-elevation setting just 17 miles northeast of Tucson with opportunities for hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Campers praise the well-maintained facilities and accommodative hosts.
Wildlife alert: White-nosed Coati, Abert's Squirrel, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Pygmy Nuthatch, Arizona Black Rattlesnake, Desert Kingsnake, and Gila Monster present in the area. Skunks reported by campers.
Insider tips for Rose Canyon: Book early—this is a federal campground with high demand Bear boxes available; staff provide bear safety briefings Ice available at the store by the lake Two group picnic areas available for events
Skip Rose Canyon if: You need RV hookups—no hookups available at most sites, suitable only for self-contained RVs. You need year-round camping—seasonal operations May through October only. You want to avoid wildlife encounters—bears and skunks present in area.
Best time to visit Rose Canyon: May-October — Official operating season with forested high-elevation setting ideal for summer respite from heat.
Nearby campgrounds: Sollers Cabin (Az) (Tucson , AZ), Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin (Tucson, AZ), Whitetail Campground (MT. LEMMON, AZ), Molino (Tucson, AZ).
Cell Phone Coverage at Rose Canyon
Cell signal at Rose Canyon (Mt. Lemmon, 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.
Rose Canyon Campground is just 17 miles northeast of Tucson, Arizona, off the Catalina Highway Scenic Drive near the summit of Mt. This area is popular for day use as well as overnight camping. With a high elevation, forested setting, two group picnic areas and opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing and fishing, Rose Canyon offers a great summer respite from the city.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.
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
Bear boxes available; staff provide bear safety briefings
Ice available at the store by the lake
Two group picnic areas available for events
Official operating season with forested high-elevation setting ideal for summer respite from heat
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, take Catalina Highway/Arizona Route 39 northeast. The campground is located between mile markers 17 and 18 on the Catalina Highway.
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 Rose Canyon cost per night?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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