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Rose Canyon Lake
Open

Open for the 2026 season. The campground operates April through October, weather dependent. Half of the 73 sites are reservable through Recreation.gov; the rest are first-come-first-served. No fire restrictions are currently in effect. The campground store is open Thursday through Sunday. Check-in is 2 PM, check-out is 11 AM.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued August 10 at 7:50PM MST until August 10 at 8:15PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ

7:50 PM — 8:15 PM

At 750 PM MST, a severe thunderstorm was located near Sahuarita, moving southwest at 20 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. Locations impacted include... Sahuarita, Green Valley, East Sahuarita and Summit. This includes Interstate 19 between mile markers 38 and 52.

Flash Flood Warning issued August 10 at 7:36PM MST until August 10 at 9:30PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ

7:36 PM — 9:30 PM

At 736 PM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... San Miguel, Vamori, South Komelik, Choulic, Newfield, Coldfields, Itak, Kots Kug, Papago Farms and Hashan Chuchg. This includes the following streams and drainages... Chutum Vaya Wash, Baboquivari Wash, Big Wash, Topawa Wash, Vamori Wash, Sells Wash, Chukut Kuk Wash and San Simon Wash.

Flash Flood Warning issued August 10 at 7:21PM MST until August 10 at 9:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ

7:21 PM — 9:00 PM

At 721 PM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.8 and 1.8 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.5 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... GuVo, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Why, Gunsight, Charco 27, KuKatch and San Simon West. This includes the following highways... Route 85 between mile markers 48 and 72. Route 86 between mile markers 53 and 75. This includes the following Flash Flood Prone Locations... Gunsight Wash in Gunsight. This includes the following streams and drainages... Sikort Chuapo Wash, Alamo Wash, Siovi Shuatak Wash, Kuakatch Wash, Pisinimo Wash, Pia Oik Wash, Growler Wash, Cuerda de Lena, Vamori Wash, Gu Vo Wash, Gunsight Wash, Hickiwan Wash, Aguajita Wash, San Simon Wash and Rio Cornez Wash.

About

Rose Canyon Campground is a high-elevation retreat at 7,000 feet on the slopes of Mt. Lemmon in the Coronado National Forest, just 17 miles northeast of Tucson via the Catalina Highway Scenic Drive. The campground offers 73 spacious sites spread across multiple loops including three designated for RVs. Sites are nestled among stands of ponderosa pine and Gambel oak, providing natural shade and a mountain atmosphere far cooler than the desert below. Each campsite includes a picnic table, grill, fire pit, and bear box for food storage. Rose Canyon Lake, a six-acre lake stocked with trout, sits at the lower end of the campground and offers fishing opportunities under Arizona Game and Fish regulations. A one-mile trail circles the lake, with a handicapped-accessible path leading to a floating dock near the dam. During monsoon season, Rose Creek flows through the campground to feed the lake. The campground store near the lake parking lot sells fishing supplies, camping gear, groceries, ice, and firewood. Half of the sites are first-come-first-served while the other half are reservable through Recreation.gov. The area closes for winter typically from November through March when gates are locked, water is shut off, and no services are provided.

Directions

From Tucson, take Catalina Highway (Arizona Route 39) northeast toward Mt. Lemmon. The campground is located between mile markers 17 and 18, approximately 17 miles from the city.

Amenities

Water Yes
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station
Wifi
Pets Allowed Yes
Showers No
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store Yes
Price $31 - $51

Vehicle

Max RV Length 22ft
Max Trailer Length 22ft
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Phone +1 (520) 749-8700

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon Yes
T-Mobile None

Availability

Photos

Rose Canyon Lake
Rose Canyon Lake Campground
Rose Canyon Lake Campground Group Site
Rose Canyon Lake Campground
Group picnic area.
Rose Canyon Lake Campground
Rose Canyon Lake Campground
Rose Canyon Lake Campground
Rose Canyon Lake Campground
Rose Canyon Lake Campground Group Site
Bobcat group area.
Rose Canyon Lake Campground
Rose Canyon Lake Campground
Campsite
Rose Canyon Lake Campground Amphitheater
Rose Canyon Lake Campground
Rose Canyon Lake Campground
Rose Canyon Lake

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