Rose Canyon
Closed — Closed for the season. Typically operates April through October, weather dependent. During the off-season, gates are closed and locked with no water or garbage service available, but the area remains accessible for day use activities.
Fireworks, Explosives and Sparks Restrictions
To prevent fires and for public safety order 03-00-23-001 prohibits to 1) possess, discharge, or use any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic devices; 2) use explosives; or 3) operate an internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting devic
Motor Vehicle Order Road Restrictions
The purpose of this Order is for the protection of public health and safety and prohibits:
Target Shooting Refuse Restriction
Possessing or storing any refuse for the purpose of target shooting with a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(cc).
Bear Wallow Riparian Area Closure
No camping, parking, bicycle travel, or campfires allowed in Bear Wallow Riparian Area
Sabino and Bear Canyon Closure Order 03-05-03-25-002
The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety and forest resources from environmental degradation.
Alcohol Closure
The purpose of this Order is to comply with the Arizona and New Mexico state law and to restrict underage consumption of alcoholic beverages to provide for public health and safety.
14 Day Camping Closure 03-05-00-24-005
The purpose of this Order is to provide for public health and safety and to mitigate impacts on sensitive plant and wildlife species.
Tanque Verde Falls Camping Closure
The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety and forest resources in the Described Area.
Barfoot Snake Closure Order 03-05-01-24-004
The twin-spotted rattlesnake (Crotalus pricei) is a Regional Forester’s Sensitive Species and a State of Arizona protected reptile.
SVRD Rec Shooting Closure Order 03-05-03-23-010
Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun in the Restricted Area.The Order shall remain in effect indefinitely, unless rescinded.
Olson Cabin Closure 03-05-05-22-030
Olson Cabin Permit Area is located on the west side of Forest System Road 4458 and approximately 1,500 feet northwest of the junction of Forest System Road 4458 and Forest System Road 639.
About
Rose Canyon Campground is located just 17 miles northeast of Tucson along the Catalina Highway Scenic Drive near the summit of Mt. Lemmon in the Coronado National Forest. At 7,000 feet elevation, the campground offers a dramatic escape from desert heat into a cool forest setting of large ponderosa pines and Gambel oak clusters. The campground features 73 campsites divided into three RV loops, with half available for reservation and half first-come, first-served. Each site includes a picnic table, grill, firepit, and bear box. During the summer rainy season, Rose Creek meanders through the area to the six-acre Rose Canyon Lake at the lower end of the campground. The lake is stocked with trout and offers pleasant shoreline access for anglers and nature enthusiasts. A one-mile trail around the lake includes a handicapped-accessible path from the lower parking area to a floating dock near the dam. The surrounding Santa Catalina Mountains offer numerous hiking and mountain biking trails, including routes that traverse 9,157-foot Mt. Lemmon. The Catalina Highway itself is considered one of the most scenic drives in the Southwest. A campground store operates seasonally near the lake parking lot, offering fishing supplies, licenses, camping gear, and groceries. The area is managed by a concessionaire and serves as a popular summer destination for day use and overnight camping.
Directions
From Tucson, take Catalina Highway (Arizona Route 39) northeast for approximately 17 miles. The campground is located between mile markers 17 and 18 on the Catalina Highway.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | Yes |
| Price | $31 |
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
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!