The best river, stream, or creek campgrounds near Oracle, Arizona

Oracle sits just north of Tucson, where rivers slice through desert hills and cottonwoods line the banks. If camping by water is your thing, you’ll find nine river-friendly sites here—think spots where you can cast a line, watch herons skim the surface, or cool off with a midday swim. Expect toilets, showers, and campfires allowed at most sites. Prices start at $25 a night, with the average hovering around $39. Local favorites include La Hacienda Chuparosa (110 reviews), Boulder hideout (23 reviews), and Gila River View (2 reviews). Wildlife-watching here means you might spot deer or javelina at dawn. Bring your fishing rod and don’t forget to pack for chilly desert nights—temperatures swing fast once the sun drops.

99% (141)

Top-rated campgrounds

Oracle sits just north of Tucson, where rivers slice through desert hills and cottonwoods line the banks. If camping by water is your thing, you’ll find nine river-friendly sites here—think spots where you can cast a line, watch herons skim the surface, or cool off with a midday swim. Expect toilets, showers, and campfires allowed at most sites. Prices start at $25 a night, with the average hovering around $39. Local favorites include La Hacienda Chuparosa (110 reviews), Boulder hideout (23 reviews), and Gila River View (2 reviews). Wildlife-watching here means you might spot deer or javelina at dawn. Bring your fishing rod and don’t forget to pack for chilly desert nights—temperatures swing fast once the sun drops.

99% (141)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. La Hacienda Chuparosa

95%

(137)

23mi from Oracle · 6 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Tucson, AZ

When my husband and I were dating in NY we confessed our mutual desire to get back "home" to the west. It made me fall in love with him even faster. So when we married we moved to Washington DC knowing that in time we would make it west. 5 years later, when the traffic and the politics has taken its toll, we made a trip to Tucson and fell in love with this charming property that exudes all the beauty and grace of the Sonoran Desert. We looked at each other as we walked around looking at the stunning Mtn. Views and the mesquite fence and knew we were finally "home." I've always adored the SW Hummingbirds and wanted to name the property La Hacienda Chuparosa. When we moved in, for the first week, every morning a hummingbird was sipping nectar from one of our plants in the front yard. We knew it was meant to be. So we added a couple of horses to our dream, built some stalls, and now are ready to welcome you to La Hacienda Chuparosa. We know you will find the same magic here that we do.

2. Boulder hideout

100%

(26)

32mi from Oracle · 1 site · Lodging · Cactus Forest, AZ

In the middle of the vast Florence desert lies the most beautiful, enormous granite boulders that you have ever seen! This majestic place has also been home to the Hohokam indian tribe thousands of years ago, with pottery and arrowheads scattered throughout the property to carved out holes in rocks used for cooking, The Boulders is rich with history. We welcome you to an unforgettable glamping experience right in the middle of these granite giants!

3. Riverbed RV Park

100%

(2)

26mi from Oracle · 1 site · Tent, RV · Winkelman, AZ

Beautiful Riverside RV Park and Campground. Great location for the family to stay or the working tradesman to live during their contracts! Rent INCLUDES utilities and internet. Our amenities include Wi-Fi, a laundry room, a vending machine, grills, and a dog park. Please be aware this is to rent LAND ONLY; we do NOT rent out trailers. Thank you and we hope to earn your business!

4. Gila River View

100%

(5)

33mi from Oracle · 2 sites · Lodging · Dripping Springs, AZ

Savor the sounds of nature along the Gila River without your phone distracting you! This is a hidden retreat behind a locked gate where you can relax and reset away from technology and people. Your main visitors will be our cattle, horses, and wildlife. Feel free to fish or swim at the Gila River 300 yards from the campsite. Enjoy a mesquite fire to sit around or even cook on! Wood is provided! Enjoy a beautiful overlooking view of the river! Escape from the hustle and bustle and recharge! We do currently have a rented camper on location but you won’t even notice each other. it’s away from the site and there’s plenty of space to enjoy.

Stories from the community

David

2 weeks ago

5 nights at Gila River View

This was one of the best places we've ever stayed! The host, Amber, was incredible and made sure we had everything we needed. The area is secluded and private and we never heard any noise other than nature. We loved that it's a working cattle ranch with horses, cattle, and pigs. The animals were all friendly and never bothered us. Oh, there was a very friendly barn cat that did snuggle with us a bunch! The camper was an amazing accommodation that offered everything we needed for an indoor experience and sleeping. The hiking opportunities are endless here! With just a 10 minute hike you can be on the top of a mountain overlooking 2 different valleys that the Gila river runs through. In about a 20-25ish minute hike you can make it from the camp clear into a hidden valley on the back side and make it right up to a secret spot next to the Gila river. We spent half a day at this spot relaxing and enjoying the weather and nature! It's about a 10 minute drive to the nearest town for any supplies or if you want a restaurant. We only went once to get more drinking water and we were back at camp within the hour! We will definitely stay here again! We love the place and it's less than 2 hours from our house! A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Thank you so much Amber! We appreciated everything you did to make our stay wonderful! : )

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Lisa

3 weeks ago

Tent

1 night at La Hacienda Chuparosa

What a fantastic experience! Perfect little spot to nestle in while in Tucson. Thank you, Julie!

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Amanda

November 2025

With kids

1 night at Boulder hideout

Super private and beautiful location. It was awesome to be able to see all the stars at night. The place was clean and cozy and perfect for what we needed. I do recommend bringing extra lighting, if you want to move around at night. Thankfully we did. I would return

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Cody

October 2025

With pets

3 nights at Gila River View

Huge open, peaceful ranch along the river made for an amazing stay for my family of 5 with 2 dogs in tow. Amber was very responsive and welcoming, would definitely recommend!

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Tony

May 2025

1 night at Boulder hideout

Cabin and Land were Amazing... Loved the Peace and Tranquility! Good break from the daily routine in a unique surreal atmosphere.. Cole was a great host! As described and then some... Thanks again for Sharing your property!

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Meg

May 2025

Tent

4 nights at La Hacienda Chuparosa

Julie and her husband were wonderful hosts! The property is fully fenced in and feels very safe. The campsite was comfortable and well setup, with a nice fire pit. Easy access to the toilet and shower in the tack room. Their dogs are extremely friendly and fun to have around and being right there with the horses was exactly what I was looking for.

Jennifer

April 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to La Hacienda Chuparosa

My partner and I had a lovely time on Julie's land. It was perfect for what we were looking for and we enjoyed the dogs and farm animal friends, and the peaceful evenings. We also enjoyed being so close to the east side of Saguaro National Park - just a 15 minute drive to the trailhead we hiked from. The bathroom space was maintained nicely. I was actually able to log into work from the campsite, so the wifi was quite good for those who might want that. Overall we enjoyed our stay and would recommend for others.

Cool view atop a boulder about 3 minutes away from the cabin

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Josh

April 2025

Weekend Trip to Boulder hideout

We absolutely loved our stay! The location was beautiful and unique, surrounded by scenic views and huge boulders that made the whole experience feel extra special. The cabin itself was cozy and perfect for a peaceful overnight getaway with my wife and our dogs. Cole, the host, went above and beyond by providing thoughtful amenities like fresh well water in a barrel, firewood, a lighter, a grill with propane, and even small but super helpful items like paper towels and dishes. It’s clear that a lot of care was put into making the place comfortable and welcoming. Highly recommend this spot for anyone looking to relax and enjoy nature with a few comforts included.

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Nathaniel

April 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to La Hacienda Chuparosa

I felt welcomed and acommated for here. The hosts worked with me as I was having scheduling difficulties on my part and were nice to me but please be respectful of their time as I say onto you. I can tell they have a love for animals and work hard to maintain a peaceful space. It amplified my stay in Tuscon and found the area relaxing when coming back from where ever. I recommend checking out the bear canyon trailhead near this spot to get the full experience, but camping here was very nice. Since there are horses on site, it'll keep all matters of venomous critters away as they regularly move about, but the horses are very quiet at night so I was able to rest well. It's far enough from the city to hear the nature of the sanoran desert. Overall a very enjoyable stay.

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Ian

April 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Gila River View

Our family absolutely loved staying here. This will be one we look forward to staying at frequently. Everything was clean, and provided. It was a good stay at the ranch. We enjoyed seeing the animals and sitting in the creek even though it was pretty cold! Don’t think twice about booking this place ! Our host went above and beyond and the experience was great.

S

April 2025

Tent

4 nights at La Hacienda Chuparosa

Cute farm! Julie and Mark and incredibly kind and hospitable. And their animals want pets and snacks. Nice place to be!

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Will

March 2025

With kids

3 nights at Boulder hideout

Beautiful location, simple accommodations, if you love nature you'll be in love with The Boulders!

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Mary

March 2025

Tent

1 night at La Hacienda Chuparosa

Julie's campground was clean and quaint, just what we needed after a long drive from Big Bend National Park. The tent pad was more than enough space for our two-person tent, the restroom facilities were clean, and our equine neighbors were quiet throughout the night. The coyotes kept us company with their songs, and watching the caretakers tend to the horses in the morning was wonderful. Julie's your best bet if you're looking for a comfy place to stay for the night with quick access to Saguaro National Park!

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Greg

March 2025

Tent

2 nights at La Hacienda Chuparosa

Tent camping on Julie's land was fun and comfortable. Easy access to water, shower, toilet and the neighboring horses were nice company too.

Deb

March 2025

2 nights at Boulder hideout

If you are searching for a hideaway to unplug from the world, I recommend The Boulders as your next escape. We were there midweek and it was sooo quiet. We heard an airplane occasionally but little else. Photos do not do justice to the stunning landscape. This was an amazing experience I hope to revisit again.

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Chris

March 2025

Tent

2 nights at La Hacienda Chuparosa

Mark and Julie were super nice, everything was easy. You can go in and out as you please once they show you around, pretty simple.

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Bernadette

March 2025

Weekend Trip to Boulder hideout

I spent two glorious nights at the Boulders. It's clear that Cole has put a lot of thought and passion into this cabin. I loved the attention to detail; the salvaged wood, the western style bedding, decorative ceramics, and the photos showcasing the work that went into building this one-of-a-kind treasure. On a personal note, it was shocking to see the Starlink satellite when I sat on a boulder marveling at the night sky (had to research it once I got cell service, as I thought I was observing a extraordinary astronomical event or an alien landing😆). The one thing I think some may want to know about is that there is a UTV raceway somewhat nearby. During daylight hours, you can hear it. It didn't bother me at all, but someone looking for complete silence may want to take note. Overall an extraordinary stay and I am thankful to Cole and Hipcamp for making it possible.

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Max

March 2025

1 night at Boulder hideout

Incredible views and winding trails for hiking through the open desert. The boulders were otherworldly. We had such a magical time here!

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Annemarie

March 2025

Tent

1 night at La Hacienda Chuparosa

Beautiful and very peaceful camping spot. Beautiful views of the mountains, we love animals so this was amazing to be sleeping next to ponies and horses. Very clean bathroom facilities. Extremely safe. We loved playing with Mark and Julies’s dogs.