The best forest campgrounds near San Simon, Arizona

If you're looking for a camping adventure near San Simon, Arizona, Hipcamp has over 270 options for you to choose from. Whether you prefer pitching a tent or parking your RV, there's something for everyone. With top campsites like El Pais Motel & Campgrounds (308 reviews), Karla's Hummingbird Rd. Guest Ranch (110 reviews), and Southern Arizona Guest Ranch (105 reviews), you can trust the recommendations of fellow campers. Plus, you'll have access to popular amenities like showers, toilets, and trash facilities. And if you're into paddling, climbing, or swimming, you'll find plenty of opportunities to enjoy these activities in the area. So pack your gear and get ready for an unforgettable camping experience!

96% (58)

Top-rated campgrounds

If you're looking for a camping adventure near San Simon, Arizona, Hipcamp has over 270 options for you to choose from. Whether you prefer pitching a tent or parking your RV, there's something for everyone. With top campsites like El Pais Motel & Campgrounds (308 reviews), Karla's Hummingbird Rd. Guest Ranch (110 reviews), and Southern Arizona Guest Ranch (105 reviews), you can trust the recommendations of fellow campers. Plus, you'll have access to popular amenities like showers, toilets, and trash facilities. And if you're into paddling, climbing, or swimming, you'll find plenty of opportunities to enjoy these activities in the area. So pack your gear and get ready for an unforgettable camping experience!

96% (58)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Smugglers' Roost

92%

(48)

33mi from San Simon · 10 sites · RVs · Animas, NM

Smugglers' Roost is located in Animas, NM, situated at the site of the infamous Clanton Gang’s hideout along Smuggler’s Trail. The community is positioned along the original Butterfield Overland Stagecoach Winter Route; a short two hour drive from Las Cruces , New Mexico or just 2.5-hours from either El Paso, Texas or Tucson, Arizona. We are located in the Middle of Everywhere, surrounded by wealth of wide-ranging activities and natural amenities which include extraordinary, yet uncrowded state and national recreation areas, caves, mines, ghost towns, museums, historic locations, native sites, observatories, local wineries and micro-breweries. Learn more about this land: Bring your RV and join us at Smugglers' Roost for our warm sunny days and starlit nights! We are a pioneering community which serves as a hub for exploration, creativity, trade and most of all... the passionate celebration of life! We offer 228 Full Hook-up RV Sites with 50-amp electric, water, commercial septic and free high-speed Wi-Fi. Pull-throughs are available and there's plenty of room to spread out! Smugglers' Roost is located in Animas, NM, situated at the site of the infamous Clanton Gang’s hideout along Smuggler’s Trail. The community is positioned along the original Butterfield Overland Stagecoach Winter Route; a short two hour drive from Las Cruces , New Mexico or just 2.5-hours from either El Paso, Texas or Tucson, Arizona. We are located in the Middle of Everywhere, surrounded by a treasure trove of wide-ranging activities and natural amenities which include extraordinary, yet uncrowded state and national recreation areas, caves, mines, ghost towns, museums, historic locations, native sites, observatories, local wineries and micro-breweries. BIRD WITH US! We offer an onsite birding station and three additional affiliated and nationally acclaimed birding sites, including one at the mouth of the famed Cave Creek Canyon in Portal, AZ only a short drive away. EXPLORE THE UNIVERSE! Our dead-dark night skies are nothing short of awe-inspiring, so come explore with our onsite star guides with telescopes!

2. Light Homestead

90%

(5)

35mi from San Simon · 1 site · Tent, RV · Pearce, AZ

Located 10 miles west of the Chiricahua Mountains and Wilderness and nine miles from a well stocked country store, enjoy quiet camping in a shady orchard. With toilet, shower, laundry and other amenities, this is a beautiful place to access high country adventures, explore old west ghost towns, hand out and sing campfire songs, and/or share in healthy homestead produce!

3. THE OLD WEST

100%

(4)

32mi from San Simon · 1 site · Rodeo, NM

4. Coronado National Forest

80%

(46)

479 sites · Sonoita, Arizona

If you think southern Arizona is nothing but parched desert, think again.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

Public campgrounds near San Simon

Rustler Park Campground

25mi from San Simon · 22 sites · Tents, RVs · in Coronado National Forest

Portal Bunkhouse Campground

26mi from San Simon · 1 site · in Coronado National Forest

100%

(2)

Idlewilde Campground

26mi from San Simon · 9 sites · Tents, RVs · in Coronado National Forest

On the road from Portal, a half mile from the campground.

100%

(2)

Stewart Campground

26mi from San Simon · 12 sites · Tents, RVs · in Coronado National Forest

100%

(2)

Sunny Flat Campground

27mi from San Simon · 13 sites · Tents, RVs · in Coronado National Forest

Herb Martyr Campground

27mi from San Simon · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Coronado National Forest

Sycamore Campground

29mi from San Simon · 7 sites · Tents, RVs · in Coronado National Forest

100%

(1)

West Turkey Creek Campground

29mi from San Simon · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Coronado National Forest

Rucker Forest Camp

34mi from San Simon · 26 sites · Tents, RVs · in Coronado National Forest

Camp Rucker Group Campground

34mi from San Simon · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Coronado National Forest

Cypress Park Campground

34mi from San Simon · 14 sites · Tents, RVs · in Coronado National Forest

Stockton Pass Campground

42mi from San Simon · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Coronado National Forest

Stories from the community

Katie

July 2025

16 ft car

2 nights at Smugglers' Roost

I loved car camping on smugglers roost! They had a really nice bathroom and showers and gave clear instructions on arriving! The hosts were very communicative!

Susie

March 2025

25 ft travel trailer

With pets

5 nights at Smugglers' Roost

It just depends on what your needs are. There's are community of people here and it's good for that. We found it far too windy and ended up leaving to head to picture rocks instead.

A

Aurora

January 2025

Tent

6 nights at Light Homestead

Damon was a kind and caring camp host. His setup is rustic so don't expect a glamping experience but for those looking for an interesting place to camp away from the world it's well worth it. There are several different small hand built buildings on the property, one of which has a shared kitchen and bathroom, it's rough but is good enough for cooking and showers. The property also has several trees and shrubs planted by Damon and paths that one can take walks on. Oh, and there's also goats to check out! I also need to mention that Damon is a uniquely talented musical soul so if you're into playing or composing he might give you a mini tour of of his musical creations - they're very interesting- and show you his setup where he works on his music and offer to play some music together - my husband was surprised to find a musical mind to connect with in the middle of nowhere. He's also very knowledgeable of the surrounding area and was more than happy to share his tips with my husband and I on the best spots to visit and scenic drives to take. Damon made our camp stay very interesting.

A

Anne

December 2024

32 ft fifth wheel

With pets

4 nights at Smugglers' Roost

Curly was very helpful. Comfortable and close to good rockhounding sites