The best lakeside camping near Vail

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Lake camping near Vail means cool mornings, mountain reflections, and easy access to the water—ideal if you want to swim, fish, or just watch wildlife drift by. With over 380 lake campsites in the area, you’ll find everything from pet-friendly spots to places where campfires are allowed and showers are on hand. Prices start at $37 a night, with the average hovering around $39. Top picks like Sanctuary at Sonoita Creek (206 reviews), La Hacienda Chuparosa (110 reviews), and Three Pines Homestead (13 reviews) consistently get high marks for their access to swimming, hiking trails, and up-close wildlife encounters. Bring your binoculars, your hiking boots, and your swimsuit—this is lake camping done right.

98% (333) 30 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Vail

Sanctuary at Sonoita Creek

1. Sanctuary at Sonoita Creek

100%
(383)
33mi from Vail · 4 sites · RVs
Sanctuary at Sonoita Creek was created as a place to enjoy the unique treasures of Patagonia, AZ. We wanted to provide a haven for people who value the outdoors to gather and take advantage of the recreational opportunities in our area. We offer three RV full hookup RV sites. We also have two vintage trailers that are available through Airbnb. We're walking distance to the Tucson Audubon's Paton Center for Hummingbirds and the Sonoita Creek Nature Conservancy. We're also walking distance to restaurants and shopping in the Town of Patagonia. Patagonia Lake is only 8 miles away.
Pets
Full hookups
from 
$40
 / night
La Hacienda Chuparosa

2. La Hacienda Chuparosa

95%
(137)
19mi from Vail · 6 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
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.
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from 
$25
 / night
Coronado National Forest

3. Coronado National Forest

80%
(46)
479 sites · Sonoita, Arizona
If you think southern Arizona is nothing but parched desert, think again.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Patagonia Lake State Park

4. Patagonia Lake State Park

88%
(12)
117 sites · Beyerville, Arizona
A pristine desert oasis for paddle sports, fishing, and wildlife.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets

Lake camping near Vail means cool mornings, mountain reflections, and easy access to the water—ideal if you want to swim, fish, or just watch wildlife drift by. With over 380 lake campsites in the area, you’ll find everything from pet-friendly spots to places where campfires are allowed and showers are on hand. Prices start at $37 a night, with the average hovering around $39. Top picks like Sanctuary at Sonoita Creek (206 reviews), La Hacienda Chuparosa (110 reviews), and Three Pines Homestead (13 reviews) consistently get high marks for their access to swimming, hiking trails, and up-close wildlife encounters. Bring your binoculars, your hiking boots, and your swimsuit—this is lake camping done right.

98% (333) 30 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Vail

Sanctuary at Sonoita Creek

1. Sanctuary at Sonoita Creek

100%
(383)
33mi from Vail · 4 sites · RVs
Sanctuary at Sonoita Creek was created as a place to enjoy the unique treasures of Patagonia, AZ. We wanted to provide a haven for people who value the outdoors to gather and take advantage of the recreational opportunities in our area. We offer three RV full hookup RV sites. We also have two vintage trailers that are available through Airbnb. We're walking distance to the Tucson Audubon's Paton Center for Hummingbirds and the Sonoita Creek Nature Conservancy. We're also walking distance to restaurants and shopping in the Town of Patagonia. Patagonia Lake is only 8 miles away.
Pets
Full hookups
from 
$40
 / night
La Hacienda Chuparosa

2. La Hacienda Chuparosa

95%
(137)
19mi from Vail · 6 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
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.
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from 
$25
 / night
Coronado National Forest

3. Coronado National Forest

80%
(46)
479 sites · Sonoita, Arizona
If you think southern Arizona is nothing but parched desert, think again.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Patagonia Lake State Park

4. Patagonia Lake State Park

88%
(12)
117 sites · Beyerville, Arizona
A pristine desert oasis for paddle sports, fishing, and wildlife.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field