Description

The Desert Trails RV Park is a gem of a park nestled in the desert on the outskirts of Tucson, near Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park. The campground has stunning desert views, complete with the iconic cacti of the southwest – the Saguaro. The park has access to miles of hiking trails which connect directly to the Saguaro National Park Trails. Desert Trails is a great place to stop while visiting the Tucson area or as a base for snow-birding through the winter season.

Location

Desert Trails RV Park
3551 S San Joaquin Rd
Tucson, AZ 85735
deserttrailsrvpark.com
(520) 883-8340
Latitude: 32.179198 N, Longitude: -111.148381 W, Elevation: 2,389 ft (728 m)

Details

We stayed for four nights at the Desert Trails RV Park in mid November, 2019.

Note: Check the campground website for directions – some GPS/map systems may have trouble guiding you to this park.

Cost

For four nights at a 50 amp full hookup gravel back-in site, we paid $148 ($37/night) including Arizona sales tax. There were no additional fees for pets or an extra vehicle.

Ratings (1-5)

Accessibility – 4/5

The campground is accessible via paved roads and is about 10 miles from Interstate I-19 and 11 miles from Interstate I-10. Lanes in the park are well-maintained asphalt or gravel. The park has both pull-thru and back-in RV sites and can accommodate large rigs. Park lanes are windy and narrow in places – making for a challenge to park a big rig in some sites. The campground facilities have provisions for Universal access.

Facilities/Amenities – 5/5

The park amenities include full hookup 50/30 amp RV sites, restrooms, showers, four laundry rooms, Wi-Fi, propane delivery service, complimentary ice, heated swimming pool, TV lounges, rec hall, library w reading patio, pool hall, seven activities buildings, weight room/gym, Bocce Ball, exercise/aerobics, horseshoes, and table tennis. Facilities are clean and well-maintained, although some look tired, dated, and could use renovation.

The park offers many activities, including live concerts, dances w live bands, art and photography classes, quilting sessions, hiking and biking trips, educational/nature programs, local food trucks, and many other activities/events. The park has access to miles of hiking trails with direct access to Saguaro National Park trails.

Site quality – 4/5

RV sites are full hookup with 50/30 amp electric. Park sites are back-in or pull-thru, gravel, clean, and may have shade trees. Site size and separation between sites varies.

Scenic Value – 5/5

The campground is in a desert environment not far from Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park. The park features stunning desert vistas complete with towering Saguaro cacti. The park features many nice landscaping touches, landscaped gardens, and quiet areas.

Many wild animals frequent the park, including over 50 species of birds, rabbits, road runners, coyotes, javelina, and doves. And of course, be alert for other creepy/crawly desert critters.

Location/Isolation – 5/5

The campground is quiet and gets little traffic noise. The is far out from the urban sprawl of Tucson and feels remote and isolated in the desert. Sites are mostly fair sized but some may feel cramped and crowded.

Paws Friendliness – 5/5

The campground is pet friendly with cleanup stations, dog wash station, and two enclosed off-leash pet runs. The campground is large enough for a fair walk with your pet.

Caution – this is a desert environment. Be mindful to provide shade and plenty of water for your pet; watch out for hot ground surfaces and cacti spines/burrs; and beware of desert critters.

Overall Rating – 5/5

Overall, the Desert Trails RV Park is a lovely place to stay while visiting the Tucson area or for spending the winter season. Given the popularity of this park during the high-season (fall and winter months) reservations are highly recommended. We enjoyed our short stay and would certainly visit another time.

Additional info

Internet access

We received a moderate 4G Verizon signal at this campground. The campground provided free WiFi.

Water Quality

The water at this campground tested hard.

TV

The campground does not offer cable TV and, despite proximity to Tucson, has poor reception for over-the-air-channels. Satellite TV recommended.

Nearby Amenities

A wide range of shopping, dining, cultural/entertainment venues, and automotive/RV services are available nearby in Tucson, Arizona.

Nearby attractions

Here are a few local attractions and activities:

• • Saguaro National Park
  • Tucson Mountain Park
  • Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
  • Kitt Peak National Observatory
  • Sabino Canyon
  • Santa Catalina Mountains
  • Tucson Botanical Garden
  • Reid Park Zoo
  • Tohono Chul Park
  • Pima Air & Space Museum
  • San Xavier del Bac
  • Cathedral of Saint Augustine
  • Old Tucson Studios
  • Sentinel Peak
  • Kennedy Lake
  • Colossal Cave Mountain Park
  • Tombstone
  • Museums, art galleries, fine dining, micro-breweries

Photos