Gilbert Ray Campground
HIGHLIGHTS
Camp among Saguaro cacti, decently spaced out sites with access to Saguaro National Park just minutes away.
PEACE, QUIET & SAGUAROS!
Located in Tucson Mountain Park just west of the city, Gilbert Ray Campground is a hidden gem among the desert for partial hookup camping spots. Chosen for its close proximity to Saguaro National Park West, Gilbert Ray continued the trend of lucking out on campsite selections.
We stayed in Loop A, site 74, a tight squeeze for our 35′ Grand Design travel trailer, but we made it work. Aside from that, everything was perfect. We had 30 amp power and a full tank of water we picked up on-site. There are clean bathrooms located at each loop as well so you can definitely stay here for the full seven days they allow.
Surrounding us were mountains in every direction, more cacti than you can count and the silence one expects when in the desert. We discovered the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and got a year pass for the family. The whole week was spent unschooling at the museum where the kids took their time to read every placard and view each exhibit. If staying here, the museum is a must-do. It’s beautifully designed, well maintained and one of the nicest we’ve ever seen. We also spent half a day exploring Saguaro National Park, our main attraction for this camping location. The park is vast and we enjoyed the dirt road loop and exploring the area. Last, the San Xavier del Bac Mission is only half an hour away and well worth a trip to see the oldest European building in Arizona. Gilbert Ray Campground makes for an ideal base camp to explore the park, museums, city and surrounding area of Tucson.
