Arizona has no shortage of places to set up camp, but Picacho Peak State Park is easily among the best. This rugged desert oasis is every nature lover's dream, with sweeping mountain vistas, beautiful wildflowers, and sunsets that'll take your breath away.
Next time you're driving from Phoenix to Tucson (or vice versa), make it a mini-vacation by stopping at Picacho Peak State Park.
This desert oasis is nestled about midway between the two cities, and it's begging for you to visit.
The 1,500-foot-tall peak is covered with Saguaros, their ancient arms outstretched in the most regal, majestic ways you could imagine.
Several hiking trails let you get up-close and personal with the rugged terrain like never before.
As the seasons change, so too does the landscape.
Spring is arguably the most popular time to visit.
Should you choose to scale the mountain, be prepared for a challenging uphill trek.
It's only about three miles long, but the elevation gain is over 2,000 feet—talk about a leg burner!
Instead of hitting the road as soon as your adventure is done, why not stick around overnight?
The campground is extremely spacious, with a total of 85 electric sites suitable for both tents and RVs. Maximum occupancy per site is 10 (six adults and four children.)
You'll be hard-pressed to find a campground with better views of the Arizona desert.
Drink in the scenery as you unplug and enjoy the great outdoors.
If for no other reason, camping at Picacho Peak State Park is worth it for views like this.
Slow-burning southern Arizona sunsets never get old—and you can fully enjoy them knowing you have nowhere else to be for the night.
Campsites are $30 each from October-May and $25 from June-September.
Additional vehicles are $15 each, with four being the maximum number allowed.
Visit the park's website or Facebook page to learn more and/or reserve a campsite.
Have you ever gone camping at Picacho Peak State Park? If so, tell us all about your experience in the comments section below! Check out our previous article for more epic camping spots in Arizona.
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