V15E8: Solitude on the Edge of Tucson

We occupied site H6 in the Gilbert Ray Campground “first-come first-serve” H loop. Spacious enough for two vehicles. Great cell service. Electrical 30A hook-up. A short walk to the bathroom and up against a wall for just a tad more privacy than other sites in the loop. Site is gravel, while the loop is paved. Lovely desert flora, but be careful of the cacti with pets. Just a 20-30 minute drive into downtown Tucson. For what it’s worth, all of the sites at Gilbert Ray Campground seem really nice.

It doesn’t seem like a lot of people drive down this primitive BLM road, ever. This site is toward the end of a long spur, requires a compact four-wheel drive vehicle with high-clearance. It is very close to the border of the reservation to the west, which is where the road ends. Site has an old, neglected stone fire ring and has enough room for one or two small vehicles. Nestled in a desert valley surrounded by lovely flora. Good shelter from the wind and elements. Jagged landscape all around and privacy is exceptional, very quiet at night. Cell service is very poor, and abandoned mines located nearby.

A very remote, but also a seemingly well-used primitive campsite on BLM land. Accessible by any four-wheel drive vehicle. Larger vehicles may be subject to scratches. Established stone fire ring with enough room for three or four vehicles. Sweeping views of desert and saguaro cacti, and located next to a mount of rocks loaded with amazing petroglyphs. Privacy is pretty good, and there are a couple other viable campsites en route. Good cell service. Some cattle nearby, and adjacent to a sandy wash. Recommended.

For $20 a night for an RV site, electrical hook-ups, lovely desert setting, and a 20-30 minute drive into downtown Tucson, this can’t be beat for an RV basecamp. It’s very peaceful, and far more relaxing than the massive and extremely busy KOA downtown. It’s our go-to when we’re in the area. Great cell service here for digital nomads.