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Submission
This small, sheltered campground is tucked away just off the Catalina Highway, along the rocky streambed that forms the floor of upper Bear Canyon. Campsites are nestled under a canopy of ponderosa pines, junipers and oaks. Some sites are located right along Bear Creek among large rocks. The Creek generally only flows during rainy periods or during the Spring snowmelt, but be vigilant of flash floods.
In Tucson, AZ, on Interstate 10, take the Speedway Blvd. exit (exit 257) to Speedway Blvd. Turn east onto Speedway Blvd. and go 9.2 miles (passed University of Arizona) to Pantano Rd. Turn left onto Pantano Rd. and go 1.1 miles to the Tanque Verde Rd ramp. Bear right onto the ramp and go 1.6 miles (on Tanque Verde Rd.) to Catalina Hwy. Turn left onto Catalina Hwy. and go 16.7 miles to General Hitchcock campground sign. Turn right at sign onto General Hitchcock Rd. into campground.
Love this place
We used the dispersed camping and the two residents that live there were awesome
This is a great experience if you're a tent camper. It's not really set up for RVs.
Really fun area with lots of rocks for climbing and places to explore.
Beautifully wooded area. Seasonal water flow in the creek. Clean camp sites and outhouses. Food lockers to protect such from wildlife. Grills and fire rings. Nice first come first serve selection of sites. Does not accommodate large tents, no hookups, no RV spaces.
We got in a bit late, but that's not the campground's fault. It's lower on the mountain so it was warmer sleeping conditions than I prepared for, listening to the stream running was quite nice. Just wasn't impressed with the state of the vault toilet bathroom, I know it's a glorified outhouse but yeesh. Also the wasp swarm around the picnic area in the morning, and no I didn't have sweets out. At least they weren't Yellow Jackets as I could move things, but elected to leave because of my dogs. Would camp again in a different spot
