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With its picturesque vegetation and dramatic setting at the foot of 9,157' Mt. Lemmon in southeastern Arizona, Peppersauce Campground is an outstanding area for enjoying an afternoon picnic or a weekend campout. This year-round facility is a popular stop among off-road vehicle enthusiasts and families. Hunting, hiking and scenic driving opportunities are nearby. It is located 8 miles from the town of Oracle.
The Santa Catalina Mountains are known for their exceptional hiking. Hikers can find access to the Arizona Trail, which runs from Mexico to Utah, about 5 miles from the campground along Forest Road 38. Off-road vehicle trails are also available in the area.
A few nearby caves afford visitors the opportunity for caving and spelunking.
Peppersauce Campground has one reservable group camping area for up to 35 people at a time. The facility is equipped with vault toilets, several tables and benches, a grill, campfire rings and lantern posts. The parking area can hold up to 10 vehicles. First-come, first-served individual campsites are also available.
A campground host is available on-site for visitor assistance.
Campsites at Peppersauce are spread throughout a creekside oasis of enormous Arizona sycamore and walnut trees that provide shade in summer and color in autumn. The campground sits at an elevation of 4,700 feet alongside Peppersauce Creek. The creek is normally dry except during heavy rains or the area's summer monsoon season. Campers should be aware that the creek is prone to flash flooding during rain events.
Visitors can explore several historic, cultural and natural attractions within a day trip, including the University of Arizona's Biosphere 2, the city of Tucson, Saguaro National Park, Sabino Canyon and Colossal Cave.
From Tucson, drive north on Oracle Road (U.S. Highway 89). Continue for 27 miles to State Highway 77. Turn right (east) and drive 10 miles to the town of Oracle. Take the first Oracle exit and travel 4 miles through the town to Forest Road 38. Follow 38 to Peppersauce Canyon.
Please note: the speed limit is 5 mph inside the campground and 35 mph outside the campground on Forest Road 38.
Very nice. Remote and well kept. Its surprising as road leading there is barren. Yet the camp is in a deep ravine covered in sycamore trees. Bring mosquito repellent🐕🦺
The campground was closed due to health concerns therefore no running water. Because we only planned on staying one night it wasn't a problem. Always good to get out and go camping.
Spent a few hours here hanging out in the shade. At least it was cooler than Tucson and Phoenix. Not a big campground, but it was clean when we were there. Also not crowded. We will be back again.
Beautiful, peaceful, so many trees and lots of shade. Some sites are impossible to reach without 4 wheel drive but many shady areas near the bathrooms and water are relatively easy to reach. You may scrape rocks in a super low car like ours. The fee is $15 per night and they have water spigots, a bathroom, concrete picnic tables, bear boxes, and a fire pit with adjustable grill. The road gets a bit threatening in the last 2 miles or so before the campground. You shouldn't go any further however, unless you have 4WD or a good truck, the road beyond this campsite is not maintained much and is "drive at your own risk".
Across Mt. Lemmon Rd. is a trailhead for an ATV trail marked "Rice Peak 7 (miles)" much closer than the other hiking trails, that we hiked along for a bit and it was stunning, and we saw many lovely secluded sites for camping back there which I assume are free dispersed camping areas with no amenities, and we also found a trickle of snowmelt forming a tiny creek in the riverbed while hiking there, a cool creepy cave in the wall, and lots of neat rocks. Lots of birds and little animal sounds at night shows you the life of the forest. Neat bugs too!
Restrooms need help...road Can be muddy, there is traffic through the camp due to a school camp on tje other side.
Pluses are a nice creek, BIG trees and a great variety of winter birds!
We tented, and the night birds, like Western Screen Owls, and Night Hawks was AWESOME!
I was there for the birds. I would NOT bring anything but a tent or small camper. Don't come in a large motor home. There are water pumps near the outhouses. No showers or hand washing other than the pump.
Some campsites are level, most are not.
I'm not sure of the number of sites... maybe 10? There are a couple group sites for tenting. School groups and clubs come fairly often on weekends.
There are "dry" camp spots on the other side of the road, but no water or outhouses there. Just a few pull outs along the creek.
Rainy weather can be questionable for travel in and out of the area.!
