By:
Submission
Whitetail Campground offers group campsites in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains of southeastern Arizona, 5 miles south of the town of Summerhaven and the top of Mt. Lemmon. Groups can enjoy picking, hiking, camping and wildlife watching while enjoying a cool respite from hot summer. The facility can accommodate groups for day or overnight use.
Hiking and sightseeing are popular activities. The surrounding national forest boasts a variety of trails, including some on the 9,157-foot Mt. Lemmon, for those who wish to venture away from the campground for the day.
The University of Arizona runs an observatory just up the road, and visitors can also drive a few minutes to the small town of Summerhaven, which offers amenities and attractions on Mt. Lemmon's summit.
Anglers can try for stocked trout at nearby Rose Canyon Lake.
All five group areas have picnic shelters that can accommodate between 40 to 90 people each and come equipped with drinking water, electricity (small appliances only), trash collection and vault toilets.
Whitetail Campground sits high on the slopes of the Santa Catalina Mountains at an elevation of 8,000 feet. Because of its elevation, it can be much cooler than the lower-elevation campgrounds in the area. The campsites are spacious and spread out among stands of big ponderosa pines
The Coronado National Forest covers 1.78 million acres of southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. Elevations range from 3,000 to 10,720 feet in 12 widely scattered mountain ranges, or "sky islands," that rise dramatically from the desert floor, supporting biologically diverse plant communities.
Catalina Highway, also known as General Hitchcock Highway and Sky Island Scenic Byway, is the only paved road that leads to the upper reaches of Mt. Lemmon and the Santa Catalina Range, offering a scenic day trip.
Other notable attractions include Saguaro National Park, Sabino Canyon and Colossal Cave.
From Tucson, Arizona, go north on Catalina Highway approximately 30 miles from Tucson until you reach Milepost 20. Turn Left on Whitetail Road.
Excellent group site. I have used it for scouts and personal gatherings with multiple families. The current host, Roger was very friendly and did an excellent job keeping up the site during our weekend stay.
Very well kept and secure site. Bathrooms were clean and stocked. Site was clean and functional. The area is beautiful and great for kids. Other campers being less considerate of others experience was the only detracting issue which is not the fault of the management of site and goes more people not respecting others.
This is a wonderful site built by us taxpayers, but operated by a concessionaire operation under special use permit. Not sure what the Forest Service was thinking here but the place seems underutilized. The only people getting good use of the place seem to be the caretakers who live on site. Lucky dogs.
Stayed here again with a group last weekend. Beautiful group campground! Clean, well maintained. Covered ramada with picnic tables, electricity, water, food storage lockers and big trash bins. Another area with a firepit and lots of tent sites.
I'm not sure of his name but there was a gentleman who stopped by daily to empty garbages and maintain restrooms. He even brought a cute pair of gloves to one of the toddlers in the group who had been complaining of cold hands. :). Will be back again every fall!
We actually stayed in a cabin and did not camp in a tent, as the rest of our group did for our annual retreat. However, we were at the campsites a good part of the day. The camp host was amazing! Friendly, accommodating, and kept both campsites clean. The group already booked the campsite for next year!
