This is a FREE campsite.

Address
Patagonia, Arizona
GPS: 31.497801, -110.680893
Elevation: 4514'
Get Directions

Management
Public - Forest Service (USDA) (Official)
Website
(520) 388-8300

The road in is Gravel. Harshaw Road - Coronado National Forest is open Year Round. You may stay 14 Days at Harshaw Road - Coronado National Forest.

Amenities:
Activities:
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1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (42 votes, average: 3.10 out of 5)
Submitted by hitekhomeless. Last update on May 21, 2011

Based on 7 reports
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Dispersed camping in the Coronado National Forest as well as a scenic drive.

A historic mining district that extends along the bottom of a sycamore-shaded canyon is the focal point of this short, easy drive. You’ll start in the quaint little town of Patagonia, with its rich mining and ranching heritage, and drive up the meandering course of Harshaw Creek. The canyons carved by that small stream and its tributaries were the center of extensive mining activity from the end of the last century well into the present one. Even today, mining activity continues in some areas.

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Noemidevera
Joined 2 years ago

Very nice campsite. I recommend it.

Noemidevera gives a rating of 4Noemidevera gives a rating of 4Noemidevera gives a rating of 4Noemidevera gives a rating of 4Noemidevera gives a rating of 4
Reviewed April 9, 2022

Coronado National Forest is about 4 miles from Patagonia on concerted road. Large campsite on shaded area, with fire pit. It’s close to main road so lots of traffic esp in the afternoon otherwise nobody bothered me the whole three days I was there. No signal for T mobile. No water so bring your own. It’s a free campsite since it’s National Forest. I stayed three nights and will go back there again. I went with my Toyota RAV 4, 2WD.

Stayed here with a passenger vehicle and a tent. Noemidevera would stay here again.

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Second Nature
Second Nature
Joined 2 years ago

Chill place with lots of trees, grass, and hiking.

Second Nature gives a rating of 5Second Nature gives a rating of 5Second Nature gives a rating of 5Second Nature gives a rating of 5Second Nature gives a rating of 5
Reviewed December 10, 2021

This specific location that I am going to mention in our review is one of the largest and least dusty areas on this road. There are a couple spots before this location and a few after as well. The road/campsites goes up in elevation the further you go, so you can pick your ideal temperature for camping. The coordinates: 34.6638095,-111.7278661

There is indeed a ton of traffic on this road, but is not bad at night when we were trying to sleep. I am a very light sleeper, so that is saying something.

There was no water in the creek when we visited 12/5/21. There is a dry creek bed next to us about 200' from the site that I can imagine could get filled in a couple months from now.

Lots of free range cows that like to come visit on occasion. Felt weird to be cooking steak when they came by; sorry not sorry, cows...

We saw on an app that there was free water available at the public spigot in the Patagonia City Park. We checked it out, but got confronted and told to leave by the City Commissioner who happened to be standing next to the park working on something. Prolly just very bad timing to go for a fill up; keep a sharp eye out for city officials apparently! ;)

Nearest town that has a proper grocery store is in Nogales, which is about 40 mins away. Make sure to stock up before you head here.

This place has decent reception with Verizon for work with 3 bars, and 4-5 bars with our WeBoost signal booster.

Scenery wise, the area has lots of Valley Oaks and dry grass similar to the Sonoma Valley area in CA. There were no fire restrictions when we came here, but definitely could have accidently lite a wild fire. Also, lots of dry firewood to gather from nearby trees and bushes, and hiking on the narrow trails behind the site with lots of cool boulders and plants to check out.

Stayed here in a 32 foot-long Trailer (RV). Second Nature would stay here again.

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AGracefulWatchman
Joined 5 years ago
AGracefulWatchman gives a rating of 1AGracefulWatchman gives a rating of 1AGracefulWatchman gives a rating of 1AGracefulWatchman gives a rating of 1AGracefulWatchman gives a rating of 1
Reviewed November 20, 2021

The coordinates are off. Theres definitely alot of free camping in this area. But not here. At these coords you will pass a sign that says leaving national forest. Then at the precise coordinates there's private property signs.

AGracefulWatchman would not stay here again.

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David Wall
Anonymous User

lots of room, close to the road, not much traffic.

David Wall gives a rating of 4David Wall gives a rating of 4David Wall gives a rating of 4David Wall gives a rating of 4David Wall gives a rating of 4
Reviewed September 21, 2021

Beautiful country, big campsites about 1/4 mile apart. 9/21/21. 4stars. Temperature was high 80s lows in the low 60s. Verizon 4g with 3-4 bars. The creek was running where I stayed, water to wash everything. There were 5 sites I saw. All very nice. Just a short drive off the highway.. They were preparing to pave the road at least past the camp sites. I didn't in farther. I will use again.

Stayed here in a 21 foot-long Class B (RV). David Wall would stay here again.

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Sandstone
Joined 5 years ago

Quite a few sites from Arizona Trail to Harshaw.

Sandstone gives a rating of 4Sandstone gives a rating of 4Sandstone gives a rating of 4Sandstone gives a rating of 4Sandstone gives a rating of 4
Reviewed April 17, 2020

A bit confusing finding these free campsites, so here are clear directions. Starting in the village of Patagonia, go north through the small business district on McKeown Ave. The Post Office will be on your left just before the paved road turns 90 degrees right or east. Mileage begins at the P.O. After 2.7 miles there is a well signed parking area for the Arizona Trail. A little further at 3.0 miles bear right at the fork, staying on the paved road toward Harshaw. At 3.7 and 3.8 miles there are two nice shaded camping sites under the oaks on the right. Each can take 2 campers comfortably, but taller rigs will be challenged by low branches getting in. At 4.5 miles, there is a pull-out that would do for an overnight if better spots are full. At 4.8 miles, a forest service road angles off to the right and down across a small creek. There is a spot near the road at the top. At 4.9 miles, just before the paved road starts to climb, there is a large shaded site on the left that will comfortably take 4 RV's of any size. At 5.2 and 5.4 miles are pull outs. At 5.8 miles, stay right on the paved road toward Harshaw Townsite. The pavement ends at about 7.0 miles, but the road is an excellent gravel road that appears to be treated for dust due to the mine workers using it. You re-enter Forest Service here, and for the next 3/4 mile to the old Harshaw Townsite (one old adobe ruin), thete are several really nice campsites shaded by huge Sycamore trees, that would be best during the summer as they are at a higher elevation. As others have mentioned, Harshaw Road has quite a lot of traffic with pickups and vans going to a mine site. There are also frequent Border Patrol vehicles all ng the road and up the side roads, but the one we talked to was very friendly and informative.

Stayed here in a 26 foot-long Class C (RV). Sandstone would stay here again.

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Tori
Anonymous User

Under sycamore tree near small creek

Tori gives a rating of 4Tori gives a rating of 4Tori gives a rating of 4Tori gives a rating of 4Tori gives a rating of 4
Reviewed February 26, 2020

Nice spot (31.4708856, -110.7060256), lovely area but traffic from boarder patrol all hours on Harshaw Road is ridiculous. Still, shady secluded spot that picks up a couple bars of cell service (AT&T) for free seem to be harder to find these days.

Stayed here in a 22 foot-long PopUp Trailer (RV). Tori would stay here again.

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ShantiB
Joined 5 years ago

Safe and Shady Spots near Good Birding & Intriguing Town

ShantiB gives a rating of 4ShantiB gives a rating of 4ShantiB gives a rating of 4ShantiB gives a rating of 4ShantiB gives a rating of 4
Reviewed April 24, 2019

The road to the largest spot is paved and it's easy to find as long as you use the GPS points included in Catkins' review. Do not use the GPS points at the top of this review. This area was flat, had a good cell signal plus it was relatively quiet and safe. Patagonia is a neat town and has a great grocery store with tasty healthy food: Red Mountain Foods. A new mining operation is starting to gear up so you'll see a lot of trucks related to that on the road.

Stayed here in a 25 foot-long Class B (RV). ShantiB would stay here again.

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Cadkins
Joined 5 years ago

Very nice other than bad GPS coordinates.

Cadkins gives a rating of 4Cadkins gives a rating of 4Cadkins gives a rating of 4Cadkins gives a rating of 4Cadkins gives a rating of 4
Reviewed April 1, 2019

The GPS coordinates listed take you to fenced off private property and much farther in than you need to go. You will see several open spaces before you go that far. The last really big space is around 31.4992601, -110.7025451.

Very nice area with lots of trees

Stayed here in a Passenger Vehicle. Cadkins would stay here again.

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Angela Gerkin
Anonymous User
Angela Gerkin gives a rating of 4Angela Gerkin gives a rating of 4Angela Gerkin gives a rating of 4Angela Gerkin gives a rating of 4Angela Gerkin gives a rating of 4
Reviewed April 5, 2018

Great spot. Room for any size camper. Shade trees.

Stayed here in a 23 foot-long Class B (RV). Angela Gerkin would stay here again.

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Ferne
Anonymous User
Reviewed September 17, 2015

We spent a two weeks here in January 2015. We liked it because it is more secluded than most spots in Arizona, free or not. It gives a bit of a feeling of privacy, with a choice of sun or filtered shade. It could have used a clean up as there was some trash, but nothing unbearable. There are two sites, with lots of space in between. Very quiet with little traffic from the nearby road. Most of that appeared to be border patrol but they ignored us completely, I'm happy to say.

It was a short trip back to Patagonia which we loved for it's small size, good food, a famous birding site, and an artistically inclined community. (Finally got to see "The Vagina Monologues" put on by the local theatre group....What a riot!) We intend to return to the same general area, as there is much to explore and not many tourists, and a cooler mini-climate due to the higher altitude.

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Zap
Anonymous User
Zap gives a rating of 3Zap gives a rating of 3Zap gives a rating of 3Zap gives a rating of 3Zap gives a rating of 3
Reviewed July 25, 2011

We lived on Harshaw Road very near the junction with Duquesne Road for a year in one of the very few places that could be leased. It's beautiful there most of the year. We experienced our first honest to gosh real blizzard on New Years 2010/2011.
One important point to remember is the area is heavily patrolled by various federal agencies and visitors are sometimes repeatedly stopped and questioned. Be prepared to obey authority and comply. The law enforcement guys and women can be a bit jumpy.Signs warning of smuggling and illegal immigration adorn the roadside at several intervals.

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Billie D
Anonymous User
Replied July 19, 2012

I was thinking of spending a little time in the Harshaw rd area near Patagonia, Az tenting it. Is any reservation needed, how far from town and how rough is the road. I will be on a bicycle so it would help to know which bike would be more suitable.

Thanks for the info on cheap camping,
Billie D
(phone number removed)

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