Map showing campground location near Dragoon, Arizona

Camper submitted image from Cochise Stronghold Campground

Cochise Stronghold Campground

Within the Coronado National Forest, Cochise Stronghold Campground sits in the Dragoon Mountains at 5,000 feet elevation, surrounded by oak and alligator juniper trees. This US Forest Service campground operates seasonally from September through May, charging $20 per night for sites that accommodate RVs up to 22 feet.

The campground's ten sites cluster together with minimal privacy between them, though each receives good tree coverage that can challenge solar panel setups. Kaileen F. notes the "campus nestled right against some beautiful granite features, and well covered by evergreen oaks." Sites include concrete picnic tables, fire rings, and tall grills, with composting toilets serving the area. Site 18 stands out as having more flat space for multiple tents.

Access requires crossing several creek beds along the forest road, with water depths typically ranging from three to six inches. During heavy rains, these crossings can become impassable for days, trapping campers until water levels recede. Most vehicles with standard clearance manage the route, though reviewers report seeing everything from Prius cars to F-250 trucks navigate successfully.

The campground provides no potable water, requiring campers to bring their own supply or filter water from the nearby creek. Cell service remains minimal to nonexistent on most carriers. Granite boulder formations create immediate hiking opportunities, with trails leading to Half Moon Tank and other rock formations. Beth G. mentions "dog friendly hiking opportunities from this campground on the Cochise Trail."

Dispersed camping options exist along West Hunt Road for those preferring more space and no fees. The established campground works best for campers comfortable with primitive conditions who prioritize proximity to granite climbing areas and hiking trails over modern conveniences.

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Cochise Stronghold Campground is located in Arizona

Directions

From Tucson, take I-10 east 72 miles to US 191. Turn right (south) and drive 12 miles to Ironwood Road. Turn right (east) on Ironwood Road. From Douglas, take US 80 two miles to US 191. Go north approximately 45 miles to Sun Sites, then turn left (west) on Ironwood Road. Continue on Ironwood Road (which becomes Forest Road 84 at the Forest boundary) for 8 miles to Cochise Stronghold Campground.

Coordinates

31.93945274 N
109.97829897 W

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Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Good Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&T
No Coverage

Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Good Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&T
No Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Equestrian

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Reservable
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

1 hr 14 min from Sierra Vista, AZ
1 hr 15 min from Tucson, AZ
3 hrs 9 min from Phoenix, AZ
3 hrs 16 min from Las Cruces, NM

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

12 Reviews

Visitors repeatedly highlighted excellent hiking, rock climbing, and scenic beauty in a rustic mountain setting. Many noted compact sites with limited privacy and no water hookups, making it ideal for those seeking affordable dry camping adventures.

cal K.

Ranger

Reviewed Mar. 1, 2023

Remote, cold, beautiful

Bumpy road washed out farther up but the dispersed area was fine. Pretty cold and rugged in Jan but really gorgeous. Creek runs near road.

Sitedispersed

Month of VisitJanuary

(8) View All

Kaileen F.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 29, 2021

What a surprise

There are a lot of small campsites all grouped together in the middle of the camping area, but me and the guys picked site 18, which has a lot of flat area for several tents, and has a much more relaxed vibe. Campus nestled right against some beautiful granite features, and well covered by evergreen oaks. Easy access to hiking and adventuring in the granite boulder area. There was no drinking water when we were there late September, but there are several spigots around camp. Maybe they turn it on at some point. We really enjoyed this space

Site18

Month of VisitSeptember

(7) View All

Dave

Guide

Reviewed Mar. 7, 2021

Great little campground!

Spent the weekend here and it didn’t disappoint. Great little campground. Lots are close together but we had great neighbors. There is no water and decent pit toilets. No cell service but that was what we were looking for. Great hiking in the area!

(4) View All

Emily A.

Traveler

Reviewed Feb. 15, 2021

Excellent dispersed option!

We headed over here early on a Saturday morning and found a dispersed spot without a problem. Tons of spots available and some of the dips might require high clearance but we did fine with our vintage trailer and suburban. The spots are level and shaded (or full sun if you prefer). No water or amenities and hardly any cell service on Verizon but it was awesome. Would definitely recommend!

Marisa R.

Scout

Reviewed Dec. 24, 2020

Great hiking spot

We had a great time camping and hiking at Cochise Stronghold. Stayed at the main campground but will stay at down at the dispersed area next time.

Beth G.

Legend

Reviewed Feb. 16, 2020

Small campground but worth a visit

My husband, myself and our 2 small dogs live in Tucson, AZ. We recently acquired a roof top tent and we’ve been trying out various campgrounds across the Southwest.

Dog friendly hiking opportunities from this campground on the Cochise Trail. I recommend arriving during daylight hours. We left after work, and it was harder to navigate the primitive roads back to the campground in the dark. You do have to cross the stream several times to get the the site. When we crossed the water was 3-6” deep and a few crossing are over rocks (not pavement). We had no issues in our F250, but any vehicle with a normal amount of clearance should be fine. We saw several small SUVs/crossovers, small trailers, a dirt bike and a Prius.

It’s a popular place and we were lucky to get the last site available that night. There are also dispersed camp sites (also popular) along the W Hunt Rd loop.

The campground has pit toilets (with 2 stalls each). Each site has a picnic table, a nice fire ring and a tall BBQ grill. The sites are close together. No water, so bring your own.

We will definitely return to the Cochise Stronghold area.

M S.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 24, 2019

High Desert

Dry camping and good hiking. Cheap stay and deposit on honor system.

Shari G.

Legend

Reviewed Apr. 17, 2019

Gorgeous Hiking & Climbing Opps!

Various Oaks and Alligator Junipers abound at this cute little National Forest campground tucked in the Dragoon Mountains, another of Arizona’s beautiful “Islands in the Sky.” Named for the late Apache leader, Chief Cochise, this campground sits at the base of a few absolutely gorgeous hiking trails and rock climbing areas.

Each site has a good amount of space but oddly a small amount of space for tents and RV’s longer than 24 feet won’t fit in most of the sites. There is no privacy in between sites, but each site has good tree coverage (almost too much for our solar suitcase on an extension cord). Each site has a huge cement picnic table, fire ring, and grill and there are a couple composting toilets. There was no drinking water available at the campground (the website says there is water), but there is a creek you can pull water from for filtering, so come prepared.

Important note: If there is rain in the forecast, be aware that you may get stuck in this campground for a couple of days, as you have to cross numerous washes on the road to/from the campground. We were there for 3 days before it was safe to pull a small camper across the “death wash” that grew to 6 feet high and 20 feet wide during a 24-hour rain event!

Site5

Month of VisitMarch

(10) View All

Travis D.

Ranger

Reviewed May. 13, 2017

Great Rocks!

We went here for a quick overnight and it did not disappoint. The campground itself is pretty small and would be cramped if full, luckily it was no where near full when we were there (late fall). The rocks of the Dragoon Mountains are amazing and wandering among them is certainly worth it. We came back another time and discovered multiple dispersed camping spots on the Forest Service road that veers off just as you cross the Forest boundary as you head in towards the campground - this is where we will camp in the future (no fee). The hiking is amazing - head to up at least to half moon tank to see water and amazing rock formations.

(6) View All

Danielle A.

Guide

Reviewed Apr. 6, 2017

Tiny Camp with Big Adventure

I love it here. The campsites are fairly small and there's not much room for tents, but you don't go to the Stronghold to spend much time at camp anyway. The climbing here is rugged and relatively undeveloped and the views are pretty amazing. The rock that's formed here is unlike anything else in the area and just spending time here far from civilization makes you feel like an Apache warrior hiding out in the mountains.

Leah W.

Legend

Reviewed Sep. 24, 2016

One of the best

We loved staying at Cochise. The sunsets were amazing every night, there were tons of trees for shade and hanging hammocks and it was a great place to make a basecamp for a couple days of climbing.

dan N.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 31, 2016

Unforgettable Adventure Grounds

Rustic camping paradise. Endless trails, with amazing sights at every bend. Stumble upon rivers, vistas, sunning reptiles, and imagine what its like to be a native, shaking up settlers and hiding from Colonialists.

I can't wait to go back. I went in March and the weather was perfect. Aim for spring or fall, and get in early to find a spot. There's always something available, but get in early to find the good spots, lots of them spread out! COCHISE IS THE BEST!!! Lots of rock climbing too! So much scrambling, bouldering, and trad and sport routes. You'll love it even if you don't climb.

(6) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Are reservations required for Cochise Stronghold Campground and what are the fees?

Cochise Stronghold Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system. The fee is relatively inexpensive and uses an honor system for payment, with a deposit box at the entrance. If the main campground is full, dispersed camping areas are available nearby that also accommodate vintage trailers and larger vehicles. These dispersed sites offer more privacy while still providing access to the same trails and natural features. For current fee information, check with Coronado National Forest before your trip.

What amenities and facilities are available at Cochise Stronghold Campground?

Cochise Stronghold is a rustic campground with basic facilities. The campground offers pit toilets but no running water, so visitors must bring their own supply. Sites feature shade from various oak trees and Alligator Junipers, and have fire rings and picnic tables. The campsites vary in size, with some being relatively small and close together, while others (like site 18) offer more space for multiple tents. There's no cell service at the campground, making it ideal for those seeking a digital detox experience.

Where is Cochise Stronghold Campground located and how do I get there?

Cochise Stronghold Campground is nestled in the Dragoon Mountains of Arizona, one of the state's beautiful "Islands in the Sky." The campground is located in Coronado National Forest and named after the Apache leader Chief Cochise. Access is via a road that can be somewhat rough in places, especially after rain when it may become washed out in sections. It's advisable to arrive during daylight hours for easier navigation, and some areas might require high clearance vehicles, though most passenger vehicles can reach the main campground.

What recreational activities can I do at or near Cochise Stronghold?

Cochise Stronghold offers excellent recreational opportunities, particularly hiking and rock climbing. The area features numerous trails with spectacular views at every bend, including the dog-friendly Cochise Trail that starts directly from the campground. Rock climbing is popular here, with rugged and relatively undeveloped routes that challenge enthusiasts. The unique granite formations provide a distinctive climbing experience unlike others in Arizona. Visitors can also enjoy wildlife watching, photography of stunning sunsets, creek exploration, and simply relaxing in hammocks under the shady trees. The diverse landscape of granite features, flowing creeks, and mountain vistas creates endless opportunities for outdoor adventure.

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