The open grasslands and scattered mesquite of Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge create a different desert camping experience than Arizona's typical rocky landscapes. This free U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service campground sits within the 118,000-acre refuge, where numbered campsites spread across various dirt roads that most vehicles can navigate.
Campers find well-spaced sites of different sizes, many large enough for RVs and offering pull-through access. Fire pits mark each designated spot, though shade remains limited across the grassland terrain. The Baboquivari Mountains rise to the west, with Kitt Peak Observatory visible to the north. Michael R. notes the area provides "beautiful sunrises and sunsets as well as star studded night sky."
Aircraft noise from military training flights occasionally interrupts the quiet, and Border Patrol activity occurs regularly in this border region. The refuge allows hunting, hiking, and off-road driving within designated areas. Birding opportunities attract wildlife watchers to the grassland habitat. A visitor center operates with varying hours, and potable water is available in nearby Arivaca, about six miles east.
Road conditions remain generally good, though some routes can become challenging after weather. No restrooms are provided on-site, and cell service reaches most areas. This refuge works well for self-sufficient campers comfortable with basic facilities and occasional aircraft overhead.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundBueno Aires National Wildlife Refuge is located in Arizona
Coordinates
31.572018444664685 N
111.50576833013382 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/3/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 1/23/26
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/3/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 1/23/26
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
FREE established camping
Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Bueno Aires National Wildlife Refuge needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 13 min from Tucson, AZ
- 2 hrs 10 min from Sierra Vista, AZ
- 2 hrs 52 min from Phoenix, AZ
- 4 hrs 16 min from Yuma, AZ













