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Rustler Park Campground

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Rustler Park Campground

Rustler Park is a wildflower-carpeted meadow high in the Chiricahuas. Around the turn of the century, rustlers concealed stolen stock there while altered brands healed and pursuit cooled. Today, the meadow provides a cool mountain respite from the deserts below. Rimmed with Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine, the meadow is sprinkled with seasonal wildflowers.

Campsites at Rustler Park are scattered in the shade of tall trees along access roads that have been purposefully kept out of the meadow to avoid damaging fragile plants and soils.

Rustler Park is an excellent place to pursue birdwatching. Larger animals, including black bear, are frequently spotted here, too. Trails lead from the campground into the Chiricahua Wilderness and to other places of interest. The Crest Trail #270, is accessible via a trailhead in the campground’s outer loop, or by a 4-wheel drive road south of the campground entrance.

The Basics

Location:

120 miles east of Tucson
18 miles west of Portal

Operator:

National Forest Service

Total Sites:

25 Sites

Pet Policy:

Pets must be restrained or on a leash.

Reservation Info:

Reservations not accepted.

RV Hookups:

None

Elevation:

8,500 Feet

Season:

April 1 - November 30

Activities:

Mountain Meadow Setting
Forested Sites
Birdwatching/Wildlife Watching
Forest Trails

Price:

$10
Single Site: $10
(10 people, 2 vehicles)

Phone:

520-364-3468

Amenities

Drinking Water
Vault Toilets

Cooking Grills
Fire Rings
Picnic Tables

Pets Allowed

Bear proof food and trash storage boxes
Potable Water in Summer only
Maximum Trailer Length: 22 feet

Amenity list above may not be complete.

Some More Things to Know

Black bears frequent this area. To avoid putting a bear’s life in danger and risking the loss of some of your own property, please dispose of all garbage in the bear-proof containers provided and use the bearproof food boxes to keep all food out of reach and out of sight.

Directions

From Tucson:
Take I-10 east 81 miles. Turn right (south) on AZ 186 and continue for 23 miles. Turn left (east) on AZ 181 toward Chiricahua National Monument and drive 3 miles, then turn right (south) on Forest Road 42.

From Douglas:
Take US 80 two miles west to US 191. Go north on US 19135 miles to Sunizona. Take AZ 181 east, then north, for approximately 28 miles (stay on paved road) to FR 42. Continue up FR 42 (Pinery Canyon) 12 miles to Forest Road 42D. Turn right at Onion Saddle and drive approximately 2.5 miles to Rustler Park Campground.

Forest Roads 42 and 42D are gravel roads suitable for two-wheel drive passenger vehicles, though high-clearance vehicles such as pickup trucks or SUVs are recommended. Open from April through November, these roads are not plowed and are usually closed following early or late season snowstorms. Expect slick conditions after a rain.

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