CampgroundsDB

Molino Basin

Its sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), camping costs Single Site: $20 per night; Group Site: $100 per night, plus $10 per vehicle per night, and it is open from November to April. Molino Basin is a National Forest campground near Tucson, Arizona.

First-come, first-served

National Forest · Tucson, Arizona

Managed by
National Forest
Hookups
None
Max RV length
22 ft
Access road
Paved

Molino Basin sits inside Coronado National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com. It sits 0.5 miles outside the boundary of Pusch Ridge Wilderness; its permit and camping rules and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.

Arizona National Scenic Trail: The Mexico-to-Utah Arizona Trail passes through the campground; the Molino Trail leads to the Pusch Ridge Wilderness.

Getting a site

Managed by
National Forest
Reservations
None, first-come
Fee
Single Site: $20 per night; Group Site: $100 per night, plus $10 per vehicle per night

Sources: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-28; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Sites and hookups

Hookups
None
Max RV length
22 ft
  • ✓ Toilets
  • ✓ Pets allowed
  • ✕ Potable water

On site: Toilets and pets allowed. No potable water.

Sources: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-28; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Rules

Stay limit
14-day stay limit per year
Quiet hours
10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m.
Pets
Allowed

Sources: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-28; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Access and cell service

Access road
Paved
Elevation
4,500 ft

Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)

AT&T
No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE and 5G mapped about 0.2 mi away
T-Mobile
4G LTE; 5G mapped about 0.2 mi away
Verizon
4G LTE
Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection, data as of December 31, 2025

Outdoor coverage each carrier reports to the FCC at this campground's map point, and the nearest mapped coverage within about half a mile. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it. These are carrier predictions, not measurements, and can be wrong either way: real service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle is often weaker. 5G speeds are the FCC's 7/1 and 35/3 Mbps tiers. This product uses the FCC Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the FCC.

32.3369, -110.6917 in Pima. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Open in Google Maps Directions

Season and winter services

Molino Basin is open from November to April , at 4,500 ft.

Sources: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-28; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Molino Basin?
No. Molino Basin is first-come, first-served: there is no reservation system, so arrive early to claim an open site.
How much does it cost to camp at Molino Basin?
Camping at Molino Basin costs Single Site: $20 per night; Group Site: $100 per night, plus $10 per vehicle per night.
Does Molino Basin have RV hookups?
No. Molino Basin has no hookups. The longest rig allowed is 22 feet.
Is there drinking water at Molino Basin?
No. Molino Basin has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.
Are dogs allowed at Molino Basin?
Yes, pets are allowed at Molino Basin.
When is Molino Basin open?
Molino Basin is open from November to April.
How long can you stay at Molino Basin?
The stay limit at Molino Basin is 14-day stay limit per year.
Is there cell service at Molino Basin?
Yes, outdoors: the FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows 4G LTE from T-Mobile and Verizon at Molino Basin. It shows none at Molino Basin from AT&T, though AT&T shows 4G LTE and 5G about 0.2 mi away. The map is carrier-reported and modeled for outdoors, so expect weaker service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle.
Who manages Molino Basin?
Molino Basin is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Around Molino Basin

Public land · within 15 miles

Public land within 15 miles: Rincon Mountain Wilderness (12 miles to its center) , and Saguaro Wilderness (13 miles to its center) ; publiclandsdb.com has each unit's camping rules and boundary.

Hot springs and waterfalls nearby

swimholesmap.com · within 30 miles

Nearest to Molino Basin, in straight-line miles: Seven Falls (waterfall, 4.7 miles), and Hooker Hot Springs (hot spring, 26 miles). Each has its own page on swimholesmap.com.

First-come Molino Basin Group Tucson · National Forest Season November to April Fee Group Site: $100 per night, plus $10 per vehicle per night First-come Gordon Hirabayashi Campground Tucson · National Forest Season November to April Fee Single Site: $20 per night; Double Site: $40 per night First-come General Hitchcock Tucson · National Forest Season May to December 15 Fee Single Site: $20 per night; Double Site: $40 per night Reservable Rose Canyon Tucson · National Forest Season April to October Fee Single Site: $31 per night; Double Site: $51; extra vehicle $11

More campgrounds: camping near Tucson and campgrounds in Pima.

Sources

First-come, first-served Single Site: $20 per night; Group Site: $100 per night, plus $10 per vehicle per night
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