Gilbert Ray, Catalina, Lost Dutchman

[Mucram]

Any advice on fav loops/sites in these AZ state parks? Hard to tell from campsitephotos app. Thank you!

[Ooshkaboo]

Originally Posted by Mucram

Any advice on fav loops/sites in these AZ state parks? Hard to tell from campsitephotos app. Thank you!

These were a few decent spots at Lost Dutchman.

[diannelgraham]

Originally Posted by Mucram

Any advice on fav loops/sites in these AZ state parks? Hard to tell from campsitephotos app. Thank you!

Catalina A loop, B loop no trees and your neighbors are close. Lost Dutchman main with electric and water is the best as the mountains are close... no bad sites at Lost D

[kavm]

We stayed in Gilbert Ray recently and found it to be a very nice campground. It is close to the Sonora Arizona Desert Museum, which is worth a visit. It is also next to the Saguaro NP and hikes there. But, we do not have experience with the other campgrounds and cannot give you comparative review.

I think campers are permitted in A loop only but not sure. Don’t have recommendation for specific campsites.

[Perry Butler]

On Feb 18 - 25 we're at Catalina in A-46. It will be an OK site at best, but no site in Catalina is that good. YMMV. We have lots of friends in Tucson, there is plenty of urban hiking, and the biking is quite good.

On February Feb 26-Mar 3 we're at Gilbert Ray. Outside Loop sites are preferred. We avoid loop H if possible. This will be our 6th year there.

From March 20-April 3 we're at Lost Dutchman for the 5th winter. We'll be in H-25. We're set up for boondocking, don't need services, so the H loop is our choice. Make sure you get an outside loop site. This will be our 5th year at Lost Dutchman. We have relatives and friends in the Phoenix area, plus if you drive a little the hiking can be fantastic, and we enjoy biking on the bike routes from Papago Park.

Enjoy,

Perry

[Mike G]

Lost Dutchman calls to me. Fond memories. Need to get back there sometime, or several times!

[Mucram]

thank you for your responses. Very helpful. I need to start saving park maps & highlighting best sites. Have stayed at Gil Ray before but don't remember which sites were best. You guys are great!!

[wjwoods01@gmail.com]

I've found this https://www.campsitephotos.com/ to be fantastic for checking out campsites at state parks and other campgrounds.

[Mucram]

Originally Posted by wjwoods01@gmail.com

I've found this https://www.campsitephotos.com/ to be fantastic for checking out campsites at state parks and other campgrounds.

Yes. I use this as well as campground videos for info but sometimes real experiences from this well traveled group is a wonderful asset.

[Vermilye]

For what it is worth, my notes from a walk through on the "A" loop at Gilbert Ray. I have a 21. I've also stayed in a couple of "C" loop sites, Didn't see any that I wouldn't fit, but didn't make a list. "H" is currently first come & "B" is tents only.

Gilbert Ray, Tucson, AZ - Short doesn't mean the 21 won't fit, but it would be tight to include the truck.

1. Short, Host
2. OK
3. OK
4. Short
5. OK
6. Short
7. OK
8. Short
9. OK
10. OK
11. OK
12. OK
13. Short
14. OK
15. OK
16. OK
17. OK
18. OK
19. OK
20. OK
21. OK
22. OK
23. Short
24. OK
25. OK
26. OK
27. OK
28. Short
29. OK
30. OK
31. OK
32. OK
33. OK
34. OK
35. OK
36. Short
37. Short
38. Short
39. OK Host?
40. OK
41. Short
42. OK
43. OK
44. OK
45. OK
46. OK
47. OK
48. OK
49. Short
50. OK
51. Short
52. OK
53. Somewhat Short
54. OK
55. Short
56. OK
57. Short
58. OK
59. OK
60. OK
61. OK
62. OK
63. OK
64. OK
65. OK
66. Short
67. Tent
68. Short
69. Short
70. OK
71. OK
72. Short
73. Short
74. Short
75. OK

[Mike G]

As long as those are site numbers and not ages. I don't want to come up "short" next year! Or end at 75!

[MyronL]

I have no idea what number or loop this is. Do remember we very much liked being there.

[StillCampin]

What you look for in a site is very likely gonna be different from what I look for so that my ideal/acceptable/maybe/never evaluation could easily be different for you. So, if you want things like: room @ the door for sitting & dog pen; sometimes space nearby the door for a 10x10 screen room; southern sky view for satellite tv; (usually) northern sky view for Starlink; long enough parking for 25’ 5th wheel (includes cargo box on bumper) and full size crew cab dually pickup with space when parked to open tailgate; some shrubbery preferred between sites; if no electricity I want good solar exposure with space for my 2 portable panels; and, depending on the season, sun or shade on the door side - then I do have my preferences at a number of locations including Catalina & Lost Dutchman.