Peppersauce Campground

I've stayed here several times. It's a basic campground with some of the nastiest pit toilets I've seen, but not THE nastiest. Lots of flies and stink, but not full-up-to-the-top. At least two water spouts available around the campground if I recall correctly. Cows wander through the camp and may invade your site. Also, roaches abound. The location is pretty nice, actually. It's in a canyon with lots of trees, some very large, one even has a rope swing on it. Behind the public campground is a private camp/reform school/retreat or something. The road in is washboard dirt, but pretty well-kept. There are signs warning about flash floods, and I would avoid this place in the rainy season. I have seen a camper trailer there, I think it was the host, but I really wouldn't want to drive more than a simple car there. The road is somewhat steep with rather sharp switchbacks, as well as being washboard dirt. The main attraction here is Peppersauce Cave, which is about three miles past the campground. Immediately past the campground the road becomes rough and rocky and remains that way, don't plan on going more than 5-10 mph if you go to the cave. The cave has an informational sign and map at the entrance, which is so covered in graffiti it is difficult to make out any of the information. The cave itself is similarly trashed. To get in, you have to use your climbing skills to get up to the ledge where the cave entrance is. Once inside, you will have to crawl to get into the main part of the cave. Wear long pants/sleeves and stuff that can get wet and muddy, and a change of clothes for the car ride back unless you want a muddy car. Bring at least two flashlights per person. The cave is lots of fun to explore if you like slippery, muddy caves, and there are neat cave formations to see even though the cave is partly trashed. I hear there are other secret caves in the area, but I don't know where they are and I'm sure the people that know don't want to share, or their caves will also be trashed very soon.

The campground has been in maintained for a bit but bow it’s back to being monitored and taken care off by forestry employees. The pit bathrooms are stocked and the sites are fairly clean. As any spot with out 24/7 hosts campers leave trash and get loud and rowdy at times. Water is no longer accessible from the pumps due to dams from the Bighorn fire last year.

Went in November, lots of traffic all day AND night on mt lemmon rd which bends around campsite (probably hunting traffic) Also, lots of traffic directly thru campsite going to and from sycamore canyon academy...not only cars but fed ex trucks and other deliveries...not ideal for relaxing camping. Location is easy to get to, dirt road very well maintained. Campsite nice. Despite all vehicular traffic there was lots of wildlife, deer, Turkey, javelina, and a foraging skunk. Would maybe try dispersed camping on road to rice peak for better privacy and maybe reduced road noise, but 4wd needed.