Molino Basin Campground

We stayed at this campground because it was 10-20 miles from interesting places in Tucson and close to lots of great hiking. Free and secure camping is limited and far away from Tucson. The Coronado Forest District currently gives Inter-agency Annual Pass holders a %50 percent discount on camping here and free parking at the many trail heads along Mt Lemmon Highway. I would consider this campground primarily primitive because the majority of the sights are walk in tent sights with parking for cars. There are only 4-5 sights where small RV's and trailers can be parked. There are pit style toilets, trash bins, picnic tables and food storage bins and poles but no running water. Motorcycles and cars like to race up and down the highway above the campground making it very noisy, especially on weekends. Gordon Hirabayashi campground just up the road might be a bit more quiet as a small ridge helps block some of the traffic noise.

A very charming spot for tent campers. Individual spaces tucked around, often with rock walls, all with tables, grills and fire rings. 22 foot max for rigs. Close to trails and Tucson. There was some noise from the road which stopped at dark. The worst idiots on motorcycles taking the road at maximum speed. Altitude above the growth of most cactus so easy traveling with a dog.

We ended up staying here after trying to camp higher up in the forest in february. It was very easy to get to - just off the main road. This also means there is some traffic noise but not too bad and ends fairly early.

We chose a site right next to a parking area but you could walk in to other sites. The only bad thing was some people were throwing a party and were loud until about midnight.

The Molina Basin Campground is the first campground up the Catalina Highway at about 4200 feet and mile post 5.6. There are 36 sites. It is paved. It has 4 very clean pit toilet restrooms. There is no water available, nor a dump station, but there are trash dumpsters. Most sites have a concrete table, fire grate, charcoal grate, food storage box, and hanging pole. Three sites are designated for RVs and do not have food storage boxes nor hanging poles. It felt very safe. $20/night, $10/night with senior pass. We had no Verizon cell service.

This campground’s strength is well-shaded tent sites. I suspect it aims to support AZT through-hikers. There are some sites here which do not even have a space to park a vehicle. The three sites designated as RV sites are 17, 18, and 19. The host was very pleasant and helpful answering my only question.

I have a 30’ trailer. You do not want to take a 30’ trailer past site 19. The only sites which would support this trailer are 17, and 19. They were both flat. Site 18 was sloped and a little short for me. If you couldn’t use one of these campsites to back the trailer into, so you could turn around, you would be in a difficult position. The loop at the end of the campground is pretty tight. I had left the trailer on the valley floor and came up to inspect Molina and Hirabayashi with just the truck to see what I could and could not do. Both sites 17, and 19 would work well for something this long but you should know you have one of these sites before you come up. The campground recommends a maximum length of 22 feet. I would agree.

Our only complaint is road noise. The front half of the campground is surrounded on 3 sides by the Catalina Highway and it is a very busy road. The back end of this campground would be a little quieter. The 3 RV sites are spaced well away from each other but other areas are tighter. There is a 20 ft waterfall (seasonally) one mile up the canyon to the north with a good trail to it.