Campground Overview:
Tucked away in the rolling hills of southeastern Arizona is a hidden treasure. Patagonia Lake State Park was established in 1975 as a state park and is an ideal place to find whitetail deer roaming the hills and great blue herons walking the shoreline. The park offers a campground, beach, picnic area with ramadas, tables and grills, a creek trail, boat ramps, and a marina.
The nearby Lakeside Market offers boat rentals and supplies. The campground overlooks the lake where anglers catch crappie, bass, bluegill, catfish, and trout. The park is popular for water skiing, fishing, camping, picnicking, and hiking. And the tracks of the New Mexico/Arizona railroad lie beneath the lake and remnants of the old historic line may be found at the Nature Conservancy in Patagonia. Hikers can stroll along the creek trail and see birds such as the canyon towhee, Inca dove, vermilion flycatcher, black vulture, and several species of hummingbirds.
Campsites:
105 developed campsites with a picnic table, a fire ring/grill, and parking for two vehicles. Select sites also have a ramada. Sites have 20/30 amp and 50 amp voltage. Sites tend to fill up in the evening from May until November. Campsite lengths vary but most can accommodate any size RV. Quiet hours (no generators, music, or loud voices) are from 9 p.m. – 8 a.m.
There are 12 boat-in campsites are available. Sites have a picnic table, fire-ring and are accessible by boat only. Some sites have portable restrooms. Quiet hours (no generators, music, or loud voices) are from 9 p.m. – 8 a.m. Boats are available for rent from Patagonia Marina and Boat Rental, located in the boat trailer parking lot.
Campground at a Glance
Level: |
Developed w/ Shower |
Season: |
Year-Round |
Nearby City: |
Sierra Vista |
Fishing: |
Patagonia Lake |
Campground Website: |
Patagonia Lake State Park |
Campground Map: |
Click Here |
Reservations: |
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Location: |
Nearby Attractions and Activities:
Patagonia, AZ
Patagonia is a defunct mining town that is now surrounded by opportunities for hiking and wildlife viewing. It is located 12 miles from the park and has restaurants and a selection of shops featuring uniquely crafted works of art and antiques. Just southwest of Patagonia is The Nature Conservancy with a riparian area that meanders through the Cottonwood lined Sonoita Creek.
Fort Huachuca
An active military base established in 1877 as a base for American soldiers fighting the Indian Wars and was home to the Buffalo Soldiers. It is about 52 miles from Patagonia Lake and requires a 1 1/4 hour drive. The Fort Huachuca Museum highlights early military history. Visitors will need a driver’s license and vehicle information when you register at the front gate. Call (520) 533-3638.
City of Tombstone, AZ
The “Town too Tough to Die” and location of the OK Corral and Boot Hill Cemetery is located 63 miles from the park and requires a 1 1/2 hour drive. Shops line the main walkways, gunfight re-enactments, stagecoach rides and other amusements are to be found. The Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park dates back to 1882 as the Cochise County Courthouse. It houses many artifacts from the various eras of Tombstone’s history in the museum and serves as a resource for historical researchers. Contact the Tombstone Chamber of Commerce at P. O. Box 995, 4th and Allen, Tombstone, AZ 85638. Phone (520) 457-9317, or toll free (888) 457-3929.
Bisbee, AZ
The city of Bisbee is located 76 miles Southeast of the park and requires a two hour drive. It is a curious mix of the old and the new. The downtown historic district recalls the wild days as a booming mining town, while the newer parts of town carry on as a modern municipality. See the large, open lavender pit or take the Copper Queen underground mine tour. Contact the Bisbee Visitor Center at #2 Copper Queen Plaza and Convention Center, Bisbee, AZ 85603. Phone (520) 432-3554, or toll free (866)-2BISBEE.
San Pedro River Riparian Natural Area
This natural area is a long vegetated strip, 37 miles long that runs down the center of the San Pedro River valley. The San Pedro House serves as a visitor center and trailhead and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The San Pedro natural area is about 1 1/2 hour from Patagonia Lake and it is an ideal location for hiking and nature viewing, especially as a shady retreat during the warmer months. Phone (520) 439-6400.
Whipple Observatory
The Smithsonian institution’s visitor center is located about 53 miles north of the park in the Santa Rita Range of the Coronado National Forest. The visitor center conducts guided tours of The Fred Whipple Observatory, located on Mt Hopkins, for the general public from March through November. Please call 520-670-5707 for more information.
Titan Missile Museum
The Titan Missile Museum showcases the dramatic vestiges of the Cold War between the United States and the former Soviet Union and is located about an hour from Patagonia Lake State Park. This Titan II Intercontinental Ballistic Missile site housed the first liquid propellant missile that could be launched from underground. For more information call 520-625-7736.