Stockton Pass
Named after "Old Man Stockton," a rancher who settled in this area in the 1870s, Stockton Campground lies off the beaten path in the high desert of the Pinaleño Mountains in southeastern Arizona.
Groups of up to 30 people can come here to camp and enjoy hiking, picnicking and wildlife viewing. The facility is located on a beautiful scenic drive with panoramic views of the mountains.
Stockton Pass has one group camping area that can be reserved by a single group of up to 30 people at a time. Amenities include vault toilets, several picnic tables, pedestal grills and campfire rings with grills. Bear-proof trash cans are provided to keep visitors and wildlife safe. Several first-come, first-served individual sites are located nearby (must pay separately). Dead-and-downed firewood may be collected in and around the campsite.
Need to Know
There is a $5 per vehicle per night fee. Please pay by cash or check at the Fee Station upon arrival
No drinking water provided; visitors must bring their own
For groups over 30, one portable/self-contained toilet is required for every 15 people
To keep visitors and wildlife safe, make sure all food is secure and place all garbage in the proper receptacles. If your garbage does not fit in the bins, please pack it out of the Forest.
Season dates may depend on weather and fire conditions; call 928-428-4150 for current information
Total vehicle length must be less than 40 feet
No hookups are available
Check-in is at 2 p.m.; check-out is at noon
Maximum of 30 people and 3 vehicles.
Be sure your fire is completely extinguished before leaving; do not leave fires unattended. Only dead-and-downed trees and shrubs may be collected as firewood; tree cutting is prohibited
Pack and saddle stock are not permitted in camping area
Shooting is prohibited within 150 yards of any recreation site. Fireworks are prohibited anywhere on the Forest.
This is a high elevation facility; please use caution when traveling from lower elevations
Click here to learn more about Coronado National Forest
Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org
Natural Features
This site encompasses an area of beautiful desert grassland mixed with oak woodlands. Many species of birds and wildlife live in the area, including deer, black bear and mountain lions.
Stockton Pass serves as a route over the Pinaleño Mountains into Sulphur Springs Valley. The campground is located at the apex of the pass and offers good views of the south slopes of some of the mountain range's highest peaks, as well as views of surrounding valleys and mountains. With an elevation of 5,600 feet, temperatures are cooler than the surrounding low deserts in summer but still allow for camping in fall and winter.
The Coronado National Forest covers 1.78 million acres of southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. Elevations range from 3,000 to 10,720 feet in 12 widely scattered mountain ranges, or "sky islands," that rise dramatically from the desert floor, supporting biologically diverse plant communities.
Nearby Attractions
SR 266 West will take you out to the Galiuro Wilderness area, equipped with a variety of additional trails, including the West Divide Trail #289/Powers Garden Trail #96, which will bring you to the Power’s Family Cabin. The Power’s family were pioneers that farmed, ranged and mined in the Rattlesnake Canyon in the early 1900s until three members of the family were involved in a gunfight with law officers on a gold claim they were working. Two of the members escaped, at the time becoming the object of one of the longest manhunts in Arizona’s history.
SR 266 East will bring you back to SR 191, where you could continue heading north to reach the town of Safford (approximately a 1 hour drive from the Stockton Pass campground). Safford is home to our Ranger Station, where you can go to find information about trails, camping, hunting and fishing, and other questions you may have about our district (open Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm).
Recreation
A leisurely drive on SR 266 reveals large cattle ranges, rugged mountain ranges, and broad grasslands dotted with desert plants, a true southwestern experience. The Pass is open year-round, though summer can bring soaring temperatures and muddy rainstorms.
The area offers excellent hiking, and trails are easily accessed from the campground. The Shake Trail #309 winds through the high desert landscape and begins a climb that continues to the Swift Trail, high in the Pinaleño Mountains.
The campground’s setting is also inviting for an afternoon picnic, with tables set in a desert grassland with the occasional oak, manzanita tree, or cactus.
Changes & Cancellations
Please review the Rules & Reservations Policies page on recreation.gov
Contact Information
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711 14th Avenue, Suite D Safford AZ 85546
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 928-428-4150
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Safford, Arizona: Take State Route 191 south for 17 miles. Turn right onto State Route 266 and continue 12 miles to the Stockton Pass Campground (MM 116.5) on the right. The campground is past the second cattle guard.
From Tucson, Arizona: Take I-10 East for 90 miles. Take exit 352 for State Route 191, and turn left toward Safford. Drive 17 miles north and turn left on State Route 266. Continue 12 miles to the Stockton Pass Campground (MM 116.5) on the right. The campground is past the second cattle guard.
