Catalina State Park Campout
Friday, April 29 to Monday, May 2
Great Outdoors San Diego presents
Come and join Great Outdoors San Diego as we head to the beautiful Sonoran Desert in Arizona for a 3 night 4 day campout in Catalina State Park.
Catalina State Park sits at the base of the majestic Santa Catalina Mountains approximately 15 miles from downtown Tucson. The park is a haven for desert plants and wildlife and nearly 5,000 saguaros. The 5,500 acres of foothills, canyons and streams invites camping, picnicking and bird watching — more than 150 species of birds call the park home. The park provides miles of equestrian, birding, hiking, and biking trails which wind through the park and into the Coronado National Forest at elevations near 3,000 feet. The park is located within minutes of the Tucson metropolitan area. This scenic desert park also offers equestrian trails and an equestrian center provides a staging area for trail riders with plenty of trailer parking. Bring along your curiosity and your sense of adventure as you take in the beautiful mountain backdrop, desert wildflowers, cacti and wildlife.
Average temps during this time are expected to be in the mid 50’s to the low 80’s.
Please note that wood fires are not permitted at this campground however propane fires are allowed.
NOTE: This event is limited to GO members. When you register, you'll need to have your credit card ready and pay your registration fee within 15 mins. If you are not a member yet, you can first join as a member online (click here) and then return here to register.
Contact: Trip Leaders Vaughan Nelson and Steve Magruder
Itinerary
(Times and hiking locations will be finalized closer to the trip. An updated email will be sent before the campout starts.)
Friday
Arrival AFTER 2 PM
Meet and greet BYOB cocktails 5 PM: Come say hello to old friends and make some new ones during this social hour.
Dinner on your own
Saturday
Breakfast - on your own
9 AM - Depart for hike(s). (Bring a packed lunch.) Catalina State Park offers many hiking trails of all levels. The hike specifics will be determined as the trip gets closer and we have a better sense for where the best hiking will be. Other hike(s) or outings may also be offered depending on interest levels and degree of difficulty of hikes, i.e., easy, moderate, strenuous.
6 PM - Potluck Dinner - Bring a main dish, side, salad or dessert. In an effort to be more environmentally friendly, please bring your own reusable plate and utensils as disposable items will not be provided.
7 PM - Campfire
Sunday
Breakfast - on your own
9 AM - Depart for hike(s).
3 PM- BBQ Vaughan and Steve’s home located about 20 mins away from the campsite. Food and soft drinks will be provided however if you would like an alcoholic beverage please bring one. Bring a pool* towel and a chair.
Vaughan and Steve request that you are fully vaccinated to attend this BBQ. Please respect this request.
*Pool water temperature should hopefully be warm enough.
8 PM- Campfire
Monday
Leave site by noon
Refunds: Cancellation for a refund must be received by March 29, 2022.
Amenities:Our campsites are located in Loop B. Each site has electricity, water, a picnic table and BBQ grill. Roads and parking slips are paved. Campgrounds have modern flush restrooms with hot, clean showers.
Please note we have not reserved RV sites. If you would like to bring an RV please reserve on your own and register under that category.
Please note that pets must be leashed at all times due to the abundance of wildlife. Dogs are also not allowed on most of the trails so please plan accordingly.
Park Website
Park Map
What to bring:
Food
Ten Essentials
Quarters for showers
Camping/cooking gear
Phone/camera charger
Warm/cool weather clothing
Potluck item for Saturday night
Pool gear (towel, swimsuit and water shoes)
Any prescription or other needed medications
Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunblock, lip block)
Soap and sponge for cleaning your reusable plate, utensils and cup/mug
Your own reusable plate, utensils and mug/cup (No plates, utensils or cups will be provided)
Camping chair
Directions:
I-8 E to Marana. Take exit 240 from I-10 E
5 hr 32 min (388 mi)
Merge onto I-8 E
Entering Arizona
347 mi
Take exit 178A to merge onto I-10 E toward Tucson
41.3 mi
Take exit 240 for Tangerine Rd
0.4 mi
Follow W Tangerine Rd to N Oracle Rd in Oro Valley
22 min (14.0 mi)
Turn left onto W Tangerine Rd
5.5 mi
Continue straight to stay on W Tangerine Rd
0.3 mi
Continue straight to stay on W Tangerine Rd
7.1 mi
Use the right 2 lanes to turn right onto N Innovation Market Dr
0.1 mi
Continue onto N Innovation Pk Dr
0.9 mi
Use the 2nd from the left lane to turn left onto N Oracle Rd
COVID-19 Policy:
Most of our participants are vaccinated, and we ask that you get vaccinated and boosted if able to. Participants must comply with the following requirements as a condition of registering for events:
COVID GUIDELINES
● Follow Federal, State and local COVID guidelines as well as the directions of the event leader(s).
● Maintain distance (min. 6') and wear a mask if social distancing is not possible.
● Not attend if feeling ill or have any symptoms of COVID.
● Contact Trip Leader if I test positive for COVID within 14 days of the event.
