Grass Shack
The Quick Take
Grass Shack is backcountry camping at its most rewarding in Saguaro's Rincon Mountain District. With only three sites tucked beneath a canopy of mature oaks along Chimenea Creek, this is about as intimate as national park camping gets. The trade-off is real: you're hiking in with everything on your back, there's no potable water treatment on site, and campfires are strictly prohibited to protect the surrounding riparian corridor. But what you get in return is a shaded creekside camp at over a mile high, where the desert heat loosens its grip and the only neighbors are the handful of backpackers who bothered to earn the view. The creek runs most of the year, which is a genuine luxury in southern Arizona. This is the campground for experienced backpackers who want Saguaro's quieter, greener side — the mountain wilderness most day-trippers never see.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
0 sites, first-come first-served.
What You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
No RVs. No electrical hookups.
Pro Tips
Chimenea Creek typically flows through spring, but always carry a water filter and enough backup supply for a dry crossing. Late summer monsoon season can refill the creek but also brings afternoon lightning — plan to be at camp by early afternoon from July through September.
The hike in follows the Tanque Verde Ridge or other Rincon Mountain trails that gain serious elevation. Start at first light to avoid climbing through the exposed lower desert in full sun, and give yourself extra time if you're not acclimated to the dry heat.
No fires means no charcoal, no camp stoves with open flame near vegetation, and cold meals unless you bring a backpacking stove with a proper platform. Pack a warm layer for evenings — at 5,300 feet the temperature drops sharply after sunset, often twenty degrees or more below the desert floor.
Photos
NPS / Vanessa Gonzalez
