Molino Basin Campground
Open: November 1 – April 30
Driving Directions to Campground
From Palisades Visitor Center, turn right out of the parking lot, heading down Catalina Highway. Continue approximately 14.6 miles to the campground, which will be on your right on a sharp bend.
Overview
Visitors are drawn to Molino Basin Campground for its scenic mountain surroundings and hiking and mountain biking opportunities. While most other campgrounds in the Catalina Mountains are closed in winter, Molino Campground and its picnic area are open in late fall, winter and early spring. The pleasant winter weather at this elevation makes it a great time to visit.
This facility has a few dozen individual campsites available on a first come, first served basis. Campsites sit amid a high desert oak scrub ecosystem at an elevation of 4,410 feet on the slopes of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Along the banks of Molino Creek, which flows during and immediately after rain or snowmelt, species such as cottonwood, Arizona live oak and mesquite provide a scenic setting. Views are dominated by rugged, rocky hills. Colorful wildflowers bloom in spring.
