Camp at Patagonia Lake State Park

Patagonia Lake State Park is located about 70 miles southeast of Tucson on State Route 82, 7 miles south of Patagonia, Arizona. Coming from the north, the drive to Patagonia Lake State Park is very scenic; the road winds through rolling hills and countryside with the looming Santa Rita Mountains serving as the perfect backdrop. There is a $15 day use fee to enter the park (camping is an additional $25-$28/night).

Patagonia Lake is two and a half miles long and covers 250 acres. It is a popular destination for a variety of recreational activities, from bird watching to camping to water skiing. Although there are not many designated trails within the park, you can walk along the shore in both directions for about a half mile before being stopped by a barbed wire fence. While hiking around, be sure to check out the pedestrian bridge, which offers great views of the lake and is a popular photo destination. (Note: there are a few trailheads located immediately outside the park in the Sonoita Creek State Natural Area and you can obtain maps at the Visitor’s Center).

One of the best ways to enjoy Patagonia Lake is to get out on the water! You can rent a canoe, kayak, paddle boat, rowboats or pontoon boat at the Marina, or you can bring your own watercraft (both motorized and non-motorized boats are allowed). Fishing is one of the most popular recreational activities at Patagonia Lake, which is home to crappies, bass, bluegill, and catfish, and is periodically stocked with trout from October through March.   

The Patagonia Lake State Park Campgrounds boast over 100 campsites for both RVs and tents, all equipped with a picnic table and fire pit with restrooms nearby. For those looking for a little more adventure and solitude, there are also 13 boat-in campsites dotting the shore of the lake and accessible by boat only. Arguably the best campsite of them all is located on Patagonia Lake’s sole island. This site is the ultimate relaxation spot: nothing but the sounds of the waves lapping up on shore, plenty of trees offering shade and epic hammock set-ups, and not a neighbor in sight - except for the many blue herons you are bound to see gliding across the lake. Make your campsite reservations here.