Peppersauce Campground

Coronado National Forest, Oracle

If you think you’ll be able to access Peppersauce Campground in late winter or early spring, you’ll be mistaken. You’ll venture all the way to Oracle, try to turn onto the Mount Lemmon control road that leads to Peppersauce and be greeted by a blanket of snow and a little voice inside your head saying, “Don’t go there.”

Consider yourself warned, then add Peppersauce Campground to your list of places to visit in late spring or summer. Broad Arizona sycamores and a variety of hardwoods line Peppersauce Creek, which usually runs dry. When it rains, though, the creek is prone to flooding, so use your judgment and steer clear during wet weather.

The campground features one large group site and 17 individual sites, all with the usual amenities. Because it’s at the base of Mount Lemmon, the campground is a good hub for a scenic drive up to Cookie Cabin in Summerhaven at the mountain’s summit, or for a hike or bike ride along one of the many trails. Take advantage of it all — just check the weather report before you head out.

Campfire Tale: Peppersauce Canyon was named by a prospector, Alex McKay, who claimed that his hot sauce went missing while he was camping in the area.