
Weekend availability at Portal Bunkhouse
Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 16, 1:44 PM PTSold out 3 of the next 6 weekends — exactly when cancellation alerts earn their keep.
- Fri, Sep 18Sold out
- Fri, Sep 25Limited1/1 sites
- Fri, Oct 2Sold out
- Fri, Oct 9Sold out
- Fri, Oct 16Limited1/1 sites
- Fri, Oct 23Limited1/1 sites
Friday + Saturday nights, sites bookable both nights. Counts come from a rotating sweep and can lag a cancellation by up to a day — alerts watch your exact dates within minutes.
How booked is Portal Bunkhouse?
as of September 17Weekends book out well ahead here — 2 of the 4 Saturdays we sampled, as far out as Nov, are already sold out. When a site frees up it's gone again within minutes, so people watch Portal Bunkhouse and hear the instant one opens for their dates. Weekdays still have room — for now.
Weekends (Saturday night)
Weekdays (Wednesday night)
Availability checked directly against the reservation system, out to 3 months ahead.
Campsites & amenities
Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.
- Campsites
- 1
- Electric sites
- 1
- Max rig length
- 20 ft
About this campground
Overview The Portal Bunkhouse is a two-room cabin located one mile west of Portal, Arizona. Constructed in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Bunkhouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The structure is one of the finest remaining examples of river-cobble masonry construction from that era.Recreation Cave Creek Canyon is located on the eastern slope of the Chiricahua Mountains in southeastern Arizona, about 2.5 hours from Tucson. It is world-renowned for its dramatic rock formations and diverse wildlife. Birding is exceptional year-round, and particularly rewarding during the summer months. Hiking and rock-climbing are also popular activities, and picnic areas dot the canyon for its many hikers.Facilities The Portal Bunkhouse is a two-room cabin, suitable for up to four people. It has electricity, heater, and running water. The cabin has a bedroom with bathroom including a shower, sink, and toilet; and a kitchen with a dining area. The bedroom has a twin-over-double bunk bed and a single bed. A small dinette with seating for four is located in the kitchen, which is equipped with a stove, oven, microwave, refrigerator, and coffee pot. Pots, pans, utensils, and dishes are provided. Outside, guests will enjoy using the propane grill and picnic table for outdoor dining. Although the cabin has amenities for comfortable lodging, guests will need to provide some of their own supplies, including food, sleeping bags or linens, pillows, towels, dish soap, matches, a first aid kit, toilet paper, and garbage bags. It is recommended that guests bring additional drinking water, and a flashlight in case of emergencies. Natural Features The Portal Bunkhouse is located at the entrance to Cave Creek Canyon at an elevation of 5,000 feet. The canyon's soaring cliffs, with their caves and pinnacles, are often described as "Arizona's 'Secret' Grand Canyon." Cave Creek, a perennial stream, flows through the canyon nearby. The diverse wildlife that can be seen in the canyon include a stunning variety of bird species. Nearby Attractions The Portal Bunkhouse is located approximately 1 mile west of Portal, Arizona. Attractions in the area include Chiricahua National Monument, Fort Bowie National Historical Park, historic Camp Rucker, the Geronimo Surrender sites, and the International Border and the border community of Douglas, AZ.
Getting there
From Tucson, take I-10 east for 139 miles to Road Forks, NM. Turn right (south) on US 80 and drive 28 miles to Portal Road. Turn right (west) and drive 7 miles through the town of Portal. Turn left on Forest Road 42 for approximately 1 mile. The Bunkhouse is the rock masonry building just past the Visitor Information Center.
Activities
- HIKING
- CAMPING
Nearby federal campgrounds
- Portal Ccc HouseCoronado National Forest0 mi
- Bonita Canyon CampgroundChiricahua National Monument14 mi
- Chiricahua National Monument Visitor CenterChiricahua National Monument14 mi
- Camp Rucker Group SiteCoronado National Forest15 mi
- Fort Bowie National Historic Site Visitor CenterFort Bowie National Historic Site23 mi
- Half Moon RanchCoronado National Forest47 mi
Never miss an opening at Portal Bunkhouse
Popular Arizona campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Portal Bunkhouse around the clock and alert you the moment a sold-out site reopens for your dates, so you don't have to keep refreshing Recreation.gov.
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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.