Manning Camp
Saguaro National Park Wilderness Permits · Saguaro National Park
Manning Camp · hike-to site
Site Manning Camp 5
“Manning Camp #5 is one of the 6 campsites within Manning Camp. This site does not have a bear box but hikers can use any of the bear boxes at the other campsites for food storage. Site 5 accomodates up to 4 backpackers and has a metal fire ring. Built by former Tucson Mayor Levi Manning in 1905, this camp was his family's summer home. Now it serves as a high elevation (8000 feet/2438 m) base for many of our fire and natural resource studies. The hike is from 9-18 miles (22-29 km) from Tucson, and gains between 3500 and 5500 feet of elevation. Extraordinary views and amazing changes in flora and fauna composition exist, passing through riparian zones and dry cliff alike. This area is a savior from the sweltering heat in the valley below, rarely exceeding 85° F (29° C). A perennial water source near the cabin has only dried up twice in Saguaro's history, so water is virtually always available. The water tap at the Manning Camp Cabin is not for public use and is usually turned off. Temperatures at Manning Camp are typically 15-20 degrees lower than those found in Tucson. This is the higher elevation of the two Arizona National Scenic Trail campgrounds in Saguaro National Park.”
recreation.gov's note for this site
- People
- Up to 4
- Campfires
- Allowed
From recreation.gov's site list, Oct 10, 2026.
Sites
6
Hike-to
6
Longest rig
Not yet known
People
Up to 6
Sites in Manning Camp
Pick a site, here, to see its details.
- Manning Camp 1Hike-to · up to 6 peopleManning Camp #1 is one of the 6 campsites within Manning Camp.
- Manning Camp 2Hike-to · up to 6 peopleManning Camp #1 is one of the 6 campsites within Manning Camp.
- Manning Camp 3Hike-to · up to 6 peopleManning Camp #3 is one of the 6 campsites within Manning Camp.
- Manning Camp 4Hike-to · up to 2 peopleManning Camp #4 is one of the 6 campsites within Manning Camp.
- Manning Camp 5Hike-to · up to 4 peopleManning Camp #5 is one of the 6 campsites within Manning Camp.
- Manning Camp 6Hike-to · up to 6 peopleManning Camp #1 is one of the 6 campsites within Manning Camp.
All 6 shown · by site number
Sites, types, rig lengths and notes from recreation.gov's site list, Oct 10, 2026. Staff sites are left out.
Manning Camp · hike-to site
Site Manning Camp 5
“Manning Camp #5 is one of the 6 campsites within Manning Camp. This site does not have a bear box but hikers can use any of the bear boxes at the other campsites for food storage. Site 5 accomodates up to 4 backpackers and has a metal fire ring. Built by former Tucson Mayor Levi Manning in 1905, this camp was his family's summer home. Now it serves as a high elevation (8000 feet/2438 m) base for many of our fire and natural resource studies. The hike is from 9-18 miles (22-29 km) from Tucson, and gains between 3500 and 5500 feet of elevation. Extraordinary views and amazing changes in flora and fauna composition exist, passing through riparian zones and dry cliff alike. This area is a savior from the sweltering heat in the valley below, rarely exceeding 85° F (29° C). A perennial water source near the cabin has only dried up twice in Saguaro's history, so water is virtually always available. The water tap at the Manning Camp Cabin is not for public use and is usually turned off. Temperatures at Manning Camp are typically 15-20 degrees lower than those found in Tucson. This is the higher elevation of the two Arizona National Scenic Trail campgrounds in Saguaro National Park.”
recreation.gov's note for this site
- People
- Up to 4
- Campfires
- Allowed
From recreation.gov's site list, Oct 10, 2026.