About Portal Bunkhouse
Number of accommodations: 1
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Power Service
Water Hookup
Electric Hookup
Kitchen
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Power Service
- Water Hookup
- Electric Hookup
Connectivity and Media
- Cell Reception
Cabin Interior
- Kitchen
- Heating
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PORTAL BUNKHOUSE, Loop: PORTAL BUNKHOUSE
Site Details
Reviews (222)
What Guests Are Saying
Portal Bunkhouse offers a beautiful location with access to stunning views, hiking, and birding opportunities, making it an appealing choice for nature lovers. Guests appreciate the well-stocked kitchen and comfortable accommodations, although some have noted issues with mice and uncomfortable beds. While there have been concerns regarding maintenance and communication, many guests still enjoyed their stay and highlighted the charm of the rustic cabin experience.
What Guests Are Saying
Portal Bunkhouse offers a beautiful location with access to stunning views, hiking, and birding opportunities, making it an appealing choice for nature lovers. Guests appreciate the well-stocked kitchen and comfortable accommodations, although some have noted issues with mice and uncomfortable beds. While there have been concerns regarding maintenance and communication, many guests still enjoyed their stay and highlighted the charm of the rustic cabin experience.
Review Summary
Matthew R
VerifiedDecember 30, 2024 • Stayed at: PORTAL BUNKHOUSE, Loop: PORTAL BUNKHOUSE
Fantastic little stone cabin. Great stay
Kate M
VerifiedDecember 16, 2024 • Stayed at: PORTAL BUNKHOUSE, Loop: PORTAL BUNKHOUSE
Awesome position in Cave Creek Canyon. Bunkhouse was clean and as expected for a historic property, but the toilet didn’t flush and we used the portopotty at the VIC next door. It was tough to get cell service to call in the repair during business hours with our hiking plans, so we chose to avoid using it and call in the repair after. When i did call it in, the USFS manager was very responsive. Inconvenient for the price, though.
Kate M
VerifiedDecember 16, 2024 • Stayed at: PORTAL BUNKHOUSE, Loop: PORTAL BUNKHOUSE
Awesome position in Cave Creek Canyon. Bunkhouse was clean and as expected for a historic property, but the toilet didn’t flush and we used the portopotty at the VIC next door. It was tough to get cell service to call in the repair during business hours with our hiking plans, so we chose to avoid using it and call in the repair after. When i did call it in, the USFS manager was very responsive. Inconvenient for the price, though.
Kate M
VerifiedDecember 16, 2024 • Stayed at: PORTAL BUNKHOUSE, Loop: PORTAL BUNKHOUSE
Awesome position in Cave Creek Canyon. Bunkhouse was clean and as expected for a historic property, but the toilet didn’t flush and we used the portopotty at the VIC next door. It was tough to get cell service to call in the repair during business hours with our hiking plans, so we chose to avoid using it and call in the repair after. When i did call it in, the USFS manager was very responsive. Inconvenient for the price, though.
Kathleen A
VerifiedJuly 19, 2024 • Stayed at: PORTAL BUNKHOUSE, Loop: PORTAL BUNKHOUSE
We had a very nice stay. The views and the nearby hiking trails are gorgeous.
Kathleen A
VerifiedJuly 19, 2024 • Stayed at: PORTAL BUNKHOUSE, Loop: PORTAL BUNKHOUSE
We had a very nice stay. The views and the nearby hiking trails are gorgeous.
Kathleen A
VerifiedJuly 19, 2024 • Stayed at: PORTAL BUNKHOUSE, Loop: PORTAL BUNKHOUSE
We had a very nice stay. The views and the nearby hiking trails are gorgeous.
Linda M M
VerifiedJuly 18, 2024 • Stayed at: PORTAL BUNKHOUSE, Loop: PORTAL BUNKHOUSE
I was planning on staying two nights at the bunkhouse and hiking for three days. Fortunately I had a very nice hike on the first day before going to the bunkhouse. I was there for about 3 hours before I packed up all my belongings and drove home. At first glance the place is adequate and the area is very scenic. But there was a cockroach in the bathroom sink and silverfish in the kitchen sink. After seeing a mouse running around in the cabinet under the kitchen sink, I had enough. If you expect people to pay to stay there, you need to make sure it is clean; not leaving it to the guests to clean it up.
I was also confused about the lock on the door. You need a code to open the door but it only seemed to work once. The notebook had no specific instructions about the lock, it only said "lock the door when you leave".
Great place to hike as there has been extensive trail maintenance.
Linda M M
VerifiedJuly 18, 2024 • Stayed at: PORTAL BUNKHOUSE, Loop: PORTAL BUNKHOUSE
I was planning on staying two nights at the bunkhouse and hiking for three days. Fortunately I had a very nice hike on the first day before going to the bunkhouse. I was there for about 3 hours before I packed up all my belongings and drove home. At first glance the place is adequate and the area is very scenic. But there was a cockroach in the bathroom sink and silverfish in the kitchen sink. After seeing a mouse running around in the cabinet under the kitchen sink, I had enough. If you expect people to pay to stay there, you need to make sure it is clean; not leaving it to the guests to clean it up.
I was also confused about the lock on the door. You need a code to open the door but it only seemed to work once. The notebook had no specific instructions about the lock, it only said "lock the door when you leave".
Great place to hike as there has been extensive trail maintenance.
Linda M M
VerifiedJuly 18, 2024 • Stayed at: PORTAL BUNKHOUSE, Loop: PORTAL BUNKHOUSE
I was planning on staying two nights at the bunkhouse and hiking for three days. Fortunately I had a very nice hike on the first day before going to the bunkhouse. I was there for about 3 hours before I packed up all my belongings and drove home. At first glance the place is adequate and the area is very scenic. But there was a cockroach in the bathroom sink and silverfish in the kitchen sink. After seeing a mouse running around in the cabinet under the kitchen sink, I had enough. If you expect people to pay to stay there, you need to make sure it is clean; not leaving it to the guests to clean it up.
I was also confused about the lock on the door. You need a code to open the door but it only seemed to work once. The notebook had no specific instructions about the lock, it only said "lock the door when you leave".
Great place to hike as there has been extensive trail maintenance.
Location Portal Bunkhouse
Address:
Douglas Ranger District, 1192 W Saddleview Road
Douglas, AZ, 85607
United States
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.
The nearest major road access is via I-10, located approximately 139 miles to the west in Tucson. From I-10, travelers can take US 80 south for 28 miles to reach Portal.
Latitude & Longitude: 31.8986 / -109.162
Elevation: 1508 feet
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
- Cell phone coverage may be unreliable inside the cabin.
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Pets
- No pets allowed inside or outside the cabin.
General
- Pets are NOT permitted inside or outside the cabin.
- Unfortunately, due to a history of pet owners inadequately cleaning up after their pets, pets are no longer allowed.
- Forest Service staff have limited time to complete weekly cabin cleaning.
- Cleaning service is not cost effective due to the rural location of the cabins.
- Eliminating the need to vacuum pet hair, neutralize odors, and pick up poop frees up staff time to cleaning cabin amenities and address repair needs.
- Access to the bunkhouse is via a driveway on the west side of the facility, accessible by passenger car.
- Access to the cabin is a combination lock located on the left-side front door.
- The combination for the lock is provided once a reservation is made.
- A cabin manual with information about the facilities, well as area recreational information, is located inside the cabin.
- Cleaning service is NOT provided.
- Before leaving, renters are expected to clean the cabin; this includes washing dishes, sweeping floors, wiping down countertops, cleaning the bathroom & shower, and removing ALL trash.
- The house is located in a desert environment; please be aware that scorpions, snakes, and other insects may be present at any time.
- Off-highway vehicles are only allowed on designated roads and trails.
Vehicles & parking
- Bunkhouse access is via a driveway on the west side, suitable for passenger cars.
Safety & rules
- Renters must clean the cabin before leaving; no cleaning service is provided.
- Smoking is not allowed in the cabin.
Amenities
- Guests must bring their own supplies, including food and linens.
Utilities
- Only toilet paper should be flushed to avoid plumbing issues.
Wildlife & food storage
- Maintain cleanliness to prevent wildlife issues.
Fees & deposits
- No Golden Age Discounts are accepted at this cabin.
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: June 3, 2026
