Gates Pass

PROs: Great scenic drive to Gates Pass. Quiet. No traffic. No fees. Hiking is possible but we were just passing through. Restroom is on site (condition unknown). CONs: Several trash debris in parking spots, a couple cars parked away from us obviously smoking (not cigs) and drinking. During the government shut down we had to improvise our trip. Despite the ganja smokers, this place didn't fall short, great history and scenery. Continue the path West when you exit and head towards Old Tucson. Be sure to have a full gas tank and water. Enjoy the drive and scenery.

Beautiful little mountain pass with a nice parking lot to get out and enjoy the view. There's also a hiking trail that starts here.

Gates Pass in Tucson is one of the most stunning spots to watch the sunset in the area. The views over the desert and mountains are absolutely breathtaking, especially as the sun dips below the horizon and bathes the landscape in golden and pink hues. It’s a popular place for a reason—expect to see plenty of other people, including several doing photo shoots or setting up tripods to capture the moment. That said, parking can be a challenge, particularly around sunset. The small lot fills up quickly, so arriving early is key if you want a good spot without stress. Bathrooms are available, but honestly, they’re pretty gross—bring hand sanitizer or plan to avoid them if you can. Despite the crowds and the lackluster facilities, Gates Pass is still an incredible place to watch the sunset, take in the desert scenery, and even enjoy a simple picnic. Just come prepared and patient—it’s worth it for the view.

Amazing views. Give yourself time to find parking, and walk up the side of the mountain to watch the sun set. The views are beautiful even after the sun has set.

Stop here. Get out. Look around. There's a washroom nearby, which is helpful for this drive. We stopped here on our way to the Desert Museum and were so happy we did; the views here are incredible! If you're coming into Arizona to enjoy the landscape and saguaro scenery, it's here that you want to stop. Just look at the pictures! It's a beautiful place to stop, just be sure the timing of the sun is on your side.

A short drive off I-10 and the city center of Tucson, Gates Pass offers a leisure drive through quaint and quiet residential areas into one of the most scenic areas of the mountains and desert skyline. Try and visit on a clear day to take in all the scenic beauty. And best of all, this "Daycation" is free.

Gates Pass Scenic Lookout Point: A Panoramic Oasis in the Tucson Desert Winding your way up the scenic drive towards Gates Pass Scenic Lookout Point, anticipation builds with each turn. The moment you arrive, the desert unfolds before you in a breathtaking panorama. Rugged mountain peaks, sprawling valleys dotted with cacti, and the distant city skyline paint a picture of captivating beauty. The vastness of the landscape leaves you speechless. Whether bathed in the warm glow of sunrise or the fiery hues of sunset, the changing colors add another layer of magic to the scene. At night, the sky transforms into a canvas of stars, creating a moment of peaceful serenity. Beyond the breathtaking views, Gates Pass offers a variety of attractions. Hiking trails beckon you to explore the desert environment and immerse yourself in its intricate details. Interpretive displays provide fascinating insights into the area's history and geology, enriching your understanding of this special place. Picnic tables offer the perfect setting for a family outing or a romantic evening under the stars. Imagine sharing a meal with loved ones while the desert unfolds around you, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you're seeking adventure on the trails, knowledge from the displays, or simply a moment of quiet contemplation amidst the beauty, Gates Pass Scenic Lookout Point has something for everyone. It's a place where you can reconnect with nature, appreciate its wonders, and find peace amidst the vastness of the desert. With its stunning vistas, diverse trails, and educational opportunities, Gates Pass Scenic Lookout Point is a must-visit on your trip to Tucson. It's a desert oasis that promises an unforgettable experience.

My favorite drive in all of the Tucson area! The views from the top of the pass are amazing, and you will see more Saguaros than you can imagine. Highly recommend!

Absolutely beautiful sunset setting. We were there 90 minutes before sunset s recommended. That was a good plan as it quickly became overpacked. The sunset was stunning. And there were decent restrooms.

Visited Gates Pass in Tucson, AZ and specifically the Gates Pass Scenic Lookout for sunset and it was breathtaking! As you look around, there are 360 views of different colors and hues illuminating the sky, and making for a spectacular sunset! There is plenty of parking and if you hike up maybe .2 miles you can get to the top of the mountain where the views are even better! Coming up here on a weekday, it wasn't too busy and you can get wonderful, Instagram worthy, unobstructed photos! There are lots of hiking trails and walking paths all around which is also a huge plus! I am obsessed with this spot and can't wait to visit again! Highly recommend to visitors and locals near and far!

We stopped at the Gates Pass Overlook to take a few photos. It's very scenic and we even witnessed a wedding proposal while we were there! There are a few informational signs, along with bathrooms and a trail. Great quick stop on your way to Saguaro National Park!

Pretty close to town for a quick trip to check out the scene. Lots of great lookout points and not too steep of trails. Plenty of parking spots and an indoor bathroom of needed.

This viewpoint is such a beautiful easy experience! It's only about 10 minutes down the way from me but I went for the first time yesterday evening for sunset and took it all in. There is a minor easy "hike" to get to the best high points for the views but you don't have to to enjoy the view. There were also people taking their wedding photos there during golden hour. I took a few cool sunset photos and would totally go again with my parents.

Great views of the park, Marana, Old Tucson, and excellent location to take pics. Plenty of parking. I live near this location so I pass by here all the time. Nice drive to the top.

Best Sunsets ever! Be careful and respectful of the drive. The roads are tricky but well worth the drive

Great little spot with a decent amount of free parking to stop and take a stroll or serious hike, and to catch the sunrise or the sunset. There is an outhouse, but no lights or soap. It is open dawn to dusk, like 6 am to 6 pm or something like that. The views of the mountains, and flora and amazing! Several kinds of plants and cacti including Prickly pear, Saguaro, Chollas, and on and on. The drive to it is a small 2 lane and can get backed up with all the twists and turns. There is some information on some of the signs under the pagoda. You can get a great view of the valley below, and did I mention the sunrise and sunset? It is on the way to AZ Sonoran Desert museum and worth at least a 15 minute stop.

I love gates pass. It's a must for locas and visitors alike. There are wildflowers, saguaros, bird watching galore! Gates Pass is extremely magical during the spring time. Sunsets are beautiful. For sure one of the best drives In Tucson.

I've been to Gates Pass twice now for sunsets and it's simply stunning. There are endless opportunities for unique ways to view Tucson Mountain Park. Getting here from Tucson couldn't be simpler. It's a straight shot west out of the city and just a few miles. Gates Pass Road winds up the mountain and leads to a turn off (be careful, it comes up quickly) into a driveway for the scenic overlook. There are three areas for parking. The first has several spots a little ways down the hill. It's an easy walk up to the overlook. The second area has even more spots and is right next to the overlook and the restrooms. The third area is just past the overlook and toward the exit. The whole driveway is a one way road, so if you find a spot you should take it. Otherwise, if you move on and find no open spots you'll be stuck driving out onto the main road, back down the mountain and into the entrance again. NOTE: There's no room for large RVs. It's all pretty tight with no back to back spots, so the most you could fit is a Sprinter Van or a small RV. The views are amazing and speak for themselves. There's a nice pavilion where you can watch the sunset right off of the parking lot, so it's handicap accessible. There are several paths leading off into the mountains for hikers (ie: me). You can go as far and as high as you want. There are no fences or restrictions as to where you can go so it's basically an adventurer's paradise. I hiked across a couple of peaks to reach the highest point near the pass. It took about 45 minutes to an hour, and I reached 3,556 ft elevation, after a 700 ft ascent. I did it without gear, but gets steep and very windy up on the peaks, so I wouldn't recommend it for the inexperienced. In summary, this place is perfect for everyone. You can do as much and as little crazy stuff as you like, and everybody gets to enjoy amazing views. Hint: The view is best from the top.

If you don't have time to stop, you need to at least drive through. Winding roads of the mountain gives you stunning views on Gates Pass. We drove through Saturday then again on Sunday but stopped this time. We got lucky on parking. An hour to sundown there's some great spots on the way to gates pass if it's full.

The range is full of hiking trails, from very easy to moderate. I have not yet come upon a highly difficult trail just yet. Need a date night idea? Yes, the views are spectacular. It can be quite the romantic location. Perfect for new and established lovers alike. Be sure to bring water and a small snack. You will likely find lots of people sitting out waiting for the sunset, so I recommend coming about an hour before the setting to stake out a spot. Then expect that there will be a bunch of passerbys while you wait for the sun to set. People are generally friendly out this way, so shouldn't be a problem.

Beautiful scenery expecially when the sun's going down keep your eye out... sometimes you can see some turtles great place to take the kids for a hike

This is the way the desert West is supposed to look. The only things missing were a couple of bleached cow skulls and a broken wagon wheel. There's a parking lot with an overlook where the road from Tucson cuts through the mountains en route to Saguaro National Park. It is in the middle of what is called a saguaro "forest." This forest is sand and rocks with a saguaro every 20-30 feet with a few mesquites and ocotillos thrown in for variety. A few brave (or foolish) people were hiking up to the top of the peak. The bicyclists were out in force biking up a hill that would kill a mere mortal.

Gates Pass is a beautiful drive. This is great to take your relatives on who do not like to hike. All you do is stay in the car and drive the scenic route. You get to see wildflowers when in season, saguaros galore, muskrats, and there's a hidden farmers market out here. If you're on your way to Tombstone I would take this route to see the beautiful scenery. If you're up for a hike there are several out here and even picnic areas!

Anytime a family member from out of town comes in, I always bring them here. The route is beautiful and scenic, and the hikes range from beginner, to moderate. This place is beautiful, you can take this route to go into the state park or even for old Tucson.

I love this place, wish we had somewhere like it in MN (there are several places that in Tucson that I said that about while on our trip)! Beautiful views of the hills, mountains and scenery. We didn't go at sunset, but drove there in the afternoon. Up on the hills there are a couple of little stone shacks, we climbed up to them (not used to climbing up hills, so that was good exercise for me!) My husbands cousin told us people go up there to drink n stuff, but I could see just going there to chill, it seems just looking at the views would be so calming after a stressful day. The only thing is there's lots of twisty, windy, up & down roads to get here and back, so be careful, and if you're driving and tend to get carsick...you may want to take a dramamine!

Went for sunset last night, after being told by numerous locals that this is THE spot to be. It was gorgeous, and had some really cool hiking! From easy to difficult, you can kind of pick your route and your view. We made our way up, and then back down, sitting right next to the little structure (concrete structure which has a table and fireplace inside) to see the show. Very nice way to wrap up an afternoon in Tucson!

Amazing views no matter where you are standing and wherever you are looking. Such a beautiful and peaceful place

You cannot leave Tucson until you've driven here. It's hard to believe that these winding mountain roads with gorgeous views can be so close to Tucson. The desert sky at sunset is amazing - pictures never do it justice. Arrive early to get a good spot to view it here. Watch for cyclists and stop to take in the views.

Went for sunset last night (early September). Easy, fun and beautiful. Great for the family. The road is very narrow, so just take it slow and enjoy the drive. Because the road is so narrow, there seemed to be no "Lances" to contend with. That was a treat having recently driven up Mt. Lemon and having all sense of safety and peace ruined by those reckless idiots (note: I may have just been offended by their silly outfits too, who knows). There were a couple signs that said "No alcohol," but it didn't seem like a big deal. Plenty of folks were sort of picnicking/taking in the sunset with wine and 6 packs and nobody seemed to mind. Next time, I might break out some liquid refreshment myself. Another bonus was watching sorority girls tripping around the sharp rocks in flip flops. That was funny. So in short - drive slowly, enjoy the lack of bicycles, consider bringing a beverage, and wear actual shoes.

A must to see at least once while living here or visiting. take family or friends who are visiting to show them some of AZs incredible sunsets! easy to get to and can check out sunset in different places, never crowded when I have been there.

Anyone who visits Tucson must have the opportunity to see this - the epitome of Tucson's beauty. It reflects all the colors of the Sonoran desert. Bring your camera and go during the sunset. If you ride a convertible or moto, even better! However, watch out for the numerous cyclists on the road. Found this place on the fly, and it's not too far from downtown. Not a bad surprise! Caution: May not be a great thing to drive here if you are afraid of driving down the side of a mountain.

Beautiful place to come during the cooler months for hiking and during the warmer months when the saguaros are blossoming for beautiful pictures. There is plenty of scenery and nature here. Don't expect good cell reception out here, because there is none. Parking is limited, there are pull offs and a couple small parking lots.If you're new to Tucson or just visiting, this is a must see place if you love desert scenery, are a photographer, or enjoy hiking.

Amazing views here especially of the sunset! Arizona at it's best!!!

If Tucson is known for one thing, it's the beautiful sunsets. Anyone who is a Tucson resident can argue that. Gates Pass is a cute area (with windy, narrow roads..mind you) where you can pull off to the side of the road and watch the sunset with your honey. There are also tables, and paths if you get a crazy hair and feel like taking a hike. Gates Pass is definitely a place I recommend to those that are experiencing the need to watch a good southwest sunset...bar none.

This is going to be another review from a road cyclist's point of view so be warned... I realize that this destination is popular for its beautiful scenery and all... but for me, I kept hearing about this place because it is one of the great "hills" to test out your cycling legs. It is a easy couple of miles from the university and its a fair climb. The first time I rode it, I was fairly scared because the bike lane is pretty much non-existent once you leave the city. I wouldn't recommend riding out to catch the sunset because riding back in the dark (which I've done) is damn scary - even with a light. But it is a fun climb - not too steep on the way there. Once you get to Gates Pass, there is a parking lot you can pull into to catch your breath, drink some water... then go down the other side - its a steep decent. Coming back up the steep decent with no bike lane or anywhere to pull over was as fun as it gets! I've had a great time riding this although if you are just starting out, I would recommend "A Mountain" first to get your climbing legs ready since there is considerably less traffic there. The traffic and non-existent bike lane and bumpy pavements in some sections is why this is a four star for me. For the non-cyclists... if you are still reading... get a bike! Just kidding. It is a great place to drive out with your family and take a nice stroll and just take in the awesome views that are what make Tucson so striking - cactus as far as the eye can see! Happy riding!

Great hiking area, several trails to choose from. From beginner to advanced.

Stunning. One of the best hikes with a view in Tucson. I believe I did the David Yetman/Gates pass hike. We got lost and going around the mountain took us about 3.5 hours. It was well worth the time spent. It is definitely one of the things you must do in Tucson. Even the drive out there is nice. I use to come here all the time when I was younger and the view just gets better and better.

Gates Pass is *the* place to go to watch the sunset over the desert. It's a winding mountain road that traverses rough terrain of the Tucson Mountains. You wind and wind and wind up the road, get to the top, and look out and see endless Saguaro cacti. Truly amazing.

Beautiful place to watch the sunset . And had lots of pictures taken here =) but the view is so much nicer in person.

It is a must to see the sunset here at Gates Pass if you are in Tucson. It truly is a breathtaking view. The colors from the sun is just magnificent like a golden orange -- words cannot describe. And make sure you bring your camera so you can change settings as the sun sets. The camera phone will not be able to capture the best photos. Also, make sure you wear flat comfortable shoes since you will just walk up the hill. There is no paved ledge for your heels. There is a small parking lot so it is convenient to go to.

My friends and I lived off of Speedway and Silverbell In the early 1970's. Every evening we would drive up to a foothill not too far off the main road , climb around to the front/west face of the mountain where upon you would find a 'bench type seat' that was naturally cut into the mountain offering the best seat in the house for the spectacular show "Sunset At Gates Pass". There was a a patron of the arts there who each evening at the perfect moment would play Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven" as the sun dramatically sunk behind the Western mountains. Gracious applause ended each show. It has been 45 years and I'm heading there today from Phoenix. Does anyone know where or how to find that sacred place? It was not an official park back the, just an off-road treat.

Voted Tucson's #1 Spot to Watch the Sunset in 2010 (by 6 of my friends). Tucson has renown sunsets and this is a hotspot to watch the sky light up with color. A long winding road there leads you into the Tucson Mountains, were you'll find a fabulous panoramic view that overlooks the Saguaro National Park. It's a bonding experience, so bring your family, significant other, friends, and get ready for a moment that will last a lifetime (cheesy to say, but true).