Santa Catalina Natural Area

Hiking area · Pima County

Santa Catalina Natural Area

Hiking area · Pima County

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Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619

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Highlights

Hiking, skiing, camping, & stunning vistas from a 9,157-foot peak  

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Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619 Get directions

fs.usda.gov

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Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619 Get directions

+1 520 576 1321
fs.usda.gov

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wheelchair accessible parking lot

Last updated

Aug 13, 2025

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View Postcard for Santa Catalina Natural Area

Geoffrey Lamberts

Google
Everything about this place is amazing The top of the mountain is really cool The little lookout house is pretty sweet. Really nice trails lots of birds just really really pretty views

fidele morte

Google
Such a beautiful area. Loved seeing the waterfall. The beautiful flowers trees and rocks. My friend and I did some light hiking and went up to ski lift.

Eric

Google
Fantastic place for the whole family to visit. So many hiking trails and views for days! Definitely worth the trip.

Carlos Rivas

Google
I really enjoyed coming up here. First time coming up here and it was beautiful. Went for a run from the ski area to the top and will be coming back up here more.

Don Rodriguez

Google
This is a special sacred place for me. You can feel God's presence and see his beautiful creation.

Other Barry

Google
Beautiful place for backpacking and camping. I have nothing but good things to say. Arizona has a lot of great hiking but the Santa Catalina area is by far my favorite. It has a little something for everyone.

Adam Baird

Google
The drive up is awesome! It's about an hour from Tucson, and it's so cool that you can go from desert to mountains fairly quickly. Especially if you want to get away from the heat for a bit. There are lots of trails, lots of views along the way if you don't want to go all the way to Sunnyvale. But, the general store has some legendary fudge. And it gets more mountainy and less crowded the further up you go. Worth at least a try.

olivia hernandez

Google
It was quite a ride up to Summerhaven the town at the top of Mt. Lemmon! Gorgeous! It goes from Saguharo cactus to tall pines! The views are breathtaking! There are several hiking paths and day and over night camping areas. So beautiful the road is windy so be prepared, it took us about an hour and 20 minutes one way. But it's well worth it it's gorgeous! Summerhaven has eateries, like Iron Door, gift shops, a Post Office and cabins. It's good to patronise these places as they survived a wildfire in 2020.
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Ann L.

Yelp
We were debating whether the 28 mile each way drive up and down Mount Lemmon would be worth it, but we decided to go for it as we had been doing a lot of hiking and thought something different might be fun. We were glad we did it; there are a ton of beautiful viewpoints along the road and it was a clear day with visibility over long distances. On the way up from 3000 to 9000 feet you go through many different climates and by the top you are into a pine forest. We had a picnic under pine trees in Tucson...there was even a bit of snow a little above our picnic spot! The road is excellent, wide, and has guardrails in all needed spots; in other words, this is not a scary drive. I have been on many white-knuckle mountain roads, and this is not one of them. Do plan to take your time though, for the views, to take care around the many cyclists pedaling up and coasting down the mountain, and because the road does wind around a lot. With all of our stops to enjoy views, have a picnic and walk around Summerhaven a bit, we spent about 5 hours on the mountain. Be sure to fill up your gas tank before heading up; there are no gas stations in Summerhaven but there are some shops and a few places to eat if you don't feel like picnicking. Remember too that it will be much cooler at the top and bring appropriate clothing.
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Demetris A.

Yelp
*&HIGHLY RECOMMEND** In moderate traffic, the scenic 27-mile drive up Mt Lemmon took about 1.5 hours at 230p on Thanksgiving Day. Of course, it can take longer if you make stops along the way. I enjoyed the calmness of the drive up to the top and in to Summerhaven (tourist and residential area). The area offers: so much: Breathtaking vistas Beautiful rock formations Various trees & wildflowers Wildlife (turkeys) viewing Overnight Camping Picnics Hiking Fishing Skiing Steward observatory (Mt Lemmon SkyCenter); reservation only for science programs Mt Lemmon Hotel (cute cabins) SummerHaven Please mind the posted speed because there was law enforcement along the route.
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John H.

Yelp
Great place for bird watching. A little hard getting our old camper up the mountain with the roads.
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Mike D.

Yelp
Drove here in November scenic drive Summer haven nearby nice too- we stopped in sawmill restaurant for lunch - great lunch detour
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Tammy E.

Yelp
Beautiful views from this elevation up above the city! Worth the drive to get some fresh air and hike or walk around the little town at the top! There are two ways to drive up to this spot but one is an unimproved road, so is not recommended unless you have the proper tires.
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John K.

Yelp
Another world , another climate ,multiple terrain changes Mount Lemmon has been a place to get away , to live , to camp ,to hike , to fish all less than 20 miles from Tucson going northeast on Catalina highway . Summerhaven small town atop rebuilding after 2020 ravaging fires. Ski Valley single chair left available summer & winter . A restaurant with patio adjacent to ski valley . Many cyclists train on the road up and down the highway beware. Recent super dry conditions prevent open fires , smoking other than gas stoves. Called the sky islands it's a must see in tucson . The u of az has blue signs posted to tune in your radio? to get history/ geography ? as you drive up mountain . I didn't try it but enjoyed the kxci community radio bluegrass show ( sat 10-12 am ) on the drive up the mountain . U of az also has a telescope on top but not for public use .
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Tony C.

Yelp
Great ride beautiful scenery. It would be nice if you could avoid the drive thru the city, due to the traffic but still worth the trip
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Kym T.

Yelp
The Mr and I took the Mt Lemming Scenic By-Way on a Sunday morning after touring Sabino Canyon. What a glorious ride it was! We throughly enjoyed the scenery on the way. We decided to ride it all the way to the top and do our stopping at the various pullouts on our the way back. Scenic beauty was in every direction, and the topography changed as we climbed. First it was cactus and houses that literally perched on the edge of the earth. Next it was rocks that seemed to be clinging to nothing and rose majestically into the sky. Eventually we saw pretty pine trees and enjoyed cooler temps at the top. On the way back down, we encountered a deluge of rain and even some hail. Thankfully, it stopped long enough for us to grab a quick pic or two of Windy Point Vista. How lucky were we? One thing we didn't enjoy was the cars that seemed to be speeding. More than once the Mr pulled over to let someone go by. The speed limit is 35 for a reason. Early in our climb we encountered a head on collision being cleaned up. Slow down people and enjoy the ride. It is magnificent!
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Sharidee P.

Yelp
I have be up so many times! There are lots of cool pull off spots, fishing, hiking, shops! There's really good food / beer places... The best part is the fudge shop though! :)
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Trevor 2.

Yelp
Great place to escape the summer heat! 105 in Tucson and just a quick hour drive up the mountain we were enjoying 70 degree weather. Unfortunately Summerhaven has really grown with food vendors, coffee trucks, and art shows, things you definitely want to see however there is almost no parking. Make sure you get there early especially on the weekend to get a spot.
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Belle V.

Yelp
Looking for an escape from the heat? This is the place to go. Just an hour and half drive from the valley. And don't forget to get on the ski lift at the Ski Valley. Fun and exciting experience for everyone.
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Annie A.

Yelp
Beautiful drive up to the various lookout points. Amazing views and well maintained stopping areas. Definitely recommend
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Derrick G.

Yelp
Mount Lemmon is a must visit if you're in the Tucson area. It's a dramatically different landscape and scenery than what's found in Tucson. The further you go up Mount Lemmon there are lots of trees, mountains, as well as a place to ski. It is a great place to visit if you enjoy bike riding, but it's a very steep climb. There are numerous places to pull over to take pictures and enjoy the scenery. I highly recommend visit in Mount Lemmon.
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Paul L.

Yelp
The sky over Mount Lemmon on this Thanksgiving morning was spectacular. It was the perfect time for a nature visit as the place was almost devoid of people.
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Sara D.

Yelp
There is no better spot to escape the heat and unplug. Mount Lemmon as a destination is beautiful and the folks that work at the businesses are so pleasant and helpful. If you are in the Tucson area and don't make it up to Mount Lemmon you are missing out!
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Jennifer S.

Yelp
Great place to escape the heat, you can take a ski lift and hike down or simply enjoy cooler weather, almost30-40 degrees cooler than Phoenix at the very top. You can get up to 9,000 feet with the ski lift.

Thomas L.

Yelp
Let me tell you! These views are to die for! Heck, I almost did! If you saw a sled crash, it was me, right into a tree in fact, (bruises healing). The only complaint is that I was told the gift shop near the skiing area would be open to everyone "once the snow was gone". Mister thought he was a jokester. As a gift shop connoisseur, I was disappointed. However, the fudge right down the road was spectacular!
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Yuko H.

Yelp
Short drive from downtown Tucson, drive up this Scenic Byway keeps you entertained for the whole way up to the top. Start with Saguaro cacti. I am from Phoenix and I see Saguaro cactus everyday but the amount of cacti here surely impressed me a Phoenician myself. It was end of Nov and l enjoyed yellow and red leaves around 4-5,000 elevation range. When I came here another time at the end of October, I enjoyed fall color leaves at 8-9,000 feet in elevation area. Since the elevation changes from 2,000 to 9,000 in the matter of 40 minutes drive, scenery keeps changing. I also liked Hoodoo rocks area. May not be as much as let's say some National Parks but surely interesting to watch rock formation. Once at the ski area, enjoy ski lift all year. It gets pretty windy and cold, be sure to bundle up. Staff was very friendly and nice. It was $15 per adult during non ski season. Compared to 20 years ago when I first came, price went up significantly. View from the top is beautiful as well.
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Melody K.

Yelp
Escaping the Phoenix heat for a day, we headed to Tucson to Mount Lemmon. The drive is beautiful, The mountain Rock formations are breathtaking. We drove to the Ski Valley Lodge and took the sky ride up to the top and walked a bit and took the ride back down. There are a lot of Trails and car lookouts to stop at. I need to look for some of the trail maps in the area. Looking forward to hiking next time.
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Katie U.

Yelp
I was skeptical about whether the trip to Mt. Lemmon was going to be worth it, since it's one hour to the top from the northside of Tucson. I HIGHLY recommend the trip if you have the time! One of the most scenic drives I've ever been on as you climb from an elevation of 3,000 feet to 9,000 feet. There are plenty of parking pullouts and scenic vista points to stop along the way and enjoy the views. I recommend stopping at Windy Point Vista about halfway up and going to the small village of Summerhaven at the top. There are a few dining options up there, including Sawmill Run and Iron Door. Note that cell service is spotty / nonexistent so plan accordingly. Bathrooms are available but spread out along the drive. Pro tip: Download the U of A / Visit Tucson app for a narrated description of the scenery. Really informational!

T B.

Yelp
Beautiful mountain, offering evergreens, expansive views, fishing, skiing, hiking and camping all within convenient drive from Tucson.
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Carrie H.

Yelp
Download the U of A Mount Lemmon science tour before you go. Then you play it, and it narrates what you're seeing as you drive up the mountain. 100 degrees in Tucson, 72 at the top of the mountain. Beautiful, lots of scenic turnouts, well worth the time...
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Steve S.

Yelp
We hiked the Butterfly Trail today and it's a great trail. Walking in is a downhill hike. We went in 2 miles and then hiked back out the same trail for a total of 4 miles. It goes through an area of large pines that some years ago had experienced a forest fire and it's still at various stages of recovery. These trails are dog friendly but be sure to pick up any droppings. The views are spectacular, the pines are huge but if your moving, keep your eyes on the trail. The drop offs on the edge of the trail are impressive. I'd rate this trail as intermediate. The hike back was uphill and it's at high altitude, it gave my legs a good workout. Although we did it in tennis shoes, boots would be better. Look close at the first picture and you'll see a climber in the crack.

Alejandro M.

Yelp
needed rental. the wait to get the skis was more than two and a half hours. terrible experience.
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Litsaki K.

Yelp
It's a beautiful ride to the top. I cannot wait to drive up here in other seasons. This was a first for us so much to explore here cannot wait to come back. I enjoyed the dry cactus part in beginning then as you climb you start to see snow in spots then it's snow everywhere. The locals parked on sides of road throwing snowballs sledding down little hills having a blast. Also noticed small pick up trucks filled with snow in the back bed driving back down a few had snowmen made in the back. The temp in car was 68 in beginning then at top was about 38 at top. So much beauty here. The roads are winding be very careful and always look for pedestrians and photo takers. We went on a Friday it's gets so busy here the day after we were up there on radio they said they had to turn people away it was so crowded. At the top small restaurant we didn't go to a gift shop and little cabins you can rent. Excited to come back in future and explore trails and camp, picnic.
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Dia D.

Yelp
Before we took this drive I was wondering if it would be worth the time, but it definitely was worth it. The access point is on the Northeast side of Tucson off Tanque Verde road. Tanque Verde intersects Catalina Highway which then becomes the road up Mt Lemmon. Download the University of Arizona app for narration of your drive. Cell phone service is very spotty on the drive so get the app at the bottom of the mountain. The drive is incredibly scenic with a gently curving road with many pullouts to allow passing and picture taking. There are some bathrooms (basically an outhouse with no running water) and a Visitor Center at Palisades. The drive begins with cacti and ends with a pine forest and snow. It is the equivalent of driving from Mexico to Canada.
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Mark S.

Yelp
First of all, from the foothills of Santa Catalina's to the top will take about one hour. For some of the most breathtaking views that you'll ever see. Get someone else to drive up and take in the different eco systems as you head up Mount Lemmon. There are a few vistas along the drive where you can stretch your legs, take pictures or just admire the beautiful scenery around you. Several hiking paths if you are so adventurous.For the campers 5 pay by night campgrounds , plus another 5 free along the way. This is one of those reviews that's tough to put into words. * Elevation is a little over 9000 ft. to the top by the ski lift. Which happened to be closed on a Tuesday when we headed up. This is open during the summer months the other five days. And yes it's open for a short ski season from December to February every season. This time of year,there is even a lake to go canoeing or fishing. Take it all in and enjoy. * Arizona's beauty at it's finest.
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Steffini A.

Yelp
Ran down Mt Lemmon in the Revel Marathon on 2/26. And boy what a way to experience all the mountain has to offer! The topography of the mountain changes as you go up: at the top it's very alpine-esq, in the middle were really awesome rock formations and at the bottom there was desert landscape and beautiful saguaros! Running down the mountain might not be your cup of tea, but I also highly recommend driving it. Such a fun way to spend an afternoon or morning.
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Kelley L.

Yelp
Favorite place to get away from the heat and get some exercise in. This is off sunset hiking trail.
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Doug B.

Yelp
View from the top of the mountain is pretty good. Check out the pic! I was able to see the whole city.
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Sharon H.

Yelp
I've held off on making the trek up since I get pretty carsick, but I am glad that we made the trip as it was a nice cool getaway from the 100 degree Tucson weather in the summer. I still got sunburnt though, which is actually a first ever for me, so be careful even though it feels cooler! Our dog had the best time being off leash. It is definitely a long, windy 25 mile drive from the base of the mountain to the Summerhaven village, but there are numerous vista points along the way to catch a breath of fresh air and snap a shot of the mountains. It's really neat watching the terrain evolve from a sea of cacti to a lush forest of pine trees. After mile 18 or so, you'll start to see signs for campsites, trailheads, and picnic areas. We picked three random trails to do, of which I would recommend the Butterfly trail. It was lush and mostly shaded; the terrain can be a bit narrow and rough. I saw one butterfly.. We also started on the Sunset Trail, but many of the trees had burned down so there wasn't much shade. The trails are a few-many miles long, and we just turned back when we hiked enough. Some of the trailheads have outdoor bathrooms, that were well maintained. Of note though there is no running water (ie sinks or fountains), so definitely bring water and your own hand sanitizer! If you do run out of water, snacks, supplies etc, head to the Summerhaven Village's general store. Don't forget to stop by the Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin ! Definitely make a stop at the General Hitchcock Memorial (on the left if you are traveling up)-- there are huge slabs of rock which are impressive in and of themselves as far as their formation, but are also fun to climb atop with expansive views of Tucson.
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Amy W.

Yelp
So fun to go on the ski lift (no snow) It was the Saturday after Thanksgiving and there was no snow. We had breakfast across the street, and you get a FREE LIFT RIDE with each breakfast purchase (normally $11 I think). Also the gift shop had a nice supply of warm hats, scarves, mittens, etc. The ride is longer than it appears from the ground. Be sure and bundle up!

Horse W.

Yelp
did the chair lift wow WHAT A RIDE!!! i recommend to all to take it to the top get off walk around both left and right sides... it's like views to forever!
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Isabella J.

Yelp
We sure are lucky to have Mount Lemmon pretty much on our backyard, truly on of Tucson's best places. Mount Lemmon gives so much back to all of us Tucsonan's whether we are seeking an athletic experience (via cycling, hiking, running, walking, and even paragliding), camping, fishing, picnics and even skiing. Yep. There really is a ski hill in Southern Arizona, and yes, it has more than one run. It has 22, thank you very much! For the unfamiliar, Mount Lemmon is the highest point in the Catalina Mountains, just over 9,000 feet! Aside from being an outdoor haven, Mount Lemmon is also home to the Mount Lemmon Observatory/Steward Observatory Telescope. Awesome, right? Other attractions include: Summer Haven: Which is essentially the top of Mt. Lemmon. Here you'll find the famous cookie cabin & pizza, the general store and fudge! Bring your friends, family, and dog! Everyone is welcome here. Ski Valley: Just a couple miles above Summer Haven you'll find Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley, the southernmost ski resort in the United States. Unfortunately, ski season is hit or miss since we don't always get consistent snow fall. I can't speak to the quality of the runs because I've never been. If anything, I'll go sledding! Is that allowed? Mt. Lemmon boasts all kinds of trails for every level. I recently did the Meadow Loop trail which is an easy 1.5 mile loop. I didn't find it difficult, but there are some steep spots to watch for. Depending on your pace, you can get a decent workout out of this one. The Wilderness of Rocks trails is a challenging 8 mile down and up hike. It's pretty rocky and steep and takes about 5 hours. Bring plenty of water and snacks! -Rose Canyon is a great spot for camping and a fishing lake. -There's an annual Oktoberfest celebration at Ski Valley. It's awesome! It's outdoors, the weather is cool and crisp, they offer free rides up the ski lift, Polka music, beer and brats! It's not to be missed. If you've never been...do it! The drive alone is incredible; literally starting the drive surrounded by mesquite trees and saguaros and ending at the top with pine trees and fresh air! A note to drivers: Mount Lemmon is a destination for cyclists (including the pros). It's important to drive the speed limit and watch out for them and share the road!
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Monica E.

Yelp
What do I love about Mount Lemmon? It presents a wonderful reprieve from the regional heat. And we are lucky here in Tucson. Phoenix? Phoenix doesn't have the great benefit of having such a diverse geological range. Up there, the city has no high elevation escape from heat when the asphalt starts munching at your rubber soles. Of course, Phoenicians do have excellent access to the White Mountains. But in Tucson, you can find a good range of campgrounds on the mountain, not just Rose Canyon, Spencer and Peppersauce. Trails abound and water sometimes in abundance, it is easy to imagine that you have fallen into some nursery rhyme or fairytale book -- literally. There are also scary things on the mountain: large spiders, snakes and bears. Though you will find that with some planning and common sense, you'll be fine. For those less familiar with the mountain, a few things to know: 1. Mount Lemmon offers a large range of walking and hiking options, whether you are a novice beginning or whether you are training for the Ironman. There also are wheelchair and stroller accessible trails. Be attentive to signage, and be sure to take care during low elevation summertime hiking. 2. Check out the Seven Cataracts, but do not stop there. Also, don't just make a mad dash for Summerhaven. Spend some time at the mountain enjoying the open air. A couple of good places, requiring even a brief hike in, are Box Camp and Bigelow. And know that as you are going up the mountain, many of the trail on the right side of the road present some lovely, wide open views of Oracle. Simply stunning! 3. There is a simply gorgeous picnic area, with a small stream, located across from the Marshall Gulch trailhead. At peak summer season in Tucson, when it is 110 degrees, you can easily find a shady spot that will require a light sweater. 4. The SkyCenter Observatory, run by the UA, is located at the top of the mountain. Be sure to RSVP for the awesome programs offered there. 5. At times, there is so much water on the mountain. You can find little streams, pools and waterfalls all over the place after we've had a nice snowmelt and rain. The Sierra Club is a good resource for planning and exploring: http://arizona.sierraclub.org/trail_guide/HIKE5.HTM This is just a teeny-weeny snippet. The mountain offers so, so, so very much more.
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Tzarina W.

Yelp
Great place out of the city for cooler temperatures, smell of pine trees, peacefulness up the lifts, and music from the Iron Wood restaurant. B Look out for the bear sitting on the lift too! Too cute! $10/adult. Runs continuously. You can bring kids. White and gray sleeping cats at each counter at the little shop.
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Cece C.

Yelp
Wow!!! The geology here is amazing!!! I really didn't know much about Mount Lemmon until recently, when a colleague told me about Summerhaven and the wildfire there several years ago. I decided to drive down from Tempe on a Saturday afternoon and see what this mountain was all about. The Catalina highway was one of the most beautiful and breathtaking roads I have ever been on in my life! After just a few minutes, you start to see stunning views of surrounding mountains and desert. Soon you also notice the temperature dropping (highly appreciated in Arizona) and the air feeling better. The highway was relatively busy with road cyclists (gotta go back and do that), groups of bikers, and families - obviously a lot of people know this is the place to be. Along the route, there are several different places to pull off and look at the view, camp, or start a hike. We went up to Summerhaven, which was pretty crowded, then continued to the summit at 9000+ feet. The view up there was so beautiful, it's unreal! It feels like the northeast US or maybe somewhere in California, not Arizona. While it was 100+ degrees in Tucson, the temperature at the summit was in the 60s and felt kind of chilly. I let Callie off the leash and we hiked for about an hour. I recently got a Garmin GPS so it was a fun place to test it out. As for the rocks, this area is a geologist's dream... igneous and metamorphic rocks abound and the roadcuts tell an amazing story with their igneous intrusions, faults and folds. Not to mention, the boulders and hoodoos are super dramatic! You don't have to know a lot about geology to simply appreciate it. But it would be a great place to bring an undergraduate class for a day of investigation. I can't wait to return to this beautiful mountain, especially in the winter when I can ski! It is truly a year round destination and an amazing escape from the Arizona heat. Be back soon!

Mike M.

Yelp
We visited Spencer Canyon CG and had a good ole time. Camp Host Mark was a great guy, We will definitely be back.

Zach D.

Yelp
Great spot to cool off when you are in Tucson for the summer! Go for a quick hike or go for a picnic with the whole family! You decide!
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Olwen C.

Yelp
This should be on your MUST DO list for Tucson! The drive up is amazing. Cacti on the ground, snow on the top! Highly recommend for a half-day activity!
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Krista A.

Yelp
Mount Lemmon is where we go for alternative climates in the Tucson area. I love the hiking, the camping, the sunset views and evening sparkling lights of city and sky. I have seen the brightest shooting star on this mountain, the most breathtaking scenery, and a large variety of wildlife. This mountain holds a special place in my heart.
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Yesenia F.

Yelp
Camping mt. Lemmon was a wonderful experience and very fun. It's always nice to get away from the city and the heat. We did Marshalls Gulch early in the am. The trail is an easy 4 mile hike, easy to low moderate. We did the hike with out little pug and he rocked it. The trail is well maintained, amazing views throughout the hike. It also has several streams and it smells forresty. We started Marshalls gulch and followed the Aspen trail head. It has great areas to stop and admire the views, eat an orange or trail mix and just forget about the world. We will definitely do this one again. Highly recommended.
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Denise K.

Yelp
My husband and I go here almost every weekend to get away from town and the heat. So many activities to do here and our favorite is rock climbing and hiking. Dog friendly hiking trails. Plenty of camping, hiking, picnicking, moutain bike riding, road bikes, or just enjoy the Vistas. We take friends and family here everytime they visit. Play more outside :)
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Nicholas W.

Yelp
As a Tucson native I absolutely love Mt Lemmon. It's gorgeous and an amazing getaway from the valleys summer weather. I along with majority of Tucson go up Mt Lemmon several times throughout the year. Yesterday a group of us went up to the mountain to enjoy the snow and go snowboarding. We are all professional boarders and go to Colorado during the winter. 1st the slopes are rough and unfortunately two people in our group ended up falling into the rocks. Both ended up getting scraped up and when asked for some minor medical attention they were treated horribly. 2nd Do Not waste your time going to the Iron Door Restaurant in Ski Valley Valley. It's one of the worst places to go! The service is horrible and the food is just as bad. The host was disrespectful and all the staff were incredibly disrespectful. For years I have gone to this restaurant and it's been horrible. Don't waste your time going here. The pie even sucks.
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John L.

Yelp
Amazing place to go to escape the heat. High 70s in the mountain, 105 in town. The difference is incredible. There are trails here to satisfy many level of experience and the views are incredible. I need to come back in different times of the year to see what its like then. It is about an hour drive from the foot of the mountain to the peak, but it is absolutely worth it.
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Cindy M.

Yelp
Something for everyone here! Scenic drive from Tucson that ends at around 8500 feet. So many scenic pullovers. People enjoying cycling, birding, hiking, fishing, camping and just taking in the sites. Stop at the Palisades visitor center for helpful information, green trail maps and gifts. Check out the restaurants and gift shop in Summerhaven and at the ski lift. Fish at Rose Canyon Lake. SO many camping options at various elevations.
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Brad W.

Yelp
Depending on what you decide to do, this can be a fun day. On early fall weekends, they have a small Oktoberfest with music and brats. We also went up the ski lift for $11 per adult and ate at the Iron Door. Parking is $5 for the festival which really isn't much, but you have to pay it even if your not going unless you park past the metal barrier. The only problem was the fudge shop does not take plastic, so we were denied fudge until we went down to the general store. It takes about an hour to get up top depending on how many vista's you decide to linger and enjoy the views. You must stop at the main point (you will know it by all the cars) and a few other points are worthy. This was a good, fun day with temps only in low 70's in late September. Lovely.
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Brian S.

Yelp
We've lived in AZ for 16 years and only recently found this gem. From Tucson it's just a short one hour drive from bottom to top with many beautiful spots to stop and explore along the way including overlooks and hiking trails. We even saw a group rock climbing and repelling at one stop. The true rewards at he top where the temp is almost 30 degrees lower then the start with beautiful views in all directions. The pictures tell the rest of the story...
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Leslie B.

Yelp
Really awesome experience. Be sure to download the Mt Lemmon app. It gives you a narrated tour as you drive up the mountain. It gives you the mountains history and goes over the different ecological systems you will see. Fair warning though, if you have little ones in the car the audio tour will bore them out of their mind so bring headphones for them. There are plenty of stops on the way up that let you view the vista and climb on rocks. There are also plenty of picnic tables when you get up in the wooded area so bring lunch. After you reach the summit, you will go into a little town with gift shops, general stores, and places to eat. The best part of all of this is the dramatic drop in temperature. It went from 104 to 75 in less than an hour. It's is the perfect escape from the summer heat.