Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Top Spots in and near Mount Lemmon
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Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Hike Mint Springs Trail
5 mi / 2000 ft gainThis hike begins in the town of Summerhaven in Mount Lemmon, Tuscon AZ. This is after about an hour long drive up a 25 mile paved, winding road. Any car can access this trail-head easily. Once you reach Summerhaven, drive up Carter Canyon Rd. Park at the end of the road. Do not enter any private ...Read more -
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Hike Incinerator Ridge to Leopold Point
5.03.2 mi / 800 ft gainStarting out at San Pedro Vista Trailhead, located just off the shoulder of the Catalina Highway, this trail follows along the ridgeline, drops to a small saddle, and terminates at a gorgeous vista: Leopold Point. There is only 1 sign that you will come across that actually designates it as Incin...Read more -
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Rock Climb the Hitchcock Pinnacle
Hitchcock Pinnacle on Mount Lemmon may be the most recognizable landmark in the Santa Catalina Mountains due to its prominence over Catalina Highway and Windy Point. Ample parking is available as are bathrooms. The Pinnacle itself features several trad, sport, and top rope routes including a seri...Read more -
Tucson, Arizona
Canyon Loop Trail in Catalina State Park
2.26 mi / 180 ft gainThe Canyon Loop trail is an easy hike through the foothills that begins and ends at the Trailhead parking lot. (End of the road when you enter Catalina State Park from Oracle Rd - entrance fee required) The loop is relatively flat, although starts with a short uphill burst before leveling off. ...Read more -
Tucson, Arizona
Romero Pools via Romero Canyon
4.85.52 mi / 1155 ft gainTo enter the Catalina State Park costs $7 per vehicle with up to four adults. You then drive to the trailhead parking lot. There will be a restroom and a very small shop there. From the trailhead, you almost immediately crosse Sutherland Wash, which flows seasonally. The first 1.1 miles is relati...Read more -
Tucson, Arizona
Camp at Molino Basin
0 mi / 0 ft gainMolino Basin Campground is the only campground of the Catalina District of the Forest Service to be open year round due to its lower elevation at only 4500'. Its position along the Mount Lemmon Highway makes Molino Basin a perfect basecamp for further adventures in the Santa Catalina Mountains, a...Read more -
Catalina Foothills, Arizona
Hike the Sabino Canyon Trail
4.8This popular trail is a paved road that crosses 9 stone bridges over Sabino Creek. The creek itself is pretty dry most of the year, but after a rain it's a wonderful place to cool off and escape from the merciless desert heat. Hikers, cyclists and equestrians alike share and enjoy the trail. Ther...Read more -
Catalina Foothills, Arizona
Hike Blackette's Ridge
5.05.84 mi / 1500 ft gainStarting from the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area you'll want to follow signs for the Bear Canyon Trail. Don't worry about how busy it seems - most of the people you see are probably only going as far as the dam or picnic areas. There is a good chance that you'll have the top all to yourself especi...Read more -
Tucson, Arizona
Seven Falls via Bear Canyon
5.08.3 mi / 1381 ft gainAt the main parking lot of Sabino Canyon, there are a few different trams you can take to nearby trailheads. You have the option to either hop on a tram that will take you to the 7 Falls trailhead for $4 a person, or walk the 2 miles yourself. Once at the trailhead, signs will lead you into Bear ...Read more -
Tucson, Arizona
Tanque Verde Falls
4.21.93 mi / 430 ft gainThis hike starts at the Lower Tanque Verde Falls Trailhead, which is a well marked dirt lot on the left side of Reddington Road. A 4x4 would probably make the last half mile or so easier when the road turns to dirt but I made it to the trailhead in a Toyota Carolla without any trouble, so don't l...Read more -
3693 South Old Spanish Trail, Arizona
Drive the Cactus Forest Loop in Saguaro's Rincon Mountain District
5.08 mi / 550 ft gainSaguaro National Park is split into two different "districts" found east and west of Tucson. In the East-Rincon Mountain District you can find over 130 miles of hiking trails. However, for folks who don't have much time in the park, are with friends and family who aren't hikers, or are literally ...Read more -
3693 South Old Spanish Trail, Arizona
Drive the Scenic Loop in Saguaro National Park East (Cactus Forest)
4.58 miThe Cactus Forest scenic drive is one of two scenic drives in Saguaro National Park (the other is in the West district location). The drive in Saguaro National Park East is a paved eight-mile one way loop that runs through the heart of an extensive saguaro forest. If you’re lucky enough to visi...Read more -
Tucson, Arizona
Hike to Javelina Rock
5.07 mi / 400 ft gainDrive through the gate of Saguaro National Park and continue straight onto Cactus Forest Drive. The 8 Mile loop takes you around to Javelina Rock parking area. Take time to enjoy this drive, it offers great views of the park and opportunities to spot coyotes and other wildlife.About 7 miles into ...Read more -
Tucson, Arizona
Hike Tumamoc Hill
5.03 mi / 800 ft gainTumamoc Hill is urban adventuring at it's finest. Park on Anklam Road, directly across from St Mary's Hospital, and follow the other hikers and runners to the trailhead.Tumamoc Hill is a one-lane paved road, trafficked infrequently by University of Arizona employees who work on the Hill's ecology...Read more -
Tucson, Arizona
Catch a Sunset on "A" Mountain
4.00.3 mi / 250 ft gainIn 1910 a group of University of Arizona students took local basalt rock and constructed a 160' block "A" on the east face of Sentinel Peak overlooking Tucson, giving the prominent peak its most commonly known name. Now the area is part of the 272 acre Sentinel Peak Park, and features a great net...Read more -
Tucson, Arizona
Mountain Bike the Desperado Loop
3.6 mi / 231 ft gainThe Desperado Loop in the Sweetwater Preserve is a great introductory mountain biking loop that is perfect for beginners, yet the Loop can also be tied into the larger Sweetwater Trail System for more advanced riders. Beginning from the parking lot, the Desperado Trail loop quickly rises to a rid...Read more
Top Activities
Camping and Lodging in Mount Lemmon
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Whitetail Campground
Overview
Whitetail Campground offers group campsites in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains of southeastern Arizona, 5 miles south of...
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Showers Point Group Site
Overview
The cool shade of tall ponderosa pines and an overlook of Palisade Canyon from the campgrounds edge make Showers Point Group Sit...
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin
Overview
The Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin is located within the Palisades Administrative Site in the Santa Catalina Mountains, 20 mil...
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Rose Canyon
Overview
Rose Canyon Campground is just 17 miles northeast of Tucson, Arizona, off the Catalina Highway Scenic Drive near the summit of M...
Oracle, Arizona
Peppersauce
Overview
With its picturesque vegetation and dramatic setting at the foot of 9,157' Mt. Lemmon in southeastern Arizona, Peppersauce Campg...
Tucson, Arizona
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 1
Overview
Cactus Ramada 1 is a reservable group picnic site within the extremely popular Sabino Canyon Recreation Area at the edge of Tucs...