Overview
The Santa Catalina Mountains, often called simply the Catalinas, are a mountain range in the Coronado National Forest and located northeast of Tucson. Crowned by Mt. Lemmon at an elevation of 9,157 ft, the range is a 'sky island', which has a very different climate from that of the valley and surrounding desert. This climatic difference makes it a popular tourist destination for those in the Phoenix and Tucson areas, particularly in the summer months.
The Catalinas are the home of Ski Valley, the location of the small town of Summerhaven, and the site of an astronomical observatory.
5 things to do · 3 places to eat · 7 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Santa Catalina Mountains
Pusch Ridge Wilderness Area
This is a good area for wildlife viewing. A number of scenic and challenging trails can be accessed here from the north side of Tucson, as well as from Catalina Highway and Catalina State Park near Oracle. No mountain bi…
Sabino Canyon
A spectacular desert canyon cut into the south side of the Santa Catalina Mountains, this area is justifiably popular with both locals and visitors and is the starting point for a number of hiking trails. Half-hourly tra…
Mount Lemmon Observatory
Operated by the University of Arizona, this astronomical observatory offers nightly observation programs and workshops for the public.
Mount Lemmon Ski Valley
The southernmost ski resort in the United States. It's a very small resort with short runs.
Astronomy Camp
Run throughout the year for teenagers, adults, and educators. Campers spend time learning how to use the astronomical facilities, which range up to telescopes 61 in in size, and collect their own research data. Truly a m…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–Apr. Summer highs reach about 101°F; winter lows dip to about 40°F. Very hot (May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Aug. (climate data from nearby Tucson)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TUS Tucson International Airport, Tucson — 24 mi away (major hub). Directions
- AZA Mesa Gateway Airport, Mesa — 78 mi away. Directions
The only way to really reach the mountain is on the Catalina Highway that begins in Tucson. During the winter months it is advisable to use vehicles that have four wheel drive and/ or snow chains as the road can become very slippery.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $10–$18 a night (typical $10), from 7 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$50, mid-range ~$80, comfortable ~$180.
Options are grouped as Lodging, Camping, Backcountry in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Pusch Ridge Wilderness Area, Sabino Canyon, Mount Lemmon Observatory
- Lunch Iron Door Restaurant
- Afternoon Mount Lemmon Ski Valley, Astronomy Camp
- Dinner Mt. Lemmon General Store
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
History
Landscape
Flora and fauna
Climate
On average the climate at the summit is at least twenty degrees cooler than it is at the base. Please note that this means ample amounts of snow can, and do, fall on the mountain during the winter months.
Get in
The only way to really reach the mountain is on the Catalina Highway that begins in Tucson. During the winter months it is advisable to use vehicles that have four wheel drive and/ or snow chains as the road can become very slippery.
Fees and permits
Visitors are required to purchase a Coronado Recreation Pass ($5/day, $20/year), which also is good for use in Sabino Canyon and in Madera Canyon (listed in South Central Arizona).
See
The town of Summerhaven, which has a year-round population of 100 that swells up during the summer months. Most of the town is being completely rebuilt after the 2003 Aspen Fire destroyed most of it.
Do
Do Pusch Ridge Wilderness Area
This is a good area for wildlife viewing. A number of scenic and challenging trails can be accessed here from the north side of Tucson, as well as from Catalina Highway and Catalina State Park near Oracle. No mountain bikes, horses, or dogs permitted.
Do Sabino Canyon
A spectacular desert canyon cut into the south side of the Santa Catalina Mountains, this area is justifiably popular with both locals and visitors and is the starting point for a number of hiking trails. Half-hourly trams operated by Sabino Canyon Tours ($8/$4 adults/children) can take visitors nine stops up into the canyon; a separate tram ($3/$1 adults/children) will take you into Bear Canyon and to the trailhead of the popular Seven Falls Trail. Free trail maps are available at the visitor center, which also sells a good selection of regional hiking guidebooks and topo maps.
Do Astronomy Camp
Run throughout the year for teenagers, adults, and educators. Campers spend time learning how to use the astronomical facilities, which range up to telescopes 61 in in size, and collect their own research data. Truly a must-do for any astronomy guru, although the camps tend to fill very quickly so check their website for details.
- Rock climbing is popular throughout Mount Lemmon. With a variety of rock formations to match the climatic zones, the area is quite diverse with thousands of climbing routes and has everything from sport, trad, single-pitch and multi-pitch climbs. A guide book that covers the area can be picked up in Tucson.
Eat
Eat Iron Door Restaurant
Pricey but beautiful.
Eat Mt Lemmon Cookie Cabin
At the far side of Summerhaven. They serve excellent giant cookies.
Eat Mt. Lemmon General Store
Fudge.
Sleep
Lodging
Camping
There are campgrounds in the mountains. Be sure to get a permit at the foot of the mountain, just before Molino Basin near milepost 4. Camping fees are in addition to travel permit, self-pay at entrance.
Stay Molino Basin Campground
Open from 1 Nov - 15 Apr. No hookups, trailers and RVs under 22' permitted. No water, vault toilets. There is a pleasant hike between this campground and Gordon Hirabayashi (see listing below); park all the way at the end of prison camp and walk downhill to Molino. The destruction from the Aspen fire is evident here as is all the new green growth.
Stay Gordon Hirabayashi Campground
This campground is unusual as it displays the remnants (mostly rock walls) of a Japanese-American internment camp from WWII. The Arizona Trail also passes through this campground. Open from late fall through early spring. No hookups, trailers and RVs under 22' permitted. No water, vault toilets.
Backcountry
Stay safe
Dehydration is very easy on the mountain and altitude sickness is very common so be sure to drink plenty of water in order to avoid both! Take a pack of gum with you on the highway because Tucson's elevation is at around 2,500 feet and Mount Lemmon is over 9,000 feet.
Go next
Once you reach the top of the mountain, you can take a shortcut that will take you to Oracle but it is recommended that only 4-wheel-drive vehicles use it.
Nearby
Oracle
City / town · 14 listings · 12 mi away
Tucson
City / town · 142 listings · 18 mi away
Saguaro National Park
Park · 14 listings · 21 mi away
Picacho Peak State Park
Park · 39 mi away
Green Valley
City / town · 12 listings · 42 mi away
Benson
City / town · 24 listings · 43 mi away
Picacho
City / town · 5 listings · 45 mi away
Madera Canyon
Rural area · 7 listings · 49 mi away
My experience
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