Santa Catalina Mountain Information
Click on any of the links below to go to the respective websites, or click here to view and/or print detailed information about what to see and do in the Santa Catalina Mountains:
US Forest Service
"We are entrusted with 193 million acres of forests and grasslands. It's a big task, but one that we take seriously. We are dedicated to restore and enhance landscapes, protect and enhance water resources, develop climate change resiliency and help create jobs that will sustain communities". ............
Chief Tom Tidwell.
Click here to go to the official web page of the US Forest Service.
Coronado National Forest
The Coronado National Forest covers 1,780,000 acres of southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. Elevations range from 3000 feet to 10,720 feet in twelve widely scattered mountain ranges or "sky islands" that rise dramatically from the desert floor, supporting plant communities as biologically diverse as those encountered on a trip from Mexico to Canada.
Views are spectacular from these mountains, and visitors may experience all four seasons during a single day's journey, wandering through the desert among giant saguaro cactus and colorful wildflowers in the morning, enjoying lunch beside a mountain stream, and playing in the snow later in the afternoon. Hiking in the mountain area is superb, with hundreds of miles of trails available to all levels of capability. See the Hiking Biking page for more information. Read a detailed description of what you could see and visit in the mountains here.
The Santa Catalina Mountain Ranger District represents one of the twelve ranges in the Coronado National Forest. The District Ranger is Stan Hellin.
Click here to go to the web site of the Coronado National Forest.
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
This extremely popular recreation area, within the Santa Catalina Mountains, is located along Sabino Creek right at the edge of Tucson, Arizona. For many who come to visit the Southwest, this area provides their first close encounter with the Sonoran Desert and the fascinating variety of plants and animals that make it their home. The self-guided Desert Nature Trail at the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center provides an excellent way to get to know the plants that have adapted to living in this demanding environment.
Open-air shuttle buses (operated by Sabino Canyon Tours) and a number of trails provide access to this land of desert oases and rugged mountains. The shuttle buses travel on the paved road along the floor of the canyon, crossing Sabino Creek on nine low-water rock bridges, while drivers tell about the area’s rich history and ecology. A second shuttle provides similar access to Bear Canyon. These two routes pass 89 picnic sites which are scattered along the roadside and clustered at two large group picnic sites. You can get on and off the shuttle as often as you wish, but only at the designated shuttle stops.
You may choose to walk along these roads and hike the system of trails that leads deeper into the canyons and high country. Sabino Lake Trail #30 leads to a popular wetland birdwatching spot. Phone Line Trail on the slope south of Sabino Creek provides spectacular views of the canyon.
The paved road is closed to bicycles on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Bicycles are allowed on other days before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. Some trails are open to horseback riders.
Location: Northeast of Tucson at the foot of the Santa Catalinas. The entrance to the recreation area is located on Sabino Canyon Road, just north of the intersection with Sunrise drive.
Click here for the web site of the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area.
Sky Island Scenic Byway Map
This map shows the Catalina Highway (General Hitchcock Highway) from the base of the mountain to Summerhaven. Click here to view the map.
General Hitchcock Highway Map (Upper)
This map shows the trails in the upper section of the highway up to Summerhaven. Click here to view the map.
General Hitchcock Highway Map (Lower)
This map shows the hiking trails in the lower section of the Catalina Highway. Click here to view the map.