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Catalina Highway Complex (Upper)

SUMMERHAVEN and the SUMMIT AREA Less than one hour from downtown Tucson, perennial water, picnic areas, and a network of wooded trails offer recreation opportunities for all interests and abilities. Mount Lemmon, Marshall Gulch, Ski Valley, and the amenities of Summerhaven make the top of the mountain a fantastic destination year-round. Parking areas can fill quickly during the busy season.

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Manzanita Vista lies between General Hitchcock campground and Windy Point Vista along the Mount Lemmon Highway.

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The upper end of the Green Mountain Trail  begins at  a trailhead  just below San Pedro Vista.  The lower end is located just below

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Site Open

The Rose Canyon Lake is a six-acre lake. It is small, beautiful and ecologically fragile.

Campsite
Site Open

Rose Canyon Campground features 73 campsites, half of which may be reserved. There are 3 RV loops.

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Site Open

Group picnic areas at Rose Canyon Lake open from mid April until mid October. These group picnic sites can be reserved by calling 1-877-444-6777.

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The passenger car accessible dirt Incinerator Road (Forest Road 3), leads to the Incinerator Ridge Trailhead for Incinerator Ridge Trail #18A, Kellogg Trail #45,  and

Site Open

The facility has a parking lot and deck, along with the interpretive center, and is maintained by the Santa Catalina Ranger District.

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Site Open

The Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin is located within the Palisades Administrative Site in the Santa Catalina M

Trail with Thimble Rock in the distance

You’ll enjoy good views and get a tour of most of the biological life zones that grace the slopes of the Santa Catalinas along this more difficult trail.

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Site Open

Whitetail Campground offers group campsites in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains of southeastern Arizona, 5 miles south of the town of Summerhaven and the top of Mt.

Site at Spencer Canyon Campground
Site Open

This historic complex mountain campground is located at the head of a shallow, forested canyon, a short distance off the Catalina Highway.

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Box Camp Trail provides some of the most dramatic views of any trail in the Santa Catalinas.

Sunset trailhead

Sunset #90 is a 1.3-mile trail intersecting the higher elevations of Sabino Creek with opportunities to see beautiful rock escarpments excavated by the creek.

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Site Open

Inspiration Rock Picnic Area

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This roadside picnic areais located near the crest of the Santa Catalina Mountains in the cool ponderosa pines within a short drive of trailheads, Ski Valley, and the villa

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Site Open

Loma Linda Picnic Area

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Site Open

This rough, winding road that snakes up the northeastern slopes of the Santa Catalinas was the first major access route built to the upper reaches of the Santa Catalina Mou

Marshall Gulch trailhead sign

The loop formed by these two trails is one of the most heavily used upper elevation routes into the Pusch Ridge Wilderness.

Apen Trail #93 trailhead

The loop formed by these two trails is one of the most heavily used upper elevation routes into the Pusch Ridge Wilderness.

Skiers on Mount Lemmon

Mount Lemmon Ski Valley is open year around! 

Parking area
Site Open

The Mount Lemmon Day Use Area is near the summit of Mount Lemmon in a mixed conifer and aspen forest. The site offers shady picnic sites, mountaintop views, and access

Trailhead sign

Expansive views, lots of connecting trails and access to the western portion of the Wilderness of Rock with its immense boulders and picturesque formations characterize thi

View from Aspen Draw

This is an uphill hike, no matter which trailhead you start at, E Turkey Run Road or the Mount Lemmon Ski Resort.

Lookout

This trail extends from a trailhead just below Mt. Lemmon’s summit and the Wilderness of Rock deep within that picturesque area of the Pusch Ridge Wilderness.

Last updated June 12, 2026