Skip to main content

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.

USDA Forest Service Logo

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

USDA Forest Service Logo

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.

USDA Forest Service Logo
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.

USDA Forest Service Logo

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

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.

USDA Forest Service Logo
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 Closed

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

USDA Forest Service Logo

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.

USDA Forest Service Logo

Inspiration Rock Picnic Area

USDA Forest Service Logo

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

USDA Forest Service Logo

Loma Linda Picnic Area

USDA Forest Service Logo
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.

USDA Forest Service Logo

From E Turkey Run Rd the Aspen Draw Trail meanders uphill moderately challengingly for 1.9 miles. This is a great summer/spring hike.

Skiers on Mount Lemmon

Mount Lemmon Ski Valley is open year around! 

Parking area
Site Open

The Mount Lemmon Recreation Site, denoted as Mt.

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

Last updated October 29, 2025