Pusch Ridge Wilderness

Area Status: Open

Pusch Ridge Wilderness

Pusch Ridge towers over Tucson and the surrounding desert as one of the most prominent features of the Santa Catalina Mountains. With its lower slopes dotted with saguaro cacti and its upper reaches dark Douglas-fir, this unmistakable landmark makes the point that this is a land of extremes in biodiversity as well as topography. Within the 56,933-acre Wilderness, elevations range from 2,800 to 8,800 feet.

From January 1st to April 30th, traveling more than 400 feet off these Forest Service system trails is prohibited due to the bighorn sheep lambing season. The Pusch Ridge Wilderness Bighorn Sheep Closure Area includes; Ventana Canyon (#98), Pima Canyon (#62), Esperero (#25), Cathedral Rock (#26), West Fork (#24), Mount Lemmon (#5), Finger Rock (#42), Pontatoc (#410), Linda Vista (#49), Sutherland (#6), and Romero (#8). 

 

At a Glance

Current Conditions: From January 1st to April 30th, traveling more than 400 feet off this Forest Service system trail is prohibited due to the bighorn sheep lambing season. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(a) No animal may be brought, or allowed to enter, into the Restricted Area at any time during the year. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, dogs, domestic sheep, and goats.
Usage: Heavy
Restrictions: Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are prohibited. This includes the use of motor vehicles, motorboats, motorized equipment, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters, unless provided for in specific legislation.

Dogs are prohibited in the Bighorn Sheep Management Area portion of the Pusch Ridge Wilderness.
Closest Towns: Tucson, Arizona
Information Center: Santa Catalina Ranger District 520-749-8700

General Information

Directions: Several trailheads are accessed from the north end of Tucson. The east side of Pusch Ridge Wilderness is accessible from trailheads along Catalina Highway. The west side of the Wilderness can be entered through Catalina State Park.

Activities

Day Hiking

Backpacking

Related Information

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Location

 
  Elevation : 
2,800 feet - 8,800 feet