Santa Catalina Ranger District

Located adjacent to Tucson, the Santa Catalina Ranger District is the most heavily visited part of the Coronado National Forest. The Catalina Highway (Sky Island Scenic Byway) winds nearly to the top of 9,157 foot Mt. Lemmon, providing paved access to trailheads, campgrounds, picnic areas and a ski area. The Santa Catalinas are also home to Sabino Canyon and the 56,933 acre Pusch Ridge Wilderness area.
For information about road conditions on Mount Lemmon Highway call 520-547-7510.
For information about the Sabino Canyon Shuttle: Sabino Canyon Crawler
For information about concession-operated campgrounds:
- Spencer Canyon Campground 520-576-1492.
- Rose Canyon Lake Campground 520-576-3091 or 520-576-1477.
- Whitetail Campground 520-576-9198.
- Showers Point Campground 520-576-1325.
You can reserve campsite and/or group areas at these sites at Recreation.gov. Please note that InterAgency and Coronado National Forest passes are not valid at these sites.
For information on guided nature walks, hikes, children's programs, family activities, and school field trips: go to Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists.
Activities
Road Cycling
Areas for Road Cycling at Santa Catalina Ranger District
Campground Camping
Areas for Campground Camping at Santa Catalina Ranger District
- Santa Catalina Mountains
- General Hitchcock Campground
- Gordon Hirabayashi Campground
- Molino Basin Campground
- Peppersauce Campground
- Rose Canyon Campground
- Spencer Canyon Campground
RV Camping
Areas for RV Camping at Santa Catalina Ranger District
- Santa Catalina Mountains
- Gordon Hirabayashi Campground
- Molino Basin Campground
- Rose Canyon Campground
Group Camping
Areas for Group Camping at Santa Catalina Ranger District
- Santa Catalina Mountains
- Gordon Hirabayashi Campground
- Molino Basin Campground
- Peppersauce Campground
- Showers Point Group Campground
- Whitetail Group Site
Dispersed Camping
Areas for Dispersed Camping at Santa Catalina Ranger District
Cabin Rentals
Areas for Cabin Rentals at Santa Catalina Ranger District
Lake and Pond Fishing
Areas for Lake and Pond Fishing at Santa Catalina Ranger District
Day Hiking
Areas for Day Hiking at Santa Catalina Ranger District
- Rincon Mountains
- Miller Creek Trail #28
- Rincon Mountain Wilderness
- Turkey Creek Trail #34
- Santa Catalina Mountains
- Aspen Trail #93
- Babad Do’ag Trail #705
- Bear Canyon Trail #29
- Bellota #15
- Box Camp Trail #22
- Box Camp Trail #22A
- Brush Corral Trail #19
- Butterfly Trail #16
- Cathedral Rock Trail #26
- Cañada del Oro Trail #4
- Davis Spring #31
- Esperero Trail #25
- Evans #32
- Finger Rock Trail # 42
- Green Mountain Shortcut Trail #21A
- Green Mountain Trail #21
- Knagge #18
- Lemmon Rock Trail #12
- Marshall Gulch Trail #3
- Maverick Spring #704
- Mount Lemmon Trail #5
- Oracle Ridge Trail #1
- Palisade Trail #99
- Pima Canyon Trail #62
- Pontatoc Ridge Trail #411
- Pontatoc Trail #410
- Pusch Ridge Wilderness
- Romero Trail #8
- Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
- Sabino Canyon Trail #23
- Samaniego Ridge #7
- Soldier Trail #53
- Sutherlund Trail #6
- Sycamore Reservoir Trail #39
- Ventana Trail #98
- West Fork Trail #24
- Wilderness of Rock Trail #44
Backpacking
Areas for Backpacking at Santa Catalina Ranger District
- Rincon Mountains
- Miller Creek Trail #28
- Rincon Mountain Wilderness
- Santa Catalina Mountains
- Aspen Trail #93
- Babad Do’ag Trail #705
- Bellota #15
- Box Camp Trail #22
- Box Camp Trail #22A
- Brush Corral Trail #19
- Butterfly Trail #16
- Cathedral Rock Trail #26
- Cañada del Oro Trail #4
- Davis Spring #31
- Finger Rock Trail # 42
- Green Mountain Shortcut Trail #21A
- Green Mountain Trail #21
- Knagge #18
- Lemmon Rock Trail #12
- Marshall Gulch Trail #3
- Maverick Spring #704
- Mount Lemmon Trail #5
- Oracle Ridge Trail #1
- Palisade Trail #99
- Pima Canyon Trail #62
- Pontatoc Ridge Trail #411
- Pontatoc Trail #410
- Pusch Ridge Wilderness
- Romero Trail #8
- Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
- Sabino Canyon Trail #23
- Samaniego Ridge #7
- Soldier Trail #53
- Sutherlund Trail #6
- Sycamore Reservoir Trail #39
- Ventana Trail #98
- West Fork Trail #24
- Wilderness of Rock Trail #44
Horse Camping
Areas for Horse Camping at Santa Catalina Ranger District
Visitor Centers
Areas for Visitor Centers at Santa Catalina Ranger District
Picnicking
Areas for Picnicking at Santa Catalina Ranger District
- Santa Catalina Mountains
- Alder Picnic Area
- Bear Canyon Overlook Picnic Area
- Box Elder Picnic Area
- Chihuahua Pine Picnic Area
- Cypress Picnic Area
- Inspiration Rock Picnic Area
- Loma Linda Picnic Area
- Lower Sabino Picnic Area
- Marshall Gulch Picnic Area
- Middle Bear Picnic Area
- Molino Basin Picnic Area
- Mt Lemmon Day Use Area
- Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
Group Picnicking
Areas for Group Picnicking at Santa Catalina Ranger District
Scenic Driving
Areas for Scenic Driving at Santa Catalina Ranger District
Skiing/Snowboarding
Areas for Skiing/Snowboarding at Santa Catalina Ranger District