Santa Catalina Ranger District


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 520-576-1325 
  • Whitetail Campground 520-576-9198. 
  • Showers Point Campground 520-314-0069.

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.

Ranger Phone Address
Don DelMastro
(District Ranger)		 (520) 749-8700
FAX: (520) 749-7723		 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85750

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Mountain Biking

Areas for Mountain Biking at Santa Catalina Ranger District

Road Cycling

Areas for Road Cycling at Santa Catalina Ranger District

Campground Camping

Areas for Campground Camping at Santa Catalina Ranger District

RV Camping

Areas for RV Camping at Santa Catalina Ranger District

Group Camping

Areas for Group Camping at Santa Catalina Ranger District

Dispersed Camping

Areas for Dispersed Camping at Santa Catalina Ranger District

Cabin Rentals

Areas for Cabin Rentals at Santa Catalina Ranger District

Rock Climbing

Roadside and backcountry climbing for all levels.

Visit climbing guides, shops, gyms, and websites for more information.

Seasonal closures for nesting raptors can affect some crags. Find current wildlife closure information at the bottom of the Alerts & Notices page or contact the ranger station.

The bighorn sheep lambing season closure (January 1 through April 30) requires hikers and climbers to stay within 400 feet of designated trails in the Bighorn Sheep Management Area within the Pusch Ridge Wilderness.

Areas for Rock Climbing 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

Backpacking

Areas for Backpacking at Santa Catalina Ranger District

Horse Camping

Areas for Horse Camping at Santa Catalina Ranger District

Target Shooting

Know before you go.

Interpretive Areas

Areas for Interpretive Areas 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

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

Alerts & Warnings

View All Forest Alerts