The route then continues its way through these canyons toward the old mining settlements along Harshaw Creek and the drive ends in the picturesque mining, ranching, and tourist town of Patagonia. Suddenly the views can be measured in hundreds of feet instead of scores of miles.
#BOONDOCKING TUCSON AZ SERIES#
In the distance, landmarks such as Indian Head Butte and Saddle Mountain slide in front of one another as you move across the vast grassy plateau.Įnjoy these views while you can because totally without warning the road drops into a series of oak-filled canyons cut into these southern Arizona slopes. The road turns, the trees open up, and an extensive rolling grassland stretches to the south into Mexico and well to the north, toward the Santa Rita Mountains and the Santa Catalinas near Tucson. Canelo means cinnamon-colored in Spanish.Īfter topping Canelo Pass, as quickly as you got into the hills, you're out of them, and the scenery changes dramatically. At this point, the drive turns west and begins climbing into the Canelo Hills. This junction actually marks the beginning of this scenic drive. The route starts out in the little ranching community of Sonoita and winds south through a series of grassy, oak-dotted canyons along Arizona Route 83 to the intersection with Forest Road 799. Historic ranching and mining country with broad grasslands and distant buttes provides the setting for this medium-length loop drive. Please note that InterAgency and Coronado National Forest passes are not valid at these sites.įor information on guided nature walks, hikes, children's programs, family activities, and school field trips: go to Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists. You can reserve campsite and/or group areas at these sites at. The Santa Catalinas are also home to Sabino Canyon and the 56,933 acre Pusch Ridge Wilderness area.įor information about road conditions on Mount Lemmon Highway call 52.įor information about the Sabino Canyon Shuttle: Sabino Canyon Crawlerįor information about concession-operated campgrounds: Lemmon, providing paved access to trailheads, campgrounds, picnic areas and a ski area.
The Catalina Highway (Sky Island Scenic Byway) winds nearly to the top of 9,157 foot Mt. Located adjacent to Tucson, the Santa Catalina Ranger District is the most heavily visited part of the Coronado National Forest.
The first 22 miles are paved the last 13 miles are dirt and require a high-clearance vehicle. The route climbs more than 7,000 feet over 35 miles and offers incredible views of the surrounding landscape.
State Route 366, also known as the Swift Trail Parkway, offers easy access into this beautiful mountain range. Mount Graham, are the tallest of southeastern Arizona’s sky island mountain ranges. The Pinaleño Mountains, capped by 10,720-ft.
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