Catalina State Park

4.7 on GoogleTucson · Santa Catalina Mountains

State park in Tucson

In season now · Oct – Apr

Open all year; the Ringtail overflow loop opens Jan 1 to Mar 31.

$50 site/night

2026 hookup site; $3.60 reservation fee

Saguaro foothills camping on Tucson’s north edge.

A saguaro-studded state park at the foot of the Santa Catalina Mountains on Tucson’s north edge, where all 120 campsites have water and electric. Eleven trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding start in the park, including Romero Canyon to the Romero Pools. It’s busiest in winter, when snowbirds book far ahead.

At a glance

Sites: 120 with water and 20/30/50-amp electric
Nightly: $50; Ringtail non-electric $25 (Jan–Mar)
Reservations: Up to 365 days ahead
Max RV: No length limit
Trails: 11, from three trailheads

What’s here

Tent sites
RV hookups
Showers
Open in winter
Dark skies

Weather this week

Loading the live forecast for Catalina State Park…

Map

Gear, rentals and guides

Summit Hut
Tucson’s long-running outdoor gear store.
Aravaipa Running
Runs the Everyone Runs trail races in the park.
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association
Local club that brings telescopes to the park’s star parties.

Events

“Usually” means the date follows past years. Confirm before you go.

EventOct 10, Dec 11, Feb 13 and Apr 24
Star Party
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association telescopes at the trailhead or Ringtail group area. Free with park entry.
MusicOct 17 and Nov 7
Music in the Mountains
Concerts at the Trailhead Stage with the mountains behind. Bring a chair, food and drinks.
RaceNov 8, 7:15 am
Everyone Runs trail race
Family-friendly trail race at your own pace from the main trailhead.

Where to stay

hotelWestward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa
Foothills resort built around a 1912 hacienda.
20 min drive
hotelLoews Ventana Canyon
Big resort in the Catalina foothills with a spa, pools and golf.
35 min drive
innLodge on the Desert
Old Pueblo-style boutique hotel in central Tucson.
35 min drive

Nearby

Romero Canyon Trail · From camp
A mile to the Montrose Pools overlook, then a harder climb to the Romero Pools; 7.2 miles one way to Romero Pass.
Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter · 1 hr 30 min drive
University of Arizona stargazing nights at the top of the Catalina Highway. Book ahead.
Oracle State Park · 30 min drive
Oak and grassland trails and a historic ranch house on the north side of the Catalinas.
Biosphere 2 · 30 min drive
The University of Arizona’s giant glass-enclosed earth science lab, open for tours.