Arizona's Underrated State Park In Tucson Is A Lovely Escape With Mountain Views, Camping, And Canyons

Travel wish lists within Arizona are often led by the iconic Grand Canyon National Park. However, the Grand Canyon State's varied landscapes, especially in its mountain regions, offer plenty more for visitors. A little sleuthing will uncover lesser-known gems, characterized as underrated because they don't receive the same notoriety as more publicized or crowded destinations. State parks can be some of the best-kept secrets compared to their federal counterparts, and according to visitors, Arizona has several underrated state parks worth exploring. One of those, Catalina State Park, lies in the greater Tucson area.

The 5,500-acre Catalina State Park is surrounded by the striking Santa Catalina Mountains, with 9,171-foot-high Mount Lemmon as its highest peak. Located in Tucson's northern Oro Valley, it was designated a state park in 1983 on land formerly inhabited by the Hohokam. It also borders the Coronado National Forestand the Pusch Ridge Wilderness, allowing for even more exploration and wildlife sightings. While many people flock to neighboring Saguaro National Park for glimpses of the native Sonoran desert cactus species, there are nearly 5,000 saguaro on display within Catalina's landscape. 

It is this diversity and beauty that make it a peaceful desert getaway — one that takes you away from everyday life and offers fresh air and scenic views. Since the park is just 15 miles from Downtown Tucson's hip historic district and entertainment hub, it's easily accessible from city attractions, yet feels far enough away to commune with the natural surroundings. 

A prime way to experience the park is through its canyons, which provide sweeping vistas via a series of trails. Among the notable canyons in the park is Romero Canyon, which is accessed along a 7.2-mile one-way trail. According to AllTrails, this rocky, at times steep, trail leads to the Romero Pools, almost 3 miles in, where you can enjoy a refreshing dip seasonally when water is present. The difficult hike pays off for those who complete it, ending at Romero Pass with vistas of Mount Lemmon. Alternatively, the Romero Ruins Interpretive Trail is an easy 0.8-mile loop traversing Hohokam archaeological ruins while offering even more fantastic mountain scenery. 

From the main trailhead, Canyon Loop Trail is an easy-to-moderate 2.3-mile loop. According to AllTrails, you will find enjoying mountain views in its first half, and seasonally, there might be wildflowers. The 3.2-mile Alamo Canyon Loop Trail through Alamo Canyon puts the full desert variety on display, according to the state park's website, offering not only the awe-inspiring mountain views of Levianthan Dome, but also spring wildflowers, waterfalls, saguaros, trees, and grasslands. 

On Tripadvisor, reviewers praise the park for scenery, ease of accessibility, and serenity, with one noting, "The scenery is magnificent, and it was so quiet. All you could hear were the sounds of nature." Those sounds likely include birds chirping, as more than 150 species live in the park and the Tucson Sky Islands Important Bird Area. Guided bird walks are given twice weekly from October through April. 

Extend your enchanting retreat within the park by taking advantage of Tucson's reputation as one of the world's best stargazing destinations and book one of the 120 campsites available year-round on Campgrounds A and B for both tent and RV campers. Each campsite features electric and water, a picnic table, and a grill. Showers, restrooms, and RV dump stations are available. The campground also offers 16 horse-friendly campsites for equestrians visiting the park. An additional 30 non-hookup sites at The Ringtail Campground are available during the winter months of January to March. You can book a site on the park's website with rates between $25 and $50 per night at the time of writing.

Camper reviews from The Dyrt repeatedly mention the gorgeous scenery and quiet setting, with one reviewer describing it as "Most peaceful campground — Absolutely love this campground. Quiet, peaceful, beautiful views, friendly staff." 

If you're looking for an ideal time to go, the best weather seasons are fall and spring, with March and April ripe for wildflower color, with temperatures hovering from 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, per Visit Tucson. It is considered a year-round destination, but extreme summer heat means early morning visits are best. During winter, it can get cold overnight for campers. If you're not camping, the day-use fees range between $5 to $20, depending on the number of people and the transportation method.