As much as we love the desert, sometimes it’s nice to have a change of scenery. Luckily here in Tucson you don’t have to travel far to experience something completely different. Towering at 9,171 feet above sea level, Mount Lemmon’s change in elevation from the base to the peak is comparable to that between Mexico and Canada! And at just under an hour from JTH Tucson to the base of Mount Lemmon (where Mt Lemmon Scenic Byway begins) it’s an easy day trip too.
Mount Lemmon’s peak can be 20-30 degrees cooler than the town of Tucson below. It’s the perfect place to escape the heat of the Sonoran desert in the summer, watch the leaves change color in the fall, or enjoy snow sports in the winter. Driving or biking up Mt Lemmon Scenic Byway to Summerhaven, the little town at the top, makes for a scenic day trip from Tucson. The road meanders up the mountain for 25 miles, with countless breathtaking views along the way. You’ll traverse through 6 different ecosystems, starting in saguaro dominated desert and ending up at evergreen forests, as you meander up the scenic mountain traverse. There’s plenty of places to pull over for a picnic, hike or photo opp.
What to Do at Mount Lemmon:
What to do
There are lots of great Mount Lemmon hikes to choose from, but if we had to pick one, we’d choose Marshall Gulch. It’s located at the peak of the mountain, and offers plenty of gorgeous alpine views as well as fun creekside splashes.
We recommend timing your drive down the mountain to catch sunset at one of the lookout spots. We like Windy Point Vista for a picnic as it has plenty of space to explore, with a large parking area & restrooms, or HooDoo Vista for some other-worldly roadside views.
Eat
Tucson is known as the City of Gastronomy, and has some of the best restaurants in the country. Since you’ll drive through the city of Tucson on your way to and from Mount Lemmon, we’d recommend grabbing a lunch to go or stopping by for dinner as you pass through on your way back to the inn.
We love Time Market for grab and go pizza slices and sandwiches. For dinner, try local fav Tito & Pep or new kid Bata (both of which just received praise- Tito & Pep was named one of the 50 Best Restaurants in America by The New York Times), and Bata one of Bon Appétit‘s 50 Best New Restaurants 2022).
Stop for a picnic on your way up, but leave room to indulge in some post-hike mountain town treats while you are in Summerhaven. The Marshall Gulch parking area is right near the Cookie Cabin, so be sure to pop into this popular spot for a namesake cookie, a slice of pizza, or some ice cream! Mount Lemmon General Store is the spot to pop by for homemade fudge.
What to Bring
It’s nice to have some fun tunes to listen to as you drive up Mount Lemmon, but you’re unlikely to have cell reception so be sure to download our Spotify New Moon playlist before you go!
Always remember to leave no trace: take only photographs, leave only footprints, pack out what you pack in, and stay on designated trails to help preserve the fragile ecosystem.
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Mount Lemmon is the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains – check out our field guide to Seven Falls Trail, another favorite spot in the Santa Catalinas.
Looking to hike a little closer to JTH Tucson? Check out some of our other trail guides for hikes in the west side of Tucson, AZ: Hugh Norris Trail, & Valley View Trail.
Good advice!