Mount Lemmon Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Discover Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway in Arizona, a journey through nature and history. Explore tales of the Native Tohono O'odham, marvel at the Sky Islands and Saguaro Cacti, and delve into the past at the Catalina Federal Honor Camp. By night, the Mt. Lemmon Sky Center dazzles, and fall, the Oktoberfest at Ski Valley awaits. Experience Arizona's condensed beauty. Recommended: purchase one tour per car. Everyone can listen at the same time! After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

1. 1

   Soldier Trail

   5 min

   Soldier Trail is up ahead. This challenging 5-mile out-and-back hike features Saguaro, prickly pears, and a 2,000-foot elevation gain! Note: The tour is over 30+ miles long, with more than 44 audio stories, and takes about 2-3 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   5 min

   Babad Do’ag Scenic Overlook is coming up soon. This vista overlooks the entire city of Tucson and the mountains beyond. The Babad Do’ag trail also begins here. It’s a moderate 4.5-mile hike through Saguaros, chollas, and ocotillos.

3. 3

   Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway

   Pass by

   One of the most fascinating features about this highway is how the climate changes as we drive. From start to finish, it’ll feel like we’ve driven vertically across the entire US, from south to north. Why is that? Because we’ll be gaining 6,000 feet of elevation along the way!

4. 4

   Stop 4

   5 min

   Molino Canyon is one of many boulder-filled canyons in the Catalina Mountains. At this elevation of about 4,000 feet, the mountain’s ecosystem is starting to change. Both at the overlook and the mountain it faces, you’ll see the earth covered in native grasses, tall spindly ocotillo, tufted desert broom, and a colorful flowering shrub called pink fairy duster.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   5 min

   This easy 5-mile out-and-back trail is relatively flat, which makes it a great place to break out the mountain bike if you’ve got one. It’s also an excellent path for trail runners. If you’re walking the trail, it should only take a little over two hours.

6. 6

   Stop 6

   5 min

   This challenging 10-mile out-and-back trail takes five hours and has a little bit of everything. The route starts in the desert terrain of the Catalina foothills, switchbacks up to a secluded pine forest with creek crossings, and ends in the Bear Canyon Picnic Area. The total elevation gain across the path is 2,000 feet, enough to feel the atmosphere get thinner and the temperature get cooler.

7. 7

   Stop 7

   5 min

   Speaking of birds, get a bird’s eye view of the canyon up ahead at Thimble Peak Vista! This overlook offers a clear view of Thimble Peak. When you see it, you’ll know right away where it gets its name. The top of the mountain is shaped exactly like a giant sewing thimble… only it’s over 5,000 feet high!

8. 8

   Stop 8

   5 min

   The Seven Cataracts are a series of waterfalls that pour from the Willow Canyon stream. From top to bottom, the entire complex is about 1,000 feet high! It’s not a straight drop, though. The water tumbles from rock to rock in a cascade formation. Despite the name “Seven Cataracts,” it’s more like a hundred mini waterfalls in one!

9. 9

   Stop 9

   5 min

   Did you pack your sandwiches? We’re about to pass one of the highway's best picnic spots! The Middle Bear picnic area sits alongside Bear Canyon, comfortably sheltered by ponderosa pines. You can see the rest of the canyon below. On the opposite slope, you’ll see a strange sculpture garden created by erosion and landslides.

10. 10

    Stop 10

    5 min

    Manzanita Vista is up ahead, offering views of a lush manzanita grove. You can identify manzanita by their smooth, bright red bark and gnarled branches. Manzanitas are prolific here because they can survive with poor soil and little water. They have adapted to the harshest growing conditions, and so they have absolutely no competition from other plants.

11. 11

    Stop 11

    10 min

    The view at Windy Point is unbeatable. You can see all the way from the desert at the base of the mountain to the subalpine summit. You’ll get to take in the entire biodiversity of Mount Lemmon in one panorama!

12. 12

    Stop 12

    10 min

    Geology Point Vista is ahead, offering views of hoodoos. A hoodoo is a tall, thin spire of rock like a naturally occuring skyscraper. Hoodoos only develop in dry, hot climates.

13. 13

    Stop 13

    10 min

    Coming up is Duck Head Rock. This is one of Mount Lemmon’s most beloved landmarks, and you can probably guess why. This rock formation is shaped like a duck’s head with a long bill!

14. 14

    Stop 14

    10 min

    Up ahead is Hoodoo Vista, another overlook featuring unique geological formations. For a look at these fascinating hoodoos, park in the turnout just ahead. Otherwise, continue driving.

15. 15

    Stop 15

    10 min

    You probably don’t usually associate “Arizona” with “fishing.” Rose Canyon Lake is here to change your mind! This peaceful spot rarely sees the crowds who visit other attractions along the route, making it perfect to enjoy a moment of solitude.

16. 16

    Stop 16

    10 min

    San Pedro Vista is up ahead. This overlook boasts gorgeous views of the San Pedro Valley down below. When you’re done admiring the scenery, you can hop right on the Arizona National Scenic Trail––an 800 mile hike that spans the entire state, from the Mexican border to Utah! Don’t worry, there’s no rule saying you need to hike the whole thing!

17. 17

    Stop 17

    Pass by

    Need a restroom break? Turn left onto East Organization Ridge Road to visit the Palisades Visitor Center. Otherwise, continue straight.

18. 18

    Stop 18

    10 min

    Butterfly Trail is up ahead. This challenging 11-mile hike is certainly scenic, but the biggest attraction can be found three miles in. That’s where an unofficial trail breaks off and leads to… a crashed F86 fighter jet from 1957! Wait, what? How did that happen?

19. 19

    Stop 19

    10 min

    Aspen Vista Point is up ahead, at an elevation of nearly 8,000 feet! On a clear day, you can see 50 miles away! The ridge rising out of the horizon is another sky island chain called the Galiuro Mountains. The two ranges are separated by a valley that plunges over 5,000 feet. The San Pedro River flows through the gulf between the mountains.

20. 20

    Stop 20

    10 min

    Just ahead is Red Ridge Trail. This moderate 10-mile trail gets its name from the red dirt that forms the path. The distinctive Sonoran Desert brick-colored soil is caused by weathering of minerals that contain a lot of iron. Or, as you probably know it, rust. The dirt here is exposed to the elements, just like when you leave your bicycle out in the rain.

21. 21

    Stop 21

    10 min

    Mount Lemmon Ski Valley is up ahead. Where you have an alpine mountain top, a ski resort can’t be far behind! Mount Lemmon Ski Valley is here for all your winter sporting needs.

22. 22

    Stop 22

    Pass by

    The SkyCenter did NOT start out as an observatory. The government established a radar station at this location in 1956 during the height of Cold War paranoia. They wanted to scan the skies for enemy planes and missiles. For 10 years, Mount Lemmon was the highest continually-operating radar station in the world. 80 men worked at the radar station, most of whom lived at the facility full-time. After all, it would’ve been too much trouble to constantly trek up and down the mountain!

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Your purchase includes the audio tour only and does not include admission to parks or attractions.
• The Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory may require advance ticket purchases, so check current admission requirements and availability before your visit.
• Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
• Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.