Attractions and Places To See around Summerhaven - Top 20

Summerhaven offers a variety of natural attractions, including scenic trails and natural pools. You can visit Hutch's Pool, a natural gem in the desert landscape perfect for swimming and camping, or explore Montrose Pools, which are a quick hike from the Catalina State Park trailhead. The entire drive up the Sky Island Scenic Byway (Catalina Highway) is also an attraction, offering breathtaking views and diverse ecosystems.

Yes, Summerhaven provides several family-friendly options. The Catalina State Park Trailhead is a great starting point for adventures, offering basic amenities and easy access. The Meadow Trail, near the ski lift, is a flat, family-friendly trail ideal for a casual stroll. Rose Canyon Lake is also a peaceful spot for fishing, walking, or picnicking with the family.

Summerhaven is a gateway to extensive hiking trails. The Marshall Gulch Trail is a popular choice, winding through pine and aspen forests with small streams. Other notable trails include the Aspen Trail / Marshall Gulch Loop and the Meadow Trail. For more detailed routes, you can explore the hiking guide for Summerhaven, which features routes like the Wilderness of Rocks and Mount Lemmon Trail Loop.

For local charm, visit the Summerhaven General Store for fudge, coffee, snacks, and souvenirs. The Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin is famous for its giant cookies and ice cream, also serving pizza and chili. For a mountain meal, Sawmill Run Restaurant offers hearty fare like burgers and brisket. The Living Rainbow is a gift shop with whimsical items.

Summerhaven offers excellent cycling opportunities. The North Control Road (Santa Catalina Mountains) is an incredible back-country dirt road with fantastic switchbacks, suitable for mountain or gravel biking. You can find more routes in the road cycling guide and general cycling guide for Summerhaven, featuring challenging loops and scenic climbs.

Yes, the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory offers evening SkyNights programs where visitors can view planets, stars, and galaxies through powerful telescopes. Reservations are required for these programs, providing a unique cosmic experience.

Summerhaven is a refreshing escape, especially during warmer months, due to its cooler mountain air. It's popular for outdoor activities from spring through fall. For winter sports enthusiasts, Mount Lemmon Ski Valley offers skiing from December to March. The scenic byway and hiking trails are enjoyable in various seasons, though some higher elevation trails might be snow-covered in winter.

Absolutely. Hutch's Pool is a large and deep natural pool accessible via a side trail from the Arizona Trail, offering opportunities for swimming and overnight camping. Montrose Pools are also a quick hike from the Catalina State Park trailhead and can have water at the right time of year.

The Sky Island Scenic Byway (Catalina Highway) itself is renowned for its scenic viewpoints. Notable stops include Windy Point Vista and Geology Point, where you can observe massive rock spires known as hoodoos. The drive climbs nearly 7,000 feet, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the diverse ecosystems.

The Catalina State Park Trailhead features a large parking area and some simple amenities. It serves as an excellent starting point for various adventures into Catalina State Park or the Pusch Ridge Wilderness.

Yes, camping is an option. Rose Canyon Lake, located just off the Catalina Highway, offers camping facilities. Additionally, if you plan an overnight trip to Hutch's Pool, there are several nice places to camp there, though it's advisable to bring a tent due to mosquitoes and moths.

Mount Lemmon Ski Valley is the southernmost ski location in the continental United States, offering skiing from December to March. Even outside of the snow season, visitors can enjoy a relaxing chairlift ride for sweeping views of the forest and surrounding peaks.