Mount Lemmon

Sky Island Adventure

Devouring a hot, gooey cookie as big as your head at Summerhaven’s Cookie Cabin is reason enough to traverse the curvy Catalina Highway to this little town just below Mt. Lemmon’s 9,157-ft. summit. However, there are plenty of other appealing motives to leave the saguaro-studded desert floor and follow the switchbacks to the top of Tucson’s magnificent sky island—from outdoor sports, recreation, and special events to breathtaking views and a dramatic temperature change.

Scenic Drive

The Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway is a gorgeous drive and an opportunity to experience lower temps year-round. The 27-mile Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway is a gorgeous drive—with ample pullouts for photo ops. This elevation gain of more than 6,000 feet creates a 30- to 40-degree temperature drop, which makes Mt. Lemmon the perfect respite from summertime heat. It’s also an excellent year-round training destination for cyclists, runners, and rock climbers. The Mt. Lemmon Hill Climb is a challenging mid-May cycling event sponsored by the Greater Arizona Bicycling Association, Inc.

Discover the wonders of Arizona’s “Sky Islands” region with the Mt. Lemmon Science Tour App

Produced by the University of Arizona College of Science, the Tour engages users with the surprising natural science of Southern Arizona, from the enchanting Sonoran Desert to the "Sky Island" mountains on every horizon. Along with the audio tour, the app also includes informative slide shows and videos that visualize the science. Through science stories, the Mt. Lemmon Science Tour brings the wonders of this region alive while driving up the scenic byway.

Download the app today for iPhone or Android

Things To Do on Mt. Lemmon

There are also lovely hikes, such as the lush and shady Butterfly Trail, camping among the fresh-smelling pines in Spencer Canyon, fishing at Rose Canyon Lake and lots of picnic spots. Get mesmerized by the evening sky at Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory. Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley runs its ski lift in the summer for an excursion so elevated it’s promoted as “where the earth meets heaven.” In winter, clamp on (or rent) your skis or snowboard and hit the slopes. Refuel at Iron Door Restaurant with delicious German food.

Speaking of which, Oktoberfest is celebrated on Mt. Lemmon with food, music, dancing, and beer. Save room for a freshly baked cookie on your way back down the mountain. You’ll be glad you did.