First Impressions: Very clean, fun, and breathtaking in terms of views! Interactions: We had a few interactions in the shop up there, and they were very friendly and welcoming. Service: Can't speak to this as we didn't buy anything, but again want to emphasize how nice everyone was in the shops up there. Value: This was an amazing experience. I don't think I've ever been up a ski lift before, and I think the total time you get going up and down is roughly anywhere 10-18 mins up and same length back down. It moves very slow and I don't hate that. When you get to the top, you can get off and just walk around up there and get some amazing views. I believe we paid for two $34/35ish bucks. Well worth it! Recommendation: If your looking to do something for fun the weekend and want some amazing views, you should definitely check out the ski valley lift. It's fun and can be pretty relaxing going up and down! Will be back next time! read more

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Mount Lemmon and the Catalina Highway, AZ. Early Dec, 2025. Mount Lemmon, the highest peak (9,175') in the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson, is managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service as part of the Coronado National Forest. (Fun Fact: Mt. Lemmon is named after Sara Plummer Lemmon, an amateur botanist and the first white woman to climb to the summit in 1881. It is one of the few peaks in the U.S. named after a woman). Our objective was to drive the Catalina Highway Scenic Drive (27 miles) to the Mount Lemmon summit. This is the only paved road that leads to the upper reaches of the Santa Catalina Range, and is one of the most scenic highways in the southwest. Because the road starts in the lower Sonoran vegetative life zone and climbs to high forests, it offers the biological equivalent of driving from the deserts of Mexico to the forests of Canada in only 27 miles. Before proceeding on the drive, we downloaded a free app entitled "Mt. Lemmon Science Tour" by the University of Arizona, which provided excellent commentary on the Sky islands, rocks, life zones, water, forest, and fire, that was well-synced with our drive up the mountain as it evolved. This is a windy, slow drive with the posted speed limit of 35 MPH or less on most sections. Plus, you're sharing the road with bicyclists riding in both directions. The road is paved, and is well-designed with frequent pull-offs and stops that allow for vista views or just to take a rest. A few of our favorite and recommended stops include: *Babad Do'ag for its excellent vistas of the desert environment and saguaros. *Gordon Hirabayashi Campground (and Historical Recreation Area). I've reviewed this separately on Yelp. *The Palisades Visitor Center, with family-friendly exhibits, brochures and general information, and a small gift shop. *Windy Point Vista, for sweeping views. *High-elevation picnic areas at Box Elder, Alder, Loma Linda, or Inspiration Rock. *Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley, where there is a restaurant and ski lift rides ($). We were disappointed that the entrance road to Rose Canyon Lake was closed on the day that we visited. This is a Forest Service fee area. A day-use pass is $8 per vehicle, and can be purchased on-line or at the Palisades Visitors Center on-route. We didn't have time to hike on the day that we visited but there are miles and miles of trails of varying length and difficulty. While there are restrooms with pit toilets at multiple sites, but there is no potable water nor service stations. I've posted a handout about the area that I picked up at the Visitors Center. Only Spanish-language brochures were available. read more

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I have been up to Mount Lemmon a few times now, and have my breath taken every time! Having Mount Lemmon just an hour drive away from Tucson is special, as going up the mountain feels like you are in a whole new state. The drive up the mountain is scenic and I love how there are plenty of pullout spots, so you can go at your own safe pace and let anyone that is faster pass. There are a plethora of hikes to do once you are up top. I have done parts of Marshall Gulch, Aspen, and the Meadow trail, and I cannot wait to do more. I recently came to Mount Lemmon to see the fall foliage, and being from the east coat, Mount Lemmon truly filled my cup! I had so much fun getting to hike in the forest, which is a big change from hiking in the desert down in Tucson. I highly recommend taking the drive up to Mount Lemmon! There is so much to explore! read more

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This place has always been my go to place. I love the absolutely scenery and the view when you get to the top. This place has also some parking spots where they have a nice view and you can also walk as well to the rock place.. been coming over 4 yrs now and love when it's sunset it's a beautiful view of it. All the way to the top it's a resort when winter comes you can ski, also camping place or walking trail and picnic area as well. Pets is allowed as well. It's a must go... read more

Mount Lemmon - Hiking Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Just WOW!!!! Had a great time ride was well worth it and the people at the lift were wonderful. Friendly and very kind. I don't move as fast as I used to and the operatorrs slowed the speed enough for me to get on and off with no problem. If you get the chance, I say it's worth it read more

Mount Lemmon - Hiking Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Helpful tips on where to pick up trailhead info. Ask questions about the area. Stop at the Palisades visitor center on the way up Mt. Lemmon read more

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My picture is actually of the mountain lemon General store sign but Mount Lemmon in general is amazing. It's 20° cooler than downtown Tucson and the views from up top are spectacular as you can see the whole city laid out before you and the valley and a beautiful view of the mountains on the other side you keep going up past the ski resort and the iron door restaurant get to the very top where the radio towers are and the view is amazing. I sit next to a golden bush plant on a rock and watched a hawk hover in mid air off of the thermals like he hit full pause mode, waiting for a critter to jump out so he can snatch that morning's breakfast summer sleepy little town tourist cabins called the Summerhaven hotel nature everywhere trails all along the way up and the top is 9857 feet or something like that the T-shirts they wear at the general store says I think this whole town is high And that's the truth cop usually sits by the community center in town so I'd keep it under 25 if I were you cause he look like he was just waiting to get some of that tax money restaurant coffee shop gift shop and I didn't go any farther than the general store but I'm sure there's more houses and maybe some more businesses down the road Do you want to reconnect with nature go sit on a rock and stare at downtown Tucson from high above in the mountains the ride up there is curvy and beautiful. The gray ghost performed like a knife slicing through the wind and I had a great time. read more

Mount Lemmon - Cool store, very expensive - Hiking Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

*&HIGHLY RECOMMEND** In moderate traffic, the scenic 27-mile drive up Mt Lemmon took about 1.5 hours at 230p on Thanksgiving Day. Of course, it can take longer if you make stops along the way. I enjoyed the calmness of the drive up to the top and in to Summerhaven (tourist and residential area). The area offers: so much: Breathtaking vistas Beautiful rock formations Various trees & wildflowers Wildlife (turkeys) viewing Overnight Camping Picnics Hiking Fishing Skiing Steward observatory (Mt Lemmon SkyCenter); reservation only for science programs Mt Lemmon Hotel (cute cabins) SummerHaven Please mind the posted speed because there was law enforcement along the route. read more

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Such a beautiful ride to Mount Lemmon and once you get there. The ski lift takes you up even in the summer. The little red school house is a must see. The restaurant has not only good food but amazing pies! read more

We were debating whether the 28 mile each way drive up and down Mount Lemmon would be worth it, but we decided to go for it as we had been doing a lot of hiking and thought something different might be fun. We were glad we did it; there are a ton of beautiful viewpoints along the road and it was a clear day with visibility over long distances. On the way up from 3000 to 9000 feet you go through many different climates and by the top you are into a pine forest. We had a picnic under pine trees in Tucson...there was even a bit of snow a little above our picnic spot! The road is excellent, wide, and has guardrails in all needed spots; in other words, this is not a scary drive. I have been on many white-knuckle mountain roads, and this is not one of them. Do plan to take your time though, for the views, to take care around the many cyclists pedaling up and coasting down the mountain, and because the road does wind around a lot. With all of our stops to enjoy views, have a picnic and walk around Summerhaven a bit, we spent about 5 hours on the mountain. Be sure to fill up your gas tank before heading up; there are no gas stations in Summerhaven but there are some shops and a few places to eat if you don't feel like picnicking. Remember too that it will be much cooler at the top and bring appropriate clothing. read more

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Another world , another climate ,multiple terrain changes Mount Lemmon has been a place to get away , to live , to camp ,to hike , to fish all less than 20 miles from Tucson going northeast on Catalina highway . Summerhaven small town atop rebuilding after 2020 ravaging fires. Ski Valley single chair left available summer & winter . A restaurant with patio adjacent to ski valley . Many cyclists train on the road up and down the highway beware. Recent super dry conditions prevent open fires , smoking other than gas stoves. Called the sky islands it's a must see in tucson . The u of az has blue signs posted to tune in your radio? to get history/ geography ? as you drive up mountain . I didn't try it but enjoyed the kxci community radio bluegrass show ( sat 10-12 am ) on the drive up the mountain . U of az also has a telescope on top but not for public use . read more

Mount Lemmon - Sheriff with fire danger warning at Mt Lemmon highway base memorial weekend 5-2022 - Hiking Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Drove here in November scenic drive Summer haven nearby nice too- we stopped in sawmill restaurant for lunch - great lunch detour read more

Mount Lemmon - Ski valley - Hiking Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

The Mr and I took the Mt Lemming Scenic By-Way on a Sunday morning after touring Sabino Canyon. What a glorious ride it was! We throughly enjoyed the scenery on the way. We decided to ride it all the way to the top and do our stopping at the various pullouts on our the way back. Scenic beauty was in every direction, and the topography changed as we climbed. First it was cactus and houses that literally perched on the edge of the earth. Next it was rocks that seemed to be clinging to nothing and rose majestically into the sky. Eventually we saw pretty pine trees and enjoyed cooler temps at the top. On the way back down, we encountered a deluge of rain and even some hail. Thankfully, it stopped long enough for us to grab a quick pic or two of Windy Point Vista. How lucky were we? One thing we didn't enjoy was the cars that seemed to be speeding. More than once the Mr pulled over to let someone go by. The speed limit is 35 for a reason. Early in our climb we encountered a head on collision being cleaned up. Slow down people and enjoy the ride. It is magnificent! read more

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Great place for bird watching. A little hard getting our old camper up the mountain with the roads.

Beautiful views from this elevation up above the city! Worth the drive to get some fresh air and hike or walk around the little town at the top! There are two ways to drive up to this spot but one is an unimproved road, so is not recommended unless you have the proper tires. read more

Great place to escape the summer heat! 105 in Tucson and just a quick hour drive up the mountain we were enjoying 70 degree weather. Unfortunately Summerhaven has really grown with food vendors, coffee trucks, and art shows, things you definitely want to see however there is almost no parking. Make sure you get there early especially on the weekend to get a spot. read more

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Beautiful drive up to the various lookout points. Amazing views and well maintained stopping areas. Definitely recommend read more

Looking for an escape from the heat? This is the place to go. Just an hour and half drive from the valley. And don't forget to get on the ski lift at the Ski Valley. Fun and exciting experience for everyone. read more

Mount Lemmon is a must visit if you're in the Tucson area. It's a dramatically different landscape and scenery than what's found in Tucson. The further you go up Mount Lemmon there are lots of trees, mountains, as well as a place to ski. It is a great place to visit if you enjoy bike riding, but it's a very steep climb. There are numerous places to pull over to take pictures and enjoy the scenery. I highly recommend visit in Mount Lemmon. read more

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I have be up so many times! There are lots of cool pull off spots, fishing, hiking, shops! There's really good food / beer places... The best part is the fudge shop though! :) read more

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The sky over Mount Lemmon on this Thanksgiving morning was spectacular. It was the perfect time for a nature visit as the place was almost devoid of people. read more

Great ride beautiful scenery. It would be nice if you could avoid the drive thru the city, due to the traffic but still worth the trip

Short drive from downtown Tucson, drive up this Scenic Byway keeps you entertained for the whole way up to the top. Start with Saguaro cacti. I am from Phoenix and I see Saguaro cactus everyday but the amount of cacti here surely impressed me a Phoenician myself. It was end of Nov and l enjoyed yellow and red leaves around 4-5,000 elevation range. When I came here another time at the end of October, I enjoyed fall color leaves at 8-9,000 feet in elevation area. Since the elevation changes from 2,000 to 9,000 in the matter of 40 minutes drive, scenery keeps changing. I also liked Hoodoo rocks area. May not be as much as let's say some National Parks but surely interesting to watch rock formation. Once at the ski area, enjoy ski lift all year. It gets pretty windy and cold, be sure to bundle up. Staff was very friendly and nice. It was $15 per adult during non ski season. Compared to 20 years ago when I first came, price went up significantly. View from the top is beautiful as well. read more

Mount Lemmon - Ski lift opens throughout the year - Hiking Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Great place to escape the heat, you can take a ski lift and hike down or simply enjoy cooler weather, almost30-40 degrees cooler than Phoenix at the very top. You can get up to 9,000 feet with the ski lift. read more

Mount Lemmon - Hiking Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

There is no better spot to escape the heat and unplug. Mount Lemmon as a destination is beautiful and the folks that work at the businesses are so pleasant and helpful. If you are in the Tucson area and don't make it up to Mount Lemmon you are missing out! read more

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Escaping the Phoenix heat for a day, we headed to Tucson to Mount Lemmon. The drive is beautiful, The mountain Rock formations are breathtaking. We drove to the Ski Valley Lodge and took the sky ride up to the top and walked a bit and took the ride back down. There are a lot of Trails and car lookouts to stop at. I need to look for some of the trail maps in the area. Looking forward to hiking next time. read more

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I was skeptical about whether the trip to Mt. Lemmon was going to be worth it, since it's one hour to the top from the northside of Tucson. I HIGHLY recommend the trip if you have the time! One of the most scenic drives I've ever been on as you climb from an elevation of 3,000 feet to 9,000 feet. There are plenty of parking pullouts and scenic vista points to stop along the way and enjoy the views. I recommend stopping at Windy Point Vista about halfway up and going to the small village of Summerhaven at the top. There are a few dining options up there, including Sawmill Run and Iron Door. Note that cell service is spotty / nonexistent so plan accordingly. Bathrooms are available but spread out along the drive. Pro tip: Download the U of A / Visit Tucson app for a narrated description of the scenery. Really informational! read more

Download the U of A Mount Lemmon science tour before you go. Then you play it, and it narrates what you're seeing as you drive up the mountain. 100 degrees in Tucson, 72 at the top of the mountain. Beautiful, lots of scenic turnouts, well worth the time... read more

We hiked the Butterfly Trail today and it's a great trail. Walking in is a downhill hike. We went in 2 miles and then hiked back out the same trail for a total of 4 miles. It goes through an area of large pines that some years ago had experienced a forest fire and it's still at various stages of recovery. These trails are dog friendly but be sure to pick up any droppings. The views are spectacular, the pines are huge but if your moving, keep your eyes on the trail. The drop offs on the edge of the trail are impressive. I'd rate this trail as intermediate. The hike back was uphill and it's at high altitude, it gave my legs a good workout. Although we did it in tennis shoes, boots would be better. Look close at the first picture and you'll see a climber in the crack. read more

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It's a beautiful ride to the top. I cannot wait to drive up here in other seasons. This was a first for us so much to explore here cannot wait to come back. I enjoyed the dry cactus part in beginning then as you climb you start to see snow in spots then it's snow everywhere. The locals parked on sides of road throwing snowballs sledding down little hills having a blast. Also noticed small pick up trucks filled with snow in the back bed driving back down a few had snowmen made in the back. The temp in car was 68 in beginning then at top was about 38 at top. So much beauty here. The roads are winding be very careful and always look for pedestrians and photo takers. We went on a Friday it's gets so busy here the day after we were up there on radio they said they had to turn people away it was so crowded. At the top small restaurant we didn't go to a gift shop and little cabins you can rent. Excited to come back in future and explore trails and camp, picnic. read more

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Before we took this drive I was wondering if it would be worth the time, but it definitely was worth it. The access point is on the Northeast side of Tucson off Tanque Verde road. Tanque Verde intersects Catalina Highway which then becomes the road up Mt Lemmon. Download the University of Arizona app for narration of your drive. Cell phone service is very spotty on the drive so get the app at the bottom of the mountain. The drive is incredibly scenic with a gently curving road with many pullouts to allow passing and picture taking. There are some bathrooms (basically an outhouse with no running water) and a Visitor Center at Palisades. The drive begins with cacti and ends with a pine forest and snow. It is the equivalent of driving from Mexico to Canada. read more

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Beautiful mountain, offering evergreens, expansive views, fishing, skiing, hiking and camping all within convenient drive from Tucson. read more

Mount Lemmon - Hiking Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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We sure are lucky to have Mount Lemmon pretty much on our backyard, truly on of Tucson's best places. Mount Lemmon gives so much back to all of us Tucsonan's whether we are seeking an athletic experience (via cycling, hiking, running, walking, and even paragliding), camping, fishing, picnics and even skiing. Yep. There really is a ski hill in Southern Arizona, and yes, it has more than one run. It has 22, thank you very much! For the unfamiliar, Mount Lemmon is the highest point in the Catalina Mountains, just over 9,000 feet! Aside from being an outdoor haven, Mount Lemmon is also home to the Mount Lemmon Observatory/Steward Observatory Telescope. Awesome, right? Other attractions include: Summer Haven: Which is essentially the top of Mt. Lemmon. Here you'll find the famous cookie cabin & pizza, the general store and fudge! Bring your friends, family, and dog! Everyone is welcome here. Ski Valley: Just a couple miles above Summer Haven you'll find Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley, the southernmost ski resort in the United States. Unfortunately, ski season is hit or miss since we don't always get consistent snow fall. I can't speak to the quality of the runs because I've never been. If anything, I'll go sledding! Is that allowed? Mt. Lemmon boasts all kinds of trails for every level. I recently did the Meadow Loop trail which is an easy 1.5 mile loop. I didn't find it difficult, but there are some steep spots to watch for. Depending on your pace, you can get a decent workout out of this one. The Wilderness of Rocks trails is a challenging 8 mile down and up hike. It's pretty rocky and steep and takes about 5 hours. Bring plenty of water and snacks! -Rose Canyon is a great spot for camping and a fishing lake. -There's an annual Oktoberfest celebration at Ski Valley. It's awesome! It's outdoors, the weather is cool and crisp, they offer free rides up the ski lift, Polka music, beer and brats! It's not to be missed. If you've never been...do it! The drive alone is incredible; literally starting the drive surrounded by mesquite trees and saguaros and ending at the top with pine trees and fresh air! A note to drivers: Mount Lemmon is a destination for cyclists (including the pros). It's important to drive the speed limit and watch out for them and share the road! read more

Mount Lemmon - Hiking Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Let me tell you! These views are to die for! Heck, I almost did! If you saw a sled crash, it was me, right into a tree in fact, (bruises healing). The only complaint is that I was told the gift shop near the skiing area would be open to everyone "once the snow was gone". Mister thought he was a jokester. As a gift shop connoisseur, I was disappointed. However, the fudge right down the road was spectacular! read more

What do I love about Mount Lemmon? It presents a wonderful reprieve from the regional heat. And we are lucky here in Tucson. Phoenix? Phoenix doesn't have the great benefit of having such a diverse geological range. Up there, the city has no high elevation escape from heat when the asphalt starts munching at your rubber soles. Of course, Phoenicians do have excellent access to the White Mountains. But in Tucson, you can find a good range of campgrounds on the mountain, not just Rose Canyon, Spencer and Peppersauce. Trails abound and water sometimes in abundance, it is easy to imagine that you have fallen into some nursery rhyme or fairytale book -- literally. There are also scary things on the mountain: large spiders, snakes and bears. Though you will find that with some planning and common sense, you'll be fine. For those less familiar with the mountain, a few things to know: 1. Mount Lemmon offers a large range of walking and hiking options, whether you are a novice beginning or whether you are training for the Ironman. There also are wheelchair and stroller accessible trails. Be attentive to signage, and be sure to take care during low elevation summertime hiking. 2. Check out the Seven Cataracts, but do not stop there. Also, don't just make a mad dash for Summerhaven. Spend some time at the mountain enjoying the open air. A couple of good places, requiring even a brief hike in, are Box Camp and Bigelow. And know that as you are going up the mountain, many of the trail on the right side of the road present some lovely, wide open views of Oracle. Simply stunning! 3. There is a simply gorgeous picnic area, with a small stream, located across from the Marshall Gulch trailhead. At peak summer season in Tucson, when it is 110 degrees, you can easily find a shady spot that will require a light sweater. 4. The SkyCenter Observatory, run by the UA, is located at the top of the mountain. Be sure to RSVP for the awesome programs offered there. 5. At times, there is so much water on the mountain. You can find little streams, pools and waterfalls all over the place after we've had a nice snowmelt and rain. The Sierra Club is a good resource for planning and exploring: http://arizona.sierraclub.org/trail_guide/HIKE5.HTM This is just a teeny-weeny snippet. The mountain offers so, so, so very much more. read more

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I've held off on making the trek up since I get pretty carsick, but I am glad that we made the trip as it was a nice cool getaway from the 100 degree Tucson weather in the summer. I still got sunburnt though, which is actually a first ever for me, so be careful even though it feels cooler! Our dog had the best time being off leash. It is definitely a long, windy 25 mile drive from the base of the mountain to the Summerhaven village, but there are numerous vista points along the way to catch a breath of fresh air and snap a shot of the mountains. It's really neat watching the terrain evolve from a sea of cacti to a lush forest of pine trees. After mile 18 or so, you'll start to see signs for campsites, trailheads, and picnic areas. We picked three random trails to do, of which I would recommend the Butterfly trail. It was lush and mostly shaded; the terrain can be a bit narrow and rough. I saw one butterfly.. We also started on the Sunset Trail, but many of the trees had burned down so there wasn't much shade. The trails are a few-many miles long, and we just turned back when we hiked enough. Some of the trailheads have outdoor bathrooms, that were well maintained. Of note though there is no running water (ie sinks or fountains), so definitely bring water and your own hand sanitizer! If you do run out of water, snacks, supplies etc, head to the Summerhaven Village's general store. Don't forget to stop by the Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin ! Definitely make a stop at the General Hitchcock Memorial (on the left if you are traveling up)-- there are huge slabs of rock which are impressive in and of themselves as far as their formation, but are also fun to climb atop with expansive views of Tucson. read more

Mount Lemmon - doggie heaven to be off leash ! - Hiking Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Ran down Mt Lemmon in the Revel Marathon on 2/26. And boy what a way to experience all the mountain has to offer! The topography of the mountain changes as you go up: at the top it's very alpine-esq, in the middle were really awesome rock formations and at the bottom there was desert landscape and beautiful saguaros! Running down the mountain might not be your cup of tea, but I also highly recommend driving it. Such a fun way to spend an afternoon or morning. read more

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Depending on what you decide to do, this can be a fun day. On early fall weekends, they have a small Oktoberfest with music and brats. We also went up the ski lift for $11 per adult and ate at the Iron Door. Parking is $5 for the festival which really isn't much, but you have to pay it even if your not going unless you park past the metal barrier. The only problem was the fudge shop does not take plastic, so we were denied fudge until we went down to the general store. It takes about an hour to get up top depending on how many vista's you decide to linger and enjoy the views. You must stop at the main point (you will know it by all the cars) and a few other points are worthy. This was a good, fun day with temps only in low 70's in late September. Lovely. read more

Mount Lemmon - Oktoberfest - Hiking Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Great place out of the city for cooler temperatures, smell of pine trees, peacefulness up the lifts, and music from the Iron Wood restaurant. B Look out for the bear sitting on the lift too! Too cute! $10/adult. Runs continuously. You can bring kids. White and gray sleeping cats at each counter at the little shop. read more

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So fun to go on the ski lift (no snow) It was the Saturday after Thanksgiving and there was no snow. We had breakfast across the street, and you get a FREE LIFT RIDE with each breakfast purchase (normally $11 I think). Also the gift shop had a nice supply of warm hats, scarves, mittens, etc. The ride is longer than it appears from the ground. Be sure and bundle up! read more

Mount Lemmon - View from top in December 2015 - Hiking Near Me - Tucson, Arizona