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Rose Canyon Lake

3.5 (22 reviews)
Open Open 24 hours

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Information on fishing regulations
Monica E.

What do you need to know about this camping and lake experience? A few things. LAKESIDE: The lake is small. Seriously, it would take you about 20 minutes to walk around the whole thing. Along the way you are bound to accidentally slip into a grubby, muddy part of the bank. Who speaks from experience?! The lake keeps busy, insanely busy, with people out fishing. No boating or swimming are allowed here. It will likely be hard to find a space on the lake where you won't be able to hear your neighbor talking. But from what I've seen on multiple visits, people tend to be quite cordial and respectful of the space of others. Also up the way from the lake is a glorious ramada that is available for rent to parties of up to 120 people. Otherwise, it's first come first served and is generally full of families. CAMPING: Goodness, I wish there were lakeside sites for camping. All of the campsites are located up the way from the lake. The walk down to the lake can be nice, though. You have the option of walking the windy road or finding an off-the-road trail. Of all the campsites on the mountain, Rose Canyon is at the lowest elevation -- somewhere around 7,000 feet. So it is a bit warmer, on average, than Spencer and Peppersauce. It is also busier and less remote. So, if you are looking for a quiet date with nature, this is not the spot. Rose Canyon Campround has nearly 70 campsites, which cannot be reserved in advance. And it gets busy and keeps busy. Granted, people are not stacked on top of one another. But during your stay you are bound to see and hear your neighbors: -Revving up the generator -Opening their pickup truck doors so they can have a Shania Twain singalong -Sending their rowdy kids off to play and burn off energy -Late night partying One of our neighbors even busted out with a chainsaw. A chainsaw, folks! At something like 2 in the afternoon. For what reason would you need a massive chainsaw in the middle of a campsite already cleared and when the rangers offer bundles of firewood for sale -- I have not a clue. I diverted my eyes. And there were some hardcore revelers up late. At one point, I couldn't tell if it was a boisterous group of people, or a pack of coyotes on the move. And the other important details? If you are planning a weekend getaway, come early -- preferably on Friday. If you can't make it up Friday, arrive early on Saturday. Generally, people who arrive for an overnight stay will leave before noon, so you will want to be able to snag one of those spots before the post lunch rush. The cost is $20 per night and no more than eight people are allowed at each of the numbered sites. Second vehicle per site is $9 and you can have no more than two vehicles per site, though they do not always offer two parking spots per spot. Also I hear there is a senior fee offered at $10, too. If you want to come up just to check out the lake and the sights, that will be $9. Strange thing -- that's for six people in a vehicle. If you have more than six people, the fee is $1 for each additional person. And if you bike up, it's $1. Curious. There are a few group sites as well, which go for $34 a night for a maximum of 18 people and five cars. And pets are allowed! But they must be on a leash at all times. They are serious about this. The sheriff patrols the area ever so often and you will be cited if you are not following the rules. Quiet hours are typical: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Check out is at 3 p.m. The campsite has potable water and vault toilets. Also, each site has a fire ring, grills and tables. The sweet thing about Rose Canyon is that rangers drive around on the regular. I think I saw someone about every half hour to 45 minutes. They also try and keep the sites tidy. Max stay is 14 days. And there is an emergency host on site. Actually, I think there may be more hosts than one. Also, you are required to spend your first night at your reserved campsite and be on site at least once every 24 hour period.

Cindy M.

Well done little fishing lake. One side of lake is paved, the other side has a more rustic path. Plenty of shoreline for so many people enjoying fishing. You can climb up the surrounding ridgeline for good views or explore along the creek bed. Fishing only. No boating, canoes, kayaks, deimming.

Brook & Rainbow Trout!  This is what a limit looks like (6 fish) & these were all caught in about a 3 hour fishing session.

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Ask the Community - Rose Canyon Lake

Does anyone know what hatchery rose canyon lake uses, and if so what do they feed the trout at the hatchery?

GMO feed from the AZ Game and Fish hatchery

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Review Highlights - Rose Canyon Lake

This location has zero cell service but is close enough to Summerhaven where you can get service and pick up supplies and a pizza!!

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Rio Vista Natural Resources Park

Rio Vista Natural Resources Park

4.2(9 reviews)
13.5 miPrince Tucson

Tucked away in the northern area of Tucson we found this beautiful memorial labyrinth. With…read morebenches, natural resources and regular care it's the perfect place for some tranquil meditation and contemplation. The drone footage was definitely necessary to capture the true size of this stunning landmark. There is a trail entrance on Cactus Blvd. with plenty of off street parking if the labyrinth is your destination. Although we didn't walk the entire trail, it's the perfect leisurely path for groups as they are wide and even. There's plenty to see from natural plants, critters and education. It's very well maintained and clean with benches to relax on and shade to cool off in.

What a very peaceful, beautiful park. Came with friends to walk the labyrinth. The surrounding area…read moreis so beautiful. It's hard to believe it's in the center of the city. If you just want a place to come and meditate, walk on the labyrinth, trail or sit on a bench and enjoy the Mountain View, this is a beautiful preserved peaceful park almost in the center of Tucson. I am unsure of the history of this place but labyrinth are a spiritual experience just to come and meditate as you walk around the earth to the center to find answers to questions you might be in life. Come and experience for yourself.

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Rio Vista Natural Resources Park - The labyrinth

The labyrinth

Rio Vista Natural Resources Park - Labyrinth

Labyrinth

Rio Vista Natural Resources Park - Located right off the south side path between Campbell and country club

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Located right off the south side path between Campbell and country club

Mount Lemmon - Views

Mount Lemmon

4.5(118 reviews)
7.3 mi

First Impressions:…read more 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!

Mount Lemmon and the Catalina Highway, AZ. Early Dec, 2025. Mount Lemmon, the highest peak…read more(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.

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Mount Lemmon - Peak of Mount Lemmon Ski valley

Peak of Mount Lemmon Ski valley

Mount Lemmon - Aspen Draw Trail

Aspen Draw Trail

Mount Lemmon - Trailheads upper Hitchcock Hwy

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Trailheads upper Hitchcock Hwy

Rose Canyon Lake - fishing - Updated May 2026

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