CATALINA STATE PARK Information

	CATALINA STATE PARK
	Equestrian Trail Information
	Desert, Mountains		Current Weather
	Arizona Trails Main

Catalina State Park: Tucson, Arizona

Trailhead Coordinates: 32.416777, -110.937581

If every trail system inspired the awe and wonder that Catalina State Park does we’d have a lot more company when out on the trail. Nestled under the Santa Catalina Mountains, just minutes from the congestion of Tucson, this park offers miles and miles of horse friendly trails and access to the Coronado National Forest. With massive Saguaro and Ocotillo cacti dotting the landscape, along with a myriad of desert wildflowers, provide scenes that bring a whole new perspective to a person’s definition of “desert.” Catalina is a premier example of the southwest desert.

Best times to visit Catalina are October through May when the heat isn’t quite so oppressive. April and March are said to have the best wildflower viewing and, not coincidently, the park staff also reports that these are the months with the most visitors.

For campers Catalina offers a dedicated equestrian staging area complete with sturdy pipe stock corrals, potable water, picnic tables, grills, restrooms, and drinking water are available. The equestrian area is able to comfortably park about twelve truck trailer rigs and squeeze quite a few more. This area is also where equestrian day users base their rides.

Once you’ve got camp set up and are ready to head out into the surrounding Sonoran desert you’ll have a few equally good options. Departing immediately from the staging area is the 50 Year Trail which heads northeast into Coronado National Forest and connects with the Sutherland Trail which has several options for shorter or longer loops. Should you decide to head out from the south side of camp you’ll follow the Bridle Trail (and about the only flat land you’ll encounter) to the main trailhead and then on to the Canyon Loop Trail which in turn connects with the Sutherland (where you can ride up to gorgeous desert waterfalls) and Romero Canyon trails for loop rides of any length that may be desired.

Trail conditions here vary from suitable for novice riders to extremely challenging. It’s a desert so don’t expect shade and do expect to cover a lot of rocky ground that will have your horse asking for some type of hoof protection, be that shoes or boots. The trails are well marked and maintained by volunteers including Rosemary Minter, a park volunteer and local trail maintenance legend. Park Management does request that riders stay on the trails both to avoid getting lost and to avoid potentially damaging encounters with any of the wide varieties of cacti that flourish here. As mentioned above the best times to experience the desert southwest are fall through spring when the temperatures are more favorable for great riding.

Horse Parking and Camp Directions:

View Larger Map

Information on horse trails, horse camps and camping and hiking paths for horseback riders, and hikers at Catalina State Park near Tucson, Arizona

Need help finding a new riding location or want to suggest a new one? Let me know

Get TrailMeister’s Newsletter for new Trail Maps and Tips

The Plug

This website is up and running because of your assistance. If you find these trail maps helpful please help me continue helping you by visiting the sponsors' links.

Find a Trail Gear Reviews Knots Helpful Tips SiteMap Links Contact Us Media Kit