There are more than 27 mountain ranges around Tucson and southeast Arizona, including the spectacular Santa Catalinas, located in the Coronado National Forest and the home of 9,157-foot Mount Lemmon. The short drive up Mount Lemmon from Tucson rises through five ecosystems to pine-fir forests with highs a comfortable 74° in summer.
Caves Are Cool
At a cool 68 degrees, Kartchner Caverns will amaze you with world-class cave formations considered the best of their kind in the world. It has an unusual variety of brilliantly colored cave formations, including the longest known Soda Straw stalactite formation in the world; the tallest and most massive column in Arizona; the world's most extensive brushite moonmilk formation; the first reported "turnip" shields; and the first cave "birdsnest" needle quartz formations.
Summer is the "Richest Birding Season"
According to the Audubon Society, southeastern Arizona is a convergence of four distinct bioregions, providing a prime mix of habitats for more than 400 species of birds. Summer monsoons bring "big days" in birding. Here are just a few of the prime sites listed by the Tucson Audubon Society:
Cave Creek Canyon: One of the most scenic and birdy canyons in SE Arizona
Climbers, the Rocks Await
Whether you like twisting in the wind on Mt. Lemmon's Windy Point or you just want to learn to skinny up a wall at Rocks & Ropes climbing gym, Tucson has your back. Southeast Arizona's mountains are a climber's wonderland.
Nature Under the Stars
Looking for a safe spot to explore the desert at night? The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, one ten top zoological parks in the world, holds Summer Saturday Evenings from 6 to 10 p.m., June through August. You may discover Docents interpreting live animals, celestial wonders, fluorescent minerals, night pollinators or other wonders of the Sonoran night.
Or if you happen to be here in June, on "bloom night" for the coming out party of the hundreds of fabulous Queen of the Night cereus flowers, you will get free admission to Tohono Chul Park, Travel + Leisure Magazine's pick for one of the Ten Great Botanical Gardens in the world.
Come explore the rich, delicious world of Tucson dining. We have hundreds of
original restaurants including many run by some of the finest chefs in the
world.
Keyword:
myTucson is our free, interactive vacation-planning tool that makes planning
your Tucson getaway fun and easy.
Road Cyclists and Mountain Bikers, check out southern Arizona's high-altitude roads and trails this summer. Keep your cool and your conditioning too. Remember - El Tour de Tucson is November 22!
And you fat tire jockeys, get an early start at Fantasy Island for the most fun you've had on wheels.
Upcoming Outdoor Events
Saguaro National Park Labor Day Run- Sep. 1 The Southern Arizona Roadrunners presents an early morning run through the scenic cactus-forest loop in Saguaro National Park East in the Rincon Mountain foothills, including 2-mile and 8-mile courses., 520-991-0733.
El Tour 10K & 5K Run/Walk- Sep. 21 Diamond Venture's 11th annual El Tour 10K and 5K Run/Walk traditionally kicks off the El Tour event season. Proceeds from the event go to the Ben's Bells project, a community effort to inspire intentional acts of kindness., (520) 745-2033.
Fall Plant Sale at Tucson Botanical Gardens- Oct. 4 Tucson Botanical Gardens hosts autumn sale of cacti, trees, shrubs, herbs, and other plants suited to Tucson's climate., 520-326-9686.
Dig: Prehistoric Gardens- May. 1 - Aug. 28 Tucson Botanical Gardens offers self-guided tours through its model of an ancient and alien world of pre-historic-era continents filled with bizarre plants and ginormous creatures., 520-326-9686.
Summer Saturday Evenings- Jun. 7 - Aug. 30 Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum opens after sundown so visitors can enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the Sonoran Desert at night, on Saturdays., 520-883-2702.
