Mt. Lemmon Highway – Bear Canyon
Bear Canyon is one of several great birding stops along Mt. Lemmon Highway (aka Catalina Highway) as it winds 27 miles from Tucson, up the mountains before ending at over 9,000 above sea level. Three parking and picnic areas for Bear Canyon sit at about 6,000 feet above sea level, offering a welcomed respite from the blazing heat on the desert floor during warmer months. Arizona sycamore is dominant here. Be on the lookout for hepatic tanager, painted redstart, pygmy nuthatch, and Mexican jay. The nearby General Hitchcock campground can act as a great home base while explore the mountains.
Site Information
Region: Tucson and Southern
County: Pima
Directions: Bear Canyon offers three separate picnic/parking areas between mile marker 9.9 and mile marker 11.4 along Mt. Lemmon Highway.
Latitude: 32.373501
Longitude: -110.69251
Operational Hours: Open all year, 24 hours a day
Admission or Fees: None
Best time to visit: Fall, Winter, Spring
Habitats: Mixed Conifer-Aspen Forest, Pine-oak Forest
Know Before You Go
Seasonal closures can occur.
Safety First! Arizona has many beautiful places to explore and we’d like to help you make it a safe and enjoyable experience. Check out our recommendations for hiking precautions.
Species Highlights
Speciality: Black-throated Gray Warbler, Hepatic Tanager, Painted Redstart, Virginia’s Warbler, Yellow-eyed Junco
Contact Information
Santa Catalina Ranger District
Coronado National Forest
5700 N. Sabino Canyon Rd
Tucson, AZ 85750
Phone: 520-749-8700
Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coronado/recarea/?recid=25672
Additional Resources
Learn more about birds reported at this location at eBird:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L128888
