Catalina State Park
Catalina State Park preserves a 5,525-acre parcel of outstanding riparian woodlands and Sonoran desert, featuring lush Fremont cottonwood, mesquite, and saguaro and many other species of cacti. The park is part of the Tucson Sky Islands Important Bird Area (IBA) in recognition of its importance to breeding, migratory, and wintering birds. The park is also home to many other forms of wildlife, including javelina, coati, lizards, and many, many more.
Site Information
Region: Tucson and Southern
County: Pima
Directions: Travel on Oracle Road (State Route 77) north from Tucson, through Oro Valley,
Latitude: 32.425129
Longitude: -110.908848
Operational Hours: Other
Other Operational Hours: Park open 5:00am - 10:00pm daily, visitor center open 8:00am - 5:00pm daily
Admission or Fees: $7.00/vehicle (1-4 adults), $3.00/individual or bicycle
Best time to visit: Winter (November-April) is good for wintering sparrows. Summer offers the opportunity for specialties like Gray Hawk and Varied Bunting.
Habitats: Desert, Stream or river
Know Before You Go
Summers can be vey hot, so bring plenty of drinking water, hat, and sunscreen. Be alert for venomous animals. During monsoon season (late June- early September) watch for flash floods.
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: Pyrrhuloxia, Rufous-winged Sparrow, Varied Bunting
Charismatic: Gambel’s Quail, Greater Roadrunner
Contact Information
Arizona State Parks
11570 N Oracle Rd
Tucson, AZ 85737
Phone: 520-628-5798
Website: https://azstateparks.com/Catalina
Additional Resources
Learn more about birds reported at this location at eBird:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L128938
Additional Resources:
Coronado National Forest
Maeveen Behan Desert Sanctuary
