Catalina State Park

Catalina Now Offers 24/7 Online Campground Reservations!

Reserve a campground RV or tent site from the comfort of your home, anytime of day. Make online reservations Site reservations for this park are also available by calling the Reservation Center at (520) 586-2283. You can call 7 days a week, from 8 am to 5 pm MST. There is a $5 non-refundable reservation fee per site.

Saturday Reptile/Wildlife Exhibit

The Reptile/Wildlife Exhibit program has started again! On Saturdays (Oct. 1 to April) from 9 am - Noon, weather permitting (temperatures in the 50s and not raining or very windy). Volunteer Jim “the Snake Man” Cloer and his crew of volunteer assistants enchant visitors at the park trail head with a menagerie of reptiles, arachnids, and animals who inhabit the Sonoran Desert. Meet at Main Trailhead parking area at Catalina State Park. Contact Park for more information. (520) 628-5798.

Come see and learn about a menagerie of reptiles, arachnids, and animals who inhabit the Sonoran Desert. Some animals that may be on exhibit include rattlesnakes, Gopher snakes, Gila Monsters, desert tortoise, tarantula, and scorpions! Learn More

Feb. 8 & 22; March 14 & 28; April 11 & 18: Wednesday Morning Bird Walks

8 am. Volunteer Mary Ellen Flynn hosts Bird Walks. Bring binoculars. Walk meets across from the restrooms at main trailhead.

Feb. 11: Move Across 2 Ranges Hiking Challenge

Catalina SP is proud to be a part of this inaugural annual event sponsored by the Town of Marana and Oro Valley. Celebrate Arizona’s 100th Birthday and experience the rugged outdoors as early Arizona settlers did in 1912! The First Annual Move Across 2 Ranges Hiking Challenge will do just that as it gives
outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities, the opportunity to trail run, hike or stroll two ranges in the Marana and Oro Valley areas: the Tortolita Mountains and the Catalina Mountains. The Mega Move Challenge hike is 15.7 miles, the Mighty Move Challenge hike is 10.1 miles, and the Mini Move Challenge hike is 5.4; all in a single day! Family and friends are invited to participate in our “Family Friendly” activities and may join us for the Managed the Move Awards Dinner (Feb. 12) celebrating event participation and the State’s Birthday! Learn more about the event: Download Registration & Information Form ( 403 KB PDF).

Jan. Feb. 19: Geology Hike

Hike departs at the picnic area Ramada at 9 am. Volunteer-led hike will take about 1.5 - 2 hours, depending on questions and discussion. We will look at maps, rocks and the mountains. Remember to bring: Hiking boots or walking shoes, drinking water, snacks, camera, hat, and other season-appropriate clothing – and your curiosity.

Feb. 25: Star Night Event

Program starts at 6:30 pm. Please join us for an exploration of the wonders of the night sky through astronomers’ telescopes! Astronomers will answer questions and discuss the elements of the night sky as darkness descends. Meet at main trailhead parking lot at Catalina State Park. When the night sky arrives, astronomers will volunteer their expertise and telescopes for visitors to view an assortment of night sky attractions including star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae.

What to Bring: Folding chair, a red light (mini red LED flashlights will be available for a small donation; red light protects everyone’s night vision), sweater or jacket (temperatures will drop quickly after sunset), & enthusiasm to enjoy and conserve our beautiful night skies! Online camping reservations are available (additional fee). Event supported by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Download Event Flier ( 703 KB PDF).

Morning Bird Walks (Fridays and Sundays)

Hikes start at 9 am. Starting January 20 hikes starts at 8 am. A walk along mostly flat terrain with frequent stops to view birds we encounter along the trail. Duration: 2-2.5 hours. This hike is open to beginner and advanced birders of any age. Bird walks are subject to change or cancellation depending on weather conditions. Meet your guide at the Picnic Area parking lot ramada. Bring hiking boots or sturdy shoes, sunscreen, hat, and other clothing as appropriate for the season and weather, plus binoculars and drinking water. Sorry, no dogs allowed on this walk. Download Event Flier ( 166 KB PDF)

Sunday Hike (Moderate to Advanced)

Sunday hikes start a 8 am. For all hikes, please bring water, hat, and snack and Hiking boots. Park at main trailhead. Pace will be moderate. Round-trip mileage, duration and elevation changes are approximate. Hike listings are subject to change. For safety reasons, four hikers are required for a hike to take place. If rain threatens, a hike may be canceled and in such case the leader will phone registered hikers ASAP before hike time. Please register by 4 pm with Gaston Meloche the day prior to the hike, call 520-638-5404.

• January 8, 2012 – Alamo Canyon loop, via trails & paths - 7 miles, 300 ft elevation gain
• January 15, 2012 – "Park’s best known short trails" - 7–8 miles, 200 ft elevation gain
• January 22, 2012 – Canyon Loop/Sutherland/50 year trail “Big Loop”– 9 miles, 600 ft elevation gain
• January 29, 2012 – Fifty Year/Bluff Trail Loop– 8 miles, 400 ft elevation gain

New! Tree Dedication Program

Plant a tree to commemorate a lost loved one, the birth of a child, or to celebrate a special occasion such as a wedding or anniversary! Choose the native tree and planting location from among designated areas in the park. A 3 x 5” commemorative plaque located in the entrance station is included. Park Rangers will plant and maintain the tree. The cost to dedicate a tree is $350-$400 (depending on tree species). To dedicate a tree or for more information contact the park office at (520) 628-5798. Or by email shaas(at)azstateparks.gov

Recent Star Night Event

Nearly 200 people enjoyed the 12 astronomer telescopes at our recent Star Night event at the park on Oct. 22. Some of the celestial formations viewed included: The Owl Cluster, NGC457; Jupiter, and its moons Io, Callisto, & Europa; The Hercules Cluster; The Dumbbell; and the Milky Way. Thanks to the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association and the other astronomers who helped make this a great event! We are planning another event for Janurary (date TBA). Stay tuned!

Catalina Adventure Program!

An Environmental Education Program for Grades 1–3

The Catalina Adventure Program! is a 2-hour environmental awareness program designed for sensory learning for grades 1–3. This participatory and interactive field trip, led by trained naturalists, focuses on developing an awareness of nature through the senses. Appreciation of the natural world and our relationship to it is emphasized during a series of hands-on activities along a trail in the 5,500 acre park.

Students get to explore and learn to use all of their senses. The trail walk and activities apply the concepts of using the five senses learned in the classroom to improve the students’ understanding of the natural world. Teachers receive a packet with pre- and post-visit classroom activities to enhance the on-site experience. The materials contain specific key concepts, teacher background information, and student activity sheets. The Catalina Adventure Program begins in October 2010. There is currently a fee of $2 per student.

For more information or to schedule a trip, please contact the park office at (520) 628-5798 for details. Download Adventure Program Info ( 807 KB PDF)

Day Use Ramada Now Reservable!

A 20x40' Ramada is now reservable! It has two grills and 10 picnic tables. It is only for day use (5 am – 10 pm); no camping or wood fires are allowed (wood fires are allowed in the group area). The reservation fee is $35 plus the day use entrance fee $7/vehicle. Call park directly at (520) 628-5798 to reserve.