Catalina State Park
Details
Catalina State Park is located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains. It is home to nearly 5,000 saguaros and desert plants. The park is several minutes by car away from the Tucson metropolitan area. The park is home to trails for activities like birding, biking, backpacking and hiking, including Romero Ruin Trail, Nature Trail, Romero Canyon Trail, Sutherland Trail, Canyon Loop Trail, 50-Year Trail, Birding Trail, and the Bridle Trail. Certain trails also connect with other trails in Coronado National Forest, continuing to Mount Lemmon, the highest peak in the Santa Catalina Mountains.
Planning for December 2025 already you say? This park is so popular that many sites are already taken. Here is the reservation link: https://azstateparks.com/reserve/#catalina/camping