Catalina State Park

We spent three nights here in March 2026, on our drive from Austin back to Colorado in March 2026. We were in site A-11 in the A Loop and paid about $50 a night. Our full field report is still being written, so here is what to know about the place itself.

The short version

Catalina State Park sits at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains on the north edge of the Tucson area. Arizona State Parks says it holds nearly 5,000 saguaros and more than 150 bird species, and its trails climb into the Coronado National Forest.

A little history

• The land was once part of Rancho Romero, named for the Romero ranching family. In the early 1970s a plan to build housing for about 17,000 people there met strong public opposition.
• Governor Jack Williams signed the bill authorizing the park in 1974, and Governor Bruce Babbitt dedicated it on May 25, 1983.
• Since 1991 the land inside the park has been Coronado National Forest property, and Arizona State Parks runs it under a Forest Service permit.

Trails

• The park has eleven trails for hiking, riding, biking and birding, including a nature trail, a birding loop and the Canyon Loop.
• The Romero Canyon Trail climbs into the Pusch Ridge Wilderness to Romero Pools and on to Romero Pass. Dogs are not allowed in the bighorn sheep management area beyond Montrose Pools.
• The Romero Ruins Interpretive Trail loops past the remains of a Hohokam village.

Camping

• 120 campsites with water and electric hookups, for tents or RVs.
• Restrooms with hot showers, and two dump stations.
• An equestrian center with trailer parking and first come, first served horse camping.

Good to know

• Reservations are available online through Arizona State Parks.
• Washes can flash flood during storms, even if it is not raining where you are.
• There is an entrance fee.