Things to Do on Mt. Lemmon – Activities Hub
Trails, trees and cool air — a day on Mt. Lemmon starts right outside your cabin.
Things to Do on Mt. Lemmon — Activities in Summerhaven, AZ
Mt. Lemmon is Tucson's backyard mountain — a sky island that climbs from saguaro desert to pine forest in 27 miles. At the top you will find hiking, fishing, fall colors, sledding, stargazing, wildlife, good food and cool mountain air, all within minutes of our 21 cabins in Summerhaven.
Here is everything to do on Mt. Lemmon, season by season, with links to our full guides for each activity.
A Mountain for Every Season
Spring — wildflowers & birds
Summer — cool hikes & fishing
Fall — golden aspens
Winter — snow playTop Things to Do on Mt. Lemmon
Hiking & Trails
From the easy Rose Canyon Lake loop to the Marshall Gulch classic, the mountain has a trail for every level.
Read the hiking guide →
Fishing at Rose Canyon Lake
Rainbow trout stocked monthly, a floating dock, and an easy handicapped-accessible trail — no boat needed.
See the fishing guide →
Fall Colors
Aspens and bigtooth maples turn gold in mid-to-late October — one of Arizona's best leaf-peeping drives.
See the fall colors guide →
Sledding & Snow Play
When the snow flies, Summerhaven becomes a sledding town. Roads stay plowed and the fun is right outside your cabin.
Read the sledding guide →
Skiing & Snowboarding
Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley is the southernmost ski area in the western United States — runs, a chairlift, and ski school.
See the Ski Valley guide →
Scenic Overlooks
Windy Point, Loma Linda and the pullouts along the Catalina Highway serve up the best views in Southern Arizona.
See the overlooks guide →
Rock Climbing
Granite crags and hundreds of routes minutes from Summerhaven — from beginner slabs to big walls.
Read the climbing guide →
Picnicking
Forest pullouts and lakeside tables make the mountain one big picnic spot — pack a lunch and claim a view.
See the picnicking guide →
Snowshoeing
Quiet winter trails through snow-draped pines — no experience needed, and rentals are easy to find.
Read the snowshoeing guide →
Arizona Trail
Hike a piece of the 800-mile Arizona Trail — Passage 11 ends right at Marshall Gulch, a mile from the hotel.
Read the AZT guide →
Stargazing
Some of the darkest skies near Tucson. Fall and winter nights are crystal clear and dazzling.
Read the stargazing guide →
Wildlife Watching
Coatis, turkeys, deer, Abert's squirrels and the occasional black bear call the mountain home.
Read the wildlife guide →
Birding
An eBird hotspot with jays, woodpeckers, hummingbirds and migrating warblers in spring.
Read the birding guide →
Dog-Friendly Adventures
12 pet-friendly cabins, an on-site dog park, and miles of leashed trails. Bring the whole pack.
Read the dog-friendly guide →Dining & Coffee
From Sawmill Run's burgers to Elevated Espresso's lattes right next door to the hotel — plus the General Store for supplies.
Read the dining guide →Shopping in Summerhaven
Souvenirs, gifts and mountain essentials at the village shops — perfect for a rainy-day browse.
See the shops guide →What to Do by Season
- Wildflowers bloom on the meadows and roadsides as the snow melts
- Spring bird migration brings warblers and other songbirds through the pines
- Waterfall hikes are at their best with snowmelt running
- Rose Canyon Lake reopens for the season — trout stocking begins in April
- Escape the heat — the mountain runs about 30°F cooler than Tucson
- Hike the Marshall Gulch loop or stroll around Rose Canyon Lake
- Fish for rainbow trout from the dock or shoreline
- Watch for deer and turkeys in the village at dawn and dusk
- Enjoy monsoon sunsets and the occasional dramatic storm view
- Peak fall color in mid-to-late October at Aspen Draw and Marshall Gulch
- Oktoberfest at Ski Valley runs weekends late September through mid-October
- Elk occasionally wander the upper mountain during the rut
- Crisp clear nights make fall the best stargazing season
- Cozy cabin evenings with hot coffee and a porch in the pines
- Sledding and snow play in Summerhaven — bring a sled
- Skiing and snowboarding at Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley, the southernmost ski area in the western United States
- Snowshoe the quiet trails — see our snowshoeing guide
- Roads are plowed all winter; check our live weather page for conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
Hiking, fishing at Rose Canyon Lake, fall colors, sledding in winter, stargazing, wildlife and bird watching, dining, and shopping in Summerhaven. It is a year-round mountain playground 45 minutes from Tucson.
About 45 minutes from downtown. The Catalina Highway climbs 27 miles and about 6,000 vertical feet from saguaro desert to pine forest at 8,000+ feet.
Sledding and snow play in Summerhaven, skiing and snowboarding at Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley, snowshoeing, and cozy cabin stays. Roads are plowed all winter.
Rose Canyon Lake at 7,000 feet. Rainbow trout are stocked monthly April through August, with a 4-trout limit. A valid Arizona fishing license is required for ages 10 and up.
Yes — Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley is the southernmost ski area in the western United States, with runs, a chairlift, and ski school. It is about 10 minutes up the highway from the hotel in winter.
Very. Mt. Lemmon Hotel has 12 pet-friendly cabins with no pet fee, an on-site dog park, and most trails welcome leashed dogs.
Every season has its draw: summer for cool hikes, fall for the colors, winter for snow, and spring for wildflowers and birds. October is the most popular month for the fall colors.
Make It a Cabin Stay
Wake up in the middle of it all — 21 private cabins in the pines, full kitchens, and the mountain's best activities right outside your door. 12 cabins are pet-friendly with no pet fee.
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