The Arizona Trail Runs Right Past Summerhaven
Every year, thousands of thru-hikers walk the Arizona Trail from Mexico to Utah — and the trail's Catalina Mountains passage (Passage 11) ends at Marshall Gulch Trailhead, about a mile from Summerhaven village and Mt. Lemmon Hotel. That makes our 8,000-foot mountain village one of the few places in Arizona where you can step off an 800-mile national scenic trail and into a hot shower and a real bed the same afternoon.
Trails like this one wind through the forest right outside Summerhaven — the Arizona Trail itself is a short walk from the village.
Whether you are a section hiker ticking off passages, a thru-hiker celebrating the hardest climb in southern Arizona, or a day-tripper from Tucson who just wants a few miles of mountain trail, this guide covers everything: what the trail is, how Passage 11 works, where to resupply, and where to sleep when your legs give out.
What Is the Arizona Trail?
The Arizona Trail is an 800-mile National Scenic Trail that runs the length of the state, from the Coronado National Memorial on the Mexican border north to the Utah border on the Kaibab Plateau. It is divided into 43 numbered "passages" and is managed by the U.S. Forest Service with the Arizona Trail Association as its primary partner and advocate. The trail links deserts, canyons, and sky islands — and no stretch shows off more of that range than the one right outside our door.
Passages 1 through 13 make up the Southern section, ending at Oracle just north of Tucson. Passage 11 is the Santa Catalina Mountains — the toughest, most spectacular crossing of the entire southern half of the trail. The official Arizona Trail Association page for Passage 11 has downloadable maps, elevation profiles, and GPS tracks.
Passage 11: The Santa Catalina Mountains
Passage 11 runs 18.7 miles from Gordon Hirabayashi Campground to Marshall Gulch Trailhead — south to north, the official direction of the trail. It is rated moderate to difficult, and it earns every bit of that rating: the passage climbs more than a vertical mile in one sustained push and crosses some of the most rugged granite terrain in southern Arizona.
Heading north, the trail first drops toward Sabino Canyon and follows the West Fork past Hutch's Pool, a deep swimming hole tucked between canyon cliffs that is one of the trail's most famous campsites. From there it climbs steeply through dense forest and granite boulders — the "vertical mile" to Romero Pass — before continuing northeast toward Mount Lemmon, the highest point in the Catalinas. Temperatures up here run about 20°F cooler than the Tucson valley, which is exactly why hikers plan their Catalina crossing for the heat of the day.
The Wilderness of Rocks — the Arizona Trail threads through this granite wonderland on its way to Summerhaven.
The route then enters the Wilderness of Rocks, a dreamscape of balanced granite boulders and pine-oak forest, crosses seasonal Lemmon Creek, and makes a final short descent to Marshall Gulch — where the village of Summerhaven, the Mt. Lemmon General Store, and Mt. Lemmon Hotel are waiting. Thru-hikers who want to tag the actual 9,157-foot summit of Mount Lemmon add about 6.8 miles round-trip to the passage.
The southern half of Passage 11 winds through Sabino Canyon country, with swimming holes like Hutch's Pool along the way.
Day Hikes on the Catalina Passage
You do not need to thru-hike to experience the Arizona Trail here. Because the passage ends right at Summerhaven, some of the best day hikes in the Catalinas start from our doorstep:
- Marshall Gulch to the Wilderness of Rocks — head north on the AZT from Marshall Gulch Trailhead into the granite formations; go as far as your legs allow and turn around. About a mile in, the views open up dramatically.
- Summerhaven loops — Marshall Gulch Trail #3, Aspen Trail #93, and Sunset Trail #90 connect into easy-to-moderate loops through aspen and pine forest right above the village. (Check the trail alert above for current opening days during the 2026 project.)
- Hutch's Pool from the south — access the passage at Gordon Hirabayashi Campground off the Catalina Highway and hike into the West Fork of Sabino Canyon for a swim in one of Arizona's best desert pools.
- Mint Spring Trail — the recommended connector while Marshall Gulch parking is under construction; it links the Summerhaven lot area to the Arizona Trail.
Looking for more options? Our Mt. Lemmon hiking trails guide rounds up the best trails within a short drive of the hotel.
Resupply and Rest in Summerhaven
For thru-hikers, Summerhaven is the resupply stop of the Catalina passage — the last real town before the long haul through the Oracle and Galiuro country, and the first after the Rincons. The village has everything a tired hiker needs:
- Mt. Lemmon General Store & Gift Shop — food, cold drinks, and resupply staples in the heart of the village.
- Sawmill Run Restaurant — hot breakfast and lunch with a mountain view. Hiker portions, literally.
- Cookie Cabin — warm cookies and a mountain institution; a mandatory stop after a 20-degree climb.
- Elevated Espresso — real coffee for the morning after.
The trail network around Summerhaven connects the Arizona Trail, Marshall Gulch, and the village itself.
Sleep at the Trailhead: Mt. Lemmon Hotel
Mt. Lemmon Hotel sits about a mile from Marshall Gulch Trailhead — the closest lodging in Arizona to the northern end of Passage 11. After days of cowboy camping and trail food, our 21 private cabins at 8,000 feet offer hot showers, real beds, and a full night of quiet mountain sleep. Hikers can stash packs and gear, dry out boots, and hit the trail again with a full breakfast in them.
Hiker discount: thru-hikers and section hikers coming off the trail can text or call us for same-day trail and hiker discounts — we keep last-minute cabins open for tired legs whenever we can. If you are on the Arizona Trail and your feet hurt, reach out before you book anywhere else: Text (520) 277-2478.
Cabins range from cozy one-bedrooms to the 8-guest Family Bear cabin, and most are pet-friendly — because thru-hikers with dogs exist, and they deserve a bed too. See all of them on our Mt Lemmon cabins page.
Arizona Trail Practical Tips
- Water: reliable water on Passage 11 is limited to Hutch's Pool and seasonal Lemmon Creek. Purify everything, and check the Arizona Trail Association water report before you go.
- Weather: expect up to 20°F of temperature swing between the valley and the summit. Summer afternoons bring monsoon thunderstorms — start early. Winter brings snow and ice above Summerhaven; microspikes earn their weight.
- Permits: no permit is required to hike or backpack Passage 11 in the Coronado National Forest. Follow wilderness rules in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness and the Wilderness of Rocks — pack out everything, camp only where allowed, and keep group sizes small.
- Conditions: trail work, fire closures, and reroutes happen. Check the Arizona Trail Association site and the Santa Catalina Ranger District before heading out.
Arizona Trail FAQ
Does the Arizona Trail go through Summerhaven?
The Arizona Trail's Catalina passage (Passage 11) ends at Marshall Gulch Trailhead, about a mile from Summerhaven village and Mt. Lemmon Hotel. Thru-hikers routinely walk or hitch into town to resupply, eat, and sleep — Summerhaven is the natural gateway to the northern end of the passage.
How long is the Arizona Trail on Mt. Lemmon?
Passage 11 is 18.7 miles, running from Gordon Hirabayashi Campground to Marshall Gulch Trailhead. It includes a vertical mile of climbing to Romero Pass and a crossing of the Wilderness of Rocks. A side trip to the 9,157-foot Mount Lemmon summit adds about 6.8 miles round-trip.
Can I day-hike the Arizona Trail from Summerhaven?
Yes. From Marshall Gulch Trailhead you can hike north into the Wilderness of Rocks and turn around whenever you like, or combine Marshall Gulch Trail #3, Aspen Trail #93, and Sunset Trail #90 into loops above the village. The southern end of the passage is reached from Gordon Hirabayashi Campground off the Catalina Highway.
Where do Arizona Trail hikers resupply?
Summerhaven is the resupply point for the Catalina passage: the Mt. Lemmon General Store for food and supplies, Sawmill Run Restaurant for hot meals, Cookie Cabin for treats, and Elevated Espresso for coffee. Mt. Lemmon Hotel provides the closest lodging to the trailhead.
Do I need a permit to hike the Arizona Trail?
No permit is required to day-hike or backpack Passage 11 in the Coronado National Forest. Follow wilderness regulations in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness and Wilderness of Rocks, and check current conditions with the Santa Catalina Ranger District before your trip.
Do you offer hiker discounts at Mt. Lemmon Hotel?
Yes — thru-hikers and section hikers can text or call us for same-day trail and hiker discounts. We keep last-minute cabins open for tired legs whenever we can, so reach out before you book anywhere else: Text (520) 277-2478.
When is the best time to hike the Catalina passage?
Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) are ideal: mild temperatures, flowing water in the canyons, and clear skies. Summer is hot in the lower canyons with monsoon storms in the afternoon, and winter brings snow and ice at the higher elevations near Summerhaven.
Plan Your Arizona Trail Stay in Summerhaven
Mt. Lemmon Hotel is about 45 minutes from northeast Tucson — and about a mile from the Arizona Trail. Text us or check availability for a cabin tonight.
Text (520) 277-2478 Check Availability