Summerhaven, AZ: The Village on Mt. Lemmon
Sitting at about 8,000 feet in the pine forests of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Summerhaven is the only real village on Mt. Lemmon — a cozy cluster of cabins, shops, and restaurants strung along Sabino Canyon Parkway, about 27 miles up the Catalina Highway from Tucson. Subdivided for summer homes in the 1920s and founded in 1939, it has grown from a warm-weather getaway into a year-round mountain destination — and it's where you'll find Mt. Lemmon Hotel's 21 private cabins.
The Byzantine Shrine: A Hidden Gem in Summerhaven
One of the most unexpected sights on Mt. Lemmon is the Mary Undoer of Knots Byzantine Catholic Shrine, an Eastern Catholic shrine on Tucson Avenue just east of the General Store. It's an official pilgrimage destination — and worth a visit whether or not you're religious.
- An 812-pound bell cast by Paul Revere & Sons in 1826 — one of only two Revere bells west of the Mississippi
- Byzantine Catholic architecture and iconography, with a chapel built for quiet prayer and reflection
- Divine Liturgy (the Eastern-rite Mass) celebrated by a resident priest — call ahead for liturgy times
- A Veteran's Memorial on the shrine grounds
- An open-air Ramada with commemorative bricks and a baptistry for special celebrations
- The Poustinia — a simple shrine cabin for overnight, self-guided retreats (minimum two nights)
- A small gift shop on site
Location: 12849 N. Tucson Avenue, Mount Lemmon, AZ 85619 • Shrine phone: (520) 576-9653 • maryundoerofknotsshrine.org
Around the Village: Shops & Eats
Summerhaven's commercial heart is a short, walkable stretch along Sabino Canyon Parkway:
- Mt. Lemmon General Store & Gift Shop — the village hub: groceries, camping gear, souvenirs, T-shirts, fudge, and hot chocolate. Open year-round.
- The Sawmill Run — the mountain's sit-down restaurant, a local favorite for lunch and dinner.
- Pizza & Cookie Cabin — pizza, giant cookies, and homemade chili in a classic cabin setting.
- Elevated Espresso — grab a coffee and a pastry before hitting the trails.
- The Living Rainbow — a longtime gift shop down the street.
- US Post Office — yes, Summerhaven has its own ZIP code (85619).
Hungry? See the full Mt. Lemmon dining guide for every restaurant on the mountain.
Hiking Right From the Village
Summerhaven is a hiker's base camp — several of the mountain's best trails start right at the edge of the village or just up the road. Two of them combine into the signature Mt. Lemmon loop.
Heads up for 2026: Marshall Gulch trailhead parking is closed until December 15, 2026. The Forest Service is rebuilding the picnic area and restrooms (closure order 03-05-05-26-009). The Marshall Gulch #3, Aspen #93, Sunset #90 and Arizona Trails stay open to pedestrians on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays only. Park in the new lot on Sabino Canyon Park Road just south of Summerhaven and walk in, or hike Mint Springs Trail #20 instead — it has free parking and is fully open.
| Trail | Difficulty | Distance & Elevation |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall Gulch Trail #3 | Easy | 1.3 mi · 7,434 to 7,937 ft |
| Aspen Trail #93 | Moderate | 3.9 mi · 7,432 to 8,159 ft |
| Marshall Gulch – Aspen Loop | Easy to moderate | About 4 mi — the pair joined into one loop |
- Marshall Gulch Trail #3 — the classic Summerhaven hike, and the easy half of the loop. The trailhead sits at the end of the paved road just past the village (a short drive, or a walk for the ambitious). The trail winds through a cool, green canyon with a trickling creek — a little slice of paradise in summer.
- Aspen Trail #93 — the moderate half, climbing to a high saddle with big views before dropping through a grove of real aspen trees. The Forest Service calls the #3 and #93 combination "a great 4-mile loop."
- Turkey Run Trail — an easy loop right near the village, great for families and a mellow warm-up.
- Upper Sabino Trail — heads down into the Sabino Canyon drainage from the Summerhaven area — steeper, for hikers wanting a longer outing.
Staying at Mt. Lemmon Hotel? You're minutes from all of them. See the full Mt. Lemmon hiking guide for every trail on the mountain, with distances, difficulty, and trailhead parking.
Four Seasons of Fun in Summerhaven
- Summer: Escape the heat — it's about 30°F cooler than Tucson. Hike waterfall trails, fish Rose Canyon Lake, or explore the best hikes near Summerhaven.
- Fall: Aspen season — catch the fall colors right up the road.
- Winter: Ski and snowboard at Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley, sled at our family sledding spots, or watch the July 4th Parade (yes, in July!).
- Year-round: Stargazing, birding, and the full Things to Do on Mt. Lemmon hub.
Stay Right in the Village
Mt. Lemmon Hotel sits in the heart of Summerhaven — walk to the General Store, the shrine, and the restaurants, then come home to your own private cabin with a full kitchen and Wi-Fi. 21 cabins, 12 pet-friendly, no pet fee, up to 3 pets.
Plan Your Visit
- Getting here: Catalina Highway (SR 207) winds 27 miles up from Tucson — about 45 minutes from the northeast side of town. See our day trip from Tucson guide.
- Weather: check the live Mt. Lemmon weather cams and forecast before you head up.
- History: curious how the village got here? Read the complete history of Mt. Lemmon.
Summerhaven FAQ
What is Summerhaven, Arizona?
Summerhaven is the alpine village on Mt. Lemmon, about 27 miles up the Catalina Highway from Tucson at roughly 8,000 feet elevation. It's home to the Mt. Lemmon General Store, restaurants, the Byzantine Shrine, and Mt. Lemmon Hotel's 21 cabins.
How far is Summerhaven from Tucson?
About 45 minutes to an hour from most of Tucson — roughly 27 miles up the winding Catalina Highway, climbing from desert to pine forest.
What is the elevation of Summerhaven?
Summerhaven sits at about 8,000 feet, and the Mt. Lemmon summit reaches 9,171 feet. Temperatures run about 30°F cooler than Tucson.
Is there a church or shrine on Mt. Lemmon?
Yes — the Mary Undoer of Knots Byzantine Catholic Shrine on N. Tucson Avenue is an official pilgrimage destination with an 1826 Paul Revere bell, a chapel, a Veteran's Memorial, and a gift shop. Call (520) 576-9653 for Divine Liturgy times.
Where is the Mt. Lemmon General Store?
On Sabino Canyon Parkway in the heart of Summerhaven. It carries groceries, camping gear, souvenirs, fudge, and hot chocolate — see mtlemmon.com for hours.
Is the Marshall Gulch trailhead open?
Not for parking — the Marshall Gulch trailhead lot and picnic area are closed until December 15, 2026 for a Forest Service rebuild. Trails #3, #93, #90 and the Arizona Trail are open to hikers Fridays through Sundays and on federal holidays. Park in the new Summerhaven lot on Sabino Canyon Park Road and walk in, or hike free-parking Mint Springs Trail #20 instead.
Where should we stay when visiting Summerhaven?
Mt. Lemmon Hotel offers 21 private cabins right in the village — 12 are pet-friendly with no pet fee. Check availability.
Come see why Summerhaven has been Arizona's mountain escape for more than 85 years — book your cabin → • Questions? Text (520) 277-2478