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Self-Guided Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway Driving Tour

2.5 (3)
Tucson, US
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Self-Guided Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway Driving Tour

2.5 (3)
Tucson, US
Share
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Embark on a thrilling adventure through the stunning landscapes of the Sonoran Desert with the Self-Guided Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway Driving Tour. This tour takes you on a captivating journey up Mount Lemmon, providing breathtaking views of the Catalina Mountains and the surrounding desert. With your phone as your guide, you'll discover fascinating insights into the area's geology, ecology, and history, as well as the unique wildlife that inhabits this region. Along the way, you'll have plenty of opportunities to stop and soak in the sweeping vistas that stretch as far as the eye can see. Whether you're a nature lover, a photography enthusiast, or simply seeking an unforgettable adventure, this self-guided tour promises a truly magical experience. Book your tour today and discover the beauty of this iconic Arizona destination!

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • Admission Not Included
  • 9 hours 20 minutes
  • Suitable for 1-15 Participants
  • Private Tour
  • & Audio GuidedSelf Guided Experience
  • Breathtaking views of the Catalina Mountains
  • Insights into the area's geology, ecology, and history
  • Opportunities to explore stunning vistas at multiple stops
  • Mesmerizing landscape of tall, thin rock spires
  • Scenic overlook of the San Pedro River Valley
  • Tours NEVER expire
  • Offline Audio Guided Tour: Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music
  • Offline map (map and GPS work completely offline - no wifi or data needed)
  • Take the tour when you want - download the tour and choose the day that works best for you
  • Tour highlights with activity and restaurant recommendations
  • Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
  • Freedom to explore at your own pace - pick the stops you want, skip the ones you don’t
  • Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive
  • Private transportation
  • Meals and Refreshment
  • Mount Lemmon entrance fee: $8 per car
  • Parking Fees

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More about this experience

Introduction

Experience the beauty of the Sonoran Desert like never before on the Self-Guided Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway Driving Tour. This tour takes you on a captivating journey through the stunning scenery of the Catalina Mountains, allowing you to witness breathtaking views of the desert landscape as you ascend to the summit of Mt. Lemmon. Whether you're a nature lover, a photography enthusiast, or simply seeking an unforgettable adventure, this tour is perfect for you.

What to expect?

During this self-guided tour, you can expect to delve into the captivating geology, ecology, and history of the area, all while enjoying the comfort of your own vehicle. Turn your phone into a personal guide and explore the multiple stops along the way, where you'll be treated to sweeping vistas and panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Discover the unique wildlife that calls this area home and take in the beauty of the Sonoran Desert from a whole new perspective.

Who is this for?

This tour is suitable for anyone who appreciates the wonders of nature. Whether you're a solo traveler, a couple, a family, or a group of friends, the Self-Guided Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway Driving Tour offers an enriching experience for all. Nature enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and photography lovers will particularly enjoy capturing the stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife along the way. This tour is designed to be inclusive, providing an opportunity for anyone to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Sonoran Desert.

Why book this?

This self-guided tour offers the perfect blend of convenience, flexibility, and adventure. With the freedom to explore at your own pace, you can take as much time as you need at each stop to fully appreciate the breathtaking vistas and capture memorable photos. The tour provides fascinating insights into the area's geology, ecology, and history, giving you a deeper appreciation for the Sonoran Desert. Additionally, the ease of turning your phone into a personal guide ensures a hassle-free experience, allowing you to make the most of this iconic Arizona destination.

Good to know

It's important to note that this tour has a total duration of 560 minutes, so it's advised to start before 11:00 a.m. to fully enjoy the experience. The tour begins in Tucson, and the meeting point is at the Safeway on East Catalina Highway. Along the way, you'll find various stops where you can stretch your legs, use the restroom, and even grab a souvenir. Remember to bring some snacks and water to keep yourself refreshed during the journey. Lastly, be prepared to be enchanted by the diverse and awe-inspiring landscapes that await you.

Reviews

Feedback from individuals who have embarked on this tour has been overwhelmingly positive. Many have praised the stunning views and the opportunity to learn about the area's geological formations and wildlife. Travelers have described the tour as a truly immersive experience that allows them to appreciate the beauty of the Sonoran Desert on their own terms. Overall, visitors have expressed their satisfaction with the tour, highlighting it as a must-do activity for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Your Itinerary

Babad Do'ag Trailhead

This lovely overlook gives a sweeping vista of the Sonoran desert plain, Tucson, and the mountains beyond. Mount Lemmon is part of the Coronado National Forest. entry fee is $8/vehicle.

Admission Not Included

Molino Canyon Vista

A pretty canyon that makes for a nice view, especially pretty when there’s water down in the creekbed.

Molino Basin Trail Head

Hike down along an often-dry river and look for ancient grinding holes left by the Hohokam culture, used for turning acorns into flour.

Seven Cataracts

Take in great views of nearby Thimble Peak as well as view a rushing cascade of waterfalls on the opposite side of the ravine, though they are dry much of the year. Good spot to see wildlife, too.

Windy Point Vista

Windy Point Vista in Arizona offers travelers a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding mountain ranges and canyons. Wait for sunset or just marvel at the beauty of the landscape below you.

Hoodoo Vista

Hoodoo Vista in Arizona offers travelers a unique and mesmerizing landscape of tall, thin rock spires (hoodoos) that have been formed by millions of years of erosion. Visitors can hike along the trail to get up close and experience the otherworldly beauty of these geological formations.

San Pedro Vista

Here you can hike to Barnam Rock and the further Leopold Point. San Pedro Vista in Arizona offers travelers a scenic overlook of the San Pedro River Valley and the surrounding mountain ranges. Visitors can enjoy the stunning panoramic views, go hiking along the trails, and spot wildlife in the area.

Palisades Visitor Center

Stop here to use the restroom, ask the rangers questions, or perhaps buy a souvenir.

Aspen Vista

This peaceful spot was recently ravaged by wildfires. You can view the mountains far across the valley amid charred trunks of trees.

Loma Linda Picnic Area

Find a picnic table and enjoy a relaxing bite amid tall pines, with chirping birds and views of the San Pedro valley far, far below.

Mt Lemmon Ski Valley

In season, January through early February, you can actually enjoy skiing here, but the chairlift operates year-round, whisking you to the summit in about 15 minutes, where you can view near 360 degree vistas of Tucson, the San Pedro valley, or even as far as New Mexico.

Mt. Lemmon Community Center

What this tiny hamlet lacks in size, it makes up for in heart: Grab tasty fudge, enjoy a giant, freshly made cookie, have a sit-down dinner, or find a nice trail to hike. It’s all here in quiet Summerhaven.

Marshall Gulch Picnic Area

This great loop hike offers incredible views and a nice, moderate, work-up-a-sweat hike for those looking to stretch their legs for a while. Stop here to find a place to sit, eat, and enjoy nature.

Rose Canyon Lake

This placid, pine-rimmed lake is sometimes so calm it mirrors the sky, offering insight and reflection or perhaps just a nice photo or two. You can snack near the shore, walk around the edge, or even fish if you’ve got a license and rod.

Natural Arch

This massive arch is surprisingly easy to miss as you zip up the highway, but it’s worth the brief stop, and certainly the biggest arch you’ll see on the tour, though there are a few small ones tucked here and there among the other hoodoos.

Geology Vista Point

Geology Vista offers travelers a unique opportunity to observe and learn about the geological formations of the surrounding area. Visitors can see how different layers of rocks and sediments have been shaped over time to create the beautiful and diverse landscape, and learn about the geological history of the region.

Bug Springs Trail

Bug Spring Trailhead in Arizona offers travelers a picturesque hiking trail that takes them through a dense forest of tall pine trees, past a refreshing mountain spring, and up to the summit of the nearby mountain peak. Along the way, hikers can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding landscape and possibly spot some wildlife. A fun hike for folks who want one last chance to get out of the car and onto a trail for a while.

Gordon Hirabayashi Campground

Get in some good camping! Open from October to April, and there are restrooms.

Reviews

(3)

2.5 (3)

njstifter

While the content of the audio tour was interesting the inability to shut off the music without monitoring the GPS icon on the map, and not being able to adjust volume either from my phone or the car radio was very annoying. Do better. I’ve used self guided audio tours from other companies and the audio broke through whatever we were listening to on our car radio, without volume control problems. The music was annoying.

MonteandBobbi

The trip up and down was great using this app and tour. We learned a ton of stuff, got tips for the stops, and kept everyone interested up and down. I liked that we could pause the tour whenever we wanted and it would pick back up wherever we were. Only issue we had was stopping at some view points that were on the opposite side of the road that seemed a bit careless on s shaped winding roads.

danjaxson

Complete miss. Crappy app that never recognized my purchased trip. Used the instructions for such a circumstance and uninstalled and reloaded the app. Still didn't work. Called customer support but was told they only work during Hawaii standard hours! Here's a hint. If you are providing a product for the continental US, you need customer support for the people in those time zones! Will request a full refund.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-04-25 01:30