Imagine the Sky Island Scenic Parkway as a kind of time machine—seriously. In just 30 miles, this incredible stretch of road, also known as the Mount Lemmon Parkway, compresses a vast range of landscapes into one unforgettable drive. You’ll journey through five distinct life zones, starting in the sun baked Sonoran Desert and climbing all the way to a cool, mixed-conifer forest. It’s like traveling from Mexico to Canada without ever leaving Arizona.
Get ready for stunning vistas and a dramatic shift in climate—comparable to driving from Southern Arizona to Northern Montana. With every 1,000 feet in elevation, it’s like traveling 600 miles north. This rare journey lets you experience all four seasons in a single drive.
The 30-mile journey kicks off at Tanque Verde Road in Tucson, starting with a stretch of relatively flat terrain. At first, the landscape reflects the classic Sonoran Desert, but as the road begins its ascent, the hillsides become densely packed with towering, slender saguaros—many likely standing for over 150 years. Before you can fully take that in, the cacti fade into scrubby brush as elevation climbs. The Catalina Highway, a two-lane paved route, winds and curves dramatically—its turns tightening as you gain altitude.
In 4 miles you enter the Coronado National Forest. This scenic route is often called either the Mt. Lemmon Highway or Hitchcock Highway, named in honor of Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock, who played a key role in developing the road to provide access to Summerhaven and the summit of Mt. Lemmon.
What makes this drive so captivating is the dramatic shift in scenery—from arid desert to lush forest filled with cottonwood, oak, sycamore, and willow trees—all within a short distance. The highway takes its name from the unique ecological phenomenon in the Coronado National Forest, where isolated mountain ranges rise sharply from the desert floor, forming twelve “sky islands” that often appear wrapped in clouds. At higher elevations, the landscape feels more like Colorado or northern New Mexico, blanketed in pine trees—so different from the desert you left behind just fifteen minutes earlier.
Each twist in the road brings a fresh, awe-inspiring view. As I entered Bear Canyon, the landscape shifted again—this time into a cooler, greener world filled with thriving cypress, juniper, pine, sycamore, and walnut trees. Towering granite spires stretched toward the sky, surrounded by rocky outcroppings and rugged hoodoos, marking this area as one of Arizona’s top rock climbing spots. The highway itself narrows here, with sharp curves and steep inclines that demand your full attention. Luckily, there are plenty of scenic pullouts, overlooks, hiking trails, and picnic areas—so I kept my eyes on the road and saved the sights for the stops.
The scenic drive officially ends in the charming mountain town of Summerhaven, home to a General Store, a few shops, and cozy restaurants. One important note: there are no gas stations in Summerhaven, so make sure to fuel up before starting your ascent. I made the mistake of assuming there would be one at the top—but there wasn’t. Fortunately, there is a local fire station. If you happen to run out of gas, head there (you’ll see the turnoff just before reaching Ski Valley). For a $20 donation, they’ll give you a gallon of gas—just enough to get you safely back down the mountain.
The quaint town near the summit of Mt. Lemmon was nearly destroyed in the 2003 Aspen Fire, which consumed over 300 structures. Perched at about 8,200 feet, Summerhaven sits just below the peak of Mt. Lemmon, which rises to 9,157 feet. And a word of caution—keep an eye out for rattlesnakes. I came within five feet of one without any warning. It never rattled, just silently blended into the landscape. Stay alert!
If you want to feel like you’re touching the sky, the Mt. Lemmon Sky Center is the place to be. The views are absolutely breathtaking—photos just can’t capture the magic of seeing it for yourself!
Wander Woman 