Sky Island Scenic Byway (original) (raw)

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Sky Island Scenic BywayBy Ways2021-09-01T12:17:48-04:00

Sky Island Scenic Byway

State: Arizona
Length: 25 miles / 40.0 km
Time to Allow: 3 hours round trip from Tucson.

The Sky Island Scenic Byway explores 27.2 miles of the Coronado National Forest just northeast of Tucson, Arizona. The Sonoran desert climbs up thousands of feet, offering bio-diversity that makes this a must-take byway. Along the way, find plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities while enjoying enormous rock structures and landscapes ready to take you away from the world and transport you to a haven, even if just for an hour or two. It’s a curvy road too ready to excite those in convertibles and on motorcycles.

Begin your journey in Summerhaven near Mount Lemmon. The Mountain has a coordinating ski resort with tons of options for food, a gift shop, skiing, and a sky ride you can use year-round. However, the ski resort does not offer lodging, but they do have an Oktoberfest in the fall. The Mt Lemmon Hotel is nearby, though, and ready to take in guests from all over the world. First, take kids on the Mount Lemmon Science tour for a little education on the area. Then, if you are daring enough, take a balloon ride around the mountain for spectacular views.

Stop at the SkyCenter run by the university for impressive views of the stars. You can even stay the night with lodging for an exceptional experience. Next, try dinner at the Sawmill Run Restaurant for some traditional American food. From there, visit the Butterfly Peak Natural Area if it’s open to the public during your visit. It’s only 5.5 miles, and it’s filled with beautiful wildflowers and, of course, butterflies that even dogs can enjoy.

As you head south on the byway, the Pusch Ridge Wilderness sits to the left and the Coronado National Forest to the right. Both offer a variety of activities and vistas to stop and enjoy along the way. Stop a the Rose Canyon Lake and Campground with tons of camping sites for tents or RVs. Keep in mind the campsites do not have electricity. From there, continue to the Molino Canyon Overlook, where a short hike leads you to a creek and a series of waterfalls. The route leads along the Mercer Spring, offering more options for outdoor activities.

While the area does not offer many options for stopping in civilization, it’s a quick break from reality into a beautiful world of sweeping panoramas and precariously perched rocks. You can even find some stony hoodoos that make great climbing rocks. As the road continues south, the landscape switches to cacti and brittle brush. Here the temperature can change as well, and you may need a warmer outfit.

Take some time to explore the area after finishing the byway and stop in Tucson for a day or two. Stay at the Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort for authentic architecture. Make sure to visit the Pima Air and Space Museum or the Sabino Canyon. The Mission San Xavier del Bac offers an impressive architectural site. Spend another day in the Saguaro National park before finding your way home again.

More Arizona Byways

You can check out additional Byways in Arizona by clicking on the list of byways below, or by going to the Arizona Byways home section. To find even more of scenic byways in the United States, visit our scenic byways map.

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