Facilities
Facilities available at Catalina State Park.
Visitor Center / Ranger Station
The Visitor Center/Ranger Station is located at the park entrance and is open from 8 am – 5 pm daily. Entrance and camping permits are issued here. Information is available about the park and local vicinity. The visitor center features a small gift shop.
Restrooms
Flush restrooms are available in the visitor center, picnic area, group areas and campgrounds. Waterless restrooms are available at the trail head and equestrian center. All restroom facilities are handicap accessible.
Gift Shop
A small gift shop area is located in the visitor center/ranger station at the park entrance. Some of the items offered are postcards, maps, books, field guides, drinking water, snacks, sunscreen, hats and tee-shirts. The shop is open from 8 am – 5 pm daily.
Exhibits
[Michael Exhibit info.]
Group: Day Use Areas
The park offers two group areas that can be reserved for day use. There is a minimum number of 20 people required to reserve a group area. The maximum number for each area is 200 people. Each area features a 20x40 foot shade ramada, 20 picnic tables, two group BBQ grills, and a fire ring (bring your own wood).
The two group areas share a modern flush restroom facility that includes hot showers. Reservations can be made up to 12 months in advance by calling the park office at (520) 628-5798. There is a $25 reservation fee plus $6 per vehicle entrance fee. Day use hours are 5 am – 10 pm.
Group: Camping Sites
The park offers two group areas that can be reserved for overnight camping. There is a minimum number of 20 people required to reserve a group area. The maximum number for each area is 200 people. Each area features a 20X40 shade ramada, 20 picnic tables, two group BBQ grills, and a fire ring (bring your own wood).
The two group areas share a modern flush restroom facility that includes hot showers. Reservations can be made up to 12 months in advance by calling the park office at (520) 628-5798. There is a $25 reservation fee plus $15 per vehicle/per night overnight camping fee.
NOTE: Camping reservations are available only for the group areas; all other campsites are first-come, first-served. Sorry, no reservations.
Camping Sites
Overnight camping is available in 120 sites, 95 with electric and water hookups and 25 without hookups. Each campsite has a picnic table and BBQ grill. Roads and parking slips are paved. Campgrounds have modern flush restrooms with hot showers. RV dump stations are available in the park. No limit on RV length. Stay limit is 14 nights.
Campgrounds are open all year. Sites are first-come, first-served. No reservations.
Electric RV Sites
Electric RV Sites: 95 RV campsites with electric and water hookups. Both 30 amp and 50 amp service available at each site. $20 per vehicle/ per night. Sites are first-come, first-served. No reservations.
Non Electric RV Sites
Non-Electric RV Sites: 25 sites without electric and water hookups for RV’s or tenters. $15 per vehicle per night. Sites are first-come, first-served. No reservations.
Dump Station
Dump Station: Two RV dump stations are available in the park. Free for registered campers. $15 per vehicle dumping fee if not registered in the campground.
Showers
Hot showers in the restroom buildings at campgrounds and group areas. For use by registered campers only.
Picnic Areas/Shelters
The picnic area features picnic tables, BBQ grills, modern flush restroom, and one 20x40 foot shade ramada. All picnic area facilities are available first-come, first-served. No reservations. Day use hours are 5 am – 10 pm.
Hiking Trails
Hiking, horseback riding and bicycling on the trails are popular activities, with eight trails varying in length and difficulty. Leashed dogs are welcome on all trails. All trails are multi-use except Romero Ruin. Free trail guide available at Visitor Center.
The Romero Ruin Interpretive Trail (3/4-mi.) meanders through the ruins of a prehistoric Hohokam village site that is over a thousand years old.
The mile-long Nature Trail offers beautiful vistas of the Sonoran Desert and Santa Catalina Mountains, with signs explaining the desert ecosystem and its inhabitants.
The Romero Canyon Trail (7.2 mi.) and the Sutherland Trail (10.5 mi.) offer longer, more strenuous hikes through beautiful desert terrain and riparian canyons. Both climb to cool natural pools and connect with other Coronado National Forest trails which continue on to Mount Lemmon at the top of the Catalina Mountains.
The Canyon Loop Trail (2.3 mi.) is representative of the various habitat types found in the park.
The 50-Year Trail (7.8 mi.) is popular with equestrians and mountain-bikers.
The Birding Trail (1 mi.) offers hikers a chance to see some of the park's 170+ species of birds in three different types of habitats.
The Bridle Trail (1.4 mi) is the only completely flat trail in the park, connecting the Equestrian Center with the main trail head.
Equestrian Staging Area
An equestrian staging and camping area is available for visitors who trailer their own livestock into the park. Stock can be off-loaded for day rides, or riders can camp with their animals. Eight pens are available first-come, first-served (no charge for pens). Picnic tables, BBQ grills, a restroom, and drinking water are available. All park trails are open to horses except Romero Ruin Trail. Day riders pay the daily entrance fee of $6 per car. Overnight campers pay the non-hookup camp fee of $15 per vehicle per night.
Biking
Cycling is permitted on all park trails except Romero Ruin Trail.
Wildlife Viewing
A variety of desert wildlife inhabit the park, including over 170 species of birds. Mammals of interest include deer, coyote, javelina, bobcat, and jackrabbit. Most desert animals are nocturnal, so early morning and late evening viewing are best. Any of the park trails offer good opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife viewing.
Western Region
- Alamo Lake
- Buckskin Mountain
- Cattail Cove
- Lake Havasu
- River Island
- Yuma Quartermaster Depot
- Yuma Territorial Prison
Northern Region
- Dead Horse Ranch
- Fort Verde
- Homolovi Ruins
- Jerome
- Red Rock
- Riordan Mansion
- Slide Rock
- Verde River Greenway
Eastern Region
- Boyce Thompson Arboretum
- Catalina
- Fool Hollow Lake
- Lost Dutchman
- Lyman Lake
- McFarland
- Oracle
- Tonto Natural Bridge
Southern Region




