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

A few exhibits are located in the Visitor Center.

Group: Day Use Areas

The park offers three 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, 10 picnic tables, a BBQ grill, and a fire ring (bring your own wood/or purchase from Group Area Campground Hosts). The three 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 $5 reservation fee plus $7 per vehicle entrance fee, plus a $35 facility rental fee. Day use hours are 5 am – 10 pm.

Group: Camping Sites

The park offers three 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, 10 picnic tables, a BBQ grill, and a fire ring (bring your own wood/or purchase from Group Area Campground Hosts). The three 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 $5 reservation fee plus $15 per vehicle/per night overnight camping fee plus a $35 facility rental fee.

Three of the group areas (large, small, and third) now have a solar powered 20 Watt LED flood light for the 20' x 40' Ramadas. Materials and labor donated by Citizens for Solar and the Solar Guild of Tucson, Arizona.

RV & Camping Sites

Site reservations are available by calling the Reservation Center at (520) 586-2283. You can call 7 days a week, from 8 am to 5 pm MST. There is a $5 non-refundable reservation fee per site. You may also reserve campsites 24/7 for this park online

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.

Effective immediately, from January 1 until March 31 camping fees are:
Campground A (non-electric) = $20/night
Campground A (electric) = $25/night
Campground B = $30/night
Ringtail Campground (overflow) = $15/night
Equestrian camping = $20/night.

There is a $15.00 per night fee for second vehicles. Fee will be paid upon arrival at the park. Fee does not apply to vehicles towed behind a primary vehicle when the primary vehicle remains at the site and the towed vehicle is used for transportation.

For cancellation policy see Reservation Policies: Terms & Conditions

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, and a modern flush restroom. and one 20x40' shade ramada (see next paragraph). Day use hours are 5 am – 10 pm.

A 20x40' Ramada is now reservable! It has two grills and 10 picnic tables. It is only for day use (5 am – 10 pm); no camping or wood fires are allowed (wood fires are allowed in the group area). The reservation fee is $35 plus the day use entrance fee $7/vehicle.

Hiking Trails

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

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. Twelve 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 $7 per car. Overnight campers pay the non-hookup camp fee of $15 per vehicle per night. Horses or stock animals are not permitted on the Nature Trail, Birding Trail, and Romero Ruin Interpretive Trail, or in picnic/camping areas or on paved roads.

Don't have a horse? Pusch Ridge Stables is an equestrian concessionaire near the park that offers horse rides on designated trails on the north end of the park. Visit puschridgestables.com for more information.

Biking

Biking at Catalina 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.

Download Printable Bird List ( 435 KB PDF)