Catalina State Park is a state park

State park

State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...

 of Arizona

Arizona

Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...

, USA, located adjacent to the Coronado National Forest

Coronado National Forest

The Coronado National Forest includes an area of about 1.78 million acres spread throughout mountain ranges in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico....

 in the western slopes of the Santa Catalina Mountains

Santa Catalina Mountains

The Santa Catalina Mountains, commonly referred to as the Catalina Mountains, are located north, and northeast of Tucson, Arizona, United States, on Tucson's north perimeter. The mountain range is the most prominent in the Tucson area, with the highest average elevation...

 north of Tucson. Catalina State Park has an average elevation of 3000 feet (914.4 m), but varies dramatically with high ridges and low creek beds. The park includes 5493 acres (2,222.9 ha), and is administered by the Arizona State Parks in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service

United States Forest Service

The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...

.

Catalina State Park has a number of hiking

Hiking

Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...

 and backpacking

Backpacking (wilderness)

Backpacking combines the activities of hiking and camping for an overnight stay in backcountry wilderness...

 trails, including Romero Ruin Trail, Nature Trail, Romero Canyon Trail, Sutherland Trail

Sutherland Trail

Sutherland Trail is a trail near Tucson, Arizona. It is part of Catalina State Park located in Oro Valley. long, the trail connects to other Coronado National Forest trails which extend on to Mount Lemmon at the summit of the Catalina Mountains.-Namesake:...

, Canyon Loop Trail, 50-Year Trail, Birding Trail, and the Bridle Trail. Specific trails are also open to equestrians

Equestrianism

Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...

. Certain trails also connect with other trails in the Coronado National Forest, continuing to Mount Lemmon

Mount Lemmon

Mount Lemmon is in the Santa Catalina Mountains located in the Coronado National Forest north of Tucson, Arizona, United States. It is above sea-level, and receives approximately 180 inches of snow annually. Mount Lemmon was named in honor of botanist Sarah Lemmon, who trekked to the top of...

, the highest peak in the Santa Catalina Mountains at 9157 feet (2,791.1 m). The park also features several campgrounds and an equestrian center.

Catalina State Park is accessed from the town of Oro Valley on N. Oracle Road (AZ State Hwy. 77), 9 miles (14.5 km) north of Tucson.

External links

• Catalina State Park