Catalina State Park

We came on a whim the day before heading home. My husband and I had been dying to hike. Catalina State park was close so we headed over to check out the Alamo Canyon Loop Trail. I was a bit taken aback at the $20 entrance fee for the two of us in the car, but we decided to pay and check out what the area had to offer. Looking over the pamphlet the ranger gave us I saw they had some ruins off one of the trails which is awesome as well as picnic areas and more, Views from the parking lot are amazing so I knew once the hike started it would be even better. From the looks of it a fire must’ve swept through years ago because there was a lot of burnt brush. The Alamo trail starts across from a good size parking area and is easy to follow for most of the loop. It is pretty steep in some areas and a lot of lose rock so if you don’t handle that well it’s not recommended without walking sticks and boots. While there can’t any water during our hike it does show possible falls and water in the wash at different times of year or after a good rain. There was no shade most of the trail so go early and bring lots of water. While the hike is less than four miles it is a good workout. Mountain View’s were beautiful and some of the saguaro cacti were very old. Wish we had more time to explore. My husband who loves to hike said it was one of his favorite trails he’s done.

This was the second time we stayed at the park. We stayed 3 nights, although had to make reservations for three different sites and switch to the new site each day. The camp hosts were able to update our "vehicle tag," which was easier than going back to the camp entrance. They also did a great job keeping the campground clean and sites ready for the next camper. This time, we were able to get out on a few more trails and see more of the park. Enjoyed the saguaros, the birds, and the mountain views.

I came here for a quick hike while visit the area. The park is easy to find and easy to navigate. The staff was helpful in recommending a trail for the amount of time I had to spend in the park. Cost is $10 for one car with one person in it. $20 for one car with up to four people in it I hiked the Alamo canyon loop and it was picturesque and quiet. The trail does have some incline but nothing overwhelming and it is flat most of the time.

This is a gem of a state park. Very nice clean large camp spots. The scenery and hikes are amazing. We only had two days there. Wish we had 4. The Saguaros are amazing in the park. Make sure to hike the trails and enjoy the stars. So close to Tucson also.

We stayed in their campground for 3 days. It’s nice. That week was cold. It had snowed in the mountains. Sites are spacious. There’s electricity and water. A few hiking trails.