Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are dogs allowed in the Forest?
Yes, however; with the exception of service animals, dogs are not allowed in the Bighorn Sheep Management Area of the Pusch Ridge Wilderness. Popular trails in the Bighorn Sheep Management Area include Romero, Linda Vista, Pima Canyon, Finger Rock, Pontatoc Ridge, Garnet, and Ventana.
Dogs must be on a leash in developed recreation areas.
Q. Are bikes allowed on Mt. Lemmon Trails?
Yes, bikes are allowed on all non-Wilderness trails and all Forest Service System roads.
Q. Can I fish at Rose Canyon when the campground is closed for the season?
Yes, but you’ll need 1) a valid fishing license and 2) a place to legally park and hike in from the gate. You cannot camp at the lake during the off season.
Q. Is slacklining allowed?
Yes, slacklining is a permitted form of recreation on the district. We encourage all visitors to recreate responsibly and to abide by all regulations and posted signage.
Q. Where can I purchase a wood cutting permit?
Wood permits are available at Sabino Canyon from the 3rd Tuesday in October to Jan 20th.
Q. Can you carry a firearm on the Forest?
Yes, but firearms are prohibited inside all government buildings, including Palisades Visitor Center.
Q. What passes work on Mt Lemmon?
America the Beautiful Passes (ATB): Interagency Annual, Senior Annual and Lifetime, Access, Military Annual, Veteran/Gold Star Family Lifetime, and Every Kid Outdoor. Coronado Day, Week and Annual Passes are also accepted.
Q. Where can I buy a pass?
-America the Beautiful Passes: Palisades Visitor Center, Sabino Canyon Visitor Center, the Coronado National Forest Supervisors Office in downtown Tucson, and online through the USGS store.
-Coronado Annual Passes: Palisades Visitor Center, Sabino Canyon Visitor Center and the Coronado National Forest Supervisors Office in downtown Tucson.
-Coronado Day or Week Passes: Palisades Visitor Center, Babad Do’ag Vista, Sabino Canyon Visitor Center or online at www.recreation.gov.
Q. Which sites on Mt. Lemmon are fee sites?
Passes are required in the following locations: Molino Basin Trailhead, Cypress Picnic Area, Palisades Visitor Center, Middle Bear Picnic Area, Chihuahua Picnic Area, Box Elder Picnic Area, Inspiration Rock Picnic Area, Alder Picnic Area, Loma Linda Picnic Area, Marshall Gulch Picnic Area, Marshall Gulch Trailhead, Lemmon Rock Day Use Area and Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
Extra fees are required at campgrounds and the Rose Canyon Lake Area, and these locations are not covered by Coronado passes or America the Beautiful pass. Some campsites may have reduced rates for Access and Senior pass holders. Please see the campgrounds page for fees and other information.
All vistas are free to visit!
Q. Does my annual pass include camping fees?
No, however, the Senior passes and Access passes allow for a 50% discount at all Mount Lemmon campsites. Visitors should contact the concessionaire run campgrounds to check if their Senior pass or Access pass provides a camping discount. Concessionaire campgrounds include: Rose Canyon, Showers Point, Whitetail and Spencer Canyon.
Q. What campsites are reservation sites?
Rose Canyon, Showers Point, Whitetail, Molino group site. Go here for the full list of campgrounds on Mount Lemmon.
Q. What campgrounds are first come, first served?
Molino (non-group sites), Gordon Hirabayashi, General Hitchcock, and Spencer Canyon. Go here for the full list of campgrounds on Mount Lemmon.
Q. What campsites don’t allow RV parking?
General Hitchcock and Showers Point. RV sites may be limited at other campgrounds.
Q. Where can I rent a cabin?
Palisades Ranger Cabin and Sollers Cabin are available for rent on Recreation.gov. Go here to learn more. Private cabin rentals (non-Forest Service) are available for rent in Summerhaven.
Q. Where can I dispersed camp?
Our most popular dispersed camping area on Mount Lemmon is Mount Bigelow.
Q. I see volunteers helping out around the mountain and would like to know where to find out more about becoming a volunteer myself.
To learn more about volunteering and how to apply, visit www.volunteer.gov.