About the Park
Tucson Mountain Park was established April 1929. The Pima County Parks Commission, with C. B. Brown as its chairman, was established to oversee the park. At approximately 20,000 acres, the park is one of the largest natural resource areas owned and managed by a local government in the U.S. The park has approximately 62 miles of non-motorized shared-use trials. The park’s trails are open to hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers, and provide a wide range of outstanding experiences, including technical challenges, and breathtaking views. Gates Pass overlook includes interpretive displays and historic structures. Picnicking and wildlife viewing opportunities are located throughout the park.
Recreation Areas
There are three picnic areas within the park: Juan Santa Cruz, Ironwood, and Brown Mountain. Amenities available at the picnic areas are tables, ramadas, and grills.
Gates Pass Overlook is a popular observation location. It offers an excellent opportunity to view and photograph spectacular sunsets.
Also found within the boundaries of TMP are the renowned
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and
Old Tucson Studios.
Wildlife in Tucson Mountain Park
The Natural Resources Division of NRPR has been engaged in a bio reconnaissance of Tucson Mountain Park with the University of Arizona for the past several years. The project was primarily designed to confirm use of the park by mountain lions and collect DNA samples, document use of biological corridors around Starr Pass Resort by resident wildlife and local use patterns by wildlife in the park. Mountain lions were selected as the primary target species because the presence of large carnivores is often a key indicator of the continued ecological integrity of an area. Observations of other wildlife have also been documented. The wildlife cam photos file contains a few images of wildlife captured during the study. We can now show images of mountain lions utilizing remote areas of the park and the healthy population of bobcats found in and around the park.
Mountain Lions and Bobcats of the Tucson Mountains Report June 2010
Wildlife Cam Photos from UA Wildlife Study
Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan Report May 2008
Tucson Mountain Park Management Plan Background Report November 2007
Commercial and Professional Photography and Filming Special Use Permits are required for commercial photographers to use Pima County Parks for photo shoot backdrops. Per Pima County Park Rule 1.020, all commercial activity on a county park must have the prior written permission of Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation. For more information please go to the
Commercial Filming Permits link.