Situated at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Catalina at one time resided on the outskirts of civilization. No longer. Just in the past decade since we first visited the state park, faux adobe homes and big box stores have crept to the borders. But amazingly, once within the park, it feels just as peaceful as it ever did.
Why We Love Catalina State Park
Our main reason for coming here is the excellent hiking within the park. There are numerous trails that lead into the cacti-studded mountains, ranging from easy walks to more challenging hikes up the mountain.
So Many Choices
Saguaro and cobalt sky
Click on any photo for a larger image
The Romero Pools Trail
The Romero Pools Trail is one of our favorite trails in the park. It’s a rigorous six-mile hike that climbs a rocky path to seasonal pools. It offers spectacular views of the surrounding terrain.
About The Campground
This is a popular place in the winter, for good reason. The park offers spacious sites, water and electric hookups, spa-like showers, peace and quiet, and dark night skies for $30 a night ($25 for no hookups). We could only get four nights in the park—the downside of not making reservations far in advance. But it was enough time for us to hike many of the trails in the park and to replenish our food supplies from the nearby markets. There are, after all, some benefits to civilization, including Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods.
The Saquaros are so majestic – I love the ones on the steep hillsides. Glad to see you got some rain although that part of the desert has been so green all year. Of all the critters in the area the Javelinas make me the most nervous – although maybe not the little ones! Beautiful pics of a great hike.
Jodee, we were surprised to see javelinas — in all of our years of hiking, this is the first time we’ve encountered them in the wild in Arizona. There was a herd of at least 20 that thundered across our path. We just stood still and enjoyed the show!
Another great post making me wish I were caravaning with you guys. Tell Katherine I envy her and love her green hat and shirt. You find the best places to go. All those hikes and such great bird pictures! I was really taken back by the javelina who looks huge. I thought the Florida wild pigs were bad. Do the javelina tear up the environment too? What a glorious time you are having. The header picture is magnificent.
Sherry, you’ll love hiking in Catalina SP — all of the trailheads are within a half-mile of the campground along a beautiful walking trail. The javelina don’t appear to cause problems in the wild — although I understand they wreak havoc on people’s gardens when given the opportunity.
Now a javelina is something we’ve never seen at Catalina, that must have been quite exciting! Love the Romero Pools hike. It is a shame how far in advance one must book that park to stay any decent length of time.
Lisa, it was fun seeing the javelina herd! Catalina is becoming increasingly difficult to get into, for good reason — I think next time we’ll try to book at least a couple of months ahead so that we can stay a week. We have a hard time committing. :-)
We enjoy hiking in Catalina SP, as well. The Romero Pools is such a fun hike with a great reward at the end. I imagine there was quite a lot of water with all the rain the area has seen this winter. I have a photo of that same sentinel over looking the city:) Glad you enjoyed with your friends:)
Pam, I just knew that Romero Pools would be your favorite hike in Catalina! It’s our favorite, as well. We were delighted to find so much water in the pools at the top. We’ve been there in other years when the pools were just mud puddles.
Thanks for the memories! Lovely place and photos. Did I ever tell you we were stuck in the campground once when the wash flooded? I’m sure you have seen the notice they usually post on the shower rooms about the possibility of flooding in the wash. We purposely stocked up the kitchen the day we arrived for our five day stay, and were rewarded with living well while we watched the bulldozers shove and scoop sandy mud off the road after a heavy bout of rain. I LOVE that place!
Laurie, I do remember your tale of that adventure in Catalina — I think of it every time we go there and drive through that low wash to get into the campground! That must have been quite the experience. You were wise to stock up before going into the park!
Okay, you’re only a few days away from visiting us in Big Bend. Hit the road!
It looks like you’re having great fun. Enjoy!
R&K
Riley & Karen, we’re having a blast! Wish we could join up with you, but Tucson was our furthest point this trip. Hope all is well in Big Bend — looking forward to catching up with you somewhere on the road!
I had fond memories of Catalina SP, we were snowed in and the mountains that morning was just beautiful.We enjoyed hiking and biking there. We might just stay there again one day this year.
I like that photo of you and your friend Katherine!
MonaLiza, I can just imagine how beautiful the Catalina Mountains must be with snow! Katherine loved the hike to Romero Pools — we’ve had a wonderful time caravanning together.
The last time we hiked in Catalina, we promised ourselves to make a good long reservation again some future March. Didn’t make it this year, but your stories and photos reminded me of exactly why we wanted to return. You hit all the good stuff in your four days, it seems!
Sue, we did manage to do most of the hiking we intended — it would just be luxurious to have even more time to hang out in the peaceful campground. I think February is the worst time to try for reservations because of the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show that now consumes most of February.
We adore Catalina State Park and all the hikes within the park. Your lovely photos make me want to go back for a visit. There is something about billowy clouds hanging over the desert that cannot be beat. Love that photo of you and Katherine. :)
I agree, LuAnn — the clouds and desert scenery are a magical combination. We should all meet up for a Catalina adventure — if we can manage to plan in advance! ;-)
Once I got over my confusion and realized you weren’t talking about an island near LA, this all makes perfect sense. I can walk among saguaros forever–like hiking with friends!
Thanks, Gretchen — I just added “Tucson, AZ” to the title of the post so that everyone knows we were in the desert instead of on Catalina Island. I agree, walking amongst the saguaros does feel like walking among friends. :-)
I notice you didn’t expand on Tonopah… Hahaha! We spent exactly one night there with our trailer, in a sunken dust bowl “rv park,” where we kept the door locked at all times, big dog situated as the greeter, and big frying pan ready to use in self defense. We were advised that that was the preferred spot over the casino, as gunfights were known to burst into the parking lot in the wee hours. Gotta love rural Nevada.
That’s a great story, Kim — I can just see you wielding the big frying pan in self-defense! I realized that I confused a few people by not clarifying that we were in Tonopah, Arizona instead of Tonopah, Nevada — both remote, but quite different. We enjoyed a peaceful stay in an RV park and a soak in one of our favorite hot springs that night. :-)
Great captures of the javelinas, Laurel, but I hope you were standing well back!
Thanks, Carol — they surprised us on the trail, but we just came to a halt and enjoyed the parade!