Description:

The spectacular Mount Lemmon summit is only a 30-mile drive from Tucson along a scenic byway. Nestled in the Coronado National Forest, Mount Lemmon offers more than 40 trails with an overwhelming variety of difficulties and amenities.

The Meadow & Mount Lemmon Loop is a good choice for a cool hike in mid-summer. It has a moderate gain of 370’ but it does pose some challenges such as rocky sections, narrow paths, and steep slopes of >8°. Dogs are welcome on leash.

This hike is at the peak of Mount Lemmon – trail elevations range from 8700-9200’ – with panoramic views of the Santa Catalina mountains and the city of Tucson. The trail winds for 2.4 miles through an open forest of ponderosa pine and aspen trees. A highlight is a staircase to the fire lookout station, perched mid-hike on a rocky outcrop with 360° views of mountain ranges in all directions.

In 2020, the mountaintop and nearby town of Summerhaven burned for nearly two months in the Bighorn Fire, which was caused by a lightning strike and named after the native bighorn sheep. Today, Summerhaven has been largely rebuilt and the forest is beginning the natural process of regeneration. The hike along the Meadow & Mount Lemmon Loop crosses several burn scars where hikers can view forest regrowth.

A suggested route is to start on the Mount Lemmon trail, taking a spur to the left to view the fire lookout station. Then, connect with the Meadow trail for a one-mile hike back to the parking lot. This 2.4-mile loop can be followed in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Signs are posted at each trail intersection to keep you on route.

Hikers have a choice of two routes along paved paths. A 1-mile loop in the interior of the park is along a paved sidewalk that encircles the north lake and leads to the outdoor performance center, playgrounds, and the Tucson Zoo. The 2-mile perimeter loop follows a wide, asphalt path that is popular with runners, hikers and cyclists and passes the Cancer Survivors Plaza. These two loops converge at the north lake on the way back to the trailhead.

The park also offers a network of flat dirt paths that crisscross the park and lead to even more attractions, including the south lake. However, the dirt paths may be difficult for some hikers due to roots, ruts and sandy sections.

The parking lot has many accessible parking spaces, and it is a short walk along a paved path to an accessible restroom. The parking lot is also the location of three park attractions – a shady playground, a 2-acre dog park with separate enclosure for large and small dogs, and a rose garden with an accessible gazebo.

Many of the facilities in Reid Park are old and in need of repair. Most of the restrooms are not accessible, and many of them have stall doors that do not close. Nonetheless, the park is a clean, safe, fun place to hike, picnic, and gather with friends and family. Dogs are allowed on-leash throughout the park, and drinking fountains are designed to be dog-friendly.

A note of interest: Reid Park is about to get a major update. The City of Tucson is completing a new master plan that will include improvements to the facilities, the walking paths, and the popular outdoor performance center. These improvements will make Reid Park a premier urban hike in the city center.