Top Desert Parks: Catalina State Park, Arizona

Catalina State Park is one of the most accessible Sonoran Desert preserves in southern Arizona, occupying a small area of land by the western foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson. Facilities include a campground, gift shop, equestrian center, picnic areas and a several short trails, all quite easy. The scenery is typical of higher elevation regions of the desert - washes and rocky canyons cut through undulating hills and sandy flats, while the vegetation is a varied mix of bushes, trees, wildflowers and cacti.

Catalina State Park: details and map