Tucson Arizona Hiking
Coronado Hiking Trails
Palisade Trail #99

You’ll enjoy good views and get a tour of most of the biological life zones which grace the slopes of the Santa Catalinas along this moderate to more difficult trail. From its upper terminus at Showers Point Group Campground, Palisade Trail starts out through stands of old-growth ponderosa pine and drops down the ridge which separates Palisade and Pine canyons. Upper sections of the trail are shaded and carpeted with pine needles. Views through the trees extend into both canyons and to the Sabino Basin below. In the distance, the city of Tucson spreads across the broad Tucson Basin.

Mud Springs is the only reliable water source along the Palisade Trail, and after dropping into Pine Canyon to visit it the trail sidehills back to the ridge to treat you to expansive views of Pine Canyon, parts of the central canyons of the Santa Catalinas and the Front Range. Below Mud Springs, the trail drops into lower Pine Canyon down a two-mile series of steep but solid switchbacks which tend to be brushy and rocky for much of their length. The trail can be hard to find in this area.

From trail’s end at the junction with the East Fork Trail #24A, you can either return the way you came or turn left to the Bear Canyon Trail #29 or turn right to the Sabino Canyon Trail #23 to trailheads in the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area.

Attractions:
  A trail full of views
  Mountains to desert diversity
  Access to Sabino Basin
  Watchable Wildlife
  Arizona Trail segment

Season: All year (see notes)
Length: 6.2 miles
Elevation: 4,100'-7,800'
Rating: More difficult
Use: Moderate
USGS Map(s): Mt. Bigelow, Sabino Canyon

Click for Map

Access: Take the Catalina Highway off Tanque Verde Road in Tucson. Drive 4.2 miles to the Forest boundary and continue 19 miles to Organization Ridge Road just downhill from the Palisade Visitor Information Center. Turn left here and drive a quarter mile down the Organization Ridge road to the trailhead parking area. Trailhead parking is not available in the campground. The Catalina Highway is paved and suitable for passenger cars but it may be snow-covered in winter when chains or 4-wheel drive may be required. In winter, Organization Ridge Road is closed, so you’ll have to hike about a quarter mile to the trailhead.

Notes:
5.1 miles of this trail are within the Pusch Ridge Wilderness.

Motorized and mechanized vehicles and equipment, including mountain bikes, are not permitted in Wilderness. See the Wilderness section of this guide for more wilderness rules and ethics.

Water is available at Mud Springs only. Purification of water is recommended prior to use.
Winter can bring heavy snows and summer can be very hot on this trail.

Before using this trail, call the *Santa Catalina Ranger District for current trail conditions which can vary with season, weather and maintenance status:
*Santa Catalina Ranger District
5700 N. Sabino Canyon Rd
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 749-8700
(520) 749-8700 TTY
(520) 749-7723 FAX