Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway, Tucson

Watch the desert disappear into panoramic mountain scenery along Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway. Just a short drive of 43.5 km (27 mi) takes you from the Sonoran Desert with its cacti, Joshua trees, and mesquite plants up to cool forests of oak, fir, pine, and aspen typical of the Canadian ecological zone. As you progress through the byway, you'll see wide vistas of the deserts below and the rocks and mountains above. Every 304.8 m (1,000 ft) you ascend is comparable to driving north 965.6 km (600 miles). For this reason, be sure to pack extra clothing--the temperature can vary 30 degrees from the base to the top. Get fuel and food before driving the byway; there are no convenience stops. Add Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway to your Tucson travel itinerary, and discover new vacation ideas by using our Tucson trip planner.