Catalina Park
Rate this placeNearby: Estevan Park El Presidio Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Catalina State Park is a popular destination in the state of Arizona.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
It covers an area of 5,500 acres and is located at the base of the Catalina Mountains. There are many good reasons to visit the park, including hiking, camping, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.
One of the main points of interest in Catalina Park is the Romero Ruins interpretive trail. This trail leads visitors through the remains of an ancient Hohokam village, dating back to around AD 500. Other popular hiking trails in the park include the Canyon Loop Trail, the Sutherland Trail, and the Romero Canyon Trail.
Catalina Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including mule deer, javelina, coyotes, and over 150 species of birds. Birdwatching is particularly popular in the park, especially during the winter months when migratory birds pass through the area.
Interesting facts about the park include the fact that it was once the site of a movie studio, where many Western films were shot in the 1930s and 1940s. The park also contains the ruins of a historic ranch, dating back to the 1800s.
The best time of year to visit Catalina Park is in the spring or fall, when the temperatures are mild and the wildflowers are in bloom. Summers can be very hot, while winters can be chilly and occasionally snowy.
In conclusion, Catalina State Park is a beautiful and fascinating destination in Arizona, offering visitors the opportunity to explore ancient ruins, hike in the mountains, and view wildlife in their natural habitat.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Agave Gulch Military
|
||
Snyder Hill Dispersed
|
||
Gilbert Ray
|
Estevan Park
El Presidio Park
Oury Park
Ironhorse Park
San Augustine Plaza Park