Scenic Drives
Redington Road
Redington Road winds up and over a pass between the Santa Catalina and
Rincon Mountains, an area of big cattle ranches and even bigger views.
The route starts among the horse farms and suburban ranches of east
Tucson and switchbacks through a desert landscape of saguaros and ocotillos
to a broad plateau covered with high grasslands. The climb to the pass
is punctuated with eye-catching views of Saguaro National Monument,
Tanque Verde Canyon and Tucson sprawling to the west. Hiking trails
lead south from the road into Tanque Verde Canyon, which is visible
from the road as an occasional green flash of streamside cottonwoods.
Within this canyon, steep drops in the streambed become spectacular
waterfalls after a rain or snowfall. These popular spots are just a
short walk from the road and accessible via the Lower Tanque Verde
Falls trail. Use caution when traveling on foot in this area as footing
can be slippery on the loose rock and soil present here.
Higher up on the pass, the soaring ridges of the Santa Catalinas
and the Rincons dominate the views. Closer at hand, picturesque
wooden corrals
and clusters of grazing cattle bear witness to the area’s ranching
heritage. As the road wanders across the plateau among mesquite, soaptree
yuccas and barrel cactus, the layered slopes of the Galiuro Mountains
and the wide flat valley of the San Pedro River emerge to the east.
Tall saguaros reappear along the roadside as the road drops into the
valley
and continues on to the tiny ranching and farming community of Redington.
Attractions:
Desert setting
Mountain pass views
Cowboy country
See the other side of the Santa Catalinas
Hiking trails, trail biking, ATV riding on primitive roads
City lights at night
Location: East of Tucson.
Access: Take Tanque Verde Road east out of Tucson until it becomes
the Redington Road.
Mileage/Driving Time: About 12 miles to Redington. Three hours
round trip from Tucson.
Elevation: 3,000'-4,500'
Season: Year-round.
Road Conditions: Gravel; suitable for passenger vehicles in
all but the worst weather. This road is subject to flash
floods.
For further information, contact: Santa Catalina
Ranger District.
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