Arizona has no shortage of scenic drives, but Catalina Highway is among the most awe-inspiring of all. This 27-mile route gains over 6,000 feet of elevation, featuring landscape changes as dramatic as those seen on a road trip from Mexico to Canada. There are tons of scenic overlooks and brief hikes along the way, so buckle up and get ready for a quick ride or all-day adventure; it’s your choice! Surely, this might just be the very best spring road trip in Arizona. Check out our Road Trip Essentials Packing List & Guide to make the most of your trip!

Bearing many names, including Catalina Highway, Sky Island Scenic Byway, and its official name: General Hitchcock Highway, this 27-mile road provides the only paved access to attractions on Mount Lemmon and the Santa Catalina Mountains.
AJ Yorio/Wikimedia
It gains over 6,000 feet of elevation over a relatively short distance, ascending from arid lowland deserts to cool, lush alpine forests.
Beginning in Northeast Tucson, the highway passes through Tanque Verde before entering the Coronado National Forest.
Debby Kriegel/Wikimedia
From here, a winding route full of hairpin curves ensues, traversing Molino Canyon before continuing northwesterly towards the village of Summerhaven. Be careful to mind speed limits and always drive undistracted - this route is a doozy at times!
While tourists use the highway as a thoroughfare to access campgrounds, trails, and the ever-popular Mount Lemmon Ski Valley, the highway is also considered an attraction in and of itself.
ksblack99/Flickr
According to the Forest Service, the drive offers a biological and ecological tour similar to that of the one from Mexico to Canada - all in fewer than 30 miles. Arizona's incredibly diverse range of ecosystems all visible on this route means that everyone will find a part of it to love at some point on their journey.

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The plant life along the Catalina highway is as diverse as the landscape.
Joekoz451/Wikimedia
Among the flora you'll encounter are mighty Saguaros, mesquite trees, and cholla plants giving way to enchanting oak, juniper, and pine forests, before finally transitioning to fir and aspen groves in the higher elevations. Wildflowers abound nearer to Mount Lemmon, with butterflies often spotted flitting between the vibrant spring blooms - it really, truly is the best Spring road trip in Arizona for the incredible greenery alone.
If you're up for a slightly longer adventure, stop at the scenic overlooks interspersed along the highway.
Simon/Flickr
Perhaps the most breathtaking of them all is Windy Point, which is located just beyond Bear Canyon. Sit and stay for a while, crowds permitting -- it's not often you see something quite as beautiful as this.
This more than 6,400-foot high escarpment looks out on otherworldly eroded rock formations, towering mountains, and the unparalleled Tucson Basin.
Flickr/Simon
On the clearest of days, you might even catch a glimpse of the Sierra de San Antonio out in Mexico! Some overlooks feature brief hikes that allow you to get up close and personal with the unique landscape that this particular leg of the drive has to offer.
The highway ends with a bang at the summit of Mount Lemmon -- could you picture a better finale?
Flickr/ksblack99
Either stay and play at the ski resort (it's open during the warmer months, too!) or head back down and enjoy an opposite perspective of the rapid landscape changes. No matter what you choose to do, we're certain you won't forget a trip along the Catalina Highway any time soon.

Have you ever taken Catalina Highway, the best spring road trip in Arizona? If so, what’s your favorite piece of scenery? There are so many Instagram-worthy sights to take in! Let us know which you like the best, and check out our previous article for more scenic drives in Arizona, the Grand Canyon State: The 8 Best Backroads In Arizona For A Long Scenic Drive.

Are there any restaurants, businesses, or other attractions in Arizona you think the world should know about? Head over to our nomination page and give them a shout-out — you just might see your submission featured in an upcoming article!

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best spring road trip in Arizona

tjane | February 11, 2021

What is the most scenic drive in Arizona?

Arizona has many miles of scenic drives to choose from, so it's really up to you and your personal preferences in the landscape! However, some of the more scenic drives that Arizona is known for include the SR 179 to the 89A, and the 89A South from Sedona to Flagstaff. The Catalina Highway is another breathtakingly beautiful drive, with a super dramatic scenery change from desert to the forest that you can't miss.

How tall is Mt. Lemmon in Tucson?

Mt. Lemmon is the highest point in the Catalina Mountains, with a summit that reaches 9,157 feet above sea level. Learn more about this scenic southern Arizona mountain.

Where can I find wildflowers in Arizona?

The Catalina Highway takes drivers through a sea of stunning wildflowers every spring and summer, but we feel that it's definitely among the best spring road trips in Arizona. Another popular place for wildflowers in Arizona is Hannigan Meadow, in far Eastern Arizona, and Lockett Meadow, near Flagstaff in Northern Arizona.

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Catalina Hwy, Arizona, USA