Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin
Campground · Arizona · 1 bookable site ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Coronado National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 1
- Bookable site
- 20 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 4
- People per site
- 7,928 ft
- Elevation
Overview
The Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin is located within the Palisades Administrative Site in the Santa Catalina Mountains, 20 miles northeast of Tucson, Arizona. The cabin is reached via the East Catalina Highway, which becomes the General Hitchcock Highway, a historic and scenic drive that takes visitors through multiple biozones from the Sonoran Desert to the dense forests at 8,000 feet elevation. The cabin has indoor plumbing, electricity, a full kitchen, furniture, beds and an enclosed front yard.
The cabin is available from late March to early November depending on the weather.
Recreation
The Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin is approximately one hour from Tucson, AZ, 18.4 miles up Mt. Lemmon. The cabin location provides access to a myriad of recreational opportunities, including hiking, camping, birding, horseback riding, picnicking, sightseeing, mountain biking, rock climbing, and visiting historic areas. Fishing is also available at nearby Rose Canyon Lake. Winter sports are available at higher elevations, depending on snowfall; Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley in the Santa Catalina Mountains is the southernmost ski area in the United States.
Facilities
The Palisades Ranger Residence is a five-room cabin, suitable for up to four people. The cabin has a bedroom, dining room, living room, bathroom, and fully equipped kitchen. The bedroom has a queen bed, while the living room contains 2 full-size futons. The dining room has a table and four chairs. The kitchen is equipped with a propane stove/oven, microwave, refrigerator, pots, pans, utensils, dishes, and a coffee pot. The house has electricity, a propane heater, and running water.
While the cabin has amenities for comfortable lodging, guests do need to provide some of their own supplies, including food, sleeping bags, linens, pillows, towels, dish soap, matches, a first aid kit, toilet paper, and garbage bags. Although electricity is available, it is recommended that guests bring an additional light source in case of emergencies.
Natural Features
The Santa Catalina Mountains comprise one of the "sky islands" in the Coronado National Forest. From the desert floor to the upper slopes of Mt. Lemmon, biozones vary from Sonoran desert to subalpine forest, with wildlife communities that are equally diverse. An extensive trail network offers opportunities for day and extended trips, with easy access to the nearby Pusch Ridge Wilderness.Nearby Attractions
Numerous attractions are also available nearby, including: the Sky Island Scenic Byway (General Hitchcock Highway), Rose Canyon Lake, Mt Lemmon Ski Valley, The University of Arizona Mt. Lemmon Sky Center, the hamlet of Summerhaven, Arizona, as well as numerous hiking trails, and opportunities for photography and picnicing. Attractions within one hour's drive include Sabino Canyon Recreation Area and Saguaro National Park East.The facts
- 1 bookable site
- Vehicles up to 20 ft
- Up to 4 people per site
- Loops: PALISADES RANGER RESIDENCE CABIN
Site types
- 1 Cabin Electric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups.
1 campsite at Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Grade | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PALISADES RANGER RESIDENCE CABIN | PALISADES RANGER RESIDENCE CABIN | Cabin Electric | Parallel | Gravel | Slight | 20 ft | 4 | 🐾 |
Getting there
Driving Directions: From northeast Tucson, take East Tanque Verde Road to East Catalina Highway. Turn left (north) on East Catalina Highway, which becomes the General Hitchcock Highway, for approximately 23 miles to Organization Ridge Road and turn left (just before Palisades Visitor Center). The cabin is located approximately 100 yards in on the right.
32.40992, -110.71514 · 32°24'35.7"N 110°42'54.5"W
Typical weather
Typically 80°F in Jun, down to 49°F in Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 50 | 50 | 55 | 62 | 71 | 80 | 80 | 79 | 75 | 68 | 59 | 49 |
| Low °F | 34 | 33 | 37 | 43 | 51 | 60 | 64 | 62 | 59 | 49 | 40 | 33 |
| Precip in | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1.9 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin
- Can you reserve a site at Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin?
- Yes, Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin have?
- 1 site.
- What is the maximum RV length at Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin?
- 20 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin.
- Are campfires allowed at Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin?
- Campfires are allowed at Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin's operator.
Camping near Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin
- Showers Point Group Site 0.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sollers Cabin (AZ) 0.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Whitetail Campground 1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Rose Canyon 1.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Molino 5.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 2 8.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 1 8.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Palisades Visitor Center 0.1 mi · Facility
- Rose Canyon Campground 1.4 mi · Campground
- Spencer Canyon Campground 1.5 mi · Campground
- General Hitchcock Campground 2.8 mi · Campground
- Gordon Hirabayashi Campground 4.9 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 520-749-8700
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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