Photo: Coronado National Forest | U.S. Forest Service · Recreation.gov
Overview
Cactus Ramada 2 is a reservable group picnic site within the extremely popular Sabino Canyon Recreation Area at the edge of Tucson, Arizona. The facility is accessible and can accommodate up to 25 people. Groups can picnic, hike and ride horseback in this desert oasis of Coronado National Forest.
Recreation
Hikers are drawn to Sabino Canyon for its beauty, scenery and challenge. Three popular trails begin at the recreation area and offer access to the dramatic landscape of the Santa Catalina Front Range, famous for its deep canyons and soaring ridges. A sunset hike reveals the lights of Tucson framed by the black silhouette of surrounding mountains.
The self-guided Desert Nature Trail at the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center provides an excellent way to get to know the plants that have adapted to living in this demanding environment.
Several area trails can also be used for mountain biking and horseback riding.
Facilities
The group site can accommodate up to 25 people. Amenities include a vault restroom, picnic shelter, three accessible picnic tables, one serving table, one bear-proof trash can and one large grill.
Access to Cactus Ramada 1 is through the use of the Sabino Canyon shuttle service or by foot travel 1/3-mile to the Cactus Picnic Area from the parking area.
There are also many individual first-come, first-served picnic sites scattered throughout area. A visitor center and bookstore are nearby.
Natural Features
The recreation area is located along Sabino Creek at an elevation of 2,800 feet at the foot of the Santa Catalina Mountains. For many who come to visit the Southwest, this area provides their first close encounter with the Sonoran Desert and the fascinating variety of plants and animals that make it their home.
Winter temperatures are pleasant, and springtime brings the desert to life with numerous flowering cacti and desert wildflowers.
Nearby Attractions
The recreation area or visitor center can be used as a home base for exploring scenic and natural areas of Sabino Canyon. The city of Tucson is just a short drive away and has many attractions and amenities. Other notable places nearby include Saguaro National Park and Colossal Cave.
The facts
1 bookable site
1 site for day use only
Vehicles up to 22 ft
Up to 25 people per site
Loops: SABINO CANYON RECREATION AREA CACTUS RAMADA 2
Site types
1 Group Picnic Area
Amenities
✓ Picnic tables
✓ Shade
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, grills, pets allowed.
1 campsite at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 2
Check-in 7:00 AM · Check-out 9:00 PM
Site
Loop
Type
Entry
Surface
Access
Max rig
People
002
SABINO CANYON RECREATION AREA CACTUS RAMADA 2
Group Picnic Area
—
—
Hike In
22 ft
25
Getting there
From I-10, take exit 250 for Orange Grove Road. Go east on Orange Grove Road and proceed about 6.5 miles. Turn right on Skyline Drive. After about 1 mile, continue right onto Sunrise Drive. Follow for 6.3 miles and turn onto Sabino Canyon Road. Continue to the entrance just north of Sunrise Drive.
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Photo: Coronado National Forest | U.S. Forest Service · Recreation.govPhoto: Coronado National Forest | U.S. Forest Service · Recreation.gov
Member photos
Common questions about Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 2
Can you reserve a site at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 2?
Yes, Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 2 is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 2 have?
1 site.
What is the maximum RV length at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 2?
22 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Camping near Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 2
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