Backway to Mount Lemmon

The Backway to Mount Lemmon is a scenic, 28-mile point-to-point offroad route that offers drivers of all skill levels a stunning climb from the desert floor to the high-elevation pine forests of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Ideal for four-wheel-drive SUVs, SxSs, and dual-sport motorcycles, this trail begins near Oracle at an elevation of around 4,300 feet and steadily ascends to nearly 7,900 feet near the town of Summerhaven. The first half features wide, well-maintained dirt and gravel surfaces, which eventually transition into a narrower, slightly rougher mountain road with sweeping switchbacks. Along the climb, the vegetation dramatically shifts from towering saguaro cacti and desert scrub to lush ponderosa pine and oak woodlands, offering incredible vistas of the surrounding valleys and mountain ranges. Tackling this trail requires no advanced technical skills, but the upper sections can become slick and muddy during winter snows or summer monsoons, and very dusty when dry. Drivers should remain alert for oncoming traffic on the blind corners and narrow stretches as they navigate the route's 5,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain. The trail passes through areas recovering from the historic 2003 Aspen Fire, providing an educational look at forest regeneration before ending in the mountain hamlet of Summerhaven. Here, travelers can access local restaurants, cabins, and the paved Catalina Highway for an easy, scenic return trip back to Tucson.