Santa Catalina Ranger District

The DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is the creation of Ted De Grazia who bought up the land around his original studio in the 1950s. On this 10 acre site he built an adobe mission to his own design, with adobe bricks made on site. As his collection grew, he also built a larger building which is the main gallery. The original home of he and his wife Marion, is today a smaller gallery.

The main gallery displays thousands of DeGrazia's original art works, while the smaller gallery, known as the "Little Gallery" contains exhibits displaying the works of emerging artists.

The property is interesting both for its art and architecture. It is set in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains and is a National Historic District.

Mount Lemmon Ski Valley is the southernmost ski resort in the United States. There are fifteen runs, usually open from mid-December to early April, and one chairlift which operates year-round.

Pusch Ridge, on the east side of Oro Valley north of Tucson, is an obvious landmark. The Pusch Wilderness covers the ridge and canyons. In the lower elevations are cactuses, while further up the hills is a dense concentration of pines.

This is a popular hiking area with numerous trails of varying lengths, including day hikes or multiday trips.

The area is home to many bighorn sheep protected by federal law. However due to increased residential and commercial development the population has decreased dramatically. Other wildlife in the region includes black bears and coatimundis, as well as an abundance of birds.

Rincon Mountain Wilderness is located east of Tucson, on the edge of the Saguaro National Park. It is part of the Santa Catalina District of the Coronado National Forest, with elevations ranging from approximately 3,800 feet to 7,300 feet, although the summit of Rincon Peak reaches more than 8,400 ft.

This natural area is somewhat more remote than other nearby parks and wilderness areas due to the difficulty with access. There are a few trails which lead in from Saguaro National Park and rugged 4 wheel drive roads lead in from the northwest side. Consequently, those who make the effort to get here will find some degree of solitude.

Rose Canyon is one of two canyons on the slopes of Mount Lemmon and a popular recreation area. The main highlight of the area is the six acre Rose Canyon Lake, where people come to enjoy canoeing, boating, and fishing. The lake is stocked with trout.

Bird watchers frequent the area which has gained a reputation in the Tucson area for its variety and abundance of birds. There are also many trails which can be explored on off road vehicles.

The Rose Canyon Campground features spacious sites set among the ponderosa pines. There are also day use areas for picnics and group gatherings. A mile long walking trail leads around the lake offering nice views and easy access to the lake.

Spencer Canyon, facing in the direction of Tucson, is one of two canyons on the slopes of Mount Lemmon. The area is popular with outdoor enthusiasts who come here to hike, bike, camp, rock climb, or bird watch. There is also abundant wildlife in this area and people spending time out on some of the numerous trails are likely to enjoy some sightings. In the summer Spencer Canyon is a great escape from the heat of the desert, with cool forest surroundings and lovely views from the high elevations.

There is a mountain campground located at an elevation of approximately 8,000 ft, for those looking to spend a night or two.