Catalina State Park
Romero Canyon hike
Romero Canyon Trail from Catalina State Park into the Pusch Ridge Wilderness.
Lower heat exposure before 9am, skip from 1pm (97F forecast at 3pm). Sunset about 6:01pm. Forecast updated 4:07am.
Check conditions before you go.
Today
Today, hour by hour. Sunset is about 6:01pm, and later hours aren't rated.
Tomorrow morning
Tomorrow from 5am to noon, if the forecast goes that far.
Photos
NWS alerts
No weather alerts for this trail as of the last update.
NWS HeatRisk, experimental
Level 1 (Minor) for 2026-10-07. HeatRisk is an experimental NWS product. For official heat warnings, go by NWS watches, warnings, and advisories.
Trail facts
Trailhead location
Census geocode of the park address 11570 N. Oracle Rd.. 32.41781, -110.93719. The map prints Catalina State Park, 11570 N. Oracle Rd., Tucson, AZ 85737, phone (520) 628-5798. The trailhead is inside the park, so the pin is the park address, not the trailhead itself. The forecast covers the same area either way. Source: Catalina State Park 2026 map address, Census geocoder.
Elevation
2,648 ft. From USGS elevation data for the map pin. The pin location is approximate, so this number is too.
Forecast area elevation
2,595 ft for the NWS forecast area near Oro Valley, AZ. The NWS forecasts for squares about 2.5 km (1.5 miles) across, so it can be hotter or cooler on the trail itself. Forecast updated 4:07am MST.
Distance and climb
The 2026 park map calls it moderately difficult. It starts at the park trailhead and immediately crosses a wash. Montrose Pools (usually dry) are within one mile. Romero Pools are within three miles after an elevation gain of 1000 feet. After the pools the trail enters unmaintained wilderness. Source: Arizona State Parks, Catalina State Park map PDF (2026).
Water
The map says seasonal streamflow at the wash. Montrose Pools are usually dry. Romero Pools are farther up. Don't count on any of it for drinking water. We haven't confirmed drinking water at the trailhead. Source: Arizona State Parks, Catalina State Park map PDF (2026).
Sun and shade
We don't have hour-by-hour shade information for this trail.
Access
USFS: the trailhead is inside Catalina State Park and the park charges an entrance fee. We haven't confirmed the fee amount. Dogs and bicycles are not allowed past Montrose Pools, per the 2026 park map. Source: USFS Romero #8 and the 2026 park map.
Official links
Nearby trails
- Pima Canyon (4.5 miles away)
- Finger Rock Trail (5.8 miles away)
- Ventana Canyon (7.9 miles away)
See also the heat guide, the monsoon guide, and today's conditions on every trail.