Catalina State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Catalina State Park |
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Catalina State Park in Oro Valley, Arizona
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 Catalina State Park
Location in Arizona
Catalina State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Oro Valley, Pima, Arizona, United States |
| Area | 5,493 acres (22.23 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,854 ft (870 m) |
| Established | 1974 |
| Governing body | Arizona State Parks, U.S. Forest Service |
Catalina State Park is a cool state park in Arizona, United States. It's right next to the Coronado National Forest. You can find it on the western side of the Santa Catalina Mountains, just north of Tucson.
This park is huge, covering about 5,493 acres (2,223 ha) of land! The elevation changes a lot, from high ridges to low creek beds, with an average height of about 3,000 feet (910 m). Arizona State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service work together to manage this amazing place. You can get to Catalina State Park from Oro Valley by taking Arizona State Route 77. It's only about 9 miles (14 km) north of Tucson.
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Discovering Ancient History at Catalina State Park
Did you know people have lived in and around Catalina State Park for a very long time? Evidence shows that people have been here since about 5000 BCE! That's thousands of years ago.
Who Were the Hohokam People?
One of the earliest groups to live here were the Hohokam people. They were an ancient Native American culture. They built amazing structures in the area.
Exploring the Romero Ruin
The park is home to the Romero Ruin. This site has old buildings called pueblos. These pueblos were made from rock and adobe, which is a type of sun-dried brick. Scientists believe people lived in these pueblos between 550 and 600 CE. The site was used for a long time, especially between 1000 and 1450 CE.
You can also find a Mesoamerican ballcourt at the Romero Ruin. This was a special area where people played games.
Later, in the 1800s, a man named Francisco Romero built a ranch on this same spot. He likely used some of the stones from the old Hohokam buildings to construct his own house. He also built strong structures to keep his ranch safe.
Fun Things to Do at Catalina State Park
Catalina State Park is a fantastic place for outdoor adventures! There are many ways to explore the beautiful desert landscape.
Hiking and Backpacking Trails
The park has lots of trails for hiking and backpacking. Some popular trails include:
- Romero Ruin Trail
- Nature Trail
- Romero Canyon Trail
- Sutherland Trail
- Canyon Loop Trail
- 50-Year Trail
- Birding Trail
- Bridle Trail
Some trails are also open for people who enjoy horseback riding. If you're an experienced hiker, certain trails connect to others in the Coronado National Forest. You can even hike all the way to Mount Lemmon. This is the highest peak in the Santa Catalina Mountains, reaching 9,157 feet (2,791 m) high!
Camping and Horseback Riding
If you love spending time outdoors, the park has several campgrounds where you can stay overnight. There's also a special equestrian center for horse riders.
The Bighorn Fire and the Park
In June 2020, a lightning strike started a large wildfire called the Bighorn Fire. This fire burned through parts of the Santa Catalina Mountains until late July. The Bighorn Fire affected parts of Catalina State Park. It caused some damage to the trails and the plants in the area. Park staff have been working hard to help the park recover.
