Molino Canyon Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Molino Canyon
Molino Canyon, facing northeast from Catalina Highway
Molino Canyon Location in Arizona
Geography
Location	Santa Catalina Mountains, Arizona, United States
Topo map	Agua Caliente Hill, AZ
Rivers	Molino Creek

Molino Canyon is a cool place to explore in the Santa Catalina Mountains of Arizona. It's a deep valley with steep sides and lots of big rocks. You can find it northeast of Tucson, Arizona, right next to the Molino Basin Campground.

This canyon is part of the Coronado National Forest, which is a protected area for nature. It's amazing because you can see many different kinds of plants and animals here. From tall pine forests high up to Sonoran Desert cactus plants lower down, Molino Canyon has it all! The Catalina Highway was built into the western side of the canyon, making it easy to visit.

Discover Molino Canyon
- Where is Molino Canyon?
- Plants and Animals of the Canyon
Molino Creek: A Seasonal Stream
- Waterfalls and Pools
- Visiting Molino Canyon Vista
See also

Discover Molino Canyon

Molino Canyon is a natural wonder, carved out by water over many years. It offers a unique look at different environments all in one place. It's a great spot for hiking and enjoying nature.

Where is Molino Canyon?

This beautiful canyon is located in the Santa Catalina Mountains. These mountains are a big part of the landscape near Tucson, Arizona. The canyon sits within the Coronado National Forest, a large area of land managed by the U.S. Forest Service. National Forests are important for protecting wildlife and offering outdoor activities.

Plants and Animals of the Canyon

Molino Canyon is home to a wide variety of living things. In the higher parts of the canyon, you'll find a lush pine forest. Here, tall pine trees grow, making the air smell fresh and cool. As you go lower into the canyon, the environment changes. It becomes more like the Sonoran Desert. This means you'll see many different kinds of cacti and other desert plants. This mix of environments allows many different animals to live here too.

Molino Creek: A Seasonal Stream

At the very bottom of Molino Canyon, you'll find Molino Creek. This isn't a creek that flows all year round. It's a "seasonal stream," meaning it only has water during certain times. The creek flows southwest over huge granite rocks. As it moves, it creates small waterfalls and cool pools of water.

Waterfalls and Pools

The water in Molino Creek flows strongest at two main times. In the spring, the snow from the mountains melts, filling the creek. It also flows a lot during the monsoon season. This is a time in summer when Arizona gets heavy rainstorms. Along the creek's edges, you'll see trees like willow, cottonwood, and Arizona sycamore. These trees love the water and provide shade.

Visiting Molino Canyon Vista

If you want to see Molino Creek up close, you can visit the Molino Canyon Vista. This viewpoint is located along the Catalina Highway. It's about one mile south of the Molino Basin Campground. The Vista is a great place to see where the desert plants meet grassy areas with oak trees. From here, you can also find paths that lead down to Molino Creek.