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Sky Islands


The Coronado National Forest spans sixteen scattered mountain ranges or "sky islands" rising dramatically from the desert floor.

Welcome to Coronado National Forest

Experience all four seasons during a single day's journey. Enjoy spectacular views from the mountains, wander through the desert among the giant saguaro cactus and colorful wildflowers in the morning, linger over lunch beside a mountain stream or lake, and play in the snow all before the day's end.

Places to Stay

Lower Thumb Rock Picnic Area in Nogales

From the desert to the mountains, discover your next destination in the Coronado National Forest.

Visitor Maps and Guides

Madera Canyon Map

Maps for every need, the way you want them:
Interactive, print and downloadable, including Motor Vehicle Use maps.

Get a Permit

The sign entering the west side of the Dragoons

Purchase your passes and permits online or at your destination.

Passes for a Year or Day

The sunsets in the Coronado National Forest

You may need to pay a fee depending on which sites you visit. Save money with a recreation pass.

Hit a Trail

Sign - Entering the Coronado National Forest

Find a spot to begin exploring the Coronado.

Animals and Plants

Yellow bird with a black head

The different forest and habitat types provide for numerous species of wildlife, extractable resources, and special places for people to enjoy the outdoors. 

Live Footage from Mt. Bigelow near Tucson, AZ

radio tower in front of a green peak over a desert

Imágenes en vivo desde Mt. Bigelow, cerca de Tucson, AZ

Website Transition

illustration of computer monitor with mountains and trees on the screen

We recently transitioned our website to a modern platform to better serve you. With hundreds of pages to update, some content may take longer to appear, and some content has been archived. Please email us if there is something you can't find!

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