Mount Lemmon day trip for golfers: an early round, then the drive up

A Mount Lemmon day trip is the classic way for a golfer to beat Tucson's summer heat: play at first light on the northeast side, then drive the Catalina Highway about 27 miles from saguaro desert to the pine forest at Summerhaven, near a summit of about 9,100 feet. The mountain is much cooler than town, and a fee applies for stops on the way.

This Mount Lemmon day trip guide pairs the drive with a dawn round, covers summer and winter conditions, and lists what to check before you go. Course prices were seen in 2026 and change.

Quick facts

• The drive: Catalina Highway, about 27 miles from desert to pine forest at Summerhaven.
• Summit: about 9,100 feet, against about 2,550 feet at Tucson International.
• Fee: charged for stops along the highway (Coronado National Forest).
• Summer in town: normal highs 101.2F in June and 100.2F in July.
• Winter: snow is common on Mount Lemmon in January; check chain rules.
• Best golf pairing: a first tee time at Arizona National or Forty Niner.

Why a Mount Lemmon day trip works for golfers

Tucson summer golf is a dawn activity. NOAA normals at the airport give highs of about 92F in May, 101F in June, 100F in July, 99F in August and 95F in September. Courses stay open with their lowest rates, but by late morning the round is over for most people.

That leaves the rest of the day, and a Mount Lemmon day trip fills it: the Catalina Highway climbs from desert to pine forest, and the mountain is the local escape from the heat. Our research did not measure the temperature on the mountain, so take layers and check a forecast for Summerhaven rather than Tucson.

The golf: a first tee time on the northeast side

The courses closest to the Santa Catalinas on our map sit in the northeast and east of the city. A northeast round keeps the drive to the mountain short.

Arizona National sits at the base of the Santa Catalinas near Sabino Canyon, 35 minutes from downtown. It is a membership club that sells public times online, and booking direct gets the best online rate. The Arizona National course guide has the details.

Forty Niner is an older Bell layout at the foot of the Rincon Mountains, 35 minutes from downtown. Its insider note matters in summer: the far east end of Tanque Verde Road is quieter and a few degrees cooler in the morning than central Tucson. Summer 2026 Hot Deals ran in the low $20s with a cart. See the Forty Niner course guide.

Ventana Canyon is only for members and guests of Loews Ventana Canyon and the Lodge at Ventana Canyon. If you are staying there, the two Fazio courses alternate daily between member and resort play. From Loews, Arizona National and Forty Niner are each about 29 minutes.

Other summer golf deals

If you are staying elsewhere, summer prices are low across town. These were published GolfNow prices in 2026, carts included:

Sewailo also ran a two-player summer promotion at about $100 for two with cart and range balls from May 18 to September 10, 2026. Our Tucson summer golf and cheap golf in Tucson guides have more.

A sample summer day

1. First light: tee off at Arizona National or Forty Niner. Carry extra water; June is the hottest month by normal high and very dry before the monsoon.
2. Late morning: finish, change and eat. Our where to eat in Tucson guide lists places in town.
3. Midday: drive the Catalina Highway up to Summerhaven. Pay the stop fee if you plan to pull over at viewpoints or trailheads.
4. Afternoon: walk in the pines, then come down before dark.

In monsoon season, from about July to September, storms usually build in the afternoon, with lightning, dust and flash floods in washes. On those days, go up earlier or skip the mountain, and check the National Weather Service before setting out.

Seasons: what to check before a Mount Lemmon day trip

Town figures are NOAA 1991-2020 normals at Tucson International. The Tucson weather by month guide has the full table.

Winter: a rest-day trip

In January, Tucson golf is at peak season and the mountain often has snow. That makes Mount Lemmon a good off day for a snowbird: play your weekly rounds in town, and keep a clear, calm day for the drive. Check chain and road restrictions with the Coronado National Forest first.

If the mountain is closed or the weather is poor, Sabino Canyon in the northeast offers a narrated shuttle tram and trails, with a day-use fee and separate shuttle tickets. It sits near Arizona National, so the pairing still works. Our things to do in Tucson guide covers it and the other big sights.

Packing list

• Layers and a jacket: the summit is about 6,500 feet higher than the airport.
• Water and sun protection for the golf, especially from May to September.
• Money for the highway stop fee.
• Chains or a check of road conditions in winter.

More day trips from Tucson

Golfers based in Green Valley may prefer the Santa Ritas: Madera Canyon, about 30 to 40 minutes from Green Valley, is known for birding and is the trailhead for Mount Wrightson. Tubac and Tumacacori make a half-day south on I-19; see the Tubac day trip. For a week that mixes golf and rest days, our snowbird golf schedule for Tucson shows where a mountain day fits.

Plan it on the map

Open the Tucson golf map to find the northeast courses, the foothills resorts and the stays nearest the Santa Catalinas, with drive times. The $30 plan can fit a Mount Lemmon day trip into a golf week, with tee times set around the heat.