Along the way you will encounter stunning views and curious rock formations. Plan this trip for early afternoon with a return after sunset. This is one of the best places to photograph the sunset, but even better to photograph the twilight and the lights coming on in the basin below. Spring, early summer, and fall are the best times. Spring and summer are beautiful times for the wildflowers with the display starting in March at the lower elevations and midsummer being best at the higher elevations.
Autumn brings in spectacular fall color.
A good full day plan is to combine a morning visit in Sabino Canyon and the afternoon on the Mount Lemmon Highway. The way to Mount Lemmon is well marked. Go north of Tucson to Tanque Verde Road and head east to the Catalina Highway. The scenic part of the drive begins about seventeen miles from downtown Tucson. The first viewpoint, Babat Duag, is 2.5 miles from the start and is a good view of the Tucson Valley.