Old Tucson, a Wild West theme park also used by many studios for filming movies, TV series and commercials, burned to the ground in a spectacular night time fire in April 1995. The false-fronted streets of Old Tucson had long been a favorite family attraction. Old Tucson officials were planning to rebuild the attraction when this book went to press. This superb area of forest-clad mountains sits northeast of the city, offering several recreation areas that include campgrounds. Narrow Sabino Canyon has a marvelous display of desert vegetation beside a creek that cascades down the hills of the Catalina Mountains.
Visitors park next to the visitor center.
From here, you walk, cycle, or ride a horse into the canyon, or take the shuttle train, for which a fee is charged. There are picnic areas and swimming places along the 4-mile paved roadway. There's also a trail that leads for about 12 miles to the top of Mount Lemmon. There's an exciting driving tour available in this same area, leading to and through the Mt. Lemmon Recreation Area. There are turnouts near the top that offer fine views of the basin and city.