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Romero Pools Hike

Updated
Sagoaro overlooks the Romero pools trail
Rare water flowing in a desert wash: Romero pools trail
Romero pools trail
Romero pools trail
Saguaro along the Romero pools trail
High water at the Romero pools trail
High water conditions at the Romero pools trail
Romero pools during heavy water
Romero pools trail
Romero pools trail
map: Romero pools trail
Elevation plot: Romero pools trail

Location

How to Get There
This hike is located near Tucson.

To get to the Trailhead from the Tuscon area: Head north on Oracle Road (HWY 77). Turn right on the well signed road for Catalina State Park. Pay your $7 at the gate (as of February 2015) and drive 1.7 miles to the end of the paved road and the well signed parking area. You're looking for the Romero Canyon trailhead. There are restrooms and water at the trailhead.
To get to the Trailhead from the Phoenix area: Take I-10 South to exit 240 (Tangerine Road). Go East on Tangerine road for 13.5 miles. Turn right onto North Oracle Road (HWY 77). Take this road 0.7 miles to the signed turnoff to the Catalina State Park. Turn left here. Pay your $7 at the gate (as of February 2015) and drive 1.7 miles to the end of the paved road and the well signed parking area. You're looking for the Romero Canyon trailhead. There are restrooms and water at the trailhead.
addressone
11570 North Oracle Road
city
Tucson
state
AZ
zip
85737
country
USA
Region
Tucson Area and Southern Arizona

Hike details

Distance
5.60 [Miles] Total
Hike Distance- Details
5.6 miles for the loop hike described
Time
2.50 [Hours]
Time-details
It took us two and a half hours for the out and back to the Romero pools
Elevation Change
1,000 Total gain/loss [Feet]
Elevation Gain
1,000 Total Elevation Gain [Feet]
Elevation Details
You'll peak out after climbing 1000 feet.
Hike Trail Type
Out and Back
Special Features
Water

Season

Best Season
  • January
  • February
  • December
Worst Season
  • June
  • July
  • August
Season Details
Winter is best, although some folks like to swim in the pools in the summer.
Date Hike completed
February 01, 2015

Solitude

Solitude
Low
Solitude Details
Catalina state park is very popular. As a result, so is this trail. Don't expect much solitude here. You'll be sharing the trail with 20-40 other hikers.

Difficulty

Difficulty Rating
Moderate
difficulty detail
This is a moderate hike due to the 1000 ft steady climb.

Permits

Be Aware of
Fee to park ($7 as of February 2015)

Hike to the Romero Pools near Tuscon, Arizona.

The Catalina State Park is a popular destination and it's easy to see why. The hike along the Romero Canyon Trail to the Romero Pools is a great way to enjoy this area. The well worn trail is easy to follow for it's entire length to the Romero Pools.

From the well signed trailhead, the first thing you'll need to do is cross a normally dry wash. When we took this hike, it was after a few days of healthy rains, so the wash crossing was more interesting than usual. We took our boots off and waded across the steadily flowing wash. Once on the other side of the wash, you'll reach a trailhead junction. To stay on the Romero canyon trail, stay left here. This section of the hike gains a little elevation, but is mostly flat for about 0.6 miles until you reach the next signed trail junction (JCT_1R on the map) with the Canyon Loop trail. Stay right here. The trail now starts to gain elevation more aggressively and steadily for the remainder of the hike to the pools. This is typical sonoran desert hiking as you'll see plenty of your favorite cacti. About 0.5 miles from the previous trail junction, you'll reach a signed spur trail for the Montrose Pools. They are worth taking the short side trek down to see. Continue along the Romero Canyon trail as the trail switchbacks higher and higher. Be sure to enjoy the views as you climb. After 1.7 miles from the Montrose pools, the trail will drop into a canyon and cross the wash again. Depending on recent rains, this wash may or may not have water in it. During our hike, it had a ton of water in it! This is the location of the Romero Pools and the turn around point for this hike. The trail continues across the wash, deeper into the Coronado national forest, but these pools are a good turn around point. This is a popular swimming hole in warmer months, water levels depending. After enjoying the pools, return the way you came.

Map

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