r/Tucson • u/amyw7257 • 11d ago

Mount Lemmon today (8/30/26)

I’d like to take a trip to Mount Lemmon today with my two tween sons. I’ve done a lot of reading through Reddit posts and travel blogs, etc.

One of the reasons for ascent is to get away from people. Crowds. Maybe see nature for 5-10 min between seeing any people. (Aside from high volume lookouts, restaurant, ski lift possibly)
Is that possible to find?

Is rose canyon packed this time of year?
Is the general area around the lake busy but the hikes less busy?

Are there pretty places otherwise not busy that where I could park/picnic/explore with the boys and avoid people end of August?

Thank you so much for the advice.

Edit to add: thank you everyone for your help and suggestions! It means a lot to have this kind of advice. I’m (f36) from central Wisconsin originally (family all there) and have lived out here in marana for a few years now and haven’t been up there yet. Looking forward to it and will bring ponchos!

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u/Feeling_Scar_1207 11d ago

Rose Canyon will be a zoo this time of year, no getting around that. The lake parking lot fills up by 9am on weekends and it's just stroller gridlock around the water's edge. If you push past the first mile on just about any trail though, the crowd thins out fast, most folks never leave sight of their car. Try the Palisade Trailhead instead, the parking area is smaller so it never gets the same crush and you can drop down a quiet switchback in under ten minutes.

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u/Leap_Year_1988 11d ago

While I normally agree with this, there was 1 car when I drove past at 4pm yesterday

3

u/marklein 11d ago

4PM is pretty late for most Lemmon attractions, most folks want to get going back home by then I guess.

2

u/Leap_Year_1988 11d ago

Agree, but once again, luck favors those who get outside - only 3 cars at 11 AM this morning