The Rincon Mountains are a significant mountain range east of Tucson, Arizona, in the United States. The Rincon Mountains are one of five mountain ranges surrounding the Tucson valley. Redington Pass separates the Rincon Mountains from the Santa Catalina Mountains. The Rincon Mountains are generally less rugged than the Santa Catalina Mountains and Santa Rita Mountains. The Rincon Mountains are also included in the Madrean sky islands.

Rincón is Spanish for corner, denoting the primary shape of the mountain range. Mica Mountain (8,664 feet), the high-point of the Rincons forms the apex, with Rincon Peak (8,482 feet) forming the southern point, and Tanque Verde Peak forming the western point of the corner. The interior of the corner is Rincon Valley (south and west of Mica Mountain), primarily former ranchland currently being converted to tract housing. Colossal Cave county park, a limestone cave and popular destination, is located on the east end of the Rincon Valley, north of the community of Vail.

East of the Rincons are the Little Rincon Mountains. Between these two ranges is Happy Valley, a popular destination for locals for camping, hunting, and off-roading. Farther east is the San Pedro River.

South of the Rincon Mountains, beyond Rincon Valley is the Cienega Creek and Interstate 10.

Most of the Rincon Mountains are within Saguaro National Park, as well as the Rincon Wilderness Area, as designated by the Wilderness Act of 1984.
 

 

The Santa Catalina Mountains are located north of Tucson, Arizona, United States. Commonly referred to as the Catalinas, the mountain range is the most prominent in the Tucson area, with the highest average elevation. The highest point in the Catalinas is Mount Lemmon at an elevation of 9,157 feet above sea level and receives 180 inches of snow annually. The Catalinas were named by Italian Jesuit priest Eusebio Francisco Kino in honor of St. Catherine in 1697.

The Catalinas are located in the Coronado National Forest and also include the Pusch Ridge Wilderness Area. The mountain range is also considered a prominent range in the Madrean sky islands.

The Catalinas are a significant focus of recreational activity, with areas such as Sabino Canyon providing streams and perennial pools for visitors. Catalina State Park in the western foothills of the Catalinas attracts visitors for its hiking opportunities and permanent pools in Romero Canyon. The village of Summerhaven on Mount Lemmon serves as a popular summer retreat from the heat of Arizona's lower deserts. Mount Lemmon Ski Valley is also notable as it is the southernmost ski destination in the United States.

 

 

The Santa Rita Mountains, located about 65 km (40 mi) southeast of Tucson, Arizona, extend 42 km (26 mi) from northwest to southeast. The highest point in the range, and the highest point in the Tucson area, is Mount Wrightson, with an elevation of 9,453 feet (2,881 m), The range contains Madera Canyon, one of the world's premier birding areas. The Smithsonian Institution's Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory is located on Mount Hopkins. The range is one of the Madrean sky islands.

The Santa Rita Mountains are mostly within the Coronado National Forest. Much of the range is protected by the Mount Wrightson Wilderness. The Santa Rita Mountains were severely burned in July 2005 in the Florida Fire.

 

 

The Tucson Mountains are a minor mountain range west of Tucson, Arizona. The Tucson Mountains, including Wasson Peak, are one of four notable mountain ranges surrounding the Tucson valley.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is located on the west flank of the Tucson Mountains. Much of the range is protected by Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain County Park.

 

 

The Tortolita Mountains are a minor mountain range located north of Tucson, Arizona, USA. The Tortolita Mountains are specifically situated north of Oro Valley and Marana, two suburban towns of Tucson, with a peak elevation of 4,652 feet. Much of the mountain range is protected land within the Tortolita Mountain Park, a joint operation between Pima County and Arizona.

The Tortolita Mountains include extensive cultural resources. Native American peoples known as the Hohokam heavily occupied the area for approximately 700 years beginning around 500 AD. In the eastern foothills of the Tortolita Mountains are the ruins of Honeybee Village, a former Hohokam village preserved and maintained by the Town of Oro Valley.

Located in the eastern Tortolita Mountains is also Honeybee Canyon, a riparian area with one of Pima County's only perennial streams, Honeybee Creek. Honeybee Canyon has been the source of great contention between environmentalists and real estate developers, beginning in the 1990s. Resorts, golf courses, and million-dollar homes have been developed near the canyon with significant controversy.