Flagstaff probably ranks as the Arizona city that first comes to mind when daydreaming about idyllic mountain destinations. But the tiny village of Summerhaven, just an hour’s drive from Tucson, offers some surprising similarities worth exploring — and a few unique differences.
Pine Forests Galore
What the San Francisco Peaks represent to Flagstaff, with stunning views thick with pine trees, the Santa Catalina Mountains give visitors to Summerhaven. Not far from Mount Lemmon’s 9,171-foot peak, Summerhaven sits in the middle of Coronado National Forest at an elevation about 1,000 feet higher than Flagstaff, with both averaging temperatures 15-30 degrees cooler than Arizona’s desert cities.
Epic Hikes
Flagstaff and Summerhaven are each Gateway Communities for the Arizona National Scenic Trail, which stretches 800 miles from the Arizona-Mexico border to the Arizona-Utah line. In Summerhaven, hop on part of the trail or explore other routes of beautiful terrain and equally beautiful vistas. Family-friendly and beginner options include Bear Wallow and Meadow trails, and moderate, longer treks are Mint Springs and Butterfly trails.
Souvenir Shopping
There’s no risk confusing Summerhaven with Flagstaff’s more developed infrastructure, but what it lacks in volume of retail offerings it more than makes up for in charm. The Mt.Lemmon General Store & Gift Shop is stocked with handy supplies and gifts, plus famous homemade fudge. Other eclectic local shops worth a visit are Living Rainbow Gift Shop, Sky Island Trading Company and Robin’s Nest.
Fish Tales
Compared to the numerous lakes in Flagstaff, six-acre Rose Canyon Lake might seem quaint. Even so, with regular stocking of rainbow and brown trout from April through August, it’s still a great place to cast aline. Be aware that boats and kayaks need a special permit from the Forest Service, and there have been occasional closures to protect the lake’s environmental quality — check the status before you go.
Stargazing
Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff is among the oldest observatories in the country, renowned for discovering Pluto. Like Lowell, Summerhaven’s Mt.Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory hosts a diverse range of programs for visitors who want to gaze at planets, stars and galaxies. Their flagship experience is the five-hour SkyNights program, which includes dinner, astronomy presentations and a guided tour of the universe through binoculars and Schulman 32-inch and Phillips 24-inch telescopes.
Snow Play All Day
When it comes to snow, Flagstaff receives about 100 inches a year compared to Summerhaven’s 65 inches. And both offer ski resorts: Arizona Snowbowl in Flagstaff and Mount Lemmon Ski Valley in Summerhaven. But Mount Lemmon Ski Valley stands out for being America’s southernmost ski resort, with skiing, snowboarding and sledding through deep, fluffy powder. Even when the ski hill isn’t open, the Sky Ride chairlift lets you take in the views from the top of the mountain, then indulge in fudge at The Miner’s Sweet Tooth.
Memorable Eats
Flagstaff might boast more than 200 restaurants, but Summerhaven’s handful of eateries, including the Sawmill Run Restaurant and Iron Door, exude small-town hospitality in laid-back atmospheres. If you’re looking to carb up before or afteran outdoor adventure, consider adding the Mt.Lemmon Cookie Cabin to your to-do list — especially their plate-sized giant cookies with a scoop of ice cream.
Immersion in Mother Nature
Like Flagstaff, Summerhaven is punctuated with pristine natural areas at which to spend a few hours for a picnic lunch or overnight under the stars. Popular day-use locations include the Alder, Loma Linda and Marshall Gulch picnic areas. Dispersed camping is allowed within Coronado National Forest, but if you prefer having amenities, consider Spencer Canyon, Whitetail and Rose Canyon campgrounds.
Two-Wheeled Adventures
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Both mountain towns are prime territory for cyclists, each with access to 100-plus miles of dedicated bike lanes, but Summerhaven punches above its weight. For road cyclists, the climb up Catalina Highway to Mount Lemmon is one of the most popular and grueling tests in the United States: 25 miles at a 4-6 percent grade and sections as steep as 10.5 percent. For mountain bikers, some of the top tracks include Aspen Meadow, Bug Springs andGreen Mountain trails. The ultimate test is the Full Lemmon Drop — 31 miles of white-knuckle technical descents and heart-pumping climbs.
Cozy Overnight Stays
Summerhaven has two delightful in-town accommodations, as well as plenty of vacation rentals. The Mt.Lemmon Hotel’s 19 fully equipped cabins include several that are pet friendly and one with space for up to eight guests. And Mount Lemmon Lodge is a rustic, chalet-inspired mountain lodge with 16 rooms and four cabins with full kitchens, plus an outpost of café and bakery, Beyond Bread.
Jake Poinier
Jake Poinier is a veteran freelance writer, editor, and author whose work has appeared in USAToday, Blue Water Sailing, and Golf Illustrated, among numerous other publications. When he's not at his desk writing for corporate clients and editing books, he can probably be found hiking or fishing along the Mogollon Rim, skiing in the White Mountains, or sailing just about anywhere.
