How to Find Us
The Sky Center is located on a gated site at the summit of Mount Lemmon. You will be unable to drive all the way onto our site, but these directions will help direct you to where our programming begins.
1. Find Catalina Highway on the northeast side of Tucson and follow the road 27 miles towards the town of Summerhaven in the Santa Catalina Mountains.
2. Turn right onto Ski Run Road, just after the road signs depicting “Sky Center” and “Ski Valley” (pictured below) .
3. Stay on Ski Run Road for two miles until you see Ski Valley on your left and the Iron Door Restaurant on your right.
From here, review the next step and follow whichever directions are marked as “Active.”
Spring, Summer, Fall ACTIVE
Google Maps Link: Upper Forest Gate (32.440668, -110.786014)
4. Find the unlocked gate on the road just past the Ski Valley parking lot, next to a sign that says “Summit Trailheads 1.5 miles.” Drive through this gate for 1.7 miles until you reach a locked gate, designated the Upper Forest Gate.
5. Park on the right side of the road and wait for the our presenters to meet you at your program start time. They will come down this road to unlock the gate and let you up onto the site.
Winter INACTIVE
Google Maps Link: Lower Forest Gate (32.448536, -110.781334)
4. Park in the Iron Door Restaurant parking lot on the right (north) side of the road. DO NOT PARK on the left (south) side in the Sky Valley parking lot – this lot is locked at sunset.
5. Wait for the our presenters to meet you at your program start time. They will drive down in large white vans and open the Lower Forest Gate just past the Sky Valley parking lot. From here, you’ll ride up to the Sky Center in the vans with the presenters.
Gate shown open only for reference. During Winter this gate is closed and locked.
Park in the Iron Door Restaurant parking lot on the right (north) side of the road. Do NOT park on the left (south) side as it will be locked at sunset. Your presenter(s) will meet you at the locked gate at the program start time.
Important Notes
- It can take 60-90 minutes to drive to our location. Plan additional time if you wish to stop and enjoy the scenic drive.
- There are NO gas stations on the mountain. Please plan accordingly.
- Please be sure to arrive on time; we cannot accommodate late arrivals.
- You may experience intermittent cell coverage on the mountain. But if you need assistance as you make your way to our location, please contact the SkyCenter office or your program presenters. Check your program confirmation email for their contact information.