| Tucson Mountains | |
| Photo Size: | 295px |
| Highest: | Wasson Peak[1] |
| Elevation Ft: | 4687 |
| Coordinates: | 32.2733°N -119.8°W |
| Country: | United States |
| State: | Arizona |
| Region: | Sonoran Desert |
| District: | Pima |
| District Type: | County |
| Settlement: | Tucson, Arizona |
| Settlement Type: | City |
| Map: | USA Arizona |
| Range Coordinates: | 32.225°N -111.1167°W |
| Topo Map: | Cat Mountain, Arizona, Jaynes, Arizona, Avra, Arizona, Brown Mountain, Arizona |
| Topo Maker: | USGS |
The Tucson Mountains (O'odham: ) are a minor mountain range west of Tucson, Arizona, United States. The Tucson Mountains, including Wasson Peak, are one of four notable mountain ranges surrounding the Tucson Basin. The Santa Catalina Mountains lie to the northeast, the Rincon Mountains are to the east of Tucson, and the Santa Rita Mountains lie to the south. Additionally, the Sierrita Mountains lie due south, the Roskruge Mountains lie to the west across Avra Valley, the Silver Bell Mountains lie to the northwest, and the Tortolita Mountains lie to the north across the Santa Cruz Valley.[2]
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 Park, run by Pima County. Old Tucson Studios are located just west of the Tucson Mountains.
Tucson Mountain Park was established in April 1929. The Pima County Parks Commission, with C. B. Brown as its chairman, was established to oversee the park. At approximately, the park is one of the largest natural resource areas owned and managed by a local government in the U.S. The park has approximately of non-motorized shared-use trails. The area is popular with hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians.
Saguaro National Park was created as a national monument in 1933 and later designated a national park in 1994.[3] The Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park ranges from an elevation of NaNabbr=onNaNabbr=on and contains 2 biotic communities, desert scrub, and desert grassland. Average annual precipitation is approximately 10.27inches. Common wildlife include the coyote, Gambel's quail, and desert tortoise.[4]
Brown Mountain in Tucson Mountain Park is named in honor of park founder, C.B. Brown; Kinney Road, the main thoroughfare in the park is, named for Pima County Supervisor, Jack C. Kinney who worked with Brown in the creation of the park and McCain Loop was named for J.C. McCain, the first park ranger.[5]