Gates Pass
A viewpoint at the mountain pass in Tucson Mountain Park. At sunset the saguaros, the valley and distant Kitt Peak come together in one frame, making it Tucson's most famous sunset spot.
Gates Pass lies within Tucson Mountain Park and connects the city with the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and the western district of Saguaro National Park. The pass has a viewpoint car park with a stone hut and a short trail, where you can climb rock outcrops to watch the sun set and paint the cactus valley in gold and red. The park has several hiking routes, including the David Yetman Trail. Admission is free. The car park can fill up half an hour before sunset. The road is steep with tight bends, and long vehicles and RVs are not allowed. It is about a 20-minute drive from downtown.
Opening hours
About 5:30 AM–10:00 PM
Nearby sights
- Old Tucson
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
- Saguaro National Park – Tucson Mountain District (West)
- Sentinel Peak (A Mountain)
- Mission Garden
- Barrio Viejo
- Fourth Avenue
- Tohono Chul