Sentinel Peak (A Mountain)
Sentinel Peak
A hilltop west of downtown bears a giant white "A." You can drive up to the viewpoint for panoramic views of the city and the Santa Catalina Mountains.
Sentinel Peak is one of Tucson's places of origin. At its base, along the Santa Cruz River, once stood an Indigenous village and a Spanish mission settlement, and the city's name is said to derive from the Indigenous name for this mountain. In 1915, University of Arizona students laid out the giant "A" on the slope with stones, and it is repainted every year to this day. The summit park has a viewpoint parking area overlooking the downtown skyline and distant mountain ranges, and the sunsets and night views are especially lovely. Admission is free, but the mountain road is closed at set times in the evening. It can be combined with the Mission Garden at the base of the mountain.
Opening hours
Approx. 06:00–20:00 (seasonal changes)
Nearby sights
- Mission Garden
- Barrio Viejo
- Fourth Avenue
- Tucson Botanical Gardens
- Reid Park Zoo
- Mission San Xavier del Bac
- Gates Pass
- Tohono Chul