Gates Pass

Beautiful place to watch the sunset. And had lots of pictures taken here =) but the view is so much nicer in person.

Went for sunset last night (early September). Easy, fun and beautiful. Great for the family. The road is very narrow, so just take it slow and enjoy the drive. Because the road is so narrow, there seemed to be no «Lances» to contend with. That was a treat having recently driven up Mt. Lemon and having all sense of safety and peace ruined by those reckless idiots (note: I may have just been offended by their silly outfits too, who knows). There were a couple signs that said «No alcohol,» but it didn’t seem like a big deal. Plenty of folks were sort of picnicking/​taking in the sunset with wine and 6 packs and nobody seemed to mind. Next time, I might break out some liquid refreshment myself. Another bonus was watching sorority girls tripping around the sharp rocks in flip flops. That was funny.
So in short — drive slowly, enjoy the lack of bicycles, consider bringing a beverage, and wear actual shoes.

The range is full of hiking trails, from very easy to moderate. I have not yet come upon a highly difficult trail just yet.
Need a date night idea? Yes, the views are spectacular. It can be quite the romantic location. Perfect for new and established lovers alike.
Be sure to bring water and a small snack. You will likely find lots of people sitting out waiting for the sunset, so I recommend coming about an hour before the setting to stake out a spot. Then expect that there will be a bunch of passerbys while you wait for the sun to set. People are generally friendly out this way, so shouldn’t be a problem.

It is a must to see the sunset here at Gates Pass if you are in Tucson.
It truly is a breathtaking view. The colors from the sun is just magnificent like a golden orange — words cannot describe. And make sure you bring your camera so you can change settings as the sun sets. The camera phone will not be able to capture the best photos.
Also, make sure you wear flat comfortable shoes since you will just walk up the hill. There is no paved ledge for your heels.
There is a small parking lot so it is convenient to go to.

Stunning. One of the best hikes with a view in Tucson. I believe I did the David Yetman/​Gates pass hike. We got lost and going around the mountain took us about 3.5 hours. It was well worth the time spent. It is definitely one of the things you must do in Tucson. Even the drive out there is nice. I use to come here all the time when I was younger and the view just gets better and better.

Anyone who visits Tucson must have the opportunity to see this — the epitome of Tucson’s beauty. It reflects all the colors of the Sonoran desert. Bring your camera and go during the sunset. If you ride a convertible or moto, even better! However, watch out for the numerous cyclists on the road.
Found this place on the fly, and it’s not too far from downtown. Not a bad surprise!
Caution: May not be a great thing to drive here if you are afraid of driving down the side of a mountain.

Voted Tucson’s #1 Spot to Watch the Sunset in 2010 (by 6 of my friends). Tucson has renown sunsets and this is a hotspot to watch the sky light up with color. A long winding road there leads you into the Tucson Mountains, were you’ll find a fabulous panoramic view that overlooks the Saguaro National Park. It’s a bonding experience, so bring your family, significant other, friends, and get ready for a moment that will last a lifetime (cheesy to say, but true).

This is the way the desert West is supposed to look. The only things missing were a couple of bleached cow skulls and a broken wagon wheel.
There’s a parking lot with an overlook where the road from Tucson cuts through the mountains en route to Saguaro National Park. It is in the middle of what is called a saguaro «forest.» This forest is sand and rocks with a saguaro every 20 – 30 feet with a few mesquites and ocotillos thrown in for variety.
A few brave (or foolish) people were hiking up to the top of the peak. The bicyclists were out in force biking up a hill that would kill a mere mortal.

Amazing views here especially of the sunset! Arizona at it’s best!!!

I love this place, wish we had somewhere like it in MN (there are several places that in Tucson that I said that about while on our trip)! Beautiful views of the hills, mountains and scenery. We didn’t go at sunset, but drove there in the afternoon. Up on the hills there are a couple of little stone shacks, we climbed up to them (not used to climbing up hills, so that was good exercise for me!) My husbands cousin told us people go up there to drink n stuff, but I could see just going there to chill, it seems just looking at the views would be so calming after a stressful day.
The only thing is there’s lots of twisty, windy, up & down roads to get here and back, so be careful, and if you’re driving and tend to get carsick… you may want to take a dramamine!

If Tucson is known for one thing, it’s the beautiful sunsets. Anyone who is a Tucson resident can argue that. Gates Pass is a cute area (with windy, narrow roads. mind you) where you can pull off to the side of the road and watch the sunset with your honey. There are also tables, and paths if you get a crazy hair and feel like taking a hike.
Gates Pass is definitely a place I recommend to those that are experiencing the need to watch a good southwest sunset… bar none.

This is going to be another review from a road cyclist’s point of view so be warned…
I realize that this destination is popular for its beautiful scenery and all… but for me, I kept hearing about this place because it is one of the great «hills» to test out your cycling legs. It is a easy couple of miles from the university and its a fair climb. The first time I rode it, I was fairly scared because the bike lane is pretty much non-​existent once you leave the city. I wouldn’t recommend riding out to catch the sunset because riding back in the dark (which I’ve done) is damn scary — even with a light.
But it is a fun climb — not too steep on the way there. Once you get to Gates Pass, there is a parking lot you can pull into to catch your breath, drink some water… then go down the other side — its a steep decent. Coming back up the steep decent with no bike lane or anywhere to pull over was as fun as it gets! I’ve had a great time riding this although if you are just starting out, I would recommend «A Mountain» first to get your climbing legs ready since there is considerably less traffic there. The traffic and non-​existent bike land and bumpy pavements in some sections is why this is a four star for me.
For the non-​cyclists… if you are still reading… get a bike! Just kidding. It is a great place to drive out with your family and take a nice stroll and just take in the awesome views that are what make Tucson so striking — cactus as far as the eye can see!
Happy riding!

Gates Pass is *the* place to go to watch the sunset over the desert. It’s a winding mountain road that traverses rough terrain of the Tucson Mountains. You wind and wind and wind up the road, get to the top, and look out and see endless Saguaro cacti. Truly amazing.