You’ll find a variety of unusual and interesting things awaiting discovery in the many trails in Arizona – and Mt. Lemmon, elevation 9,159 feet (and also the highest point in the Santa Clara Mountains) is no exception. At the peak of this colossal mountain is the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory, a science learning center with the largest public-use telescope in the Southwest. But this mountain, in particular, holds some other sites that aren’t as widely known – or accessible. Come along as we explore the Mt. Lemmon plane crash site of 1957.

Related Stories

11 Easy Hikes In Arizona Almost Anyone Can Do

11 Easy Hikes In Arizona Almost Anyone Can Do

The Arizona Trail With A Cave, Rock Formations, And Overlooks You Just Can't Beat

The Arizona Trail With A Cave, Rock Formations, And Overlooks You Just Can't Beat

The Maze Rock Art Trail Is A Petroglyph Site That’s Filled With Ancient Mysteries

The Maze Rock Art Trail Is A Petroglyph Site That’s Filled With Ancient Mysteries

The Butterfly Trail Head is located on North Butterfly Road, just off the Catalina Highway (a.k.a. Mount Lemmon Road) 40 miles to the northeast of Tucson. Follow this Google map to the trailhead, and get a detailed hiking map of the Butterfly and Sunset Trail on that you can also download on AllTrails+ for offline use.

Have you done this plane crash hike in Arizona? If so, what was your favorite part? Do you know of other plane wreckage found in the mountains of the Grand Canyon State? We’d love to read about your experiences in the comments section below!

If you’re still in the mood for more Arizona adventures, take a look at this video about the the beautiful town of Sedona:

 

 

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Lysa Allman-Baldwin

Where are the best places to go boating in Arizona?

  • Kaibab Lake in Coconino County is popular for boating, camping, and fishing.
  • One of the most popular places in the state to go boating is Lake Havasu, located about an hour south of Kingman.
  • Over in Maricopa County, Lake Pleasant also offers great fishing and a variety of water sports.

Read on to learn more about some of the best places to go boating in Arizona.

Where can we go biking in Arizona?

  • In Phoenix you’ll find the Indian Bend Trail which is heavily used by both bicyclists and pedestrians.
  • The Maricopa Trail in Verrado is popular for its dramatic scenery.
  • The Canada Del Oro Trail in Tucson traverses between the Whetstone and Santa Catalina Mountain ranges.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other exciting places to go biking in Arizona.

Where can we find waterparks in Arizona?

  • In Morristown you will find Paqua Park, a popular 7,000 square-foot inflatable obstacle course waterpark.
  • The Nozomi Aquatic Center in Chandler features several diving boards, a figure-eight slide, and a multi-lane pool.
  • A bumper boat area, waterpark splash zone for young kids, and a wide array of amusement type rides awaits visitors at the Enchanted Island Amusement Park in Phoenix.

Read on to learn more about some of the other exciting waterparks in Arizona.

Explore Arizona