Guides/Off-road trails/Arizona
Off-road trail14 midifficulty: difficult

Charouleau Gap

RegionArizonaAgencyU.S. Forest Service, Pima CountyLast verified—
Charouleau Gap — off-road trail near Catalina, Arizona, Arizona
Jelieta Walinski — CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
14mi
Technical difficulty
Difficult
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
High-clearance 4WD with low range, all-terrain or off-road tires, and recovery gear. Stock SUVs without lift will drag on the rocky ledges; experienced drivers in modified Jeeps and trucks make up most of the traffic.
Best months
Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Cell coverage
Poor. Service drops within a mile of the trailhead and returns near the eastern exit.
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Charouleau Gap is a 14-mile rocky 4WD trail across the saddle between the Santa Catalina and Tortolita Mountains, north of Tucson on Coronado National Forest's Santa Catalina Ranger District. The route runs from a trailhead off Edwin Road in Catalina east to a connection with Golder Ranch Road and the Pinal County line, climbing through Sonoran desert and crossing Caada del Oro multiple times. The climb up the saddle includes the Step, a ledge feature that is the trail's defining obstacle.

This is the closest serious 4WD route to Tucson and sees heavy weekend traffic in the cool months. The trail demands a lifted, locked rig in skilled hands; stock vehicles routinely break body panels on the Step and the rocky ledges that follow. The Caada del Oro crossings run during winter rains and the monsoon and can be impassable for hours after a storm.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • The Step. Stock-height vehicles will damage panels and undercarriages here. Spotters and stacked rocks are the norm.
  • Wash crossings. Caada del Oro runs deep after rain. Wait for water to drop before attempting; flash floods kill drivers in southern Arizona every year.
  • Heat. Summer surface temperatures top 110°F with little shade.
  • Tire damage. Volcanic rock and embedded boulders puncture sidewalls regularly. Bring two spares.
  • Cell service drops. Carry a satellite communicator if running solo.

Location

14 mi · Off-road trail

Approx. location 32.550, -110.920

Current conditions

Live weather

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service, Pima County
Nearest townCatalina, Arizona
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/coronado
ClosedJun, Jul, Aug
Approx. location32.550, -110.920

Getting there

Directions

From Tucson (west trailhead). Take SR-77 north to the town of Catalina. Turn east on Edwin Road and follow the pavement to its end. The trailhead and a small pullout for staging mark the start.

From Oro Valley (east trailhead). Take Tangerine Road east to Lago del Oro Parkway, then north to Golder Ranch Road. Follow Golder Ranch east until pavement ends; the trail begins at the dirt section.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The trail crosses Coronado NF land between SR-77 and the Tortolita Mountains, with the Catalina foothills rising to the south. The Santa Catalina Ranger District manages it. The west trailhead is off Edwin Road in the town of Catalina; the east end ties into Golder Ranch Road and a network of dirt roads that exit to the Oro Valley side. Most drivers run the trail east-to-west or as an out-and-back from either side.

Trail Overview

Fourteen miles point-to-point. The western half from Edwin Road climbs gradually through saguaro flats with multiple Caada del Oro crossings. The middle section reaches the Gap, the named saddle, via the Step, a rock ledge that requires precise tire placement and gives heavily-modified rigs a bottleneck. The eastern descent winds through more rocky terrain before pavement returns near Golder Ranch Road. Most groups take three to five hours; spotters and recovery time on the Step can stretch the run.

Points of Interest

  • The Step. A rock ledge near the saddle that is the route's hardest obstacle. Most drivers stack rocks and spot each other through.
  • Caada del Oro crossings. The trail crosses the wash multiple times. After winter rain or summer monsoons, crossings can run several feet deep.
  • Charouleau Gap saddle. The high point between the Catalinas and Tortolitas. Open views north toward Picacho Peak and south to the Oro Valley.
  • Honeybee Canyon. Side canyon north of the saddle with petroglyphs and an old stone-walled corral.
  • Pusch Ridge Wilderness. South of the trail. Foot access only.

Where to Camp

Dispersed camping is allowed on Coronado NF land along the route with the standard 14-day stay limit. Most groups stage in the Catalina or Oro Valley area and run the trail as a day trip; closest developed campgrounds are at Catalina State Park (on SR-77 west of the trailhead) and Mount Lemmon's Coronado NF campgrounds via the Catalina Highway.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Run with at least one other vehicle. The Step has injured stock rigs and pulled rear bumpers off lifted ones.
  • Air down to 12-15 PSI before the rocky sections. The trail eats sidewalls at street pressure.
  • Skip the trail after rain. Caada del Oro crossings can run dangerously high.
  • Summer surface temperatures top 110°F. Plan a cool-season visit.
  • The Santa Catalina Ranger District (520-749-8700) handles current conditions.
  • Tucson Rough Riders and Arizona Virtual Jeep Club post current trail reports.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Charouleau Gap?
Charouleau Gap is rated difficult. The route runs 14 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Charouleau Gap?
High-clearance 4WD with low range, all-terrain or off-road tires, and recovery gear. Stock SUVs without lift will drag on the rocky ledges; experienced drivers in modified Jeeps and trucks make up most of the traffic.
When is the best time to visit Charouleau Gap?
The best months are Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr. Avoid Jun, Jul, Aug.
Is there cell service at Charouleau Gap?
Poor. Service drops within a mile of the trailhead and returns near the eastern exit.