If you’re looking to catch an unforgettable sunset in the Tucson area, then you should check out Sentinel Peak also known as “A Mountain.” Located in the southwest Tucson area, it’s very easy to access with lots of parking and different viewpoint opportunities just perfect for photography. Here’s everything you need to know for your visit.
Sentinel Peak history
Like other outcroppings at the eastern edge of the Tucson mountains, the peak is made up of different layers of igneous rock that are the result of different types of volcanic activity, likely occurring 20-30 million years ago.
Dating as far back as 2,000 B.C.E., the fertile land at the base of the peak was used for agriculture. Bedrock mortars found on the side of the peak are believed to have been used to grind up items like corn and mesquite beans into flour.
Eventually, the peak’s high vantage point — which rises 267 feet to an elevation of 2,901 — was used by sentinels as a lookout to watch out for raiding Apaches and later on it was even used by soldiers during the Civil War.
Fast forward to the early 1900s when the appearance of the large “A” came into existence.
The giant iconic A started as a classroom project by a group of University of Arizona students and was constructed in 1915 using basalt rock from a quarry at the mountain’s base. Over the years the A has been re-painted and in some instances it has sported different colors like red, white, and blue.
Getting to Sentinel Peak
To get to the peak simply follow directions to the address: 1501 Sentinel Peak Rd S Parking. You should see a few signs pointing you in the right direction as you approach the mountain. (Admission is free.)
It’s worth noting the park has weird hours, especially for vehicles.
Here are the hours according the park website:
Park Hours:
- Sunrise to 8pm
Vehicle Access:
- No vehicle access on Mondays
- Tuesday to Sunday: 11am to 8pm
You can follow a paved road to the parking lot which is near the top of the peak. (Be on the lookout for hikers and cyclists who might be on the side of the road.) Also, there is no guard rail on the side of the road so try not to drive crazy on your way up.
Before arriving at the main parking lot, you can park on the side of the road in a couple of areas that overlook the skyline of downtown Tucson. The views are pretty impressive here so it’s worth a stop.
As far as parking availability at the top, when we first visited on a Saturday evening there were very few parking spaces available but during the week parking should be pretty much wide open.
From the parking lot, you will have a couple of choices of how to best explore Sentinel Peak and take photos.
You can head west on a very short trail to a covered pavilion where you can look out to the beautiful Tucson Mountains and also the Santa Rita Mountains.
This pavilion is where I set up to take the following shot:
If you don’t want to stay under the pavilion, you can wander down the rocks below.
However, you can also look back towards the north where you can see Mount Lemmon and the Santa Catalina Mountains.
You could also head east on top where are you will have a view of the Rincon Mountains.
On the east side of the mountain, you will also find the short trail to the top of the peak. Well, actually there is a small network of trails that wrap around the peak on either side and have overlooks to check out. You can also hike down onto where the “A” is and even relax on the letter A.
There are also additional covered areas in this spot where you could enjoy a nice picnic in a shaded area.
One thing about Sentinel Peak is that you will find saguaros but many of them are in pretty bad condition or just were not the most photogenic.
Final word
Overall, Sentinel Peak is a must view destination for someone looking for some of the best sunset locations in Tucson, Arizona. I will say that it also seems like a popular stoner spot so if you’re looking to get away from that scene or loud music, that may not always be possible unless you venture out onto the trails or ledges.