Among the arid deserts of Arizona, a series of mountain ranges, known as sky islands, offer an escape into lush forests and rare wildlife.

These high-elevation havens break the monotony of the surrounding landscapes, inviting adventurers to discover a breathtaking array of ecosystems that change dramatically with every ascent.

Sky islands are mountain ranges in parts of southeastern Arizona and northern Mexico that have peaks with drastically different climates and wildlife than the surrounding lowland environments.

Plants and animals living in the mountains could never survive in the surrounding deserts, according to the U.S. Forest Service’s website.

The term “sky island” is an analogy, the mountains being the “islands” and the surrounding deserts making the “sea.”

“Sky Islands are places where you can see incredible plant diversity in only a few miles. It is easy to visit both deserts and alpine areas in the same day,” the Forest Service said on its website.

Where are Arizona’s sky islands?

Arizona is home to many breathtaking sky islands, particularly within the sprawling Coronado National Forest in Tucson.

This expansive forest covers over 1,000,000 acres, allowing visitors to experience all four seasons in just one day.

The elevation throughout the park varies dramatically, ranging from 3,000 feet to 10,720 feet, according to the Forest Service.

Among the most notable sky islands in Arizona are:

• Santa Catalina Mountains: With a significant 6,371-foot elevation change from base to summit, the Santa Catalina Mountains offer an impressive array of vegetation. As you ascend, you’ll find desert scrub and saguaro cacti at lower elevations, gradually transitioning to ponderosa pines on the higher south-facing slopes. The Catalina Highway, a scenic 27-mile route, winds through the mountains, showcasing this diverse plant life along the way.
• Patagonia Mountains: This smaller mountain range stretches about 15 miles and boasts a 3,221-foot elevation change. The Patagonia Mountains are accessible through a network of former mining towns that have been integrated into the U.S. Forest Service and its road system, making exploration easy for visitors. Here, you can discover evergreen oak woodlands and scrub grasslands on the higher south-facing slopes. Notably, this area is home to the endangered Pima pineapple cactus.
• Galiuro Mountains: With a 4,463-foot elevation change from base to peak, the Galiuro Mountains feature canyons that are moist enough to support trees like bigtooth maples and walnuts at lower elevations, while pine forests and aspens thrive at higher altitudes. The Galiuro Wilderness spans 76,317 acres and includes an extensive network of trails, many of which follow historic routes established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Each of the sky islands offer a unique glimpse into the diverse ecosystems found in Arizona, making them a must-visit for nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike.