A dangerous road with breathtaking views to Gates Pass in Arizona
Gates Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 969m (3,179ft) above sea level, located in Pima County, in the U.S. state of Arizona.
Where is Gates Pass?
The pass is located to the west of Tucson, in the south-central region of Arizona. The first road through the pass was built in 1883.
Why is it called Gates Pass?
Gates Pass is often associated with being a gateway through the Tucson Mountains, but its name actually honors Thomas Gates, a prominent local pioneer known for his role as a saloon and ranch keeper.
How long is Gates Pass in AZ?
The road to the summit is totally paved. It’s called Gates Pass Road. The pass is 7.72km (4.8 miles) long, running east-west from Tucson to Kinney Road. It is estimated that 3,000+ cars drive through the road on a daily basis, as it has since become a popular scenic route for locals and visitors.
Is Gates Pass in AZ dangerous?
Set high along the crest of the Tucson Mountains of Arizona, the pass is well known as a dangerous drive due to its slope. The drive hits a 13% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. The road is narrow and winds around the edge of a large mountain with just a few feet space between the edge of the road and a deep drop-off to the valley below. Because of this driving danger, many people choose to take the Ajo Road to Kinney Road route to avoid the steep driving conditions. Gates Pass is not open to commercial and large vehicles over 40-50 feet long.
Is Gates Pass Road in AZ worth it?
The drive through this narrow and twisty desert mountain pass on the outskirts of Tucson is very scenic and the unparalleled desert views alone are breathtaking. The road is lined with scenic overlooks, and it is an area where locals and tourists come to watch the sunset. The area is well known for being one of the best sunset-watching locations in the country. The drive provides an exceptional place to photograph a desert sunset anytime of year or a thunderstorm over the valley during the late summer. Here you can observe a great desert landscape populated by saguaros on steep mountain slopes and see truly spectacular sunsets. The pass can be visited at any time during the day but is most popular during the hours of sunset and/or sunrise because of the amazing view its various outlooks provide. After a scenic windy drive up into Tucson Mountain Park, you can pull into one of the numerous parking spaces and enjoy panoramic views of the desert below.