Pusch Ridge Wilderness
Pusch Ridge rises from the desert floor to over 9,000 feet above sea level, affording a clear view over the sprawling metropolis of Tucson. More and more people are climbing Pusch Ridge to take in that...
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net), where the full text continues.
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | U.S. Forest Service |
| State | Arizona |
| Size | 56,973 acres (Wilderness Connect) |
| Designated | 1978, by Congress |
| Center point | 32.3758, -110.8213 |
| Night sky | Some glow on the horizon (Black Marble reading 40) |
Boundary map
Boundary, simplified to about 0.005 degrees Federal campground
The outline is the agency boundary simplified for display, so small parcels and inholdings may not show. The agency page has the authoritative map.
Where to camp
No federal campground sits inside the boundary. 12 are within ten miles of it. Nearest first. Distances are from the campground point to the boundary edge, from the Campsite Atlas index.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedNogales Piles Rx
45 mi from the center point · 101 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge, and is measured from the center of a boundary that may be many miles across. Check the agency page for closures.
Explore
Nearby on the other atlases
- 0 miLemmon Rock Lookout House ↗Tucson, AZ
- 0.5 mi
- 0.8 miLowell Ranger Station ↗Tucson, AZ
- 2.4 miDrexel House ↗Tucson, AZ
- 2.6 miHall, Lewis D.w., House ↗Tucson, AZ
- 2.7 miCorcoran, John P. and Helena S., House ↗Tucson, AZ
- 2.9 miAdams, James P. and Sarah, House ↗Tucson, AZ
- 2.9 miWilson, Betty-Jean, House ↗Tucson, AZ
Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.
Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Pusch Ridge Wilderness?
56,973 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Pusch Ridge Wilderness?
The U.S. Forest Service.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Pusch Ridge Wilderness in?
Arizona.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Pusch Ridge Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1978.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Can I camp at Pusch Ridge Wilderness?
No federal campground sits inside the boundary. The nearest is Gordon Hirabayashi Campground, 0 miles out. 12 in all are within ten miles. Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from roads, with no facilities; the managing agency page has the permit rules.
Source: Where to camp
How do I get to Pusch Ridge Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 32.376, -110.821. Saguaro National Park is 7 miles away. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Is there a fire near Pusch Ridge Wilderness right now?
1 active incident within 50 miles as of 2026-09-17, the nearest Nogales Piles Rx at 45 miles. Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge.
Source: Fire nearby
How dark is the night sky at Pusch Ridge Wilderness?
NASA’s Black Marble night-lights image reads 40 on a 0 to 255 scale at the center point, some glow on the horizon.
Source: NASA Black Marble
Which national parks are near Pusch Ridge Wilderness?
Saguaro National Park (7 mi). Park Atlas has fees, hours and alerts for each.
Source: Nearby on the other atlases
Are there historic places near Pusch Ridge Wilderness?
110 National Register listings within 15 miles, including Lemmon Rock Lookout House and DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Historic District.
Source: Register Atlas
Sources
- Boundary, name, acreage, designation year, states and description: Wilderness Connect.
- Campgrounds: the Campsite Atlas index of federal campgrounds, matched to this boundary at build time.
- Trailheads and sites: the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer, points inside the boundary.
- Night sky: NASA Black Marble (VIIRS, 2016 composite) sampled at zoom 6 around the center point.
- Weather, alerts, air quality, river flow and earthquakes load live in your browser from NWS, AirNow, USGS and iNaturalist when you open the page.