Gates Pass – Best Sunset Spot in Tucson Arizona

If you’re wondering where you can take amazing sunset photos while visiting the Tucson, Arizona area, look no further than Gates Pass! Gates Pass is a scenic road that cuts through Tucson Mountain Park and eventually leads into Saguaro National Park (West / Red Hills district). The scenery along Gates Pass provides visitors with amazing desert landscape views and some of the highest concentration of the iconic saguaro cactus — even more than what is found in Saguaro National Park. Read on if you’re looking to find out more information about visiting Gates Pass and taking some beautiful sunset photos of the Arizona desert!

Quick History of Gates Pass

Gates Pass was named after Thomas Gates, who, in the 1880s, needed a way to cut through the Tucson Mountains to get to his ranch. He purchased the land, cleared it and graded it, creating what we know today as Gates Pass.

Unfortunately, Mr. Gates’ story ends in tragedy. He took a supervisory position at the Yuma Territorial Prison and one day, inmates took him hostage and stabbed him multiple times with a knife. He survived the incident but the pain from his injuries was far too much to bear, and he eventually took his own life.

Where is Gates Pass?

Gates Pass is a scenic road that goes through Tucson Mountain Park and eventually leads its way into Saguaro National Park. There is no entrance fee and it does not close. The area I like to go for sunset photos is the “Gates Pass Trailhead” parking lot, located on the map below:

Parking at Gates Pass Sunset

I arrived here about an hour before sunset and there was plenty of parking in the lot but as it got closer and closer to sunset, the lot was completely full and people were parking on the shoulder of the road. Not sure how safe that is; the road is twisty and there is a lot of speeding along the road, so I would do your best to get here early for the sunset. Parking is free and there are restrooms.

I visited in late December, and it was pretty crowded.

Where to take sunset photos in Tucson at Gates Pass?

Once you’re parked, essentially, you could just walk out to the overlook and just snap photos there — you’ll get plenty of great shots of saguaros and cholla cactus as the sun goes down. But if you’re looking for different viewpoints, you can wander around, climb up to the little hut, or walk down a trail. There are two hills where you can scramble up for a better viewpoint. I visited both when I was here and they each give you a different perspective. There’s also a hut you can climb up to, but it is completely vandalized. If you’re going to be climbing up the rocks, you’ll definitely want to be wearing sturdy footwear.

I visit Tucson quite a bit and Gates Pass is my favorite spot for sunset photography!

Related: Planning a trip to Arizona? Read all of my Arizona-related posts here!

How much time do I need at Gates Pass

I spent about an hour and a half here — I got here a little over an hour before sunset, which I definitely recommend so that you can snag a parking spot as well as scope out the area to see where you want to take photos and/or watch the sunset. If you’re visiting at any other time, you won’t need more than 10 minutes unless you’re planning to hike. There are some trails in the area, leading down from the parking lot, but those trails didn’t look to provide very compelling sunset photo compositions – climbing up one or both of the hills gives you a much better view.

Lodging near Gates Pass

You can stay anywhere in the Tucson area – I’ve stayed at tons of hotels in the Tucson, some hotels which I can recommend and others I’d pass on! I tend to stay in the vicinity of the airport, as the area seems fairly safe. Gates Pass is located near the west entrance of Saguaro National Park (there are two areas of Saguaro National Park – East and West). Gates Pass was about a 20 minute drive for me, when staying near a hotel near the Tucson airport.

Final Thoughts – Gates Pass – Pros and Cons

I absolutely 100% recommend making the trip out to Gates Pass if you’re in the Tucson area. This is CLASSIC Arizona scenery and simply the best place to take sunset photos in Tucson — even better than in Saguaro National Park!

Pros:
Free!
Amazing location for sunset – a photographers dream!
Huge concentration of saguaro cactus

Cons:
Parking becomes scarce the closer you get to sunset.
Crowded
No official trails up the hills – you will need to do some rock scrambling

Any questions about Gates Pass? Let me know in the comments!