Any concern re: rattlesnakes at Catalina State Park, Tucson?

[DHart]

A friend told me to avoid Catalina State Park in Tucson due to rattlesnakes. He said people were freaking out about leaving their RVs at night because rattlers are protected there and finding them in the campground isn't uncommon.

Any one have any experience with this?

[Horsedoc]

In that part of the country, there are a lot of things crawling and walking around at night that don't necessarily have scales. Just saying. . . 😉

[Lauren]

And the majority of rattlesnake bites - or at least a great portion of them - are on the arms. Duhhh.

No, Catalina is not a haven for them. Been there a few times and have never seen or heard one.

I have encountered six in the 12 years we have lived here - 4 were on golf courses. Kinda. If I had stayed in the fairway I would not have seen them! 🙂

And none in all the years we visited here before moving here.

[Dennis_M_M]

Park ranger at Saguaro National Park told us that the vast majority of rattlesnake bite victims are males under 25 - guess why!

Watch where you put your hands and feet and use a flashlight at night in the warm weather.

[DHart]

Thanks for the comments.

Yes, I live in the desert (edge of Tonto National Forest) at the far NE edge of Scottsdale (county, out of city limits) and have had several experiences with rattlers on or about my property, so I'm not new to rattlers. Just curious about what I've heard about rattlers at Catalina.

It sounds like people really enjoy Catalina. I'm looking forward to staying there.

[2gypsies1]

Yes, rattlesnakes are at Catalina....and everywhere else in Arizona and a lot of the West. Millions of people live here. I see 'Scottsdale' in your Profile. They are there, too. 🙂 Our grandkids live there and walk to school. They've seen rattlers on the pavement.

However, they don't travel in packs and they don't chase you down. Carry a flashlight at night; be aware of your surroundings; don't sit or put your hands anywhere that you can't check it out first.

Other than that....have fun!

[Briteskys]

.

[scroller95969]

When we were there in March. I saw this one not 50 ft. from the closest campsite:

It was hidden from view on the trail coming from one direction and we walked within 6 ft. of it. Glad we always keep a short leash on our dog.
One camper had one under their picnic bench while they outside not 5 ft. away from it. Heard there were numerous other sightings in the campground in the three days we were there. We just kept an eye out, watched where we stepped and stayed on the trails and in open areas. We've stayed there about a dozen times in the last 4 years and this is the first time I have seen one or heard anyone else talking about them. I think they are more abundant this year because there were thousands of those little ground hogs (or whatever they're called) roaming through all the camps.

[harley-dave]

Well, this is the desert. One must remember that almost everything here wants to sting, stick, bite or kill you. other than that it's great. have seen snakes all over but they prefer to avoid you. Keep the dogs on a leash and use a flashlight in the dark. It's a beautiful park and we go there to hike all the time.

Dave

[Lauren]

This is southern Arizona; you might encounter a rattlesnake most anyplace - particularly in the summer. Rare occasion though.

[Sourdough_Biscu]

We stayed there a couple years ago, but it was during the winter. So, less snake activity. Did we receive any "warnings" about staying inside at night? Nope. My wife DID see a snake on a hike (gopher snake?).

Time of year & personal comfort levels vary greatly....

[Old-Biscuit]

It is desert
It is only 2,650' elevation

SO YES.....there can be rattlers, Gopher snakes, Gila Monsters, desert tortoise, tarantula, and scorpions!

Call the park directly for concerns
(520) 628-5798.