Sabino Canyon, in the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson, is one of Southern Arizona’s best-known recreation areas, valued for its mountain scenery, Sabino Creek, waterfalls, bridges, and trails. Its history stretches from the mountains’ formation more than 12 million years ago and early Hohokam occupation to U.S. Forest Service administration beginning in 1905. During the Great Depression, federal relief programs built Sabino Dam and nine creek bridges as part of an unfinished road project toward Mount Lemmon. Since 1978, restricted car access and shuttle service have reflected efforts to balance heavy visitation, wildlife, and preservation, aided by local fundraising for repairs, rehabilitation, and historic stonework restoration.