Tucson, Arizona

Fall in love with the rich cultural heritage, history, and incredible landscape around Tucson, Arizona. Explore untouched corners of the Sonoran Desert, and allow the desert skies to suck you in. And don't forget to fuel your adventures with authentic and award-winning Mexican cuisine around the area.

Top Spots in and near Tucson

Tucson, Arizona
Bike The Loop at The Santa Cruz River Park

22 mi / 500 ft gain

The Loop is an in-development series of shared-use, hard-surface paths meant to connect all of Tucson by following the Santa Cruz River and its major tributaries. The Santa Cruz River Park contains 22 miles of The Loop (with another 40 in development) that runs along the western shore of the Sant...
Read more
Tucson, Arizona
Catch a Sunset on "A" Mountain

4.0

0.3 mi / 250 ft gain

In 1910 a group of University of Arizona students took local basalt rock and constructed a 160' block "A" on the east face of Sentinel Peak overlooking Tucson, giving the prominent peak its most commonly known name. Now the area is part of the 272 acre Sentinel Peak Park, and features a great net...
Read more
Tucson, Arizona
Hike Tumamoc Hill

5.0

3 mi / 800 ft gain

Tumamoc Hill is urban adventuring at it's finest. Park on Anklam Road, directly across from St Mary's Hospital, and follow the other hikers and runners to the trailhead.Tumamoc Hill is a one-lane paved road, trafficked infrequently by University of Arizona employees who work on the Hill's ecology...
Read more
Tucson, Arizona
Seven Falls via Bear Canyon

5.0

8.3 mi / 1381 ft gain

At the main parking lot of Sabino Canyon, there are a few different trams you can take to nearby trailheads. You have the option to either hop on a tram that will take you to the 7 Falls trailhead for $4 a person, or walk the 2 miles yourself. Once at the trailhead, signs will lead you into Bear ...
Read more
Catalina Foothills, Arizona
Hike the Sabino Canyon Trail

4.8

This popular trail is a paved road that crosses 9 stone bridges over Sabino Creek. The creek itself is pretty dry most of the year, but after a rain it's a wonderful place to cool off and escape from the merciless desert heat. Hikers, cyclists and equestrians alike share and enjoy the trail. Ther...
Read more
Catalina Foothills, Arizona
Hike Blackette's Ridge

5.0

5.84 mi / 1500 ft gain

Starting from the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area you'll want to follow signs for the Bear Canyon Trail. Don't worry about how busy it seems - most of the people you see are probably only going as far as the dam or picnic areas. There is a good chance that you'll have the top all to yourself especi...
Read more
3693 South Old Spanish Trail, Arizona
Drive the Cactus Forest Loop in Saguaro's Rincon Mountain District

5.0

8 mi / 550 ft gain

Saguaro National Park is split into two different "districts" found east and west of Tucson. In the East-Rincon Mountain District you can find over 130 miles of hiking trails. However, for folks who don't have much time in the park, are with friends and family who aren't hikers, or are literally ...
Read more
3693 South Old Spanish Trail, Arizona
Drive the Scenic Loop in Saguaro National Park East (Cactus Forest)

4.5

8 mi

The Cactus Forest scenic drive is one of two scenic drives in Saguaro National Park (the other is in the West district location). The drive in Saguaro National Park East is a paved eight-mile one way loop that runs through the heart of an extensive saguaro forest. If you’re lucky enough to visi...
Read more
Tucson, Arizona
Hike to the Bowen Stone House via Bowen Trail

2.4 mi / 300 ft gain

The Tucson Mountains are home to Saguaro National Park and the Tucson Mountain Park, the latter of which is a massive 20,000 acre park that is home to huge forests of giant saguaro cacti, a wide diversity of desert wildlife, and several long-abandoned farms and ranches like the Bowen Homestead, c...
Read more
Tucson, Arizona
Hike to Javelina Rock

5.0

7 mi / 400 ft gain

Drive through the gate of Saguaro National Park and continue straight onto Cactus Forest Drive. The 8 Mile loop takes you around to Javelina Rock parking area. Take time to enjoy this drive, it offers great views of the park and opportunities to spot coyotes and other wildlife.About 7 miles into ...
Read more
Tucson, Arizona
Desperado Loop

3.38 mi / 302 ft gain

The Desperado Loop in the Sweetwater Preserve is a great introductory mountain biking loop that is perfect for beginners, yet the Loop can also be tied into the larger Sweetwater Trail System for more advanced riders. Beginning from the parking lot, the Desperado Trail loop quickly rises to a ri...
Read more
Tucson, Arizona
Gates Pass Scenic Lookout

4.0

Get on E Speedway Blvd, and follow it West until it turns into W Gates Pass rd. Follow this for 3 miles and the parking lot will be at the top of the pass. There are a few viewing platforms that offer shade from the desert heat. There are numerous trails that you can follow to get whatever view y...
Read more
Tucson, Arizona
Tanque Verde Falls

4.2

1.93 mi / 430 ft gain

This hike starts at the Lower Tanque Verde Falls Trailhead, which is a well marked dirt lot on the left side of Reddington Road. A 4x4 would probably make the last half mile or so easier when the road turns to dirt but I made it to the trailhead in a Toyota Carolla without any trouble, so don't l...
Read more
Tucson, Arizona
Camp at Molino Basin

0 mi / 0 ft gain

Molino Basin Campground is the only campground of the Catalina District of the Forest Service to be open year round due to its lower elevation at only 4500'. Its position along the Mount Lemmon Highway makes Molino Basin a perfect basecamp for further adventures in the Santa Catalina Mountains, a...
Read more
Tucson, Arizona
Brown Mountain Trail

4.0

4.23 mi / 505 ft gain

I really enjoyed this hike. I recommend hiking the trail as a loop hike from the Kinney Road parking area. Also, the best time to hike is just before sunset. The hike is just over 4 miles total out and back with only about 500 feet of elevation gain. It has a climb at the beginning then rolls alo...
Read more
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Rock Climb the Hitchcock Pinnacle

Hitchcock Pinnacle on Mount Lemmon may be the most recognizable landmark in the Santa Catalina Mountains due to its prominence over Catalina Highway and Windy Point. Ample parking is available as are bathrooms. The Pinnacle itself features several trad, sport, and top rope routes including a seri...
Read more