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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...
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  • 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...
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  • 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...
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  • Tucson, Arizona

    Seven Falls via Bear Canyon

    5.0
    8.3 mi / 917 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 ...
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  • Catalina Foothills, Arizona

    Hike the Sabino Canyon Trail

    4.7
    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...
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  • 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...
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  • 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 ...
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  • 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...
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  • 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...
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  • 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 ...
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  • Tucson, Arizona

    Mountain Bike the Desperado Loop

    3.6 mi / 231 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 rid...
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  • Tucson, Arizona

    Catch The Sunset on Gates Pass

    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...
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  • 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...
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  • 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...
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  • Tucson, Arizona

    Hike the Brown Mountain Trail

    4.0
    4.2 mi / 500 ft gain
    I really enjoyed this hike. I recommend doing the hike as an out and back 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 a...
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  • 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...
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Camping and Lodging in Tucson

Tucson / Lazydays KOA Resort
Tucson, Arizona

Tucson / Lazydays KOA Resort

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 1
Tucson, Arizona

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 1

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 2
Tucson, Arizona

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 2

Molino
Tucson, Arizona

Molino

Rose Canyon
Mount Lemmon, Arizona

Rose Canyon

Whitetail Campground
Mount Lemmon, Arizona

Whitetail Campground

Guides, Insights and Stories from Tucson

Adventure Awaits on These 5 Day Trips from Tucson

Adventure Awaits on These 5 Day Trips from Tucson

Sara Sheehy

Desert Adventures: 72 Hours in Tucson, Arizona

Desert Adventures: 72 Hours in Tucson, Arizona

Sara Sheehy

5 Under the Radar Adventures in Tucson

5 Under the Radar Adventures in Tucson

Sara Sheehy

A Weekend in Tucson: Adventure by Day, Magic by Night

A Weekend in Tucson: Adventure by Day, Magic by Night

Sara Sheehy