As an Amazon Associate and members of other affiliate programs, we may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through links on this page. All opinions expressed are our own, and all photos are owned by MPA Project Travels. Visit our privacy policy for more information.
Published on January 16, 2025. Last Updated on March 14, 2026.
Nestled in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, Tucson is a hiker’s paradise offering an array of hiking trails that meander through breathtaking landscapes and stunning desert flora. Whether you’re a seasoned trekker or a family looking for an adventure in the great outdoors, Tucson’s hiking trails provide something for everyone. In this blog post, we’ll explore 15 best hikes near Tucson.
These hikes will leave you to discover towering saguaro cacti, awe-inspiring mountain vistas, and beautiful sunsets. Grab your water bottle and lace up your hiking boots as we embark on a journey to uncover these desert treasures.
Quick Links for Travel Made Easy! 🏨 Find Hotels 🚗 Rent a Car 🎫 Book a Tour
Our hiking adventure: 20 hikes near Tucson
We love to hike. But usually, we are so busy when we are home in Tucson that we mostly hike when we visit other places. However, in November, I signed up for the Tucson Trails Challenge as a challenge to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful fall weather in the Sonoran desert. The challenge featured 30 hikes in 30 days in and around the Tucson area. Hikes ranged in distance from 0.27 miles to 13 miles. Some hiking trails in Tucson had elevation gains of 14 ft while others were 4792 ft in elevation. It was a fun challenge.
I set out to complete as much of the challenge as I could, bringing Buddy and Sal along when their schedules allowed. At the end of the month, I completed 20 of the 30 challenge trails for a total of 65.67 miles. I completed 50% of the total miles of the trail and hiked in many new locations in and around the Tucson area.
Our #1 hiking must have! A comfortable and practical hiking backpack.
Of my 20 hikes, Buddy accompanied me on 10 of those and Sal joined me for 7. We did 3 hikes as a family and I did 5 solo hikes and 1 hike with a friend. I also explored 3 new breakfast cafes in Tucson and Oracle, AZ. Overall, it was a fun challenge.
So out of those 20 hikes that we did, we are recommending our top 15 hikes in and around Tucson.
Pro Tip: The America the Beautiful Pass covers fees for Saguaro National Park (both locations) as well as Sabino Canyon.
Why only 15 hikes near Tucson?
If we did 20 hikes, why only share the 15?
Because out of the 20 hikes that I did, two of them were hike anywhere (and I chose to walk around my neighborhood). Of the 18 remaining hikes, 3 of them were on the Arizona Trail. So we are lumping all of those 3 5 mile hikes into one long hike. But we will talk about each segment individually.
And one last thing before we dive in, in case you want to see the hiking trails in Tucson, we created an Instagram Reel and a Youtube Vlog for each of the 20 hikes. We will link the reels and videos below each trail.
When to hike near Tucson
The fall, winter, and spring are the best times to visit and explore the Sonoran desert. This is the best time for cooler weather. Hiking during the summer months is dangerous and can be fatal. Visit between October – April for the best hiking weather.
November was the perfect month for this hiking challenge. First, the weather was beautiful with the average high at 80 F. There was only one day when it rained. Also, as the weather was cooling down, reptiles, like snakes which are usually on the trail, were in brumation. I only saw one little snake on the trail (and it is smaller than the one that lives in our backyard!).
Pro Tip: Saguaro National Park has two locations. 1. Rincon Mountain District (east) and 2. Tucson Mountain District (west).
The only drawback to hiking in November is that the sun goes down early. So given my work schedule, most of the hikes we did inadvertently became sunset (or moonlight!) hikes.
It was nice to hike these trails in mid-day, something that cannot happen in the late spring and summer in Tucson. That said, I did get two sunburns hiking in November, so make sure to take all the desert hiking precautions. Wear sunscreen and a hat, bring plenty of water, start early, and wear steady shoes. Sal did have a cactus pierce through his shoe on a trail.
Hiking near Tucson
There are a handful of national parks, state parks, county parks, and recreation areas in and around the Tucson area. Some places, like Saguaro National Park, charge a fee. Others, like Tucson Mountain Park, do not. It depends on the trail and where you park.
For this challenge, I purchased an America the Beautiful pass to cover the entrance fees for the hikes in Saguaro National Park and Sabino Canyon Recreation center as both those places had multiple hikes and are near our house. For the Arizona State parks, I paid the day fee for hiking and did multiple hikes in one day when we could. Each hike description we share specifies if they have fees. But we recommend checking the websites (also listed in the description when there is a website) for fees.
Also, the hours of each park may vary by season, with parks being open longer in the winter in general. Make sure to visit the websites for exact hours of operation for each trail. Some parks never close.
15 Best Hikes Near Tucson
1. Belmont Loop (Vertical Cliffs Trail to Abington Trail Loop)
Best for: Sunset hikes.
The details
- Location: Saguaro National Park Tucson Mountain District (west)
- Trailhead address: 6225-6201 W Belmont Rd, Tucson, AZ 85743
- Fee area: Yes
- Dogs allowed: No
- Parking: The Belmont North Access Point is not a major trailhead and has limited parking.
Important! The trailhead is NOT located at the Tucson Mountain District (west) Visitor Center.
Belmont Loop, or Vertical Cliffs Trail to Abington Trail Loop as it is named on AllTrails, is a 3.82 mile loop rated as an easy hike that can be done either counterclockwise or clockwise. If you do this hike at sunset in the winter months, you will be walking southwest into the sun through a cactus forest until you turn on Vertical Cliffs Trail. If you time it right, you can walk into the sunset then turn south at dusk.
The last segment of this trail does go through Animal Wash, a sandy dry river bed that can be challenging to walk in. Animal Wash is cooler than the surrounding areas. If you are doing this as a sunset or sunrise hike, layers are recommended.
My hike
I hiked this trail as a solo hike on a Wednesday afternoon following a work meeting in midtown. It was very quiet on the trail. I only heard two other people. The sunset was incredible! The first part of Vertical Cliffs Trail is particularly lovely. I did get cold after the sun went down so I highly recommend layers.
And there were deer near the trailhead when I was leaving. It was nice to see.
If you are visiting the Sonoran desert from out of town and want a quintessential desert hike through a saguaro forest, this hike is for you! Just know that the hike back through Animal Wash is not as spectacular as the first part of the hike. And it is very sandy!
See the towering saguaros on the trail, click now!
2. Wild Burro and Lower Javelina Trail Loop
Best for: Sunset hikes.
The details
- Location: Tortolita Mountain Park in Marana, AZ
- Trailhead address: 14810 N Secret Springs Dr, Marana, AZ 85658
- Fee area: No
- Dogs allowed: Yes
- Parking: The Wild Burro Trailhead has lots of parking.
Wild Burro and Lower Javelina Trail Loop is a 3.28 mile keyhole hike rated as moderate. If you do this hike as a sunset in the winter months, you will be walking into the sunset at the end of the hike.
This hike is located on the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain resort. The hotel can be seen from the trail. As such, there is a security guard for the resort that will stop you before the trailhead. Security will let you through when you let them know you are going to hike. But know that there is a checkpoint and yes, you are in the right spot.
My hike
I hiked this trail as a solo hike on a Friday afternoon following a huge work deadline. It was very quiet. I was the only person on the trail. And I did hear a large animal in the sand in front of me. I am almost certain that it was a mountain lion, so that was a bit scary.
Pro Tip: There is wildlife on the hiking trails ranging from lizards, to snakes, to even mountain lions and bears. Be respectful of wildlife.
This hike was an ADVENTURE. I confused the challenge trail for another challenge trail and hiked up a different way than I should have, twice! I finished the hike really late. And I was late to a party afterward (which I attended in hiking clothes with a dress thrown over). It was crazy!!! All of that is captured in the YouTube video.
But I liked this trail. And the other 7 mile one up the mountain that I almost accidentally hiked. I want to return with Buddy and Sal and hike both trails again.
I highly recommend this trail. Especially if you are staying at the resort.
See the sunset on the trail, click now!
Visiting Tucson? Find your perfect place to stay!
3. Desert Ecology Trail
Best for: Families with littles. Families of all ages. Newcomers to the desert (because of the built in scenic drive).
The details
- Location: Saguaro National Park Rincon Mountain District (East)
- Address: 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, Arizona 85730
- Fee area: Yes
- Dogs allowed: Yes
- Parking: Limited parking as the trailhead is on the scenic Cactus Forest Loop Drive. Visit early for best trail parking.
Important! The trailhead for this hike is not located at the visitor center. It is on the scenic Cactus Forest Loop Drive.
Desert Ecology Trail is a 0.27 mile loop hike rated as easy. This ADA accessible paved trail is lined with placards highlighting the flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert. Perfect for families with littles. The hike is located on the eight mile one way paved Cactus Forest Loop drive. This scenic drive is a must for travelers visiting the Sonoran desert for the first time. Parking at the can be difficult on busy days.
Pro Tip: When driving Cactus Forest Loop Drive, do not stop in the middle of the road! There are lots of places to pull off and take pictures of the iconic cacti.
My hike
I hiked this simple trail on a Saturday mid-morning with one of my best friends. We met early for breakfast at Beyond Bread on Tucson’s east side then drove over to the national park. It was my friend’s first time doing the scenic drive and she was impressed with this local gem. It is a short, sweet, and fun hike perfect for newcomers to the desert and families of all ages.
Discover the short trail, click now!
4. Upper Sabino Canyon Trail aka The “Tram Road” – Sabino Canyon
Best for: Families with littles. Families of all ages. Hikers of all abilities. Newcomers to the desert because of the desert tram ride.
The details
- Location: Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
- Address: 5700 N Sabino Canyon Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750
- Fee area: Yes
- Dogs allowed: No
- Parking: There is ample parking at the trailhead as well the Sabino Canyon visitor center, restrooms, and a coffee truck.
Upper Sabino Canyon Trail is a paved out-and-back trail rated as moderate. This is a popular hike. The trail is 7.4 miles round trip and 3.7 miles one way. The Sabino Crawler is the electric open air shuttle and tour that run from 9am-4pm daily. If done continuously, the tour lasts one hour and makes 9 stops. Visitors can get off at various stops to explore different parts of the canyon. For the most up-to-date information, visit the Sabino Canyon Crawler website.
Because of the tram, this is an excellent hike for families of all ages and abilities. Visitors can hike between stops or take the tram up and hike back down. There are also a handful of trailhead’s accessible at the various tram stops so taking the tram up to do a different hike in the recreation area is also a possibility.
Pro Tip: The fee to ride the tram is in addition to the daily entrance fee to Sabino Canyon. An America the Beautiful pass works at Sabino Canyon Recreation area.
Our hike
Buddy and I hiked this trail on a late Saturday morning in November. We did this trail as a part of a 10 mile loop hiking up Sabino Tram trail and then hiking down Phoneline Trail. It took us 4 hours and 10 minutes. It was a fun day!
About the tram, the hiking challenge had us hike up the paved tram road. I have never taken the tram in Sabino Canyon, but do want to ride it up to the trailhead to hike to Hutch’s Pool. Buddy, on the other hand, has. This is what he has to say.
A Teenager’s Perspective
I went when I was a kid. It was a very fun ride up and back. I recommend it for families that don’t really want to hike up that road, or people that are just jumping from trailhead to trailhead.
Discover the trail in motion, click now!
5. Nature Trail at Oracle State Park
Best for: Nature viewing. Bird watching.
The details
- Location: Oracle State Park
- Address: 3820 E Wildlife Dr, Oracle, AZ 85623
- Fee area: Yes
- Dogs allowed: Yes
- Parking: The main parking lot for Oracle State Park is also the parking lot for the trailhead.
Located north of Tucson near Oracle, AZ, the Nature Trail is a short 1.14 miles loop rated as easy. This short hike has a nature viewing area that overlooks a watering hole. It is a great place to watch animals. The trail also features placards describing the flora and fauna of the high desert. We loved learning more about the beautiful manzanita plant.
The trailhead is accessible from the park’s main parking lot. There are two entrances to the trail from the parking lot and you can take either entrance.
Important! Oracle is at a higher elevation than Tucson at approximately 4500 ft. Arizona’s iconic Saguaro cacti do not grow at this elevation.
Our hike
Sal and I hiked Oracle State Park’s nature trail on a Sunday afternoon. We did a day trip to Oracle and began with breakfast at Oracle Patio Cafe & Food Market. We highly recommend this local restaurant. The food was delicious, especially the coffee and the pie. And the market was really cute!
On the trail itself we saw some birds. And the views of the mountains were beautiful. It was a nice day trip.
Pro Tip: Oracle State Park is an International Dark Sky Park. After hiking, stay for a star party. Star parties are hosted once a month during the winter. Visit the website for the most up-to-date information.
I visited Oracle State Park for an arts in the park event after dark and the sky was beautiful! I highly recommend a star party!
See the trail in motion, click now!
6. Canyon Loop
Best desert hike with mountain views.
The details
- Location: Catalina State Park
- Address: 11570 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85737
- Fee area: Yes
- Dogs allowed: Yes
- Parking: There is ample parking at the main trailhead as well as coffee, picnic tables, and a seasonal gifts shop.
Located north of Tucson in Oro Valley, AZ, Canyon Loop Trail is a 2.3 mile loop rated as easy to moderate. This trail has beautiful views of the Santa Catalina Mountains. It is a gorgeous hike filled with cacti, dry desert washes (or arroyos), and endless open blue skies. On a clear day you can see desert vistas and mountains beyond the horizon when hiking south. It is a beautiful hike.
Our hike
Buddy and I did this hike on a mid-morning on a Sunday in November. This was the first of two hikes that we did that day at Catalina State Park. In my opinion, this hike had the best mountain views of all of the hikes we did during the challenge. It made me wish we had enough time to hike to the Romero Pools on Romero Canyon Trail. Maybe next time!
Check at the beautiful mountains on our Instagram reel, click now!
7. Sycamore Reservoir Trail to Bear Canyon
Best mountain hike.
The details
- Location: Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Area off of Catalina Highway near Milepost 7
- Address: N Prison Camp Rd, Tucson, AZ 85749
- Fee area: No if you park outside of the gate before the fee area. Yes if you park in the campground or fee area.
- Dogs allowed: Yes
- Parking: There are two options for parking near the trailhead. If you park outside the gated area and walk to the trailhead, parking is free. But it will add a bit to your hike. If you are already camping at the campground, or do not want to park outside the gate, then there is a fee. There is lots of parking near the trailhead.
Pro Tip: Our map on AllTrails begins outside of the fee area.
Located on Catalina Highway, Sycamore Reservoir Trail is a 5.2 out-and-back segment on the Arizona Trail rated as moderate. The AllTrails version of this hike is 7.4 miles. But we created a map of this hike for you. The trail is rated as moderate and has lovely views of Southern Arizona’s sky islands.
There is a reservoir in the area that hikers can visit. The hiking challenge did not take us to the area of the reservoir.
Our hike
We did this hike as a family early Thanksgiving morning. The riparian areas of the mountains had leaves changing colors for fall and it was beautiful. There was a dry river with lots of cottonwood trees. This was the only hike of the challenge that we did that was truly a mountain hike (instead of a desert hike).
Pro Tip: There are bears in the area. If hiking, bring bear spray. And make to read the directions and you know how to use it. Just in case!
We hiked through an area full of manzanita with bright red berries. And we did hear the rustling of large animals near us in the canyon. There are bears in the area – hence the name Bear Canyon. So make sure you are prepared as there is wildlife in the area.
It was a beautiful Thanksgiving hike.
Discover the trail in motion, click now!
8. Nature Trail at Catalina State Park
Best hike for elementary aged kids.
The details
- Location: Catalina State Park
- Address: 11570 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85737
- Fee area: Yes
- Dogs allowed: Yes
- Parking: There is ample parking at the trailhead as well as a visitor center, restrooms, and a coffee truck.
The Nature Trail at Catalina State Park is a short 1.13 mile keyhole hike rated as easy. There is a bit of an elevation gain at the beginning of the hike. Because of the fun informational placards describing the animals of the Sonoran desert, this is a great hike for elementary aged kids who like animals and the outdoors. Catalina State Park is north of Tucson in Oro Valley, AZ.
Our hike
Buddy and I did this hike on a Sunday afternoon after hiking the Canyon Loop trail. We did the two short hikes in one day.
Discover the trail in motion, click now!
9. Mica View Trail
The best hike through a cactus forest. And for visitors with limited time.
The details
- Location: Saguaro National Park Rincon Mountain District (East)
- Address: Mica View Picnic Area, Mica View Trail, Tucson, AZ 85748
- Fee area: Yes
- Dogs allowed: Yes
- Parking: There is parking at both ends of the trail. Both parking lots can be seen on the map.
Important! The trailhead for this hike is not located at the visitor center. There are two places where you can park for this trail. 1. At the parking off of Cactus Forest Loop Drive at the address listed above or 2. At the Broadway trailhead at the end of Broadway Blvd.
As locals, we usually park on Broadway at the Broadway trailhead to avoid having to do the entire one-way scenic drive to reach the trailhead. Plus, the Broadway parking lot is closer to our house.
Mica View Trail is a short 1.4 mile out-and-back hike in Saguaro National Park East rated as easy. This very popular hike gets you up close and personal with saguaro cactus. There is a picnic area at the trailhead that is perfect for lunch.
This hike is best for visitors to Tucson who have limited time but want to get out and see the iconic saguaro cacti. It is an easy hike that puts you in the heart of the desert.
Our hike
For the challenge, I did this hike with Sal on a Sunday morning in early November. As this easy hike is close to our house, we have done this one before. I chose to do this hike on a day it was going to rain so we could get in a hike without getting soaked. After our hike, we are at a nearby local cafe Margie’s Kitchen for breakfast. It started raining when we were at the cafe!
Discover the trail in motion, click now!
10. Bobcat Ridge, Little Cat Mountain Loop
Best trail for shade – if you hike in the early morning or late afternoon. Great mountain biking trails.
The details
- Location: Pima County’s Tucson Mountain Park Sarasota Trailhead
- Address: 2737 S Sarasota Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85713
- Fee area: No
- Dogs allowed: No
- Parking: There is lots of parking at the trailhead.
Bobcat Ridge and Little Cat Mountain Loop in the Tucson Mountains is a 5.5 mile keyhole trail rated as moderate. Nestled between two mountains, the hike will be shaded if done early in the morning or evening. It is also an excellent trail for mountain biking. As such, you will share the trail with mountain bikers so be mindful about letting them pass as you hike.
Pro Tip: There is very little shade on desert hikes. To avoid the sun, hike early or late in the day.
There is a network of color coded hiking trails in this area. The trails are well marked and there are lots of different species of cholla cactus on this trail. Some even look fuzzy enough to touch! But beware of the cactus and wear sturdy shoes. Sal stepped on a cholla that poked through the bottom of his shoe on this hike.
Our hike
Sal and I did this hike on Tucson’s west side on a Monday afternoon. We inadvertently did a sunset hike, but were behind the mountain so we missed the sunset. It was a fun hike. I really enjoyed the “fluffy” looking cholla!
Discover the trail in motion – click now!
11. Tumamoc Hill
Best city hike!
The details
- Location: Tumamoc Hill
- Address: 21675 W. Anklam RD Tucson, AZ 85745
- Fee area: No
- Dogs allowed: No
- Parking: There is a small parking lot near the trailhead and street parking on Anklam. Do not park in the St. Mary’s Hospital parking lots.
Tumamoc Hill is a paved 2.9 mile out-and-back trail rated as moderate. This trail is a hot spot for Tucsonans who want an outdoor workout and is an especially popular hike after work hours. This is a great trail for strollers if you want to bring the littles. Just know that the trail is steep in some areas.
The University of Arizona’s Desert Laboratory is located on Tumamoc Hill. There are buildings along the trail. And sometimes cars will drive on the pave road, so be mindful of vehicles. If you are new to the desert, there are placards with information about the desert on the trail.
Tumamoc is a popular local Tucson workout spot. And it is always packed when the weather is good (cool) unless you go really early in the morning or at night. Remember to observe the hours the trail is open for hiking.
Our hike
Ah the infamous Tumamoc! A Tucson tradition. Buddy and I hiked Tumamoc on a cold and windy Wednesday in November. This was the only cold hike of the month-long challenge. We drove 45 minutes through heavy traffic across the city to go hiking after a day of work and school (and piano lessons).
Even though this trail is in the heart of Tucson, there is wildlife on the trail. When Buddy and I hiked, we saw a pack of javelinas (including a baby) near the trailhead at the end of our hike. And when I hiked the trail way back in my 20s, I remember seeing deer at the top of the hill on a morning hike.
Discover the trail in motion – click now!
12. Bridal Wreath Falls
Bridal Wreath Falls is The stair master!
The details
- Location: Saguaro National Park Rincon Mountain District (East)
- Address: 14306 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85748
- Fees Area: Yes
- Dog Friendly: No
- Parking: There is a small parking lot and street parking at the trailhead. Make sure to pull off of the road if street parking. And watch for livestock!
Important! The trailhead for Bridal Wreath Falls is not located at the visitor center. The trailhead at the end of Speedway Blvd and the address is listed above.
Bridal Wreath Falls is a 5.9 mile out-and-back trail in Saguaro National Park East rated as moderate. The majority of this hike is done on Douglas Spring Trail, which is known for its stairs. This trail is shared with livestock so be mindful when horses pass and watch your step. There is horse poop on the trail!
Our hike
Buddy and I hiked Bridal Wreath Falls on a Saturday in November. I was dreading this hike because I have hiked on Douglas Spring trail twice before and there are So. Many. Stairs!! It really is the stair master!!
The falls itself were nice and cool but dry. The area must be beautiful when it rains. It was hot when we hiked (about 80 F) and despite our hats and sunscreen, we were sunburned. Make sure to bring sunscreen and layer it on when hiking in the desert. Even in the winter!
Pro Tip: Wear sunscreen, a hat and a UPF cover-up when hiking in the desert to protect yourself from the sun. Even in the winter!
Luckily there were no horses on the trail on this hike. We have hiked Douglas Spring trail when there were lots of horses on the trail and it is always stop and go. But this time it was a straight shot.
Discover the trail in motion – click now!
13. The Arizona Trail (AZT)
Great for long hikes and mountain biking!
The Arizona Trail is a 800 mile national scenic trail that spans Arizona from Utah in the north to Mexico in the South. The trail spans mountains, deserts, and even the Grand Canyon!
For the hiking challenge, 4 of the 30 hiking trails were segments of the Arizona trail. And Buddy and I hiked all 4 segments. In this section of the post, we are highlighting three of those sections since we already highlighted one part of the Arizona trail – Sycamore trail to Bear Canyon!
We did three segments of the Arizona trail near Vail, AZ. Each section was approximately 5 miles. One section we did as an out-and-back in one day, and the other two we did one way through hikes on a Saturday. It was a long day.
All three segments of the Arizona Trail highlighted below are great for mountain biking. And we saw many mountain bikers and hikers on two of the three hiking trails.
Section 1: AZT from Gabe Zimmerman Davidson Canyon Trailhead through Rattlesnake Underpass
The details
- Location: George Zimmerman Davidson Canyon Traihead
- Address: 16248 E Marsh Station Rd, Vail, AZ 85641
- Fees Area: No
- Dog Friendly: Yes
- Parking: There is a parking lot at the trailhead.
The Gabe Zimmerman Davidson Canyon Trailhead through Rattlesnake Underpass is a 3.2 mile out-and-back trail rated as easy. At the end of the trail is the I-10 underpass. This hike can be done solo or with the other hikes listed below.
Pro Tip: If you are going to walk through the underpass, bring a flashlight or headlamp!
Our hike
Buddy and I did this section of the Arizona Trail on a Sunday afternoon. After a band competition in Phoenix, the night before, we ate breakfast at Joe’s Pancake House in East Tucson before driving out to the trailhead. We did the easy hike and headed home. The highlight was hiking through the rattlesnake underpass. Under I-10. Me and Vats Sunday afternoon after cafe and sleeping in.
Fun Fact! This hike is part of Passage 7 – Las Cienegas – of the Arizona Trail.
Discover the trail in motion – click now!
Section 2: AZT from Colossal Cave to Gabe Zimmerman Davidson Canyon Trailhead
The details
- Location: Colossal Cave La Posta Quemada Ranch Arizona Trail Parking
- Address: 3926+4W8 Vail, Arizona off of Colossal Road
- Fees Area: No
- Dog Friendly: Yes
- Parking: There is a parking lot at the trailhead.
The section between Colossal Cave Mountain Park to Gabe Zimmerman Davidson Canyon Trailhead is a 4.6 mile one-way hike on the Arizona Trail rated as easy. The highlight of this trail is hiking underneath the elevated bridge of the Union Pacific Railway. There is also a lovely riparian area with a small river and large cottonwood trees near just north of the Gabe Zimmerman trailhead.
Our hike
Buddy, Sal, and I hiked this trail during a day-long hike on the last Saturday in November. We combined this section of the AZ trail with the section below to do a 10 mile hike. Since the hiking challenge had us do these sections of the trail one way, we parked one car at the Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead and one car at the Pistol Hill Trailhead and walked.
This section was the quietest part of the Arizona Trail. We only saw two mountain bikers until the very end of the rail when we got to the area near the creek.
Walking under the railroad was awesome. We heard the train go by in the distance but we missed it. Several fellow challenge hikers said it was scary hiking underneath the trail when it went by.
For this hike we went from north to south in the winter hiking directly into the winter sun. and I got sunburned. So make sure to wear sunscreen!
Discover the trail in motion – click now!
Section 3: AZT from Pistol Hill to Colossal Cave
The details
- Location: Pistol Hill Arizona Trail Parking
- Address: 39RG+F75 Vail, Arizona
- Fees Area: No
- Dog Friendly: Yes
- Parking: There is a parking lot at the trailhead.
The section between Colossal Cave Mountain Park to Pistol Hill Trailhead is a 5.47 mile one-way hike on the Arizona Trail rated as easy. This is a great trail for mountain biking and exploring some of Southern Arizona’s riparian areas. One great thing about this section of the trail is that it passes through the La Sevilla campground area. There are pit toilets and picnic tables in the area. It is a nice place to take a break.
Our hike
Buddy, Sal, and I hiked this trail during a day-long hike on the last Saturday in November. We combined this section of the AZ trail with the section below to do a 10 mile hike. Since the hiking challenge had us do these sections of the trail one way, we parked one car at the Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead and one car at the Pistol Hill Trailhead and walked.
This section of the Arizona Trail was busy with fellow hikers, runners, and mountain bikers.
There were sections on this trail that were full of beautiful fall colors. We saw lots of large Saguaro cacti and desert trees turning color. Of the three sections of the Arizona Trail that we did near Vail, this section was by far the prettiest.
Discover the trail in motion – click now!
14. Phoneline Trail
Great desert trail!
The details
- Location: Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
- Address: 5700 N Sabino Canyon Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750
- Fees Area: Yes
- Dog Friendly: No
- Parking at the trailhead: There is ample parking at the trailhead as well as a visitor center, restrooms, and a coffee truck.
Phoneline Trail is a 4.87 mile one way, 9.8 mile round trip, out-and-back trail in Sabino Canyon Recreation area rated as moderate. This trail is carved into the side of the mountain and hikers see the canyon below and the desert mountains towering above. There are some good views of Tucson when hiking down this trail. The trail does connect to other hiking trails in the park, like Blackett’s Ridge.
Another option for hikers is to take the Sabino Tram Crawler to stop 9 then hike Phoenline Trail down. That will keep the hike closer to 5 miles rather than 10 miles, cutting the hiking time in half. This is a great option for visitors to the desert with limited time.
Pro Tip: Remember to leave no trace by packing out all trash and respecting nature during your outdoor adventure.
Our hike
Buddy and I hiked Phoneline Trail on the same day that we hiked the Sabino Tram Trail to make a 10 mile loop. We hiked down Phoneline Trail on a Saturday afternoon. There were some other hikers on the trail but all in all it was not too busy. It was a long day of hiking and towards the end, Buddy did say his version of ‘are we there yet.’
Discover Phoneline Trail – click now!
Sal and I also walked along a section of Phoneline Trail when we hiked Blackett’s Ridge Trail earlier in the challenge.
Which brings us to the last hike on our list. Yes, I saved the best for last!
15. Blackett’s Ridge
Great for hikers who want an elevation challenge! It is a steep hike.
The details
- Location: Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
- Address: 5700 N Sabino Canyon Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750
- Fee area: Yes
- Dogs allowed: No
- Parking: There is ample parking at the trailhead as well as the Sabino Canyon visitor center, restrooms, and a coffee truck.
Blackett’s Ridge is a Sabino Canyon. It is a 5.71 mile out-and-back trail rated as a challenging hike. Don’t let the paved section at the beginning of this hike fool you. This trail is a very steep hike and a great workout. The views are spectacular at the top. But beware of the false summits. There is a plaque at the end of the trail letting you know when you arrive.
Our hike
Sal and I hiked Blackett’s Ridge on a Friday afternoon in early November. This was an afternoon hike that turned into a sunset hike that ended up as a moonlight hike.
And this hike kicked my butt!! It was the most challenging hike that we did during the hiking challenge. When we turned right off of Phoneline Trail, the hikers in front of us asked us if we were hiking Blackett’s Ridge. When I said yes, they started laughing. I soon found out why. It was a doozy.
But we finished the hike, although it did kick our butts (or knees and ankles more specifically). Nonetheless, it felt like Blacket’s Ridge/Santa Catalina Mountains 1 and Yvonne 0. I see the ridge when driving around town sometimes and I have a newfound respect for the mountain.
All in all, I am glad I did Blackett’s Ridge hike but I am not sure I would do it again!
Discover Blackett’s Ridge as a sunset hike – click now!
What to bring on the 15 best hikes near Tucson
It is important to be prepared for desert hiking. Below is a list of things that we brought on each of our 15 best hikes near Tucson. Feel free to add to this list as you see fit!
- Lots of water in a refillable water bottle. Buddy carries a gallon water bottle.
- Sunscreen, a hat, and a UPF cover-up.
- Sunglasses
- A whistle that also has a compass
- A first aid kit for hiking
- A hiking backpack
- Electrolytes
- A portable charger for your phone
- Bear spray if you are hiking in bear country. Make sure to read the directions and know how to use it!
- A loud bell to alert the bears if you are hiking in bear country
- Comfortable hiking shoes. I wear either these Merrell hiking shoes or these waterproof Columbia Hiking Shoes, depending on the terrain. And Buddy wears these Merrell Hiking Boots (when he does not leave them at school!)
- Comfortable socks
- Moisture wicking clothing
- And a headlamp for sunrise or sunset hiking
And layers! In general, there is a 30-degree Fahrenheit difference in daytime and overnight temperatures in the Sonoran Desert. The day could be warm and sunny and then temperatures will drastically drop when the sun goes down on your hike! It is best to be prepared and bring layers. (most of my stuff is from Stitch Fix).
A Teenager’s Perspective
Doing the hiking challenge in November was a bit stressful because I was super stressed with school. And it was more stressful to do the trail experience and school. But at the end of each hike, I felt more refreshed.
I would do it again. And I recommend it for teens who like hiking.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely would do the hiking challenge again. During a month when I had no work travel, it was great to get out from behind a screen and challenge myself to 30 hikes in 30 days. I found a new respect for the mountains surrounding my Tucson home. Each set of mountains had their own personality and vibes. It led to a newfound respect for the desert sky island and Sonoran desert wildlife. Also, I did see an improvement in my cardio, although that wasn’t my goal for the challenge. Hopefully, we can continue hiking at least once a month.
All in all, Tucson offers great hiking. These are just 15 of the best hiking trails around the area. So what are you waiting for? Each trail holds different experiences and adventures. Happy Hiking!
FOLLOW US!
Are you hiking some of the trails in and around Tucson? What is your favorite trail? Which hiking trail should we explore next? Let us know in the comments below!
Do you have questions about family travel or traveling with teens? Feel free to reach out! We are happy to chat and share our experiences and look forward to connecting with you.
Pin this post for later!
If you enjoyed reading this, check out these blog posts!
- 7 Simple Tips for a Sunset Hike at Saguaro National Park East
- The Beautiful Saguaro National Park East: Helpful Tips for Hiking
- 3 Simple Tips for Hiking Beautiful Devil’s Bridge in Sedona
Doing a sunset hike? Get your headlamp!
Buy Now → Visiting Tucson?
Compare prices on Expedia and Booking.com!
Book a tour!
Rent your car today! Compare prices on Rentalcars.com and DiscoverCars!
Discover more from MPA Project Travels
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
