15 Scenic Hikes in Tucson
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11. Mica View trail at Saguaro East
- Distance: 1 mile out-and-back
- Difficulty: Easy
- Location: 3693 South Old Spanish Trail Tucson, AZ 85730-5601
- Pricing: Admission is $25 and includes entry to both park entrances for 7 days.
- Pet friendly: One of the few that allows dogs in the park.
- Wheelchair accessible: Yes, it’s a paved trail.
The Eastern section of Saguaro National Park is highly regarded for its’ fantastic mountain scenery, courtesy of its’ location within the beautiful Rincon mountain range. My favorite amenity here is a scenic 8 mile long paved drive (known as the Cactus Forest Drive) which features numerous scenic overlooks and access to several trails.
The Mica trail is a great place to start your journey at Saguaro National Park. This just short of a 1 mile out-and-back trail takes you through an amazing variety of cacti, making it the perfect trail for new visitors. You will also find an excellent visitor’s center and interesting ongoing programs like “how to harvest water from a cactus.” Attending one of these events is a really unique opportunity if you are lucky enough to be in town at the right time.
If you have time, I recommend checking out both park entrances as your admission ticket is good for 7 days. If you are on a budget, Saguaro offers a number of free days throughout the year.
12. Aspen Draw trail
- Distance: 2 miles round trip
- Difficulty: Moderate due to the high elevation (8000+ft)
- Location: 10300 E Ski Run Rd, Mt Lemmon. Free parking at the ski resort.
- Pet policy: Leashed dogs ok.
This may come as a surprise to some, but you can actually see a bit of fall foliage pretty close to Tucson. Just over an hour outside of the city lies the Sky island of Mt. Lemmon, a local favorite for recreation due to the 4 season climate. As a lover of everything fall, I knew I had to plan at least a few hikes up here to get that nostalgic feeling. Of course, Flagstaff is much better but this is an hour and a half drive compared to 4.
As I mentioned earlier, a 30 minute drive up the picturesque Mt Lemmon Scenic Byway leads you to the quaint town of Summerhaven. As Mt Lemmon is typically 20-30 degrees cooler, this is the place to be during the fall season (which is still unbearably hot in the desert). You can get a bit of that East coast vibe with the cooler temps and pretty foliage.
The 60/70 degree weather combined with a mix of pines and deciduous trees make Mt. Lemmon a great fall day trip to escape the desert. There are several trails known for great foliage, particularly the Aspen Draw trail. This 2 mile roundtrip trek starts near the ski resort and features an array of gold and red foliage this time of year. Although short, the hike feels much harder due to the high elevation (8000+ft). Take it easy and drink plenty of water.
13. Honeybee Canyon trail
- Distance: 1.25 mile loop, although the trail is poorly marked, so you could end up hiking a bit further if you get lost. Look closely for signs hidden amongst the bushes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Location: 13880 N Rancho Vistoso Blvd Oro Valley, AZ 85755. Free parking (the lot is small).
- Pet policy: Leashed dogs ok.
Honeybee Park is a small park in Oro Valley which features a number of short, scenic trails. This is a great place for desert newbies as you will get to enjoy nice vistas of both the mountains and Saguaro cacti with little effort required.
This trail is most popular with local hikers and mountain bikers, although the grand views definitely make the drive over from any hotel/resort well worth any hassle. If you are looking for a short, scenic, very easy hike, this is one of the best bang-for-your-buck experiences in my opinion. As an Oro Valley resident, this one was on my regular lineup.
*There is a really nice covered picnic area, so pack a light lunch and relax & refuel after post-hike!
More info on Honeybee Canyon Park
14. Marshall Gulch trail
- Distance: About 4 miles for the Marshall/Aspen Loop
- Difficulty: Moderate due to the high altitude and 800 ft elevation gain (although gradual)
- Location: As there is no official address, you can stop at the General Store (12856 N Sabino Canyon Park, Mt Lemmon) for detailed directions to the trail head
- *Free parking in a small lot and on side streets, although you may be walking pretty far if busy
- Pet policy: Leashed dogs ok.
Marshall Gulch is another Mt. Lemmon gem. This is understandably one of the more popular hikes and the small parking area can fill up very fast. The many pretty pines and aspens make it a real treat if you are seeking something different form the typical desert scenery. During the summer season, when temps frequently soar way above 100 degrees, hiking any trail up here offers fitness buffs a nice respite from the heat.
Like the Meadow trail & Aspen Draw, you will take the gorgeous Catalina Scenic Byway drive up to Summerhaven to access this trail. This trail can be conveniently combined with the Aspen trail for a nice little loop of under 4 miles.
While many of the trees are burned from past wildlife damage, the mountain views are still gorgeous and you really cannot beat the fresh scenery. Lots of leafy trees and plenty of shade, along with numerous small streams, give this trail a really nice rustic nature vibe which you definitely will not find in the region. Hiking this one feels closest to being in Flagstaff to me (I relocated here from Flagstaff and really miss the beautiful pines). Summertime is a great time to enjoy the beautiful colorful wildflowers that sprout up everywhere. Combined with Aspen Draw, this is another fantastic leaf peeping option.
15. Nature trail/Tram Road Walk at Sabino Canyon
- Distance: Under a mile
- Difficulty: Very easy (Great for beginners who want to learn more about native desert plants)
- Location: 5900 N Sabino Canyon Rd. $8 per car admission, $15 for the tram (cash only).
- Pet policy: Dogs not allowed.
- Amenities: Visitor center, special ranger programs, restrooms, drinking fountains
Sabino Canyon is a cool place to visit. Personally, I would rather hike elsewhere, however, it’s a great pick for anyone who wants to avoid working up a sweat. A great non hiking alternative is a tram tour (now emission-free!).
There is a short nature trail by the visitor’s center that is really easy with some interpretative signs. Most of the other trails, with the exception of the very difficult Seven Falls, are not well-marked, and just too hard for those not used to the desert conditions.
If you are up for challenge, one of my favorite things to do here is the paved tram walk (a 3.7 mile walk along the road). Totally gorgeous but also super steep and long – it’s a fun challenge. Some visitors choose to take the tram up and hike leisurely back.
The 45 minute long narrated tram ride is a nice alternative for those who are unable to hike or would prefer to keep it relaxing on vacation.
Anyone up for an extreme challenge should check out Sevenfalls, one of Tucson’s most popular hikes. It’s very long, however, you can cut some time out by taking the tram. Locals love the seasonal waterfalls and pools, however, it’s quite dangerous to hike here during monsoon season.
*In short, Sabino is a great place for anyone seeking a place to enjoy the desert scenery without hiking as the tram ride is a nice introduction to the desert and offers plenty of spectacular vistas.
My Sabino Canyon visitor guide
General hiking tips
Plan your visit outside of the summer season, if possible. It’s just too hot, even super early in the morning. If you must, set out no later than 6am and keep it short. Or better yet, head up to Mt. Lemmon where it is much cooler.
Bring with plenty of water, more than you are accustomed to. It is extremely dry here and many die of dehydration on the trails each year. I recommend using a camelbak for easy access. I also bring an extra bottle of water to throw over my head just in case I get really overheated. Snacks high in electrolytes are also a must.
Eat a full breakfast pre-hike and bring along a few salty carb based snacks for the journey. Here are my favorite local breakfast spots if you need a few suggestions.
Bring with a pair of sunglasses and a visor. The harsh rays of the desert sun can make any hike even more uncomfortable, even during the cooler winter season.
Although winter daytime temps are quite mild, the temps are much cooler in the morning, occasionally dropping into the 30’s. Dress in layers – you can always stuff a light long tshirt/sweater into a backpack.
If hiking a high altitude trail at Mt Lemmon, take extra safety precautions. Drink extra water, ensure adequate electrolyte replenishment, and take it much easier than usual!
Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes and scorpions. Spring is the prime season. Always stay on trail, watch where you step, and leave snakes alone! Most bites come from hikers veering off trail, messing around with snakes, or not paying attention.
Keep your distance from javelina, bobcats, and mountain lions. Although not common, wildlife occasionally attack humans and pets.
During the summer season, limit hiking, set out early in the morning, and check the monsoon forecast.
More AZ Bucket List hikes & natural wonders
I’ve completed a lot of amazing hikes and visited some pretty cool historic sites and national monuments over my 5 year period living in Tucson, Flagstaff, and Phoenix. Check out my Arizona Travel Guide to find your next roadtrip!
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