Attraction of the Week: Sabino Canyon in Tucson
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Because there are so many wonderful free hiking trails in and near Tucson, it took me over a year living in the metro to finally visit one of the city’s top tourist draws. That being said, I am glad that I finally forked over the money for the wonderful tram ride. Sabino Canyon is a desert oasis amidst the busy suburbs. It’s such a gorgeous place amongst the sprawling traffic, stoplights, and retail businesses.
As soon as you enter the canyon, you are transported out of the city and into a desert wonderland. Anyone who appreciates the unique beauty of the desert, including the enchanting Saguaro cactus, will definitely want to put this long time favorite on their bucket list. On a side note, this is a wonderful destination for anyone unable to hike for any reason.
Because of its’ immense beauty & rustic nature away from the city, this place draws some crowds. Unfortunately, it’s getting more and more crowded by the year, however, that does not take away completely from the natural beauty. Despite the crowds, I would definitely add this to my must-see list, particularly if you are not interested in hiking.
Tram tours: Explore the desert without working up a sweat
Update: Fortunately, after temporarily closing in 2017, the narrated tram rides are now back! Shuttles have been transporting visitors around the canyon since 1975. Thankfully, the new shuttles are now electric based. This is wonderful as the gas trams really put out some hefty fumes. Honestly, I had a hard time getting through the ride with the smell – I can’t wait to check out the new electric ride.
We visited primarily for the tour, but also did a bit of hiking. We hike all the time, so we wanted to experience the beautiful scenery in a different way.
Tours are just $15 per person ($8/child). According to the website, they offer 2 wheelchair spaces. Along the 45 minute tour, you will learn more about the canyon and enjoy gorgeous scenery. Your guide will point out any interesting wildlife and natural features so it doubles as a history lesson. They also offer night tours which I think would be an amazing experience.
They make 9 stops along the way, so you can hop on/hop off and enjoy various hikes, picnicking sites, take photography, or check out the seasonal pools. Trams arrive every 30 minutes or so, so it’s easy to hop on and off at any point.
You will see gorgeous cacti in every direction! I have become a big fan of cacti since moving to the area. I really cannot get enough of looking at these beautiful plants. They are so different than the types of plants I grew up seeing in the Midwest. You will now find dozens of cacti all around my house. Bonus: they are the easiest plants to maintain!
At the top of the road, you will be able to get out and take some fantastic photos. You have the option of taking the tram back or walking the route yourself (about 3.5 miles).
Update: On our second visit, we decided to walk the entire tram road which is about 7 miles out-and-back. It was a fabulous workout and a great way to get out of the house on the weekend. I recommend this option only during the cooler season. More details in a bit.
Hiking at the canyon
If you plan on hiking, I recommend picking up a trail map at the visitors center when you arrive. Trails are marked according to difficulty level. Additionally, each hike corresponds to a tram stop, making it easy to plan your intended hikes along the way. We did not get off the tram at any point – we were just there to enjoy the ride. But we did do a little hiking after the ride.
Many of the trails are easy in nature especially the short trek next to the visitor center. We hiked the Bajada Nature trail, an easy quarter of a mile loop. I definitely recommend this one to first time visitors. We were not interested in hiking any rough trails this time, but this place does draw some serious hikers.
In the future, I would like to eventually complete the Seven Falls trail which I’ve heard is amazing (but also extremely hard). Be careful on when you choose to hike. I have heard of several sad deaths during monsoon season due to flash floods. This is not a safe time to plan a big hike.
A few views from the easy-moderate trails
The beautiful Santa Catalina mountains
What I love most about this area is the amazing mountain scenery; I have to say it has the edge over Phoenix in the scenery department. This canyon is located within the Santa Catalina Mountains (part of the Coronado National Forest) at an elevation of 2754 feet. The highest point in the range is Mt Lemmon at 9157 feet.
The greenest desert in the world
The canyon is home to a surprisingly lush variety of plant life not typically pictured when envisioning a desert environment. If you hike the short nature trail behind the visitor’s center, you will learn more about the diverse plant life via helpful interpretative signs. I learned at the Sonoran Desert Museum that this desert is the greenest desert in the world, receiving 3-15 inches of rain per year, mostly during the intense monsoon season.
Pools and creeks, as well as small waterfalls, can be enjoyed after heavy summer monsoon storms and also after winter snow melts. The 4 mile hike to Hutch’s pool is very popular during Tucson’s hottest season as it is one of the larger swimming holes. Note: I recommend avoiding monsoon season due to the possibility of flash floods!
Dozens of varieties of cacti, along with Palo Verde and Mesquite trees, can be found everywhere. In the fall, the cottonwood and sycamore trees turn a lovely shade of gold. If you have never visited before, you may be surprised by the variety of green plant life.
Hiking the Tram Road
On our second visit, we decided to challenge ourselves to the hike up and down Tram Road. You can take the ride up one way and down. Or, If you prefer to really work up a sweat, the 3.5 mile paved road will definitely challenge even the most avid hiker. You will get in an invigorating workout while also taking in outstanding views of the canyon.
The trek up is pretty hilly at times, although not quite as bad as you would think. On the downhill trek, you can really recover while gazing at the mountains. The intense heat and overall length of the hike is what makes it a bit difficult. Be sure to arrive early to beat the heat (preferably right at opening) and avoid summer visits if possible!
Wildlife at the canyon
Whether you go with the narrated ride or decide to challenge yourself to a stroll up the paved path, the views are beautiful all along the way and you may even see some wildlife in action. We were lucky enough to see a coatimundi (a racoon relative which inhabits desert canyon areas) and a western diamondback rattlesnake during our visit (from the safety of the tram of course)!
Javelina, mountain lions, desert tortoises, and White Tailed Deer are also occasionally spotted. This place is also a popular destination for bird watchers, although you really have to bring binoculars to see much. We did not see any wildlife while hiking, but I have seen bobcats other places in the metro (Linda Vista trail and the Hidden Canyon trail).
The Seven Falls hike
For those up for a real desert adventure, take the Bear Canyon tram (non-narrated) to the Seven Falls trailhead. A seasonal waterfall and several swimming holes draw a lot of traffic to this trail. The trail is 5 miles round-trip, although the journey will feel much harder due to the the harsh conditions of the desert, multiple creek crossings, and boulder hopping.
Plan to save this one for the fall or winter season due to the intense nature of the trail and risk of monsoon flooding. Also, bring with plenty of water (I use a camelbak) and plenty of snacks. Dehydration is a real concern in the desert – do not take it lightly! Some avid hikers prefer to forgo the tram altogether in exchange for a really intense 8.2 mile hike, although you must be thoroughly prepared for such a feat. You can learn more about this hike on the forest service webpage.
A Cactus Wonderland!
The best part about visiting is all the cacti you will see. Apart from Saguaro National Park, it’s one of the best places in the state to see tons of cacti all in one place. There are many great places to hike in this state, with Sabino being a great choice for tourists seeking a well-maintained place to hike and explore the desert in a safe environment. Enjoy a few views of the mesmerizing cacti just in case you can’t make it out here yourself.
Tips for a smooth visit
*Bring with plenty of water bottles. Or, better yet, wear a camelbak for easy access. Electrolytes are also a smart idea if you will be sweating a lot.
*Visit outside of the hot summer season. 100+ degrees and sunny skies is way too hot for any type of hike, pools or not. Plus, dangerous monsoons are common this time of year.
*Visit on a weekday to avoid the crowds. At times, it can be very difficult to find parking. If you visit on a weekend, you may be spending 20 minutes looking for a spot!
*Eat a full breakfast prior to your arrival. There is no food on-site and most of the year it is too hot to enjoy a picnic. You can check out my breakfast guide for some ideas. I have included everything from fancy cafes to the best breakfast tacos in the city.
*Wear sunglasses and a hat to block out some of the intense UV rays.
*Bring with cash for the tram ride (no credit accepted).
*Do not let the short distances of the hikes fool you. Hiking in the desert is no easy feat with the intense sunshine, many rocks to climb over and prickly plants to avoid, and risk of dehydration. Keep hikes short until you are more accustomed to harsh desert conditions. More of my best tips after more than a year of first hand experience.
*Watch out for rattlesnakes and other dangerous wildlife. Keep a safe distance.
*A first aid kit should always be on hand, as a safety measure. From personal experience, you will definitely want to try avoid brushing into sharp cactus needles which are a pain to take out. Ouch!
Location, pricing, & hours
Parking is located at 5900 N Sabino Canyon Rd.
Tram pricing is $15 adults, $8 for children (2 and under free). The Bear canyon tram is $8 per adults, $5 for children (2 and under free). Pricing current as of 2025 – check their website for updates.
The visitor’s center is open 8:00am-4:00pm.
Tours run hourly from 9am-4pm (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas) departing from the visitor center. If planning on hiking the paved road, it’s best to head out before tram tours start. This will make your walk much more peaceful!
