Daytrippin’ through the Desert: 10 incredible places in Southern Arizona

Tucson is a wonderful Southwestern city with so much to offer. Beautiful resorts, world-class golfing, amazing hiking, and some of the best Mexican food in the country, can all be enjoyed on any vacation to “the Old Pueblo.” However, if you are up for something a bit more adventurous, I recommend exploring a bit more via a daytrip.

Really, Tucson is the perfect base for exploring all the wonders of Southern Arizona. So, hop in your car and get ready to embark on an adventure of a lifetime through the enchanting Sonoran Desert. As one of the most diverse and visually beautiful states in the country, a roadtrip through Southern Arizona is anything but boring. I have spent many weekends since moving here exploring the southern half of the state. In my guide, I share my top 10 daytrips. All of my favorite trips are within a 1-2 hour drive, so perfect daytrip or roadtrip distance

Daytrip 1: Chiricahua National Monument

• Distance from Tucson: 1 hour, 45 min.
• Location: E Bonita Canyon Rd, Willcox, AZ 85643. Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm.
• Admission is free!
• Tip: Visit outside of the hot summer season!
• My guide to exploring Chiricahua

Chiricahua, or “The Wonderland of Rocks” as it is aptly nicknamed, is my most recommended daytrip. Chiricahua is a true underrated treasure: a magnificent natural wonderland where you can see ancient hoodoos and rock spires. A relatively unheard of park, this place remains incredibly quiet despite the immense beauty. Chiricahua is a place where you can forget about everything for a bit as you wander through the exoticness of the desert. It’s one of my most memorable daytrips. I really loved exploring the unusual scenery here.

The unusual rock formations are said to be a result of a volcanic eruption 27 million years ago.

17 miles of hiking trails along with an 8 mile scenic drive lend to endless opportunities to explore. However, the park is so much more than just incredible scenery. Various plant and wildlife inhabit the area. Black bears are often sighted during the summer months. Also be on the lookout for the coatimundi, a relative of the racoon which frequents the Sonoran desert. As for the best intro hike, I recommend The Echo Canyons Grottos trail, a moderate 1 mile trek which will give you a glimpse of various rock formations. The 1/2 mile interpretative Masai Nature trail is another great choice for beginners.

Where to eat: Bring with a picnic lunch so you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings longer. Chiricahua is the perfect place to enjoy a quiet lunch in an incredible natural setting. As an alternative, check out one of these fantastic Tucson breakfast restaurants before hitting the road.

What to see along the way: The drive over to Chiricahua will take you through the small town of Benson, home to the historic “The Thing” roadside attraction. You can’t miss the hundreds of billboards along the way enticing you to see just what is “the thing.” For this quirky attraction, you will pay a buck to see a mystery sight. There’s also a really neat store on-site where you can purchase wacky Southwestern attractions.

Daytrip 2: Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway

• Distance from Tucson: The drive starts about 20 min outside of the city (Take Tanque Verde Rd to Catalina Hwy).
• Tip: Save this one for the summer! This is one of the few Tucson area attractions which is actually better during the spring/summer season. Wintertime roads are often closed and summer offers the additional benefits of outdoor dining, comfortable 80 degree temps, & chairlift rides!
• My guide to a Mt. Lemmon daytrip

Mt Lemmon is an incredible “Sky Island” which towers up 9157 feet. Sky island is the term given to an isolated mountain which is surrounded by lower elevated areas with completely different landscapes. Mt Lemmon, the highest point in the Santa Catalina range, receives over 200 inches of snow per year!

The 27 mile long Mt Lemmon Scenic Byway is one of the most scenic drives in the Southwest. I wouldn’t say it is as stunning as Oak Creek Canyon, but it’s pretty fantastic. Starting at an altitude around 2000 feet and eventually topping out around 8000 feet, the change in both landscape and temperature is just incredible. I love seeing the views change from cacti to pines.

When you begin the drive, you are amongst fields of dazzling Saguaro cacti. Near the middle of the drive, you pass by exotic hoodoos as the mountain views become more enchanting. And, finally near the 8000 ft mark, you enter the beautiful lush green pine forests. However, an increase in greenery is not the only advantage here. The temperatures at the top are typically 20-30 degrees cooler than Tucson. As you can imagine, Mt Lemmon is pretty darn popular during Tucson’s relentless 100+ degree seemingly never ending summer season.

Once arriving at the base town of Summerhaven, you can enjoy hiking, biking, and even skiing during the winter. In the summer, I recommend the picturesque chairlift ride at Mt Lemmon Ski Valley. When fall rolls around, you will be able to enjoy the only leaf peeping in the region, and the variety of foliage does not disappoint (as someone who used to live in New England, I appreciated the change to see any color).

Suggested itinerary:

• Brunch at the Iron Door restaurant (you will receive 2 free lift tickets)
• Chairlift ride at Mt Lemmon ski resort
• Hike the Aspen Trail/Marshall Gulch Loop
• Enjoy a picnic in the park
• Treat yourself to a giant cookie topped with a scoop of ice cream at The Cookie Cabin

Daytrip 3: Saguaro National Park

• Distance from Tucson: 30 minutes (West District), 1 hour (East district).
• Location: 2700 N Kinney Rd (West entrance), 3693 S Old Spanish Trl
  (East entrance).
• Tip: Visit both the East & West district as your admission includes access to both within a 7 day period.
• My Saguaro visitor guide

Saguaro National Park is home to one of the highest concentrations of cacti in the world, thus making it the country’s most unusual and fascinating National Park in my opinion. Tucson is home to the tallest and most diverse assortment of cacti anywhere. Saguaro National Park is a great starting point for exploring the multitude of exotic plant life which call the Sonoran Desert home. I have become a big fan of anything cacti related since moving here.

The massive national park is split into 2 different sections which are located on opposite ends of the city. The Eastern (Rincon Mountain) district offers the better mountain views of the 2, plus an incredible paved drive. The Western (Tucson mountain district) is more rustic with an unpaved drive and a refreshing isolated setting which you do not get to experience all too often today. This park also has the added benefit of being located within close proximity to Old Tucson and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

As both parks differ in terms of scenery and feel, a visit to both is a must if you have the time. Also be on the lookout for special ranger programs: both parks offer a variety of educational programs throughout the year! If you have ever wanted to learn how to harvest water from a cactus, here’s your opportunity!

Where to eat: Saguaro Corners is a classic favorite located just outside of the East District. They offer all sorts of hearty carb heavy fare to refuel after your hike. The mac and cheese is awesome! Ask for a window seat to enjoy the view (I saw a javelina!).

What to do nearby: If visiting SNP West, check out the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. If visiting SNP East, check out Agua Caliente Park.

Daytrip 4: Lowell Ghost town/Bisbee

• Distance from Tucson: 1 Hour, 30 min.
• Location: 92 miles southeast of Tucson
• My Bisbee daytrip guide

A block of abandoned buildings on historic Erie Street is about all that is left of Lowell, a former mining town near Bisbee, Arizona. Today Lowell is considered a ghost town, and thus, a must-see for any history lovers out there. Seeing all the old gas stations, stores, even an old theater and greyhound bus station from the 50’s really is a step back in time. It’s really fun to walk around imagining what life was like back then. A combination of closed down businesses, along with the barren desert give the area a creepy, eerie vibe. Not surprisingly, the area was used in filming Stephen King’s Desperation.

A look down Erie Street (more like Eerie Street!)…

A stroll around downtown Bisbee is also must while you are in the vicinity. First, I recommend a tour of the Copper Queen mine. Then proceed on to the downtown where you will find eclectic coffeehouses, restaurants, galleries, museums, antique shops, and more. The architecture is beautiful and the vibe is artsy and eccentric. Consider taking a history tour or a specialty ghost tour.

Where to eat: Start your day off at the Bisbee Breakfast Club where you will be treated to delicious hearty fare and a fun 50’s style atmosphere. For dinner check out Screaming Banshee for delicious pizza and a fun artsy vibe. If you need a caffeinated boost, Bisbee Coffee Company is the place to go.

Daytrip 5: Tombstone

• Distance from Tucson: 1 Hour, 15 min
• Tip: Purchase combo trolley/gunfight tickets at Old Tombstone Western theme park to save yourself a few bucks. Also save this daytrip for the cooler season – basking in the sun during a gunfight show is miserable!
• My Tombstone visitor guide

Tombstone, aka “The Town too tough to die,” is appropriately nicknamed as so as tourism has brought the area back to life. Tombstone was once a thriving boomtown with a population of 14,000+ in the mid 1880’s. At the time, it was one of the largest cities between St. Louis & San Francisco! By 1910, the population dwindled down to fewer than 700 residents. The city would have become a ghost town if not for being the Cochise County seat. Today, the town is anything but a ghost town with almost half a million tourists per year!

Tombstone is a memorable daytrip destination for any history buffs and fans of old western movies. The great thing about Tombstone is that it is so authentic – no sets here, just the real dusty streets which famous lawmen & gunslinging outlaws once walked upon. Most of the late 1800’s buildings are still standing. It’s a living piece of history where you can join the likes of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday making your way down historic Allen Street.

As you walk down dusty Allen Street, you can almost picture yourself walking along the likes of Doc and Wyatt as old western scenes come to mind. Attend a live gunfight reenactment at the OK Corral, stop by for a drink at a real old time saloon, dress up in late 1800’s fashion, see real bullet holes at the bird cage theater…there’s much to do here for western fans. Above all, be sure to take a guided trolley tour where you will be taken on a narrated tour of the town’s most historic sights.

Seeing a shootout will likely top your to-do list while visiting Tombstone. You will find numerous options including the famous OK Corral reenactment and the lively amusing gunfight at the Old Tombstone Western theme park. This is a great choice for anyone who wouldn’t mind a laugh along with an action packed show. The actors are super talented and have even worked as stunt doubles in various films. I was entertained and I am not a big fan of westerns.

Where to eat: Start with breakfast at the OK Cafe and then grab a late lunch at Big Nose Kate’s Saloon. Both of these places scream western and the food is decent enough for a touristy town.