Hike on miles of trails around the Tucson Basin and mountains of Southern Arizona to experience their unique and varied landscapes, outstanding views, dramatic diversity of flora, fauna, and world-class birding. The trails are easily accessed from the Tucson metro area, making it a day-hiker's paradise. “The Mountaineers”
Explore THE TUCSON BASIN AND BEYOND
Santa Catalina Mountains
Santa Catalina Mountains
Santa Catalina Mountains
The Santa Catalina Mountains are Tucson's most prominent range with the highest average elevation. The highest point is Mt. Lemmon at 9,147 feet, noted as the southernmost ski destination in the United States. A trip from the Tucson valley to Mt. Lemmon takes you from 2,000 to about 9,000 feet, with scenery that resembles a trip from the Mexican to the Canadian border.
Rincon Mountains
Santa Catalina Mountains
Santa Catalina Mountains
The Rincon Mountains fall within the boundaries of the Saguaro National Park East and the Coronado National Forest, and are a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a plethora of opportunities for hiking, camping, and adventure. The range boasts an extensive network of trails that cater to all levels of hikers, from leisurely nature walks to challenging mountain ascents.
Santa Rita Mountains
Santa Catalina Mountains
Santa Rita Mountains
Arizona's Santa Rita Mountains located just south of Tucson, offers a treasure of natural beauty and adventure. With its diverse landscapes, from lush forests to arid deserts, the Santa Rita's provide a perfect backdrop for hiking, bird watching, and exploring. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just looking for a peaceful escape, these trails offer something for everyone.
Tucson Mountains
Saguaro National Park East
Santa Rita Mountains
Much of the Tucson Mountains are located in Saguaro National Park West. With it’s lush Sonoran Desert landscape, Early Native American history and volcanic rock formations, the trails of the Tucson Mountains provide access to a wide variety of desert fauna, desert wildlife, and much more.
Saguaro National Park East
Saguaro National Park East
Saguaro National Park East
The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park, to the east & west of the city of Tucson. The eastern section, called the Rincon Mountain District has a lower concentration of cacti. However, the Rincon Mountains offers miles of backcountry trails perfect for those who want to leave the crowds behind.
Saguaro National Park West
Saguaro National Park East
Saguaro National Park East
Here you have a chance to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset. Saguaro National Park West, called
the Tucson Mountain District has a denser population of cacti if you want to see lots of saguaros. You’re going to have 2 million versus maybe a quarter million saguaros on the east side.
This is the more popular section of the park so expect to share the trails with
more people.