15 Best Day Trips from Tucson (Arizona)

The sunny, desert city of Tucson, Arizona is an outdoor playground that invites visitors all year round. The surrounding Sonora Desert is home to some spectacular natural beauty, rich culture, and intriguing history.

There’s just as much to be learned here as there is to be explored. Take your adventurous spirit high into the mountains or dig a little deeper below the surface.

You never know what you’ll find.

While Tucson itself is a catch, its excellent location is a great jumping-off point for some unforgettable day trips out of the city.

Here is my list of best day trips from Tucson.

 

1.   Mount Lemmon

If you’re looking for a break from the scorching heat in summer, Mount Lemmon in the Santa Catalina Mountain range can offer some refuge.

With temperatures around 30 degrees cooler than the city, it’s a great place for hiking, biking, climbing, and enjoying nature.

In the winter, visitors can trade in those hiking poles for skis or a snowboard and hit the slopes. Mount Lemmon offers an exciting haven and scenic drive from Tucson for explorers all year round.

Pro tip: Stop at Mt Lemmon Cookie Cabin to feed the furnace before your hike or simply kick back on the (dog friendly) patio for pizza, ice cream, and giant cookies.

 

2.   Sabino Canyon

Just over 10 miles from the city center, a trip to Sabino Canyon is one of the easier day trips from Tucson.

Once you get there, set out on a pleasant afternoon stroll, or challenge yourself on one of the canyon’s more difficult hiking paths.

Some of the best hikes around Tucson are at Sabino Canyon.

Seven Falls is a popular trail and challenging but rewarding hike with yes, 7 waterfalls at the summit!

You can take the tram to cut down on about half the hiking time or do the full 8.3 mile out and back hike to Seven Falls.

If you’re looking for a more relaxing way to enjoy your surroundings, opt for a tour on the open-air, electric tram that takes visitors throughout the park.

This is also a lovely place for wildlife sightings, photography, and setting up a picnic along the Sabino Creek.

 

3.   Tombstone

Cowboys, outlaws, and a cowboy gun fight – oh my! The historic city of Tombstone will transport you back in time to the Wild West.

There are tons of ways to experience this quaint town, like taking a mining tour, visiting Bird Cage Theatre, getting spooked in Boothill Cemetery, or hopping on the trolley to see the top sites.

But no trip to this lawless city is complete without catching the reenactment of the infamous standoff outside the OK Corral.

Then grab yourself something to eat and a beer at Big Nose Kate’s Saloon.

“The town too tough to die” is a must-see while in Tucson.

4.   Superstition Mountains in Tonto National Forest

This jagged, volcanic mountain range that towers over the desert is full of mystery, ghost stories, and… gold?

According to legend, there’s a lost gold mine somewhere in the mountains and the hunt for treasure is said to be the root of a lot of mysterious activity.

Whether you come here to search for gold or not, you’ll find beautiful hiking opportunities, with popular trails like Hieroglyphic Trail, the Wave Cave, and Peralta Canyon.

 

5.   Kartchner Caverns State Park

For a truly unique experience, venture beneath the surface of the desert to explore these underground caverns and meander your way through seemingly endless passageways lined with a magnificent spectacle of stalactites.

It’s a sight you won’t want to miss, so be sure to book your tour ahead of time.

Once you’ve been mesmerized by one of the world’s longest soda straw stalactites, make your way back out to the daylight for some hiking and birdwatching.

For some unspoiled stargazing, stick around until nightfall and gaze upwards for a chance to see the hazy band of stars that make up the Milky Way.

6.   Bisbee

Another former mining city with a fruitful past, today tourists come to Bisbee for the small town feel which can be a pleasant escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Take a guided tour of the old mines, visit the local museum to learn about the town’s mining history, or prepare to be petrified with fright on one of their eerie ghost tours.

Bisbee is an exciting, picturesque destination fit for kids and adults alike.

 

7.   Saguaro National Park East

Home to the region’s symbolic saguaro cacti, visitors to the park can stand in awe among these giants whose silhouettes perfectly contrast against the orange and pink of the desert sunsets.

In the East part of the park, you’ll find more trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding than its western counterpart with 128 miles of hiking trails.

The 8-mile Cactus Forest Scenic Loop Drive runs through the heart of the park and allows visitors to catch a glimpse of desert life.

READ NOW: Best Things to Do Saguaro National Park (East and West)

 

8.   Saguaro National Park West

If you’re short on time for your next Tucson day trip, consider exploring the smaller western part of the park.

Here, you can choose to do the 5-mile Bajada Loop Drive or venture out into the 43 miles of hiking trails.

Whether driving or hiking through the park, be sure to check out Signal Hill where you’ll find prehistoric Native American petroglyphs left by the Hohokam people.

And if you’re hoping to see the saguaros in bloom, plan a trip in late spring (end of April to early June) but be prepared for some pretty intense heat.

 

9.   San Xavier del Bac Mission

Located in the desert where you expect to only find cacti, the domes of “The White Dove of the Desert” stick out like a mirage only here to trick your mind.

The historic Catholic mission, completed in 1797, is as magnificent on the inside as it is on the outside.

The exterior of the European structure showcases intricate designs, while inside you’ll find statues of saints and angels, as well as colorful religious paintings.

It is still used by the local community as an active place of worship, so be sure to respectfully plan your trip around services.

Next to the mission you can walk to the top of Grotto Hill, where you’ll find a replica of the Grotto of Lourdes on the way up the hill.

 

 

10.   Tumacacori National Historical Park

A hidden gem in Santa Cruz River Valley, the ruins of three Spanish era missions seeping with history is the main attraction of the park.

Here, visitors can learn about the diverse groups of people from Europe and the Americas whose different worlds meshed together and shaped the culture we see in the area today.

If you’re lucky, you may catch a demonstration of traditional basket weaving, try a freshly made corn tortilla, or get to hear first-hand stories about the various cultures.

11.   Pima Air and Space Museum

Immerse yourself in American history as you tour six hangars and around 300 aircraft spanning multiple eras from the Wright Flyer to WWII military planes to a 787 Dreamliner.

Get a firsthand look at the birth and evolution of flight and the incredible advancements we’ve made over the years.

Add to the excitement by joining the tram tour and exploring 80 acres of truly remarkable aircraft.

History buffs, you won’t want to miss this trip.

 

12.   Kitt Peak National Observatory

With amazing mountain panoramas by day and incredible stargazing at night, Kitt Peak Observatory is a must-see for everyone.

Choose to take a guided or self-guided tour around the premises or opt for their more popular nighttime options.

In these programs, you’ll use binoculars and telescopes to find constellations, deep-sky objects, stars, and the moon.

The observatory even offers astrophotography workshops for those wanting to sharpen their skills.

13.   Tubac

Tubac may be best known for its vibrant art scene and being home to the annual Festival of the Arts.

But you don’t need to be artsy to fall in love with this small town.

You may come for the countless art galleries, but you’ll stay for the hiking, golfing, antiques, dining, and all-around atmosphere.

Support the local community by enjoying a traditional meal from a family-owned restaurant or bring home a one-of-a-kind, handmade gift from one of the local shops.

 

14.   Nogales Mexico

Take your next day trip to Nogales, over the border to Mexico.

With just your passport and about an hour of driving, you can be in the Mexican state of Sonora.

Indulge in an amazing, authentic Mexican meal, wander the streets full of colorful handmade crafts, and engage in a little retail therapy.

The town is particularly famous for its dental and medical tourism with procedures and medications costing a fraction of the prices found in its northern neighbor.

15.   Madera Canyon

If you’re looking for another place to escape the summer heat, let Madera Canyon offer some relief.

This mountainside haven is home to over 250 different species of birds, making it a world-renowned destination for birding.

Bring your binoculars – there are over a dozen hummingbird species that call Madera Canyon home – see how many you can spot.

The temperate climate welcomes hikers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts alike to bask in its beauty.

The canyon also welcomes snowfall in winter so you can come here all year round whether you want to pack up a picnic or a snowball.

 

Final Thoughts

With such a variety of enjoyable day trips from Tucson there’s something to satisfy whatever you’re craving. Whether you’re after a great hike, a scenic drive, or learning all about the stars or airplanes you can enjoy a fun filled day trip from Tucson and still be back in town for dinner.

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