Tucson Arizona offers many opportunities for solo hiking with the option of desert or mountain hikes. Enjoying nature as well as more time for hiking were part of my decision to adopt a nomadic lifestyle earlier this year. I started out my solo road trip adventure with a couple of weeks visiting small towns in West Texas and some fantastic hiking at Big Bend National Park.
Next I lived in Tucson Arizona for seven weeks and enjoyed solo hiking at Mt Lemmon, Sabino Canyon, and the Saguaro National Park.
For a great day trip from Tucson you can hike the Superstition Mountains – check out my post on the Wave Cave trail.
Let’s have a look at the best hikes in Tucson.
Many of the locals told me that I had picked a good time to visit Tucson. The hot temperatures of summer continued into early fall.
I arrived in Tucson in mid-October. Thankfully this is when daytime temperatures became comfortable for hiking and outdoor activities around Southern Arizona.
Read my guide to Tucson AZ Places to See and Things to Do
Sabino Canyon hiking trail information sign
Best hiking trails in Tucson Arizona
Sabino Canyon hikes
Address
5900 N Sabino Canyon Rd, Tucson AZ
Allow 30 minutes driving time from downtown
Admission fee
$8 parking fee per vehicle (FREE with National Parks pass)
Sabino Canyon features both desert and mountain hikes. My favorite hike at Sabino Canyon was Bear Canyon to 7 Falls.
I visited Sabino Canyon more than once because it’s a magical place for hiking in Tucson. Variety of terrain makes Sabino a wonderful place to explore the Sonoran Desert.
With mountains, desert, and waterfalls, it’s a great place to enjoy nature and do some wildlife viewing.
While hiking in Tucson when weather is warmer be aware of snakes, particularly rattlesnakes. Fortunately in cooler weather the rattlesnakes do not make an appearance.
Sabino Dam Trail at Sabino Canyon near Tucson
Seven Falls (also known as Bear Canyon trail)
Duration: 9 miles (14.5 km)
Elevation gain: 750 ft (229 m)
Type of hike: Out and back
Time: Allow 5 – 6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Note: Several water crossings
From visitor center take Bear Canyon Trail. At the junction of Phone Line Trail/Bear Canyon Trail turn right onto Bear Canyon/7 Falls.
Susan at Seven Falls hike in Sabino Canyon Tucson Arizona
Sabino Dam and Lake/Esperero
Duration: 2.3 miles (3.2 km)
Type of hike: Loop
Time: allow 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
From visitor center take Bear Canyon Trail and turn left onto Sabino Lake Trail. After Sabino Dam continue to Bluff Trail and turn left on Sabino Canyon Road to Esperero Trail back to the visitor center.
While hiking in Tucson you will see many Saguaro cactus in the Arizona Sonoran Desert
Saguaro National Park
Saguaro National Park has 2 locations located east and west of Tucson. Read my guide to visiting Saguaro National Park
Tucson Mountain District – Saguaro West – 2700 N. Kinney Road, Tucson AZ
Rincon Mountain District – Saguaro East 3693 – S. Old Spanish Trail, Tucson AZ
Admission fees to Saguaro National Park:
- $25 per vehicle (good for 7 days)
- $20 per motorcycle (good for 7 days)
- $15 per individual on foot or bicycle (good for 7 days)
- $45 annual pass to Saguaro National Park
- $80 annual pass for all National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands (FREE to active military personnel and only $20 for seniors aged 62 and over)
All of the hiking trails at the Saguaro National Parks are desert hikes. Be prepared for your hike with water, snacks, hat, sunscreen, etc.
Panoramic mountain view along the scenic byway to Mt Lemmon
Mt Lemmon
Located in the Coronado National Forest northeast of Tucson Arizona
Mt Lemmon is the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains, at 9,159 ft (2,792 m) and beautiful scenic drive. It takes about 90 minutes to drive from Tucson to Mt Lemmon.
Call the Pima County road closure hotline at 520-547-7510 to get the latest road conditions report.
Snow in November at Ski Valley Mt Lemmon Arizona Coronado National Forest
Even when I visited in November there was some snow at Mt Lemmon. Sometimes the road is closed in winter due to hazardous road conditions. Call to find out if it is advisable to have snow chains on your tires or 4-wheel drive.
Remember to bring a variety of outdoor clothing for the hiking trails because the weather will be much cooler at higher elevations.
Some areas of the National Forest require either a National Parks pass or Coronado Recreational Pass. Check the Forest Service Coronado National Forest page for details.
Molino Canyon Vista is a recommended stop at Mt Lemmon
Can hiking improve overall well-being?
Seems like every day that I go hiking or spend some time immersed in nature I feel like I’ve been rewarded with a cheap therapy session.
There is something magical and meditative about observing nature.
And I am not the only one that has adopted this belief – there is a field of study known as ecopsychology. Some researchers believe that one’s connection with nature can improve relationships and overall well-being.
My solo hiking around Tucson included desert hikes and mountain hikes. While I prefer hiking in the mountains, the desert hikes are a great way to become familiar with some of the wildlife and the plants of the desert.
It’s interesting learning about how the various plants and animals have adapted to life in the Sonoran Desert.
Orange cactus blooms at Saguaro National Park in Tucson
Animals on the trails in Tucson Arizona
Here are some of the creatures I captured with my camera while doing some solo hiking around Tucson Arizona.
When looking for wildlife in the desert I found that the best times early evening right around sunset and early mornings just before sunrise.
If you are into birding then Arizona is a great location to take a winter break.
Cactus Wren on a teddy bear cholla cactus – Tucson Arizona
Desert cottontail rabbit foraging for food in the Sonoran Desert
Hummingbird sitting on a branch – 7 Falls Trail – Sabino Canyon
Harris’s antelope squirrel – Tucson Arizona
Lesser Goldfinch sitting on a tree branch – Tucson Arizona
Canyon Tree Frog blends with the granite rock he sits upon at Sabino Canyon – 7 Falls Trail
Raven in Aspen tree at Mt Lemmon – Tucson AZ
Butterfly on a rock at Sabino Canyon – Tucson AZ
Red face and breast – the tiny House Finch munches on a seed
House Finch beside a barrel cactus – Tucson AZ
Lizard at Molino Basin at Mt Lemmon – Tucson AZ
Bright yellow face of the Verdin bird – Tucson AZ
Lizard at Saguaro National Park – Tucson AZ
A female cardinal feeding on seeds – Tucson Arizona
Grasshopper on a rock at Sabino Canyon – Tucson AZ
Gambel’s Quail feeding on flowers – Tucson AZ
Gila Woodpecker sitting on top of a Saguaro Cactus – Tucson AZ
Tucson Arizona offers many trails that are excellent for solo hiking and there is plenty of interesting wildlife to see along the way.
Out of all the hiking trails around Tucson, Sabino Canyon was my favorite but I enjoyed all of my hikes in Tucson. Southern Arizona is a great place to enjoy the outdoors especially from autumn through early spring.
Explore other destinations for your next solo travel adventure
Looking for more hiking trails in Arizona?
What You Need to Know Before Hiking Horseshoe Bend in Page AZ
Or enjoy the beautiful views of the Colorado River from Navajo Bridge near Page AZ
Grand Canyon North Rim Day Trip
Little Horse Trail Best of the Red Rocks in Sedona Arizona
After all that hiking take a drive out to Route 66 and visit Winslow Arizona
Hike the Oak Creek Canyon for a great family friendly trail with lots of shade while hiking along a creek
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The Travel Team
Tuesday 2nd of October 2018
Nice! I'm looking forward to visiting this thrilling place.