Sabino Canyon Recreation Area

It's beautiful, but hikes are not as accessible as we would have liked. We ended up just riding the tram up and back down. A gorgeous area, but no so much for hiking. This would be an ideal way for mobility limited individuals to experience the beauty of the canyon!

My husband and I came out here this morning for an early hike before it got too hot. The weather was absolutely perfect for a hike. The entire hike we did was easy (for us). Some people were on the main trail with strollers and kids. We ventured off on some of the side trails to see the water and if we could see any wild life. We did see two deers right off the side of the trail which was so cute. We had a really enjoyable time and definitely want to bring our kids next time we come here.

The staff is incredibly helpful. They will help you plan appropriate hikes along the way. We bought tickets the day before for the shuttle to the top. It was sold out for a few days so make sure you get tickets early. We went all the way to the top and then got dropped off at stop two and did several beautiful hikes in the way down. The range of hikes are short to long and easy to difficult. The restrooms were gross, but might be because it’s their peak season.

Sabino Canyon has a great paved road that gives you two choices. 1. Do the hike on foot where, if your more energetic there's trail's off road or you can just stay on the run way and enjoy the sites which has seating to take your break and enjoy the powerful environment and rest. 2. For a bit of money you can you can tell the youngsters I'll see you at the top when you make it. This recreation area offers more than just hiking and being in shape, check out there web page for more info. My wife and I love the walk! Met and spoke to New friends is a high.

The trails were nice but not shaded. Bring plenty of water, a hat and sunscreen. We enjoyed the views and people we met along the way. There is a little waterfall area where the kids can cool off, so bring a change of clothes too.

Beautiful place with lots of access to the desert landscape. Nice trails with water features when there is some to be had. These pictures are from above at the thimble peak looking back at Sabino Canyon below, Bear canyon and Blacketts Ridge. Three killer hiking areas of Sabino Canyon recreation area.

The hiker's playground. I found this trail system to be well signed, and easy to navigate. From casual nature walks, running and serious hikes, it's a "choose- your-own" adventure. People were friendly, trails were clean the only problem is not having unlimited stamina.

A very easy stroll through the beautiful Tucson desert! Saguaro as far as the eye can see, and some great wildlife sightings! The side trails take you to some nice little splash pools during the right time of year. I just ran into a family of 10 Coatimundi playing yesterday. Really cool experience.

Walking on Sabino's packed dirt+sand+pebbles (or something) was far easier and required less effort than walking on loose sand like in Saguaro National Park in Tucson. Plus, my kid and I felt the surface was more stable+packed and had way better traction. We actually hit the trail on our own but you can certainly request a tour guide with a group- but do inquire about tour fees if any. We paid $0 to park. We felt relaxed being here and walking here- especially getting away from NY's winter. The sun, exposure to nature and just being away gave us a calming effect on the mind.

Winter time is a good time to visit with respect to temperature but it is dry with no water during this time. Come back in the spring and there will be water. Just an amazing place. The visitors center has trail information, snacks, drinks, a gift shop, and a museum with the history. Parking is $8 and by day it $10 for a week or you can get an annual parking pass. If you have an Interagency Pass or several of the passes that the NPS offers, you can use that to cover parking as well. Just outside the visitor center is great little coffee and snack cart too. If it's your first time here like mine, take a tram tour which takes you 4 miles up into the beautiful canyon. Make sure to grab the included headphones to listen to the audio portion of the tour in English or Spanish. Note that it is GPS driven. The tram runs every 30 min but fills up quickly so get there early or make a reservation online. Look at both sides as you go up on the tram to enjoy the stunning beauty. Once at the top you can get out and stroll the area for 10 minutes. You will be guaranteed your seats on the tram. You can also choose to either walk back from here, or ride partway and get dropped off at one of the stop you passed on the way up or go all the way back to the visitors center. Bring a water bottle and some snacks with you. You can even have a picnic as some stops have some picnic tables. A couple of stops have a bathroom and water filling stations. If you stop between stops 4-6, it is about 2 to 2.5 miles walk to the visitors center. That's what we did. If you are going off the paved road for awhile, make sure you have hiking poles, good sturdy shoes, water, snacks, a small backpack, first aid kit, sunblock, and a hat. If you don't want to take the tram, there is a small 1/2 mile loop just outside the visitor's center that gives you a look at the vegetation. You also can just hike the paved path the tram goes on to the different stops. A full out and back hike on the paved path is 8 miles. All-in-all a great way to relax and explore the canyon. I'll be back again soon.

One of my favorite places to hike/walk when it's not 90+ outside. It's so beautiful!! So many trials ranging from easy to you better know what you're doing or you might need a helicopter or hope giant eagles come and save you...jk but truly try to know your limits. They have a cute little gift shop and a tram that runs up and back for those who can't or don't want to walk which is a great way to see Sabino. They do have restrooms along the main road and a couple have a drinking fountain to refill your water bottles. Bring water always or a cup of coffee for your short morning walk :) along with a breakfast bagel then find one of the many picnic tables. Breakfast, coffee and beautiful scenery..what's not to like.

Always a great place to get some more miles in. Get there early if you want a quiet cruise. Lots of beautiful scenery!

A morning walk up The canyon road. Very early and totally quiet here. Not many walkers yet.

This is a beautiful area but extremely crowded on a nice weekend in the winter. We parked in the overflow lot and paid via the envelope in the lock box method. There are a few trails near the lot but many are 3-4 miles or so from the parking lot which means a 6-8 mile walk in addition to whatever hike you're planning. There is a narrated shuttle for $15 a person as an option to avoid the walk to the trailheads but the shuttle was sold out. So...we stuck to the trailheads within a mile or so of the parking lot. The hikes were nice with some pretty views, birds and cacti. My recommendation would be to come during the week vs the weekend and arrive early to avoid crowds. A nice bonus is that if you do buy the week long permit, it is also good at other forest service properties.

This is a Tucson Diamond. A absolute must! If you want to see water in The desert, even in scorching June, this is the place. If you want to hear the canyons history, buy a shuttle pass( in advance ) online. Tip: If you want to go on a Sat\Sun morning book at least a week in advance. There are 9 shuttle stops and each area has its own topography. For exploring the dam stop 1,Exploring the garnets in the creek, stop 6. Swimming in deep pools, stop 8. You can't go wrong (as long as you bring plenty of water) with any beautiful spot. We like to park in the additional parking (all parking $8) hike up to stop 8 and we buy the shuttle pass online for a ride back. Best of everything! This really is the Diamond of Tucson.

Tucson is virtually surrounded by great desert mountain parks: two districts of a national park, the county Tucson Mountain Park and Sabino Canyon. Very cool. Sabino Canyon is well reviewed so I'll add just this thought: it's great they have a car-free access road. Makes walking among the scenery and up the canyon very pleasant.

This is such an a amazing public location offered to the public for sight seeing and hiking, brisk walks and exercise almost ever day of the year. A guided tram ridis available for those hot days that tourists and locals aren't wanting to walk the canyon.

The Mr and I wanted to see and learn about the Sabino Canyon. The tram was a great way to do both since neither of us were dressed or prepared to hike. We took the 9:00 tram ($15 each) and was looking forward to the commentary as well as the ride. It was a somewhat difficult to hear because the audio system was a little weak. It didn't help the people behind us, had no interest in the audio, and talked non-stop. Later we stopped in the well done Visitor's Center, and filled in the gaps we missed on the commentary. We took several pictures along the way and throughly enjoyed the magnificent scenery. I don't think I will ever tire of gazing at the saguaro cactus. It has a beauty all its own. I always love the look and sound of running water and the tram crossed many bridges giving us excellent photo ops. Sabino Canyon is beautiful and we were so glad we got to see it! Highly recommended!

My physical therapist had been raving about Sabino Canyon for months before a work trip brought me out to the area. When I finally had a chance to go I could see what all the hype was about. This place is stunning, with a completely paved path for people of all abilities - or if you dont wish to walk there is also an electric tram that runs frequently up and down the hill. I have a foot injury that sometimes keeps me from doing all the fun things I want to do, but when I'm out there amongst the beautiful saguaros, I can almost forget the trauma I've been through. Aside from the main path there are several other paths you can choose from as well. If you're up for a challenge there is a hike to the waterfall area, which I have yet to do. I look forward to returning so that I may explore the other paths in this beautiful landscape.

Bicyclists at Sabino Canyon are a real danger. They racing down the road at such high speed that eventually somebody is going to get killed. Volunteers used to tell them to slow down, but apparently they are told by the new district ranger not to interact with bicyclists, who can become quite aggressive. Even on trails walkers, joggers and hikers are not safe from bicyclist anymore. It is illegal to bike off the paved road: "bicycles are not permitted off the paved roadways." fs.usda.gov Bicyclists are making a hell out of what should be a relaxing walk/hike. Again, a few entitled individuals making life miserable for everyone

One of my favorite hiking spots ! There's many different hiking areas . Perfect time to come is during monsoon season to see the dam

We took the tram today. What a great experience. It goes 3.8 miles to the top. You have on/off privileges for your $12 and if you walk to the top, you can take the tram back for $7. Thats a great option all around. They give you headphones to listen to a very informative tour narration. Our driver had tons of personality to make the trip even more enjoyable.

I have been to Sabino Canyon countless times over the years and it really is a must. Trams have been improved with an audio system that delivers a recorded guided tour via earbuds. The rides are always relaxing and super versatile. If you want to get off and go hiking, you can. If not, you can stay on and enjoy the ride. Admission prices are also very reasonable. Do keep in mind: tram drivers can be irritable and patronizing. I witnessed one get visibly irritated with a group of people who merely asked a question in a condescending, elementary to high-school teacher kind of way. I get that people can be annoying, but that was uncalled for.

I've been coming here for so many years, I can't remember the first time. I like to run either in the many trails or up the road to the end and back. There's enough scenery and elevation gain to keep it interesting while challenging. See my photos for examples of running on the phone line trail.

Sabino Canyon is one of the most beautiful spots to go hiking, they have many amazing trails to choose from. If your into seeing what Arizona has to offer (nature wise) you will fall in love with the scenery here. You will get to experience the specials of what the desert is known for such as the cactuses the wildlife, and being up close and personal with the mountains is such an amazing experience you will definitely get that amazing desert feel that so many come to see! There are many stops along some trails where you can stop and jump in the water on a warm summer day, or just sit and sunbathe taking in the amazing beauty that will surround you along with some amazing pictures and just to get in touch with nature! I Highly recommend taking a trip here, none is ever disappointed when they leave!

One of the most beautiful areas in the entire Southwest, imo. I walk up there a lot. The little visitors center is OK, but I did encounter a couple of old witches there when I recently bought an annual pass. Very unfriendly, almost hostile even. Very bizarre customer service, I'm here to tell you. Other than that, Sabino Canyon is pretty cool.

Great place to walk it take a tram ride and connect with nature. Entrance fee is $8 a day unless you by a weekly pass or a season park pass. The tram ride is&15 per adult and is an hour long 7.1 mile round trip. There are many trails to walk or ride on but just dress for the terrain and bring plenty of water.

Hiked here with family over Thanksgiving weekend. Beautifully groomed trails and awesome scenery in every direction. We did Sabino x Phone Line loop and it was a relatively easy 11 mile out and back. The loop would have forced us to hike back on the asphalt road. We opted to stick to the trail and just did an out and back. Unlike the trails here in Phoenix... everyone practiced trail etiquette and no one had shitty music at full volume out of their generic Bluetooth speaker. It was a great hiking experience.

this is an absolute must if you find yourself in tucson! if you're athletic and adventurous you can choose from trails to hike. (there were a lot that are currently closed so best suggestion is to go inside visitor center and ask the park staff what the latest accessibility is.) if you're not up for the heat it or the exercise, the tram is such a low impact awesome choice that will enable people of all ages to go 3.7mi up into the canyon and then come back down or choose to walk some or all of the distance because you can catch the tram back down at any of the nine stops along the way. we went on a weekday and i could see where this would be an absolute ZOO on weekends. the parking lot was fairly full when we arrived in the early afternoon but it was the coolest day of the week (mid 70's as opposed to close to normal 90's) and we were back down to the car and a much less full parking lot three hours later. the park staff were super helpful and not jaded about having to deal with crowds of people. there was a woman who was standing at the tram ticket kiosk helping people to purchase tickets, the visitor center staff were lovely to engage with and ask questions to and the tram driver had a great sense of humor and exercised amazing patience with the varied riders. it's a gorgeous area and you shouldn't miss it if you want to see saguaros as far as the eye can see! it's also a great spot for locals to show off to new transplants or visitors. basically, it's a gem of a place and while there are certainly other hiking and nature options in the area, i truly believe everyone should go to savino canyon at least once! i'm a huge proponent of supporting the parks service and enabling these kinds of areas to exist for the enjoyment and education of all!

This is a beautiful place and it's run perfectly. You could walk up the 4+ miles or take a tram and get off at anyone of the 9 stops. We got off about 2.5 miles for the starting point and walked and enjoyed the views and took a lot of pictures. If you in the area I highly suggest stopping by here. The people are friendly and helpful. We even got some great tips for our next visit. In this day and age it's so pleasant to see people enjoying their job and looking happy. You got to see it. Do to our short time in the area we could only do the canyon tour but there's so much more to do here. Haven't left yet but planning a return trip so will see you guy in a few months thank you for a beautiful experience

From electric trollies to take you to the top of the paved trail to intense hikes, wildlife, water, and incredible views, this place has something for everyone. My wife loves it for the exercise, my kids love the water at the dam, and I'm there for the views. Can't miss!

My elderly uncle came to visit from Indiana and we went to Sabina Canyon. We registered online for the shuttle that drives you into the canyon, and I can't thank Alex, our driver, enough. He made an already wonderful trip amazing. He was very informative, funny, and most importantly, he was so careful with my uncle's safety! This beautiful canyon is a must see for all ages. I also took my 3 year old grandson, and he absolutely loved it! Thank you, Alex, for such a great memory!

There are numerous trails you can take along Sabino Canyon. We took the trail that goes to Seven Falls after taking the shuttle. The shuttle has a ride I believe 1-2 times an hour on the half hour and is $6 per person that is round trip. You can pay by the machine or the driving can take card as well on the shuttle. From the shuttle stop to the falls are approximately 2.9 miles each way and is a nice little adventure. You have to go through the river numerous times throughout the trail and there are times you'll lose the trail and can't go wrong when you follow the river. Definitely recommend it. And if you have time jump in the water a little. Might be the cleanest and is a bit on the chilly side. But I've never really known of hot waterfalls ‍. If you have, please pass on the knowledge.

Great hiking! The tours are really great if you're not up to walking much but still want to be in nature. The volunteers and people in the gift shop are very friendly and helpful. Definitely go during monsoon season to see the Dam and hike the Seven Falls trail. There are also plenty of restrooms and water fountains along the main trail. The annual price went up last year but it's worth it

Nice. Clear and clean. Went for a short 4.5 mile (return trip inclidhike to the dam. Pleasant walk. Get a pass and parking is included. $20 for the year or $5 per visit. Pass works for other things such as Mt Lemon. A Tucson escape. So close and so beautiful. Something to be treasured and explored. There is so much to explore.

Accessible for all abilities. We looked hard for outdoor activities during Covid so that we could protect our frail grandparents but still do things together during the holidays. It was a very cold windy December day but wind jackets kept us comfortable. Our family included those who hiked the ridge all the way down, and probably could have hiked all the way up too. It also included a wheelchair. It was lovely to ride all the way up the canyon (THANK YOU for requiring mask wearing while we were in close quarters!) The narrative was informative and entertaining. We got off at the top for a minute then the wheelchair contingent got back on and went two stops down before getting off to roll the rest of the way down. We stopped at every water crossing and loved the view. The wheelchair pushers took turns and we all got a good workout. For coming "down" a canyon there was a LOT of uphill stretches. Probably too much if your wheelchair engine isn't in shape. It was an absolutely delightful day. And we all ended up back at the visitor center at the same time.

We went on very beautiful hikes in Sabino Canyon and Bear Creek Canyon. There were more people on the trails than I'm used to seeing, but everyone got along just fine. We didn't use the trams, but I can see how it would handy if I were less mobile or had little kids in tow. Overall, a very scenic area and I think the USFS is doing a good job managing the Recreation Area so everyone can enjoy it without ruining it.

Plenty of places to hike social distanced from others and where that did not happen people gave each other space or did put on face masks. I noticed new signs up: a no dogs one and a warning regarding mountain lions. I also noticed new gates to possibly close them if the need ever is to keep people not entering what was a burn area or where water can come flooding down in to the park, all possibly precautions taken after having the Bighorn Fire up above this park area. The shuttle is available too. Always great to be outdoors. A wonderful space to visit.

We enjoy the hikes and ride service at Sabino Canyon. Beautiful all the time and even more so in the spring. We even hiked in from the northeast side one year, camped for the night just outside of the park and caught the tram back to the center the next day. It remains one of our favorite places to enjoy nature.

One of my favorite hiking spots in the Tucson area, do it on a weekday if possible to avoid crowds and go early. The great thing is there is plenty of parking if u arrive at a reasonable hour, also free for National Park Pass Holders. The Park Staff was super friendly and really made it a nice experience, got some great Smokey Bear T-Shirts that we never saw anywhere else. They also provided some cool Smokey Bear swag for my little sister after hearing about her love of Smokey. The Hike we did was 7 Falls from the parking lot, we skipped the shuttle (still trying to social distance as much as possible) - the trail is very nice, saw some wildlife on the way up (early morn) deer, rabbits & roadrunners after mid-morn the trail was crowded & wildlife dispersed. Most hikers were considerate, and took turns at choke points allowing each other to pass. We really only ran into one group that barreled thier way up the trail & made no move to share the trail. The hike was moderate, just go early before it gets too hot & bring water (plenty of it). The views are beautiful, the falls were quite crowded, so we decided to picnic on way back at an area that the water flowed through and had plenty of space to spread out, take a break and soak some feet.

Beautiful hiking area with knowledgable rangers! The visitor center parking area is usually packed on the weekends, so arrive early if you can. The visitors center has plenty of information on all available hikes and if you ask, the rangers can give you plenty of tips and tricks. We did the Seven Falls hike and did not take the tram - making it about an 8.6 mile round trip hike. Very easy hiking in my opinion and we accomplished it at a leisurely pace with plenty of stops in about 3-4 hours. There is an option to pay for a tram ride the first two miles of the hike, cutting your round trip mileage down to about 4.6 miles total. The trams come every half hour and I believe are only a couple dollars per person. Lots of wildflowers along the first couple miles as well this time of year

Great variety of trails for beginners as well as more experienced hikers. I like that they also have a paved trail which is easy for kids & strollers. Not to mention the tram which is nice to ride & relax.

The service staff are very friendly and helpful and the number of stops are adequate. The tour is auto narrated with earphones. Due due to high frequency shrill sound of the engine it is very difficult to hear both the narration & enjoy the beauty. Be sure to get a seat in the back of the tram where noise is less pronounced. Hopefully this company can upgrade their equipment to make the ride more quiet.

Top spot for a hike in Tucson. Ample parking and you can choose the tram for a simple ride to the top or a beginner, intermediate or challenging trail for a hike. Spectacular views, running water most of the year, lots of wildlife and iconic Sonoran Desert flora of every type imaginable. Just go!

I came here on a Tuesday morning around 8:30AM and the Bear Canyon (free!) parking lot was empty aside from another car. I did just part of the Bear Canyon Trail before heading onto Blackett's Ridge, which was great. It was all unshaded and the last 1.5 miles go steadily upward with switchbacks and 3 false summits. The ride line had great views though! There were quite a few people doing this hike, but it didn't get too crowded. Would recommend!

Really nice views. Unfortunately, much more crowded than in years past. Still a must do in Tucson.

This is one of our favorite hiking spots in town, not only because it's right by our house. Wether hiking with little ones or with friends or grandparents there is a little something for everyone. I love taking my little ones to the damn for a little water time and for more of a workout for mom I take the paved path! That hill is a beast! If your from out of town I recommend the tram to get all the sights.

Must do in Tucson! Sabino Canyon was one of my favorite activities I did while visiting Tucson. If you have a short amount of time but want to see the Arizona scenery, Sabino Canyon is your best bet. It's on the northwest side of town just a few minutes from restaurants and busy parts of town. A few tips: + You must pay $5 for a day pass for the parking lot. + Unless you're serious about walking or hiking uphill for four-ish miles, I recommend purchasing a tram ticket. Tram tickets are sold starting at 8:30 a.m. and the first tram leaves at 9 a.m., leaving every 30 minutes and going to the top of the canyon (stop 9) and back down to the visitor center. You are free to hop on and hop off as much as you like during the day, between stops 1 and 9. I went to the top, got off and walked down a few stops, and picked up the tram when I got hot/tired. + The tram tour takes about 30 minutes to the top and includes an educational narrated tour to learn more about the scenery. + Stop by the educational visitor center and gift shop on your way out. The pictures don't do it justice - check out Sabino Canyon for yourself!

Amazing to the eye and a wonderful place to go walking or hiking. Parking fee. No dogs allowed. Special times allotted for cyclists. Love the tram! Definitely worth the time to go. Very unique place.

Decided to do a quick little hike after class with my classmates. We didn't really have a lot of time left until sunset so we did probably a mile to the dam and mile back. Great activity to do as an ice breaker and getting to know new people.

Love this place. Nicely paved, easy to see cactus, mountains, beautiful pictures. Bring a hat, sunblock, plenty of water. Lindo lugar, pavimentado, se ve los cactus cerca, montañas, puedes tomar lindas fotos. Acuérdate de traer bloqueador de sol, gorro, y mucha agua. Disfruta

As of January 13, 2019, the trams are not running, and there's no ETA of when they will return due to switching tram companies plus the government shutdown. There's still a pay box to self pay for parking, though you don't have to if you have the national parks and federal recreational lands annual pass. The parking lot was maybe half to three fourths full when we arrived on Sunday around 11:30 AM, so we had no trouble finding a spot. Despite the shutdown, the visitor center was staffed (by gracious volunteers, I believe), and the bathrooms were open. The bathrooms were clean as well. We did a quick walk around the gift store, and I was disappointed not to find magnets/postcards/hiking medallions labeled Sabino Canyon or Seven Falls. Most items were photos only, and the couple things we saw labeled were with Sonoran Desert. I get very picky with my souvenirs. But, most people come to see nature, not the gift store. We had gone to Saguaro National Park (east side) the day before, and I found Seven Falls trail much more beautiful and scenic. It was also more satisfying for me as I had the Falls at the end to be my reward. I am not an active person, but this hike was doable, though I did go at a slow pace. My Apple Watch ran out of battery when we got back to the trailhead, so I believe that last leg wasn't recorded. It took us 4 hours to do our 8.52 mile hike, including our photo stops. We did take the trail most of the way to the trailhead, instead of the paved path for the trams, which probably would have been faster. We learned our lesson and took the paved path all the way back to the visitor center after we left the trail. Despite the number of cars in the parking lot, the trail didn't feel crowded at all. We definitely crossed paths with people, but majority of the time it felt like we were the only ones out there. The elevation was gradual, so it wasn't too bad. You do cross water streams about 5 times each way, so wear shoes that can get wet! I was wearing my Keen shoes which are great for that, but sand got in through the holes, making the walk a bit uncomfortable as it refused to get shaken out. The weather was in the low to mid 60s, which was perfect as honestly I'd be singing a different tune had it been hot. I do think the falls were a worthy payoff at the end. I wouldn't make the effort to travel here just to do it again, but I would make multiple trips if I lived in the area.

Sabino canyon is a nice park with many great trails, and a $4 tram to save you walking many miles. You can get in free with a national park pass. The visitor center has a gift shop, information, and a 20 minute movie to explain things about the park. The bear canyon trail leads to 7 falls and it is about 8 miles R/T from the visitor center, but if you take the tram for $4 you save 4 miles. There are 3 tram stops for the bear canyon trail, and you only get 1 round trip for $4. There is not a narrated tour like the other tram rides in the park. There are bathrooms at the visitor center and at tram stop 3 but not anywhere else that I saw. It is a moderate trail (depending on your fitness, etc.). There are some rocky and steep areas, but not too terrible. There are plenty of beautiful views, plants, cactus, etc. Saw a few lizards and roadrunners too. The creek and the 7 falls were dry now during November, and I was told that maybe in March or April when flowers are blooming is the best time for running water. It was a nice hike and trail, except in some parts there are no signs and the trail is not clearly marked, so it is easy to start down a false path or in the flora. There are picnic tables and areas at various places in the park but not any near the visitor center. There is a large parking lot, but overflow parking too in case it gets too crowded. Definitely a nice place to hike and enjoy nature.

Sabino Canyon is a favorite hiking spot of mine. I enjoy the fall season when the leaves are changing a yellow color, and after a hard rain hearing the streams flow with water. I will often run to the first bridge and enjoy the shaded area while I catch my breath. I will then briskly start to walk and take in the views all the way to the top. Try to be back to your car before dark as you will start to hear wildlife move about as I experienced one time almost being tripped over by a Ring Tail Cat as it ran between my legs. I thought a monkey had gotten loose from the Tucson Zoo! After that experience I now wear a head lamp if I walk later in the day.

Sabino Canyon is a well known hiking/ mountaineering nature preserve in the Sabino County area. This canyon spans out into several miles in a variety of different directions throughout various trails, the bus route being the most popular as tourists of the national park can visit and get to the main hiking trail. I chose to walk. On my journey, I would highly suggest that you bring plenty of water, especially when trekking across the hot gravel or taking some of the side routes near the hills and mountains. There are amazing spots for those into photography, the main route leading to a dried river bed that is easier to traverse taking the high ground. Beautiful sights, parking is great. I highly highly suggest this trail!

We love hiking in Sabino Canyon. We've seen javelinas, road runners, rat snakes and coyotes at different times. The trails are well marked and easy to follow. For those that aren't into hiking, there is a tram you can take to the top and back. We will be back, again and again.

No one visiting Tucson should miss this place. A locals favorite. We go at least once a year, often twice.