21 Best Scenic Vista Hikes near Tucson, Arizona

When you're hiking out into the wilderness on the trails around Tucson, you're bound to see amazing scenery regardless of which hike you choose. It's hard not to be captivated by the deep canyons, tall mountains, and changing foliage of the surprisingly lush Sonoran Desert.

However, there are several hikes where you'll come to either a point or a section of trail where you'll want to stop right in your tracks and enjoy a particularly stunning view.

Of course, great views are almost certain from the tops of the many mountains in the area, but we've already posted our picks for the best peak hikes around Tucson. This list is your guide to the best views that can be had on the trails around the Old Pueblo without having to summit a mountain.

If you're wondering about what hikes have the best views in Tucson, look no further.

21. Romero Canyon Loop

It would be impossible for us not to mention a hike where the views are good enough that benches have been installed at various points so that you can comfortably sit and enjoy the scenery for awhile. The fine folks of Catalina State Park have installed two such benches along this loop, so take advantage of them. Both are on the edge of the plateau above the stream and are particularly enjoyable at sunset.

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12 Best Rock Formation Hikes in Tucson

"The Mask" looks down on Stop #3 in Sabino Canyon

The city of Tucson is surrounded by several gigantic piles of rock that we call mountains. Over the ages, natural forces such as wind, rain, ice, floods, volcanoes, and even earthquakes have sculpted many of those rocks into all kinds of fantastic shapes.

Gazing upon such formations can spark a sense of wonder as you consider how they might have been formed, as well as a sense of humility as you realize how long it likely took them to be as they are.

With hundreds of miles of trails winding all around the nearby wilderness, there are loads of great hikes where you can scope out Southern Arizona's geological treasures, but we want to share our favorites with you in hopes that you'll be amazed by the most stationary of wilderness wonders.

Here are our picks for the 12 best rock formation hikes in and around Tucson, Arizona.

12. Picacho Peak

While driving in between Phoenix and Tucson on Interstate 10, there is one mountain that is nearly impossible to miss, Picacho Peak. The "Big Peak" juts up abruptly from the flat desert floor like a rock spire that looks like a coyote howling in the distance.

Contrary to popular belief, geologists do not think it is the remains of a volcano, but rather that its shape is the result of much of the original mountain falling away due to nearby fault activity. That means that the entire mountain is basically a rock formation resulting from earthquakes, which is pretty awesome.

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12 Best Hikes for Kids in Tucson

"Kid friendly" can mean all kinds of things. It can refer to the presence of chicken nuggets on a menu or the absence of profanity in a song or video. When it comes to hiking, we think kid friendliness should be measured by a few key elements:

1. Length - For little legs, even a mile can feel like a ton of walking
2. Variety - Shorter attention spans tend to do better with changing scenery
3. Difficulty - If for no other reason than the guardian's peace of mind, keep it simple
4. Goal - There needs to be a clear destination that is worth the trip

Equipped with those criteria, we've put together our picks for the 16 best hikes around Tucson, Arizona for kids. Each hike on this list is not too long or treacherous, is full of diversity, and has cool places that kids will want go to.

There is a range of levels among these hikes because we wanted to account for half-pint hikers between the ages of 4 and 12. In the second post of our 5 part series on Hiking with Kids, we noted that under our system, level 1 hikes are about right for the under 5 crowd, level 2 hikes can be good for 5-7 year olds, and anything 3 or higher are usually best reserved for kids who've hit their 8th birthday. If in doubt, it's always better to underestimate with a lower level hike than to get them in over their heads on a higher level hike than they are prepared for.

We hope you'll find some new favorites for your family.

12. Sycamore Reservoir - Level 2

The out-and-back hike to the old dam in the middle of the Santa Catalina Mountains has a few things that will appeal to young hikers.

10 Best Natural Pools (and the hikes to them) Near Tucson, Arizona

 

Water isn't typically associated with the desert. Most people tend to think of a barren and bone-dry landscape of sand dunes when they think of deserts. But with about 12 inches of rain per year, mostly coming during the late summer monsoon season, the Sonoran Desert of Southern Arizona is relatively lush.

For the uninitiated, the desert hiking trails around Tucson can have a surprising amount of water. There are many fantastic waterfalls and swimming holes that are easy to miss if you don't know where to look. We've already done a post on the best waterfalls, so now we're going to share our picks for the best natural pools.

To make our list, the pool has to be deep enough to get fully submerged while at least squatting down. That means that there are a couple of popular spots that ended up in our honorable mentions so that we could focus on the places where you would be more likely to make a day of the visit.

Before we get to the list, we want to be sure we provide an important warning:


Tucson gets most of it's precipitation during one of two rainy seasons. The first is the winter season which generally comes in December and January. The second tends to start in late June and finish by the end of August. During these times are when you're most likely to find these pools full of water, but they're also the most dangerous times to visit them.

An inch or two of rain may not seem like much, but around Tucson, all of that rain tends to get funneled into the canyons where these pools are located.  Therefore it is crucial that you pay attention to the weather. Even if it only seems to be raining miles away, that rain can come rushing down a canyon incredibly fast with very little warning. Every year, several hikers are stranded, injured, or worse by making foolish decisions at these pools, so please be careful.

Now that we've probably scared you away from ever visiting any of these places, on to the list!

7 Best Summer Hikes near Tucson

Tucson is one of the few places in the world where you can find great hiking year round. However the desert floor isn't the most pleasant place to be outside when the temperatures hit the triple digits.

Every year, when the mercury begins to rise, Tucsonans and ladybugs alike flock to the higher elevations to escape the heat. After all, there's a reason why the town at the top of Mount Lemmon is called Summerhaven. Up near the tops of the surrounding mountains, it can be 20-30 degrees cooler than it is down in the city.

Just because it's June, doesn't mean that you can't find great hiking in Tucson. You just have to be willing to either get up super early to beat the heat, or take a little drive up to higher altitudes.

Here are our picks for the best hikes to do during the summer months in Tucson, Arizona:

7. Palisades - Level 4

Starting up near the Palisades Ranger Station in the Santa Catalina mountains, the hike down the Palisades trail can be a great way to beat the heat, as long as you get up there early.

Like many hikes at the top of the mountain, the way out is downhill and the ascent is on the return trip. That means that you'll drop out of the cool pines down into the high desert grasslands before doing an about face to head back up the trail.

Going down to a lower elevation where it can be warmer and more exposed may not sound like a great idea in the Arizona sun, but the view is totally worth it and the respite of the woodland shade will provide ample motivation for the second half of the hike.

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12 Best Spring Hikes around Tucson, AZ

Spring is a splendid time of year. The weather is warming, the flowers are blooming, and creatures everywhere are getting twitterpated.

We've already done a whole post about the best wildflower hikes in Tucson, but there are plenty of other amazing trails that you should consider conquering before the temperatures get too high.

Although these hikes may not be to be places to witness the wildflower bloom, there is plenty of other natural beauty to be seen on these trails in the form of the local fauna, like the magnificently colored Collared Lizard.

Spring is the best time of year to spot all kinds of Sonoran Desert critters, like Gambel's Quail and Gila Monsters, as well as the aforementioned Collared Lizard because they are out and about looking for food and mates after a cold winter.

Although the thermometer hasn't usually maxed out in the springtime in Tucson, it can still get pretty toasty outside. For that reason, the main thing that all of these hikes have in common is a way to stay cool. Whether through shade, elevation, water, or a combination of all three, these hikes are your best bets to enjoy the outdoors around Tucson as the transition towards summer gets underway.

12. Phoneline - Level 3

Traversing along the East wall of Sabino Canyon, the Phoneline Trail provides plenty of shade in the morning hours before the Sun rises above Blackett's Ridge. You can either hike to the big flat rock part way up the canyon for a nice picnic spot, or go all of the way to the end of the trail for a level 5 hike where you'll find several rocky towers right in the middle of the canyon.

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11 Best Wildflower Hikes around Tucson, Arizona

March is the month for wildflowers in the Sonoran Desert. 

...At least that's how it usually works out. Predicting exactly when the big bloom will occur is almost impossible since it depends on a number of different factors, such as the rains from the previous Winter and Summer, the temperature and how quickly it rises, and even the amount of wind sweeping across the desert floor. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum has a great page that details the difficulty of predicting a wildflower bloom.

When the colors do start appearing, you had better hit the trail quickly, because the peak season typically only lasts for about two weeks. It can begin as early as mid-February and go as late as April, but March tends to be the best time to catch the bloom. You can use resources like DesertUSA's Wildflower Reports page to see up to date reports from other hikers showing where and when flowers are blooming to help you time your trek through the colorful desert.

Once you've figured out when to go for a hike, the next question to answer is where to go. As a general rule, the areas that tend to have the best displays will have sparse vegetation and soft, as opposed to rocky, soil. Since there aren't many places around the Old Pueblo that match that description, finding the ideal trail can be difficult. We want to help point you in the right direction, so here are our picks for best hikes for finding wildflowers around Tucson:

17 Best Dog Friendly Hikes around Tucson, Arizona

Dogs are "man's best friend." They're loyal, they're affectionate, and they make for excellent hiking companions.

Unfortunately, not every trail is ideal for the both of you. Some are just too rough for them and some don't allow them to begin with. We recently posted a series of tips on how to hike with dogs that can help make hitting the trail with your four legged friend a good experience for you and Fido. We've also written up an overview where you can and can't hike with dogs around Tucson.

Even though large areas around the Old Pueblo are off limits to dogs, there are still tons of trails to choose from. Of course, you can use the dog friendly filter to help narrow your search in Trailvoyant's "Find a hike" tool, but we thought it might be helpful to have a reliable list of the best hikes around Tucson where you and your pooch can enjoy the wilderness together. Here it is:

17. Palisades - Level 4

A post shared by Jocasta 🚼 (@jocahontas_elaine) on Sep 11, 2016 at 11:13am PDT

Starting behind the Palisades Ranger Station in between mileposts 19 and 20 on the Catalina Highway, this hike begins in the pines and gradually descends into the high desert grasslands, staying well above the harsh rocky desert trails down below. Along the way, you'll pass a small spring and a seasonal waterfall before ending up at a spectacular vista overlooking the front range of the Catalinas and city of Tucson beyond.

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17 Best Winter Hikes in Tucson, Arizona

Winter is a fantastic time in Tucson. When the rest of the country is frozen in a polar vortex, buried under a couple of feet of snow, the Old Pueblo is usually in the 50's and 60's with snow up in the mountains where it belongs.

The stellar Sonoran winters afford excellent hiking conditions, but what do you do when you go out to the trailhead and the hike you were planning to do looks like this?

When a rare desert dusting is possible, it can be helpful to know which trails offer your best bets for great hikes. That's why we've compiled our picks for the best Winter hikes around Tucson.

This list has all kinds of hikes, with varying levels and a variety of features. If there's one thing that all of these have in common though, it's sunlight. The Sun is the key to these hikes, not only because it's warming rays feel good and melt the snow, but also because it can be so powerful in the Summer that many of these hikes are difficult to enjoy. So get out there while you can!

17. Pontatoc Ridge - Level 3

Pontatoc Ridge features a steady incline that is easy to get to and overlooks the entire city of Tucson. It's also totally exposed and South facing, which means that it can make for a pretty warm hike in the Summer months, but it's definitely worth doing.
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9 Best Workout Hikes in Tucson

There are numerous reasons to hit the trail for a hike. Some people do it to socialize, while others do it to find solitude. You get fresh air while you explore the wilderness and find amazing waterfalls, rock formations, and other natural formations. But one of the best reasons to take a hike is for the exercise.

One of the secrets to a healthy lifestyle is to find something that you enjoy doing for exercise. Regardless of how good it might be for you, if you hate running on a treadmill, you're not going to do it. That's why hiking could be a great part of your routine if you enjoy being out in nature.

Thanks to Tucson's fantastic geography, there are a ton of fantastic options nearby for hikes that will get your heart rate up. Whether you're looking for a well maintained trail to do some trail running or you want a short and steep climb, there is bound to be a hike or two around town that will give you the workout you're looking for.

Here are our picks for the best options:

9. Wasson Peak - Level 5

The trail to the top of the highest peak in the Tucson Mountains is well maintained, gradual, and not too rocky, making it an excellent option for a trail run.
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13 Best Peak Hikes in Tucson, Arizona

Hikers that live in Tucson, Arizona enjoy some of the best hiking around. The city is surrounded by 5 mountain ranges, each with their own unique look and feel. That many mountains means there are a lot of peaks to climb.

Anyone who has looked up at a rocky summit and felt the inexplicable urge to be on top of it can appreciate the dilemma posed by so many choices. 

We aim to solve that problem with this post by identifying the best peak hikes in the Tucson area. If you haven't felt that urge to climb a mountain before, we hope you will by the end of this list.

13. Brown Mountain - Level 2

Out West of town by the Desert Museum, there is a solitary peak that doesn't get a ton of foot traffic despite offering outstanding views from a loop hike that traverses the top of it.

What makes it great:

• Unique 360 degree views at the top of the valley West of town
• A loop hike that won't be very crowded
• It's right next to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

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16 Best Waterfalls (and the hikes to them) near Tucson, Arizona

Yes, you read that right. Waterfalls...near Tucson, Arizona. Although many of the mountain cascades are seasonal, flowing best in the early Spring or late Summer from the melting snow or monsoon rains, they can put on quite a show if you go at the right time.

Here's our list of the most impressive falls that you can hike to on the trails surrounding Tucson...

16. Bridal Veil Falls

A photo posted by Chelle Figler (@cfigsnap) on Mar 10, 2013 at 7:52pm PDT

High up the Esperero Trail in the front range of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Bridal Veil Falls is much smaller than its more famous Yosemite cousin of the same name, but it's still a refreshing place to rest on a long hike. The drop is only about 10 feet high and it's at its best in Spring when melting snow feeds its flow.

You'll pass by Bridal Veil Falls on your hike to the Cathedral, or you could build your own hike that ends at the falls itself.

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18 Best Hikes in the Santa Catalina Mountains

Of the 5 mountain ranges that surround Tucson, Arizona, the Santa Catalinas to the North boast the greatest number of hiking trails. From deep rocky canyons hiding refreshing pools in heart of the desert to cool forest trails lined by ferns and aspens up near the peak of Mount Lemmon, the Catalinas have it all.

Before we dive into the list, let's get the lay of the land.

The Santa Catalina Mountains are divided into two major parts by Romero Canyon, which cuts into the range from the West, while the West Fork of Sabino Canyon comes in from the East to meet up at Romero Pass. Everything South of the pass is generally considered to be part of the "front range" since it is closer to the city, while the rest of the Catalinas are referred to as the "back range". The front range tends to feature more desert hiking through deep canyons while the back range is where you'll find more hikes among pines than cacti.

In between the Santa Catalinas and the Rincon Mountains to the East of town, there is a lone peak called Agua Caliente Hill. Although it sits North of Redington Pass, which many regard as the dividing line between the two major ranges, it is separated from the Catalinas by Milagrosa and Agua Caliente canyons. As a result, it is not typically thought of as part of the Santa Catalinas and we will be leaving that area out of this list, despite the fact that it features several great hikes, such as Milagrosa Pools, Milagrosa Loop, and an amazing hike to the peak of Agua Caliente Hill itself.

Now on to the hikes...