Prior to my trip to Tucson, my only experiences with the desert were a day trip to the Grand Canyon and a short hike in the desert landscape of the Columbia River Valley. So, it was with a bit of trepidation that I headed out to the Sonoran Desert in Tucson, AZ, for six days. I wasn’t sure if my tree-loving self would like this cactus covered part of the country.
I landed in Tucson because during a dreary March in New England, I was in search of sun, warm weather and the chance to spend the majority of my day outside doing what I love. Tucson gave me all of that, plus an appreciation for the desert landscape. I spent lots of time exploring magnificent Saguaro National Park, found a desert oasis, and even tried mountain biking for the first time. And let’s not forget all the unique, delicious restaurants- so many varieties of tacos (my new obsession) and beans.
Table of Contents
Saguaro National Park
One of the main reasons I was drawn to Tucson in the first place was there is a National Park there. Saguaro National Park actually book-ends the city. Tucson sits in the middle of the east and west sections of the park. If you’re limited on time, you can certainly visit both sections of the park in one day, but try to take a bit more time to leisurely explore the park. Each section has a number of hiking trails, so instead of driving the main loops and stopping at a few scenic outlooks, plan to spend at least a day in each park to explore the trails. You can explore on foot or on a bike, though biking is limited to certain hours. On an early morning, to beat the traffic, I would love to bike the 8 mile Cactus Forest Loop Drive that winds through the eastern section of the park. It’s a beautiful and up-close look at the park’s desert life. This might just be the reason I need for a return visit since I only hiked in the park.
As you might expect, the Saguaro Cactus is the star of the show in Saguaro. I didn’t think there could be that many cacti in one spot! I’m used to traditional forests- pine, maple, birch- so I couldn’t believe my eyes when I spotted my first Saguaro forest on the drive out to Saguaro West. Amazing! The winding mountain road that takes you to the park’s entrance is almost worth the price of admission alone. But if you’re afraid of heights you might want to let someone else drive while you close your eyes. The road is quite narrow with a few steep hills and it’s most definitely on the side of a mountain. No shoulders on this road.
I only made one trip each to the East and West sections, so I stuck mainly to the core sections of the park. In the West, I drove the Bajada Scenic Loop, making a few stops for sightseeing: a beautiful hike on the Hugh Norris trail; a stop at the Valley View Overlook trail; and a stroll to Signal Hill to see the many petroglyphs etched into the rocks. I didn’t have a lot of time to visit the East section of Saguaro, so instead of hiking, I drove the Cactus Forest Loop, taking a short walk on the the Mica View Trail.
Whether you visit one or both sections of the park while in Tucson, definitely stop at the Visitors’ Center before you start out. The helpful rangers provide park maps, hiking maps and helpful suggestions for hikes, depending on how much time you have.
Mountain Biking
Tucson is quickly becoming a mountain bike mecca, so I had to give it a try while I was there. Having never ridden a mountain bike and having no idea where I should ride, I enlisted the help of Homegrown Mountain Bikes. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced rider, Homegrown has you covered. They rent bikes and offer tours for all levels of riders. From start to finish, their customer service was excellent! I communicated via phone with Tara, the owner, to secure a bike rental and a guide to show me the ropes. I met my guide, Juan, at Sweetwater Preserve– an amazing location in west Tucson with single track built by mountain bike riders.
Juan was an excellent instructor- after all, he is a certified mountain bike instructor and pro racer. I caught on quickly and discovered that it’s ok (and fun!) to roll over the rocks, unlike trying to avoid every little thing in the road while riding a road bike. We spent two hours in the preserve riding the beginner trails and mixing in a couple intermediate trails. I hit a couple gnarly spots where I had to stop and walk the bike, but was proud I was able to handle some of the tougher spots. Maybe a mountain bike is my next purchase- along with a fat bike!
Sweetwater Preserve is one of many mountain biking spots in Tucson. Mt Lemmon is very popular but it’s generally better for more advanced riders. On my next trip, I’d look to check out a few more spots, including Fantasy Island and Tucson Mountain Park.
Sabino Canyon
I knew Tucson was well known for mountain biking, but didn’t know there were so many other outdoor activities. I wanted to explore the area, and it’s always helpful to ask the locals what they recommend- that’s how I ended up at Sabino Canyon. I was looking for a hiking recommendation, and my massage therapist at the Westin’s La Paloma Spa recommended Sabino Canyon. He said the trail was 8-9 miles roundtrip, which normally would be a bit long for me, but the elevation gain there would be minimal, meaning a quicker hike. At a leisurely pace, it would take about four hours.
On a beautiful blue sky day, I headed to Sabino Canyon, located on the outskirts of Tucson in the Coronado National Forest. I quickly discovered it’s one of Tucson’s worst kept secrets. The huge parking lot was packed! Don’t sleep in if you plan on hiking there. Getting an early start will help avoid crowds on some of the more popular trails.
After a quick chat with a Park Ranger outside the Visitor Center- always talk to a Ranger- I started on my hike to the Seven Falls, a beautiful waterfall cascade in the heart of Bear Canyon. It really is possible to find water in the desert! You’ll follow the Bear Canyon Trail (#29) to the falls. The trail starts by running parallel to a paved road, so you have the option of walking the trail or the road. I recommend taking the trail, as I find walking on pavement in hiking boots is more of a strain on my feet. Be on the lookout for shuttle stop #3. This is where the paved road ends and also your last chance to fill your water bottle and use the restroom.
The hike to Seven Falls provides a different vantage point than hiking through Saguaro National Park, which overlooks Tucson. As you might imagine, the trail runs along the canyon floor with the steep canyon walls surrounding you. A river also runs through the canyon and the trail crosses the river seven times (one way) so be prepared to rock hop. Wear waterproof hiking boots just in case you slip. If water levels are high, you may want to skip this one altogether so you don’t have to wade across the river.
I don’t love water crossings but I’m so glad I went for it and completed the hike. Waterfalls are so peaceful and the perfect reward for a hike. Roundtrip, the hike was about 8.5 miles and I completed it in 3 hours, which included a short lunch break on the rocks below Seven Falls.
Food
I couldn’t write about Tucson without mentioning the food. Tucson is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, meaning there are many restaurants using local ingredients and preparing dishes that embrace the city’s heritage. Local chefs take pride in this designation and skillfully prepare creative dishes you can’t miss. As a bonus, by eating at the locally owned establishments it’s easier to find healthy meals in Tucson than many other cities. A few of my favorites:
Seis Kitchen 
BK Carne Asada 
Tumerico
- Tumerico– All I have to say about this vegan restaurant is I would travel back to Tucson just to eat there! Just go! Vegan or not, you need their Cuban Tacos in your life.
- Ermanos Bar– If the large selection of local craft beers isn’t enough to draw your attention, then head there just for the Splendid Burger. There couldn’t be a better name to describe this vegan burger! Made with beets, mushrooms, tofu, barley and miso, it’s a delight for your taste buds.
- Seis Kitchen– Located in North Tucson, the menu incorporates culinary delights from six different regions in Mexico. You are sure to find your favorite at this popular quick service hot spot.
- BK Carne Asada– When you want a traditional Sonoran taco, this is one of the places you go. I admit that I thought the carne asada was a bit dry so didn’t love it. The adobada taco is where it’s at!
- Tavolino Ristorante Italiano– When you’ve had your share of tacos, head here for classic Northern Italian favorites and wine from the chef’s cousin’s Italian vineyard. You can’t pass up Grandma’s bolognese recipe- fresh pasta with slow cooked meat ragu. Carbo loading at it’s finest.
This might have been my first trip to Tucson, but it won’t be my last. The desert provides a unique landscape for exploring the outdoors and perfect winter weather for hiking and biking. The terrain is varied, the people are warm and welcoming, and there is a large variety of nutritious, healthy restaurants to fuel your activities. Give Tucson a try and let me know what you think.
Bonus Tips:
American The Beautiful Pass– Purchasing an annual National Parks pass for $80 is a steal of a deal. It provides admission to all U.S. Federally-funded properties- national parks, recreation areas, historic sites, etc. Sabino Canyon and Saguaro National Park are both federal properties, so the annual pass can be used for admission at both.
Biosphere 2– Science and outer space enthusiasts will love touring this fascinating site in the Catalina Mountains. Originally designed as an experiment to see if Earth could be replicated in a bubble and placed on Mars, it’s now a research laboratory owned by the University of Arizona. They are doing amazing research on sea life and rain forests.
