Best Hikes in Tucson, Arizona: Our Family’s Favorite Trails

Tucson, Arizona is a hiker’s dream. With desert landscapes, mountain views, waterfalls, and trails for every skill level. We visited for the first time last March and fell in love with this area of the country. We spent a week hiking around Tucson and left making plans for our next trip — there are simply too many incredible trails to explore in one visit.

We just returned from a trip to Tucson with the whole family, and they loved it as much as we did! If you’re looking for the best hikes in Tucson, these are our tried-and-true family favorites. Keep in mind we have older children (as in, they are all adults), however we encountered children of all ages on these trails. Whether you’re visiting for a week or building a longer Arizona adventure, these trails showcase why Tucson is one of the best hiking destinations in the Southwest. You are sure to have the best time. The Tucson area is a great place to enjoy family in the great outdoors.

Why Tucson Is One of the Best Hiking Destinations in Arizona

Tucson, Arizona is in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. One of the things we love most about hiking in this area is the variety. In one week you can:

• Hike desert trails lined with towering saguaro cacti
• Cool off in shaded canyons and seasonal waterfalls
• Climb mountains with sweeping city and valley views
• Choose from short, accessible hikes or challenging summit climbs

Tucson hiking trails offer something for everyone — families, casual walkers, and experienced hikers alike. The best place to get the most accurate information is the Tucson visitor center in downtown Tucson.

Our Favorite Hikes in Tucson, Arizona

Gates Pass Trail

A beautiful desert hike that highlights classic Tucson scenery. This trail is peaceful, scenic, and a great introduction to desert hiking, and it’s right in the middle of Tucson Mountain State Park. It’s free. There is nice parking lot with bathrooms on W Gates Pass Rd.

Tanque Verde Falls Trail

One of the most popular hikes in Tucson for a reason. This trail leads to stunning waterfalls after rain and offers dramatic canyon views along the way. We hiked three of the trails here. There had been some rain so there was water, which is always a plus when in the desert. We were warned that there might be some nudists on the trails. Everyone we saw had there cloths on also a plus!

Sabino Canyon Recreational Area

Sabino Canyon is a must when hiking in Tucson. There are so many well marked trails here, making it perfect for multiple visits. Some of the best trails are in this area. Purchase the $10 parking pass and return as many times as you want for a week.

Favorite trails within Sabino Canyon Recreation Area include:

• Creek Trail
• Rattlesnake Trail
• Phoneline Trail – Is a great hike. We only did part of this trail, if you choose to do the entire hike it is over 9 miles round trip and is moderate to hard.
• Seven Falls – This is probably my favorite hike, also moderate to hard.
• Sabino Lake
• The North Upper Sabino Canyon Road which is a paved road – is a 3.7 mile trail one way, so unless you catch the canyon crawler back it’s a fairly easy hike of 7.4 miles round trip.

These trails offer shade, water crossings, and a cooler hiking experience — especially welcome on warmer days. If you have questions there are park rangers all over the area and they are just waiting to answer all your questions.

Finger Rock Trail

This is a more challenging hike and one of the most iconic in Tucson. Steep climbs, rewarding views, and a true sense of accomplishment make Finger Rock unforgettable. This hike was a constant climb, it was clearly marked, however there are some parts of the path that one side is a steep drop off. My two sons did the entire trail. I did about 1/3 of it before turning around. Bring water, and take it slow. This was the first time for me and it’s a new favorite. I would like to try and do the entire trail next time.

Mt. Lemmon

If you want to escape the desert heat into the Santa Catalina Mountains, Mount Lemmon is the place. Higher elevation means cooler temperatures, pine trees, and a completely different landscape than the valley below. The seven of us headed out on this adventure on my sons birthday. Two cars, my husband driving in the lead and me in back. Make sure you start the drive up with a full tank of gas, because there are not any gas stations at the top, and you do not want to have to coast all the way down. Which I almost had to do. Because of the steepness and switchback nature of this road you will go through some gasoline. I turned back and we did not go to the top, sadly. Ken, the boys and my daughter-law enjoyed the top of the mountain with a gondola ride, and a short hike and headed back down. Me, my daughter and her boyfriend however, filled our gas tank, ate at Quesadillas for lunch and then hiked Finger Rock Trail instead.

Tumamoc Hill

Tumamoc Hill is popular for sunrise and sunset hikes and offers fantastic views of Tucson. A local favorite and a great workout hike. This hike is a doozy. The path is paved but very steep, with each corner you think it will even out but you just keep climbing. Don’t let this scare you away, you see all sorts of fitness levels on this hike. There are bathrooms halfway up with a water refill station. We love this hike. You get great views of the surrounding area, and you feel like you earned an extra taco or two afterward!

King Canyon Trail

Located in Saguaro National Park West, King Canyon Trail is perfect for soaking in classic Sonoran Desert views. Expect wide-open landscapes and towering saguaros. This trail head is directly across from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. It is a 7.8 mile loop that is a series of connecting trails that are fairly well marked. Keep your eye out for hieroglyphics on the rock walls. Make a day of it and check out the museum, which is worth a visit. It’s a fusion of zoo, botanical garden, aquarium, art gallery, and natural history museum. Give yourself a minimum of 2 hours to see everything. Then you can have lunch in their picnic area or eat at the cafeteria in the museum and walk across the street or drive over to the King Canyon trail head parking lot for an afternoon hike before heading back into town.

Mt. Wrightson

For those looking for a longer and more demanding hike, Mt. Wrightson delivers. Mt. Wrightson is the highest peak in the Santa Rita Mountains near Tucson, Arizona, reaching 9,456 feet. This hike offers forested trails, cooler temperatures, and a rewarding summit experience with breathtaking views. I did not partake in this adventure, but my husband and sons did. The boys made it all the way to the top. They said it wasn’t that difficult, but it was long. They saw deer right along the trail.

Tips for Hiking in Tucson

• Get an early start: Tucson hikes are best enjoyed in the morning, especially in warmer months.
• Bring plenty of water: Desert hiking requires more hydration than you think, so it’s a good idea to fill up your camelback or large water bottle before setting out.
• Check trail conditions: Waterfalls and creek trails vary depending on recent rainfall.
• Wear sun protection: Hats, sunscreen, and lightweight layers are essential.
• Make sure to use the facilities before you head out. If you know what I mean. I’ve learned this one the hard way!

Planning Your Tucson Hiking Trip

We spent a full week hiking Tucson and still didn’t see everything. That’s what makes this place so special — every visit to southern Arizona offers something new. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, climbing hills, or simply enjoying desert views, Tucson delivers.

Our Favorite places to eat before or after a hike.

Tuscan is also known for it’s amazing food scene. You can find just about any cuisine, but of course Mexican food is top notch, from sonoran hotdogs, tacos, some of the best mole I’ve ever had, the food scene will not disappoint!

Here are our favorites

• La Frida – this restaurant is known for it’s upscale, fresh, Mexican food. They specialize in seafood, and the cocktails are incredible, if you’re into that sort of thing. Hehe. They do not take reservations. Call ahead to see what their hours are. We have always tried to go right when they open and we have been able to get right in.
• Amelias Mexican Kitchen – This place is perfect for ordering some tacos or a breakfast burrito and picking it up. The inside of the restaurant is very inviting, but we have only ever done take-out. They have amazing breakfast burritos which are perfect for fueling up before a long hike.
• Barrio Bread – This is not a restaurant, it’s a bread bakery, however if you are staying for awhile and have rented a space with a kitchen you need to make a point to stop in and get yourself some of this bread. Go early. There will be a line, it goes fast. They post what they have available online. They will sell out! Don Guerra has won a James Beard award for his bread. He was actually at the cash register when I went, he definitely has a passion for bread and you can taste it!
• Presta Coffee Roasters – If you love coffee, go here. I am obsessed with there coffee. The 5 Points roast is my favorite.
• Barrio Brewing – Great beer, great food!
• 5 Points Market and Restaurant – We have had amazing food here both times we’ve been. Fresh made, unique flavors, good portions. It’s a must try! It is also in the Barrio Viejo area of Tucson which is a neighborhood of restored adobe homes. It’s worth taking a walk up and down the streets behind this restaurant.
• El Antojo Poblano – We stopped in here on a whim after a hike, and we are so glad we did. The food was amazing, as was the service. Some of the best mexican food I have ever had!
• El Charro downtown – There are a few other locations around town. The vibe is very fun. The food is great. Definitely make reservations if you are going at prime dinner time on the weekend.
• Vivace – This is Italian food, but it is worth forgoing a few good tacos for. Make a reservation and take off your hiking boots, it’s not a casual restaurant. We had a great meal here the first time we visited. Locale Neighborhood Italian also has great Italian food and is a bit more casual.
• A few other places that were recommended but we did not have a chance to try are: The Cork, Villa Peru, Crave Coffee Bar, Ghinis French Cafe, Kingfisher Bar and Grill, El Guero Canelo, Anello, Carro Steak & Del Rey

Where In the World Are Your Favorite Hiking paths?

If hiking is your love language, Tucson might just steal your heart the way it stole ours. We’re always looking for new trails to explore. Where’s your favorite hill to climb? Leave a comment and share your go-to hike — Tucson or beyond.

Happy hiking! Sheila