Greetings from Tucson!
One of the many reasons we fell in love with this city is its incredible landscape. The
majestic mountain ranges that surround us are a constant reminder of the unique beauty we get to experience every day. We put this guide together to share a bit of that magic with you. We hope it inspires you to get out there and explore the diverse topography that makes Tucson so special, from our stunning desert floor all the way up to the cool pine forests.
Tortolita Mountains
Located northwest of the city, the Tortolitas are a rugged and peaceful range. They are a popular spot for mountain biking and hiking, offering stunning panoramic views of the entire Tucson basin. The trails here are generally less crowded than those in the more central ranges.
Honeybee Canyon South Trail: This short loop mixes paved and unpaved paths and transitions quickly from open desert to a shaded, rocky canyon. Along the way, pass through a historic stone wall with a doorway – one of the trail’s most memorable features.
Santa Catalina Mountains
The most prominent and well-known range in Tucson, the “Catalinas” form the northern backdrop of the city. Rising to over 9,000 feet, they are a true sky island, with climate zones ranging from desert floor to pine forest. Mount Lemmon, the highest peak, is a popular year-round destination and is home to the southernmost ski area in the continental U.S.
Seven Falls Trail: A beloved hike that involves several stream crossings and ends at a beautiful series of waterfalls. It’s a quintessential Tucson
experience, especially after rainfall.
Santa Rita Mountains
Located south of Tucson, the Santa Ritas are the most remote and rugged of the five ranges. They are home to Madera Canyon, a world-famous birding spot. The high-elevation trails offer a cooler escape and a chance to see a different side of the Sonoran landscape.
Old Baldy Trail (10 miles) – One of Arizona’s premier summit hikes, this strenuous route climbs 4,000 feet to the top of Mount Wrightson. Though it’s physically demanding, the effort pays off with panoramic views from one of the most spectacular summits in the state.
Tucson Mountains
This range is located directly to the west of downtown Tucson. Unlike the other ranges, the Tucson Mountains are an intricate part of the city, with a significant portion protected within Saguaro National Park West. They are famous for their dense saguaro forests and beautiful desert vistas.
The Signal Hill Trail is very popular, short, and easy hike known for its impressive collection of prehistoric petroglyphs carved on the rocks at the top of the hill.
Rincon Mountains
This large and beautiful range forms the eastern backdrop of the city. Much of the range is protected as Saguaro National Park East, known for its extensive and majestic saguaro forests. The Rincons are a wilderness area, with fewer maintained trails but a true sense of seclusion. The Rincons have the largest and densest saguaro population in the world.
Cactus Forest Loop Drive (10 miles): This scenic road with trail pullouts is perfect for
driving, road cycling or walking. Several of the park’s trailheads originate from this route.