Tucson offers the freedom to discover and explore its beautiful deserts and cactus-dotted hills – and what better time is there to do so than during the Tucson Gem Show? Head out to the hills early in the morning to view the sunrise, or take a break during the day to visit the mountains.
Ventana Canyon Hiking Trail
Ventana Canyon Hiking Trail – very picturesque hike for hikers of all levels. You can choose any difficulty you prefer and enjoy desert wildlife. And do not forget your hiking shoes.
Tips: starting at the intersection of Speedway and Wilmot, follow Wilmot North. Wilmot Road turns into Tanque Verde at Pima Road. Follow Tanque Verde to Sabino Canyon Road. Turn left on Sabino Canyon Road and follow for 3.7 miles to Kolb Road. Turn left on Kolb and follow until you reach the Lowe’s Ventana Canyon Resort. Enter the resort and look for the employee parking lot and a sign for the trailhead. There is a small parking lot near the trailhead.
Mt. Lemmon
Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway – It is one of the most scenic drives in southeast Arizona. It provides access to a fascinating land of great vistas, outlandish rockscapes, cool mountain forests and deep canyons spilling out onto broad deserts. For your convenience, there are turnouts at scenic overlooks and several campgrounds and picnic areas. Dozens of hiking trails offer access to the mountain’s backcountry canyons and ridges.
About 15 miles northeast of Tucson in the Catalina Mountains
520 576 9147
Madera Canyon
Madera Canyon – if you are a rare species bird fan, Madera Canyon is a must see destination. Located just north of the US-Mexico border, many Mexican species can be found nowhere else in the US.
Exit 63 Off Interstate 19, 303 Old Tucson (Nogales Ranger Station), Tucson, AZ 85747
520 281 2296
Catalina State Park
Catalina State Park – this is an amazing park not only for hiking, but also for camping. Even for people who limit themselves from the joy of camping, because of lack of the comfort, there are plenty of nicely organized bathrooms and showers. Besides being very well taken care park with rich wildlife, you can also finally enjoy camping.
11570 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85737-9589
520 628 5798
Sabino Canyon
Sabino Canyon – is a must see and very close to the town. The scenery is spectacular. The Canyon is a popular recreation area for residents and visitors of Southern Arizona, providing a place to walk, hike or ride. Minutes away from the desert are large waterfalls along Sabino Creek with minor bridges constructed over them. Wildlife in the canyon includes deer, javelina, skunks, tortoises, rattlesnakes and mountain lions. You can even take a shuttle to the top and catch another shuttle back down.
5900 North Sabino Canyon Road, Tucson, AZ85750
520 749 2861
Houston’s Horseback Riding
Houston’s Horseback Riding – lovely family business that will make sure you have greatest experience riding around attractive mysterious desert nature. They provide different routes, and one of them also includes steak dinner, how cool is that?
Trails tour prices are here and also classes for kids and adults are available for an extra charge
12801 E. Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85748
520 298 7450
White Stallion Ranch
White Stallion Ranch – the White Stallion Ranch is located a short 15 miles from Tucson AZ, near the Saguaro National Park. The ranch excels at horse activities, offering everything from mountain rides, wine & cheese rides, and even all day ride excursions. Private lessons are also available for groups or individuals. They will make sure you have decent experience.
You can find price rates here
9251 W. Twin Peaks Rd., Tucson, AZ 85743
520 744 2786
Tucson Bike Tours
Tucson Bike Tours – this is a very nice service that helps you to explore the city and the area in general using bikes. Tours are guided too. And they offer different schedules that can work out for everybody – day tour, night tour, sunrise tour and road & mountain tour. You can find schedules at the main page and book certain dates.
215 N Hoff Ave., Suite 101, Tucson, AZ 85705
520 488 4446
Arizona Party Bike
Who likes to work out and drink beer and spirits at the same time? If it’s you, here is a best entertainment for you
Arizona Party Bike – is a perfect fun for the group of people who wants to see the city, stay active, socialize with friends and have some party
They also offer tours to certain beer pubs. Info is here
445 N 3rd Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705
520 369 5544
Fleur de Tucson Hot Air Balloon Rides – Romantic
If you visit Tucson and looking for some romantic unusual way to explore the city from the bird’s eye view, here is an awesome place
Fleur de Tucson Hot Air Balloon Rides – exceptional flights typically take us over the Tucson Mountains and Saguaro National Park West on Tucson’s northwest side. Each journey is unique, combining low level views of the beautiful desert landscape and spectacular panoramas from higher elevations. On most flights numerous wildlife are spotted, including javelin, deer, bobcats, rabbits, foxes and red-tailed hawks. After landing, each flight is celebrated with a delicious continental brunch and premium champagne (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) served in beautiful crystal flutes.
Price rates here
4635 N Caida Place, Tucson, AZ 85718
520 403 8547
Other Parts of Arizona
Far(ish) from the Tucson city, but absolutely mind-blowing and mandatory to visit:
Sedona, Az
Sedona, Az – Is a an absolute must! This is 100% unique place covered with mystery and positive energy power where you can charge your chakras. 64 percent of the near four million annual visitors to Sedona come in search of a spiritual experience. They say that the place is so-called “vortexes”, believed to be psychic places of power.
Do you enjoy history? Archeology? Or just want to expand your view? Some of the more impressive ruins can be found in the Sedona, Verde Valley area. Within an hour’s drive of Sedona, you’ll find not only numerous small ruin sites, but several larger sites. Just outside the town of Clarkdale, on the Verde River, stands the ruins of Tuzigoot, a Sinagua pueblo that was built atop a hill overlooking the river valley. Today the ruins are preserved as Tuzigoot National Monument, and an interpretive trail winds through the partially restored ruins.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon – words cannot describe how astonishing this place is. This is a spot from a person’s bucket list. Antelope Canyon also has private tours, and a special highlight of the tour will be the authentic beauty of Native American flute music resonating throughout antelope canyon. Hear the wonderful Native American stories from primary source – Native Americans from Navajo tribe.
Colorado River Rafting
Colorado River Rafting – are you adventurous explorer who likes adrenaline and extreme? Guaranteed you will enjoy rafting along Colorado River. If you have few days you want to spend rafting around Grand Canyon, you might want to check out few days rafting trips – Western River Expedition It is a mixture of risk, fun, adventure and lifetime experience that you will never forget.
Havasupai Falls
Havasupai Falls – AMAZING, breathtaking, ought to be on everyone’s bucket list. The natural beauty of the area is beyond compare
Tips: You must to call in advance to find out about prices, weather and if you want to camp there, you need to call and reserve in advance. Havasupai Tourism Office – (928) 448-2121.
You have to pay an Indian reservation fee or something that’s $8 and a day-hike pass for $40 (UPDATE: NO MORE DAY PASSES, OVERNIGHT ONLY), PLUS additional fees if you take the helicopter (approx. 85$ one way or horses approx. 70$, so bring cash and credit card.) To make a reservation, call here 1-928-448-2111 or 1-928-448-2201 and please, check the weather, because Flash Floods happen all the time and extremely dangerous.
Stop in Seligman or Peach Springs for gas, bathrooms, food, water, etc. before you head up to the trailhead because there’s NOTHING until you get to the actual reservation.