Tucson Arizona Outdoor Adventure Guide

Welcome to your Tucson Arizona Outdoor Adventure Guide! Tucson’s a college town in the desert surrounded by mountains in every direction. From National Parks to bike paths to the mighty Saguaro cactus Tucson combines a city feel with pure wilderness for the outdoor adventure lovers!

In this Outdoor Adventure Guide we share our favorite trails to post nature city grub from living in Tucson Arizona. All in hopes that you can have the outdoor adventure of a lifetime when you visit our favorite city in Arizona!

Tucson Arizona Need to Know’s:

1. Tucson is located in Southern Arizona less than two hours away from Phoenix. It has an airport with plenty of daily flights and is an accessible drive from most of Southern California, Arizona, Northern Western Mexico, or New Mexico in a day’s drive.

2. Tucson is home to Saguaro National Park, which is split into two units. The Tucson Mountain District and the Rincon Mountain District that are east and west of the city.

3. It is home to the University of Arizona and is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. That translates to the food scene is THE BEST. It rivals a New York, LA, Paris, or Mexico City.

4. The Arizona Trail’s southern section and first 15 of 43 passages are all less than a two hour drive from the Central City of Tucson.

5. Dogs are allowed in the National Park but not welcome on any trails. They are allowed on dirt roads and there’s some options for that in the park. For a list of Tucson dog friendly hiking areas check out the article we wrote for Happy People Hike HERE!

6. Tucson has hotels, airbnb’s, guest houses, RV parks, and an endless supply of campground options around the city. I have dropped AZT Thru-Hikers off at the Hotel McCoy which is super funked out!

7. The summers are HOT but it’s dry heat and for someone who grew up in the Midwest humidity 100 here feels fine unless you are running a marathon :). Its year-round weather is great in my opinion.

Our Favorite Hikes:

1. Wasson Peak via Hugh Norris Trail Saguaro National Park

2. Sabino Canyon Hutch’s Pool

3. Painted Hills (Dog Friendly)

4. The Arizona Trail (Passages 1-14 are all less than 90 minutes from Central Tucson. Mostly dog friendly)

5. “A” Mountain

Our Favorite Nearby Outdoor Areas:

1. Sabino Canyon

2. Santa Rita Mountains

3. Santa Catalina Mountains (Mount Lemmon Ski Slopes for the winter sports seekers!)

4. Tortolita Mountains

5. Reid Park (The baby elephant and I have the same birthday!)

Our Favorite Non Hiking Tucson Adventures:

1. The Loop Bike Path (131 miles long!)

2. Tucson Clean and Beautiful Trash Cleanup Events

3. Indoor Climbing: Rocks and Ropes and Rock Solid Climbing

4. Tucson Botanical Gardens

5. Yoga Oasis

6. Colossal Cave Mountain Park

The first few times I came to Tucson it was strictly to hike in Saguaro National Park. I was typically in the vicinity of the area and loved hiking amongst the largest cacti in the United States. The food was always good and the college town vibe is my scene so it was always pleasant. When we were looking for a place to live for several months within a few hours of our then location in Joshua Tree California we were welcomed warmly by the Tucsonians!

The access to the wilderness in a short drive combined with the fun and tasty food, art, and culture scene in the city is tough to beat!

Enjoy Tucson Arizona off the trails and post sweating below!

1. Art: Tucson Ignite Sign Art Museum, Tucson Museum of Art, Tucson Mineral and Gem World, Street Mural Walking or Riding Tour, Native Agave Roastings/Demonstrations/Mezcal Tastings, and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

2. Bicycle/Taqueria Experience: Tucson Bike Taco Tour. Complete with murals and the Sonoran Hot Dog!

3. Eat…well this could be its own book LOL!
   But here are a few of my MANY favorites:
   a. Tumerico. Best Veggie/Vegan Mexican Restaurant I have ever dined at.
   b. Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen. Recommended by one of our Orange Theory Fitness coaches! Local and tasty.
   c. El Chikitin. Our neighborhood taqueria. Barrio Hollywood is LOADED with excellent local taqueria’s too.
   d. El Charro Cafe. Just a century old family run restaurant :).
   e. Boca Tacos. Award winning Chef Maria Marazon, laid back, and dreamy food.
   f. The Mexican/Latin scene is unreal in Tucson. We have enjoyed EVERY taqueria we have gone to. BUT we also have had wonderful Cuban, Indian, Middle Eastern, Asian, and yes even the Pizza is great! (Transplant Detroit Pizza…catchy name…great pie.) You can’t go wrong in Tucson unless you fast. Fasting is healthy and I do it from time to time, but never in Tucson.

4. Farmers Market…the Heirloom group has several markets and we go to the Sunday AM version at Rillito Park.
   We get most of our produce here. Southwind Farms and a few others supply those and then places like Reds Roasters, Adventure Coffee, Mouth of the South Salsa, Bread Makers galore, and even Pupusas from Selena’s Salvadorian Restaurant fill out our reusable bags every week.

5. Volunteer/Donate:
   Friends of Saguaro National Park and the Arizona Trail Association.
   Felicia’s Farm.
   No Kill Pima County.
   Tucson Indian Center.

6. Nearby Towns to Tucson we also love to explore: Vail, Patagonia, Summerhaven, Tanque Verde, & Sonoita.

There’s plenty more to see and experience in Tucson Arizona beyond this!

But hopefully this gives you a glimpse into a hybrid city. One that is part filled with culture, art, food, and amenities that you could find in Seattle or Denver but then a outdoor wilderness paradise reaching in any direction from where you leave town. And you’ll be immersed in nature in minutes.

Tucson Arizona is charming and I love it. I hope you get to experience it sometime!

Thanks for reading and Happy Trails to you as you come to the Sonoran Desert and home of the Saguaro.

Because Adventure Feeds the Soul,
Mike R