ThreeBestRated.com
BEST RATED TUCSON, AZ HIKING TRAILS

3 Best Hiking Trails in Tucson, AZ

Expert-recommended Top 3 Hiking Trails in Tucson, Arizona. All of our hiking trails actually face a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes customer reviews, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost and general excellence. You deserve only the best!

Saguaro National Park - Tucson, AZ Hiking Trails
Saguaro National Park - Tucson, AZ Hiking Trails
Saguaro National Park - Tucson, AZ Hiking Trails
Best Hiking Trails in Tucson AZ - Saguaro National Park video
5+ YEARS IN TBR
CALL EMAIL

SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK

(5.0 Score)
Tucson & Surrounding Areas,
Tucson, AZ 85730

Since 1994

Specialty:

✓ Trails ✓ Walking ✓ Hiking ✓ Scenic Views ✓ Picnic Areas ✓ Trailheads ✓ Bird Watching ✓ Outdoor Activities ✓ Historic Sites ✓ Wildlife Viewing ✓ Picnics ✓ Barbecue Grill ✓ Cycling Lanes ✓ Picnic Tables ✓ Kids Friendly Hiking ✓ Dogs Friendly Hiking

"Saguaro National Park covers approximately 91,716 acres, which is divided into two different regions: one to the east of Tucson and the other to the west. The trail is considered an easy to moderately challenging trail. The elevation gain of the trail ranges from 9 feet to 13,546 feet. Cactus Forest Drive is a loop road in the eastern Rincon Mountain District that offers striking views of the desert landscape. The national park offers various opportunities for visitors to enjoy scenic views, hiking trails, and picnic areas. Saguaro National Park is home to the largest cacti in the country. This park features numerous facilities such as picnic tables, a public restroom, and a wheelchair-accessible parking lot. The park also allows dogs in designated areas.

2026 Update: The park offers scenic hiking trails set in a desert landscape filled with large saguaro cacti. The trails are clearly marked and suitable for different experience levels, including easy paths that are good for families and beginners. Some trails lead to unique features such as petroglyphs and open desert views, while others provide a closer look at native plants and wildlife. Visitors can also explore loop drives with stops that connect to short hiking routes and viewpoints. The trails provide a peaceful and natural setting, with wide desert scenery and photo opportunities along the way. Hiking is best during cooler parts of the day, as temperatures can be high. It is a good place for exploring desert trails and enjoying the natural surroundings."

Reviews | Play Video | Write a Review

Price:

Annual Park Pass $45
Individual $15
Standard Entrance Pass $15
Senior Annual Pass $20
Senior Lifetime Pass $80

Contact:

(520) 733-5153

Call For Hours

TBR® Inspection Report:

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area - Tucson, AZ Hiking Trails
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area - Tucson, AZ Hiking Trails
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area - Tucson, AZ Hiking Trails
Best Hiking Trails in Tucson AZ - Sabino Canyon Recreation Area video
10+ YEARS IN TBR
CALL EMAIL

SABINO CANYON RECREATION AREA

(4.9 Score)
5700 North Sabino Canyon Road,
Tucson, AZ 85750 Directions

Since 1993

Specialty:

✓ Tram Ride ✓ Beautiful Area ✓ Hiking ✓ Walking Trails ✓ Miles Stream ✓ Natural Beauty ✓ Great Hike ✓ Round Trip ✓ Phone Line Trail ✓ Nature Study ✓ Paved Road ✓ Tours ✓ Visitor Center ✓ Picnic Lunch ✓ Wildlife ✓ Jogging ✓ Bicycling ✓ Horseback ✓ Shuttle Riding ✓ Running Water ✓ Cycling Lanes ✓ Picnic Table ✓ Kids Friendly Hiking

"Sabino Canyon Recreation Area offers diverse hiking trails with a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere. The Sonoran Desert within Sabino Canyon has a powerful summer monsoon, two cold seasons, and gentle winter rainfall. The Santa Catalina mountain range started its formation more than twelve million years ago, and seven million years before the first known human walked the natural area. The trail features a 45-minute, 2.3-mile guided educational tour into the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The elevation gain of the trail is 144 feet, and it is a loop-type trail. Sabino Canyon Recreation Area's visitor center ensures a variety of interpretive knowledge about wildlife and the trails. This recreation area also includes public restrooms and picnic tables for more convenience.

2026 Update: The area is a large national forest destination known for its scenic desert canyons, hiking trails, and tram rides that allow visitors to explore the landscape in different ways. It is open 24 hours and offers both guided tram tours with audio commentary and self-guided hiking routes of varying difficulty. The tram provides a more accessible option for viewing the canyon, while the trails range from easy walks to longer hikes that include creek crossings, desert views, and wildlife sightings. The visitor area includes a center with exhibits, restrooms, and a gift shop, along with on-site parking and possible entry fees depending on the day. The destination is recognized for its natural desert scenery, including saguaro cacti, seasonal changes, and opportunities to observe local wildlife, making it suitable for both casual visitors and experienced hikers."

Reviews | Play Video | Write a Review

Price:

Sabino Canyon
Adults $15
Children Under 12 $8
Onboard (One-Way) Rides $8
Bear Canyon
Adults $8
Children Under 12 $5
Onboard (One-Way) Rides $5

Contact:

(520) 547-7510 (520) 749-8700

Open 24 Hours

TBR® Inspection Report:

Catalina State Park - Tucson, AZ Hiking Trails
Catalina State Park - Tucson, AZ Hiking Trails
Catalina State Park - Tucson, AZ Hiking Trails
Best Hiking Trails in Tucson AZ - Catalina State Park video
10+ YEARS IN TBR
CALL EMAIL

CATALINA STATE PARK

(4.8 Score)
11570 North Oracle Road,
Tucson, AZ 85737 Directions

Since 1974

Specialty:

✓ Well-marked Trails ✓ Picnic Lunch ✓ Hiking ✓ Romero Pools ✓ Big Horn Sheep ✓ Canyon Loop Trail ✓ Travel ✓ Miles Round Trip ✓ Annual Pass ✓ Biking ✓ Group Sites ✓ Dump Station ✓ Day Hike ✓ Nature Walking ✓ Birding ✓ Barbecue Grill ✓ Cycling Lanes ✓ Picnic Tables ✓ Kids Friendly Hiking ✓ Dogs Friendly Walking ✓ Jogging

"Catalina State Park is an ideal destination that sits at the base of the majestic Santa Catalina Mountains. The trail is a haven for desert plants and animals, including almost 5,000 saguaros. The 5,500 acres of mountains, canyons, and streams welcome more than 150 bird species for camping, picnicking, and bird watching. This scenic spot is committed to providing horse-riding courses, and the equestrian center offers trail riders plenty of trailer parking. The total length of the trail is 19.6 miles, and the elevation gain of the trail is 2,825 feet. This is a point-to-point type of trail. The state park also contains a ball court and the historic Romero Ranch. Nature lovers can enjoy the beautiful views and explore the distinct flora and fauna of the desert. The state park also features various amenities like picnic tables, barbecue grills, and public restrooms for the convenience of visitors.

2026 Update: The park offers a wide range of hiking trails suitable for all skill levels, from easy walks to more challenging routes with elevation changes. The trails are well-maintained and pass through areas with trees, natural scenery, and open spaces. Visitors can enjoy a clean and organized environment, with clear paths and helpful staff available in the park. The trails are also dog-friendly, making them suitable for visitors with pets. With enough variety for both short walks and longer outdoor trips."

Reviews | Play Video | Write a Review

Price:

Per Vehicle (1 Person) $10
Per Vehicle (2-4 People) $20
Individual Bicycle $5

Contact:

(520) 628-5798

Mon-Sun: 5am - 10pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

Video

Write a Review for Catalina State Park

Our Review Process:

  • All reviews matter:We publish both positive and negative reviews to provide a balanced perspective.
  • No censorship: Businesses cannot pay to remove or modify negative reviews.
  • Verification process: All reviews are checked for authenticity and compliance with our community guidelines before publication.
  • Fair representation: We display reviews of all ratings (1–5 stars) to help users make informed decisions.
  • Independence: We are not affiliated with the businesses we review and receive no compensation for favorable ratings.

Your honest opinion helps others make better choices. Whether your experience was excellent, average, or disappointing, we want to hear from you. For more details, check Community Review Guidelines.

Contact Business

SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK REVIEWS

Beautiful area- drive loop allows for scenic stop offs, can hike with nice well managed trails and distance info. Bathrooms available in info - thankful for this great national park!

Well worth a visit. Particularly the 8 Mile scenic drive. It's one way and the drivers are all pretty slow so it also makes for a great bike ride.

This is a great place to enjoy. Hiking is amazing. It is just what I would consider an easy hike. We love Arizona.

These reviews are provided for information purposes and to help you make informed decisions.

To share your experience, click here or send it to reviews@threebestrated.com.

We will display both positive and negative reviews. All submitted reviews are published after verification for authenticity and compliance with our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Community Review Guidelines.

SABINO CANYON RECREATION AREA REVIEWS

Sabino Canyon is absolutely stunning! The ride through the canyon was amazing, offering breathtaking views of the desert landscape and rugged mountains. The restrooms along the trail were clean and conveniently placed, which made the visit even better. Whether you’re up for a challenging walk or just want to take in the beautiful scenery, this place is perfect. The drive to get there was smooth, and once you arrive, the peaceful connection to nature is unmatched. Highly recommend for anyone visiting the area!

Growing up in Tucson my friends and I would ride our dirt bikes to Sabino. That was years ago and now without the vehicles Sabino canyon is so much better than expected. I love the quiet and peaceful atmosphere. I wish I could spend more time here.

Excellent place to hike! There are several trails for walking with kids and more difficult ones for more experienced hikers. Amazing views.

CATALINA STATE PARK REVIEWS

This was the second time we stayed at the park. We stayed 3 nights, although had to make reservations for three different sites and switch to the new site each day. The camp hosts were able to update our "vehicle tag," which was easier than going back to the camp entrance. They also did a great job keeping the campground clean and sites ready for the next camper. This time, we were able to get out on a few more trails and see more of the park. Enjoyed the saguaros, the birds, and the mountain views.

One of the nicer parks in AZ. Has nice big spots, plenty of privacy if you like to cut loose a little. It’s close to food and shopping. Beautiful trails to hike. Plenty of open space for your pets. Biking or walking your choice. Bathrooms are nice and clean. And wildlife walking through your campsite.

Was quaint and quiet. Beautiful views. People were all very nice.

TBR® Inspection Score Report

SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK Total Inspection Points: 119/120
Business Hours: 9
Acknowledgments: 10
Business Images: 10
Current Evaluation: 10
Exact Services: 10
Followers Ratio: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Page Maintenance: 10
Social Media: 10
Website Source: 10
Website Standard: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

SABINO CANYON RECREATION AREA Total Inspection Points: 117/120
Acknowledgments: 8
Current Evaluation: 9
Business Hours: 10
Business Images: 10
Complete Info: 10
Contact Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Reviews Accuracy of 48.8K: 10
Video: 10
Website Standard: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

CATALINA STATE PARK Total Inspection Points: 116/120
Acknowledgments: 8
Complete Info: 9
Current Evaluation: 9
Business Hours: 10
Business Images: 10
Contact Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Reviews Accuracy of 28.6K: 10
Video: 10