A beautiful historical place to walk and explore around amidst the ruins of three Spanish colonial…read moremissions. It illustrates the blending cultures of Native Americans and European peoples. Exploring the park is highly immersive and at the same time very calming. It is a short drive from Tucson to the park and is definitely worth a visit.

History was made here and really not all that long ago. A beautiful place to spend about an hour…read moregetting a real feel for the history of southern Arizona. It's a National Monument and located right across the street from the Santa Cruz Chile Company! Very convenient and makes for a great excursion!

Such a great find! The volunteers were great and taught us what to look for. There were plenty of…read morebirds, even turkeys. It was an outstanding experience!

It's been ten years since my last visit and this one was especially fun because we brought our…read moretoddler along. The preserve has about three miles of walking trails that take you along Sonoita Creek and through an incredible cottonwood forest. The sanctuary/preserve offers a totally different experience with nature because it is a wetland. It's been said that over 300 species of bird migrate to the preserve. The trails are pretty flat so it was totally doable with our daughter. There were tons of birds, flowers, and lush green. The volunteers are super helpful and kind. And the restrooms are the cleanest of any park I've been to.

We love Patagonia Lake for a day trip. The park has much to offer including fishing, picnicking,…read morebird watching, recreational water activities like boating, kayaking, and paddle boarding. The lake has beautiful views too. Our favorite part is the "beach". We love to set out pop up out and enjoy the lake for the day. We love that it's not too far from Tucson as well!

This is a great location for outdoor enthusiasts. They have a nice birding trail and they…read moresometimes lead guided tours. The traffic gets a little congested during weekends in the summer, and there is a slight discount for visiting on weekdays. I thought the admission price at $25 was steep, in comparison to what other states are charging around the country. They don't take American Express, so I had to go 20 miles for an ATM machine. Prices were high in the market concession, and I didn't see any pricing. They charged $8 for a 19.9 oz of Coconut Water, which is at least a 100% markup. I was impressed that they offered free WiFi down by the lakefront, unfortunately it wasn't working.

Great clean lake. Definitely recommend. Take food or snacks as hiking will get you hungry. My doggo…read morehippie loves it as he always finds new routes to explore. Take a leach to avoid losing your dog as it is big to explore!

It's a place filled with natures beauty. Perfect for a little escape from reality. Or just to enjoy…read moreNatures beauty!!

What a beautiful spot, not far off Highway 19 but such a transition from flat desert to wooded…read morecanyon. We have went twice in past week, each time was great. Heard issues about parking but with so many picnic areas along with parking at trailheads, not sure what the complainers expect. We went early this am (around 730am) and the park was almost empty except for the birds. We hiked a couple of different trails, each one was well marked. If looking for birds, the area around the middle of canyon was abundant with all types of our feathered friends. Dozen of Acorn Woodpeckers posing along with many others. On drive to canyon keep eyes open for Hawks on the poles. All around great spot for hiking, birding and getting some fresh air.

Nice picnic area in a National Park. The bathrooms are nice and there's plenty of convenient…read moreparking. There are some great hiking trails with lots of opportunities to see birds and other wildlife. The park is a national treasure with a diversity for different habitats which is impressive.

This is a very special place. Wally and Marion Paton started inviting birders to their home in…read moreabout 1973. The Tucson Bird Alliance acquired the property in 2014. You will find lots of hummingbirds there, but also dedicated volunteers that help visitors learn about the birds. There are lots more than just hummingbirds, I had several "lifers" at the Center that were not hummingbirds. There are shady benches to watch the birds, and a real community of birders from around the country, well, even international visitors, too. Behind the Center are lots of other birds, one notable place in the Patagonia Sonoita Creek Preserve. The star of the Paton Center is the Violet Crowned Hummingbird. Yes, you can sometimes find this Hummingbird elsewhere, but this the place you can always reliably find it. It's beautiful. The volunteers are not pushy, they are always helpful. They also know other places to find birds. There's a sense of peace here, comradery, and fun. It's all free, but donations are welcome.

This little nestle of nature is just off the main road in Patagonia. Its almost a magical space…read morethat allows you to forget about the world. I went here with my husband for a day trip of bird watching and we got 20+ birds on the Merlin app and where able to spot most of them. The pollinator garden was small but dense filled with hundreds of beautiful flowers. Now the important facts: 4th Saturday they offer a guided bird walk! Be sure to RSVP to AStark@TucsonBirds.org There are also two public restrooms that are very clean! They offer bird guide books AND binoculars to borrow during your visit. The binoculars are great to try out as a new birder. Don't forget to donate to the Tucson Bird Alliance to help fundthese amazing spots!

Calling all ghost town and mining town hunters! Head out to…read moreKentucky Camp, an old gold mining site, on Rt. 83 on the way to Sonoita. Some old adobe walls remain and other buildings have been restored. A caretaker lives on the site keeping watch. Thank you. Then, after touring the area, go for a great hike along the ARIZONA TRAIL right off the edge of the camp. It's easy and fairly flat and goes through land that feels like you're back in the 1800's. We saw some mule deer and horses and that's it. You could walk the 4 miles to Gardner Canyon or just backtrack. I think this place would be gorgeous when the fall colors arrive. Definitely goes on my favorite hikes list...right along side Ft. Bowie.

This is a wonderful day place to visit, to hike from or through, or stay the night. Ghost town fans…read morewill enjoy this small but beautiful gold mining settlement which has a delightful little museum and parts of the original camp around. There is an on-site host there to talk with. The Arizona Trail passes through and you can take a nice hike and see where mining took place- the real kind, like you saw in the movies! Where they would dig and sift and everything. It's total "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" here except in Southern Arizona. The bed and "no" breakfast is a cool looking building you can spend the night in. I think it's around $75 a night and can fit up to 5 people. I haven't done it yet, when I do I'll report back. You bring your own gear, but they supply the bed and tables. There is running water. In the nearby area are trails and some 4X4 trails and be sure and visit the Empire Ranch on BLM land for a great day visit!

This has been a favorite place for us to camp. If you're in the area for hunting or a quick weekend…read moreget away with the family. Part of the grounds has hookups and part is dry. It's remote and quiet at night, except for the friendly neighborhood donkey. The staff is always very friendly and helpful.

I camp. A lot! I'm not a big fan of campgrounds. I call that…read morefancy camping. I'd rather pull off a SR or fire road somewhere and boondock in the woods. That being said, one of my absolute favorite places is La Siesta Campground. It's incomparable! It has all the creature comforts you could possibly desire and (I cannot stress this part enough) 5 star hospitality! Definitely a home away from home. It can be the most peaceful place, or an excellent meeting ground for friends; both old and new. Already have the next 2 trips here planned and there will always be many more!

Mount Wrightson is one of the best hikes I have done in the Tucson area!…read more We hiked the Old Baldy trail with a large group, starting at 6:45 am. The trail is mostly tree-covered on the way up, and on this windy day we were all relatively cold rather than hot, despite what was a 4,400 ft elevation gain and a total of 11.08 miles. The hike took us 7 hours total, including some stops for rest and lunch. There is a very steady incline, making the trail easier than I expected for the amount of elevation gain. Only in the last mile to the top does it get noticeably steeper and more rocky. I liked how the trail was very straightforward, with very few intersecting paths, making it hard to get turned around. We only saw a handful of other hikers, many of which we passed by several times. With a long and challenging hike, it is nice to build rapport with and have encouragement from other hikers. The views at the top were incredible and truly make you feel like you are on top of the world! I would recommend starting early and coming prepared with friends, lunch, lots of snacks and water, and layers. It may be challenging, but you won't regret it!

This is a 10.4 mile (11.4 according to alltrails) out and back moderate/slightly strenuous hike…read moreabout 2 hours south of Phoenix (40 min south of Tucson). Total elevation gain is ~4100' (actually more than Humphreys). Alltrails rates it difficult but elevation gain is stead/constant throughout the 5 mile ascent. It gets a little rockier at the top, but there's no scrambling/rock climbing involved- no scootin' down necessary here! Breathtaking panoramic views from the summit, and there's a geocache box here too. Very clearly defined trail the entire way (I didn't get lost a single time). I passed 4-5 groups in tota, but I hiked this on a weekday. Started around 830am. It was 55 degrees and slightly cloudy. Made it to the summit in 2h31min and came back down in 1h31min. Dogs allowed on leash, restrooms at trailhead. @azfitfoodfun

I love this walk. It's also awesome to stop at the century cactus. I would recommend going in a…read moregroup or with people. I have found deer legs on the trail.

From the owner: Outdoor great guided hikes on Tucson area trails. Together we trek across the wilderness of the…read moregreat Sonoran Desert exploring the land, its history, flora and fauna. Learning about the desert and the ancient peoples who lived here long ago is not only interesting, it's awe-inspiring. To know we are standing in front of rock carvings called petroglyphs, is breathtaking. Some are thousands of years old. To date, unlike the Egyptian Hieroglyphics, no one knows quite yet what the meanings are of the stories they tell. The unusual iconic giant Saguaro cacti majestically stand to welcome you, literally, with open arms. At times javelina, coyotes, cactus wren, roadrunners will pass us by. To top it all, you'll enjoy a southwestern activity second to none in Tucson, also known as The Old Pueblo. So come, join your trail guide and get as close to nature as you can get. Schedules include sunset, moonlit & themed guided hikes. Book yours today. We also serve the Phoenix area.