Tumacacori National Historical Park is totally worth the short drive from Tucson. The grounds are…read morelovely and so full of rich history. Walking inside of the old mission is like walking back in time. One can almost imagine the daily lives, religious practices and hardships. I love history and thoroughly enjoyed this magnificent monument.

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.

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!

I've been to the nearest Paton Center for Hummingbirds and didn't realize this gem was a mile away…read more This beautiful preserve by The Nature Conservancy has such lovely trails, history, and biodiversity. The trails are well maintained and labeled. Lots of parking. Restrooms available. Lots of benches on the hike to stop and take in nature. $8 admission per person or $55 for an annual membership for two... which is totally worth it as I will be returning plus it includes admission to Ramsey canyon.

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!

State run campground , higher price , and they have a rule for everything. Also crowded and noisy…read moretrucks in the middle of the night. There are no pvt campsites. Bottom of the barrel for me. Hot in the summer

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!!

Beautiful place to hike for all abilities The hummingbird…read moresanctuary is a treat to see as well

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.

Fantastic find! The volunteers were great and the various hummingbirds made for a very pleasant…read moremorning. Will definitely be back!

One of my favorite places in Arizona, and we come here a few times a year, so we can check out all…read morethe birds that come through this place. This place was started by a couple from New England, and they opened up their home for birders that wanted to check out birds. I am an avid birder, and I've been birding for 5 years now and really enjoy this activity. Birders are also a great group of people that really love to geek out about birds. Every time we are here, we manage to chat with some of the volunteers that work here, and each time, I get so much knowledge about birds! This last time we were here, the volunteer told us about a thick billed kingbird and its partner that were here with building their nest. They had set up a scope pointed right at a naked branch, and we got to see the pair! How exciting! This was also a new species for me! Yea! There are plenty of chairs that are put out on the front lawn, and you can sit and watch birds all day. Tons of different feeders are out here for the birds, but I saw plenty of squirrels also eating from the feeders. There is a suet feeder, and I got to see many nuthatches here, which are one of my favorite birds! There is a port of potty here for your use, but note that the house itself is closed to the public. They have a box filled with bird reference books and binoculars you can borrow. There is also a board set up and dates noted of which birds have frequented recently. It's definitely worth a visit if you enjoy birds, and even if you're not a bird enthusiast, this little sanctuary is quite calming, and the bird songs will make you happy and chipper!

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!

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 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.