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    Sabino Canyon

    4.6 (339 reviews)

    Sabino Canyon Photos

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    Growth
    Mercedes C.

    Walking on Sabino's packed dirt+sand+pebbles (or something) was far easier and required less effort than walking on loose sand like in Saguaro National Park in Tucson. Plus, my kid and I felt the surface was more stable+packed and had way better traction. We actually hit the trail on our own but you can certainly request a tour guide with a group- but do inquire about tour fees if any. We paid $0 to park. We felt relaxed being here and walking here- especially getting away from NY's winter. The sun, exposure to nature and just being away gave us a calming effect on the mind.

    Sahuaro blossoming
    Mark S.

    This place is a, "must see" location if you visit Tucson. And, for that matter, if you happen to live in Tucson and haven't been up there in a minute... you really need make plans to go. Sabino Canyon is an amazing place and definitely one of the Sleepy Pueblo's treasures. While there, you will experience the best of what the Sonoran desert can offer. You are gonna see rock formations that are almost unbelievably beautiful. You will likely see a vast variety of wildlife, and the place is filled with plants that are unique and fascinating. The trails that you will hike upon will reveal a variety surprises that include waterfalls, cooling pools to swim or splash around in, and high canyon walls that stand out against the deepest blue skies. Many of the trails are lined by cottonwood, sycamore, and Oak shade trees. l very much enjoy the spectacle of how light and shadows interplay with each other and blend and mix colors on the canyon walls. I first visited Sabino Canyon when I was 13 years old. At that age my interpretation of being cool was expressed by NOT showing too much excitement or emotion. But I do recall getting super excited as we hiked on trails through the canyon. This place has an affect on people and even then I felt that being there was good for the soul. I grew up near the canyon, so spent a lot of time goofing-around amongst the rock formations, cascading waters and wildlife. I ran track for Sabino High school and we had many brutal work outs on the hills there. I later would teach and coach track at a middle school that sits next to the park, and loved taking my kids on runs through the area so that they too could discover the treasures that this beloved place holds. I conclude now by saying that you will likely spot coyotes, Javalina, deer, slithering snake and crawling scaly reptiles. Not to mention, a variety of feathered creatures. Despite spending untold hours in the canyon in my youth, I never spotted Coatimundi, but apparently a troop of them has taken up residence in the area. In addition to the critters that make Sabino their home, it is also likely that you will be greeted by friendly hikers and joggers. Because the topography of the place is hilly you will probably find your heart working a little harder than it is used to. But embrace it and love it... as a visit to Sabino is good for mind, body and soul. . I can also almost guarantee that, if you visit you will come away with your spirits lifted.

    Rattlesnake friend
    Rachel C.

    Beautiful!! Stunning! All the happy spots to explore. Great walking trail that connects to a maximum amount of side trails. Super location right outside of Tucson. I'd go here a million times over.

    Blackett's Ridge Trail
    Kristina K.

    I have been to Sabino Canyon countless times now and love it every time! There are so many good hikes to travel and take on. From smaller hikes, like parts of the Phoneline trail, to long hikes, like Seven Falls, and challenging hikes, like Blackett's Ridge, there is something for everyone! The trails are well marked and there are large signs at the front and by tram stops to take a picture of if that is helpful to you. All the trails are well traveled and you will certainly run into other friendly hikers along the way. I highly recommend trying out a trail at Sabino Canyon if you are looking for a local hike!

    Short walks near the visitor center
    Alex K.

    Winter time is a good time to visit with respect to temperature but it is dry with no water during this time. Come back in the spring and there will be water. Just an amazing place. The visitors center has trail information, snacks, drinks, a gift shop, and a museum with the history. Parking is $8 and by day it $10 for a week or you can get an annual parking pass. If you have an Interagency Pass or several of the passes that the NPS offers, you can use that to cover parking as well. Just outside the visitor center is great little coffee and snack cart too. If it's your first time here like mine, take a tram tour which takes you 4 miles up into the beautiful canyon. Make sure to grab the included headphones to listen to the audio portion of the tour in English or Spanish. Note that it is GPS driven. The tram runs every 30 min but fills up quickly so get there early or make a reservation online. Look at both sides as you go up on the tram to enjoy the stunning beauty. Once at the top you can get out and stroll the area for 10 minutes. You will be guaranteed your seats on the tram. You can also choose to either walk back from here, or ride partway and get dropped off at one of the stop you passed on the way up or go all the way back to the visitors center. Bring a water bottle and some snacks with you. You can even have a picnic as some stops have some picnic tables. A couple of stops have a bathroom and water filling stations. If you stop between stops 4-6, it is about 2 to 2.5 miles walk to the visitors center. That's what we did. If you are going off the paved road for awhile, make sure you have hiking poles, good sturdy shoes, water, snacks, a small backpack, first aid kit, sunblock, and a hat. If you don't want to take the tram, there is a small 1/2 mile loop just outside the visitor's center that gives you a look at the vegetation. You also can just hike the paved path the tram goes on to the different stops. A full out and back hike on the paved path is 8 miles. All-in-all a great way to relax and explore the canyon. I'll be back again soon.

    Kirsten D.

    Always a great place to get some more miles in. Get there early if you want a quiet cruise. Lots of beautiful scenery!

    Bloom
    Vicky K.

    What a gem! My husband cannot walk far at all. This park has electric trams that take you to the top from the Visitor's Center. Allows you 5 or so minutes to look around and then will take you back down to the Visitor's Center. You have all sorts of options as to how you can visit. Combination ride/hike, ride totally, or just hike. Saw a couple roadrunners, blooms and birds. Oh! And the tram ride narrates the geology, landscape and ecosystem of the area. Would definitely like to go back. Go early as it does get busy. Even locals like this place.

    Ann L.

    This is a beautiful area but extremely crowded on a nice weekend in the winter. We parked in the overflow lot and paid via the envelope in the lock box method. There are a few trails near the lot but many are 3-4 miles or so from the parking lot which means a 6-8 mile walk in addition to whatever hike you're planning. There is a narrated shuttle for $15 a person as an option to avoid the walk to the trailheads but the shuttle was sold out. So...we stuck to the trailheads within a mile or so of the parking lot. The hikes were nice with some pretty views, birds and cacti. My recommendation would be to come during the week vs the weekend and arrive early to avoid crowds. A nice bonus is that if you do buy the week long permit, it is also good at other forest service properties.

    View from the tram ride up the canyon
    Weston A.

    Went with the family visiting us from Phoenix, sadly it was the drier than dry part of the year, but the gift shop was even open on a Sunday and the tour of the canyon on the open tram was beautiful and majestic. It is definitely worth a visit. I would really like to return when the water is back. Likewise we hope to be back for a bloom event!

    Snow in Sabino Canyon
    Amanda H.

    One of my favorite places to hike/walk when it's not 90+ outside. It's so beautiful!! So many trials ranging from easy to you better know what you're doing or you might need a helicopter or hope giant eagles come and save you...jk but truly try to know your limits. They have a cute little gift shop and a tram that runs up and back for those who can't or don't want to walk which is a great way to see Sabino. They do have restrooms along the main road and a couple have a drinking fountain to refill your water bottles. Bring water always or a cup of coffee for your short morning walk :) along with a breakfast bagel then find one of the many picnic tables. Breakfast, coffee and beautiful scenery..what's not to like.

    Bee and flower
    Laura W.

    This is a Tucson Diamond. A absolute must! If you want to see water in The desert, even in scorching June, this is the place. If you want to hear the canyons history, buy a shuttle pass( in advance ) online. Tip: If you want to go on a Sat\Sun morning book at least a week in advance. There are 9 shuttle stops and each area has its own topography. For exploring the dam stop 1,Exploring the garnets in the creek, stop 6. Swimming in deep pools, stop 8. You can't go wrong (as long as you bring plenty of water) with any beautiful spot. We like to park in the additional parking (all parking $8) hike up to stop 8 and we buy the shuttle pass online for a ride back. Best of everything! This really is the Diamond of Tucson.

    Kym T.

    The Mr and I wanted to see and learn about the Sabino Canyon. The tram was a great way to do both since neither of us were dressed or prepared to hike. We took the 9:00 tram ($15 each) and was looking forward to the commentary as well as the ride. It was a somewhat difficult to hear because the audio system was a little weak. It didn't help the people behind us, had no interest in the audio, and talked non-stop. Later we stopped in the well done Visitor's Center, and filled in the gaps we missed on the commentary. We took several pictures along the way and throughly enjoyed the magnificent scenery. I don't think I will ever tire of gazing at the saguaro cactus. It has a beauty all its own. I always love the look and sound of running water and the tram crossed many bridges giving us excellent photo ops. Sabino Canyon is beautiful and we were so glad we got to see it! Highly recommended!

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    2 years ago

    One of my favorite hiking spots ! There's many different hiking areas . Perfect time to come is during monsoon season to see the dam

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - Sabino Canyon

    Are there any good fishing spots here?

    No.

    Are dogs Allowed here?

    Pets are not allowed in Sabino Canyon, Service Animals as defined by The Americans with Disabilities Act are authorized.

    I am a widow hiking alone, do the parks offer any group hikes?

    Hi there! Does anyone know if there are transportation options, outside of renting a car, to the Sabino canyon from Arizona University?

    I have ridden a bicycle, and I would imagine that Uber/Lyft or a taxi would get you there. I am not aware of any bus lines hat run out there. For the sake of clarity, I hope you mean The University of Arizona (in Tucson) rather than Arizona… Read more

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    Review Highlights - Sabino Canyon

    I always love the look and sound of running water and the tram crossed many bridges giving us excellent photo ops.

    Mentioned in 108 reviews

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    Rillito River Park - Bat information

    Rillito River Park

    4.6(38 reviews)
    8.3 miCampus Farm

    Perfect place to walk with nice wide paved trails, plenty of parking close to restaurants and…read moreshopping. The smaller loop is just over a mile with longer options for your choosing . Walking under the Campbell overpass note the Bat signage and you can here the bast rustling overhead.Make sure you bring water and wear a hat and sunscreen because it sure heats up fast !

    If you come to Tucson or live in the area, you should definitely take a stroll along the Rillito…read moreRiver path. There is a paved path great for cyclists, runners or walkers. Or if you prefer, you can walk/run/bike along the wild side on the packed sand next to the paved trail weaving your way through the mesa verde trees and mesquite. Bring your dogs too, they'll also enjoy it. Most of the year, the river bed is dry and filled with scrub brush common in the Sonoran desert, but occasionally in the spring when the snow melts in the mountains, or during the summer monsoon season, the river will completely fill and the water will rage. Some have even been known to try riding a raft when the water reaches the banks. (FYI, don't do this! It isn't safe.) There are several city parks like Brandi Fenton where you can park and start your journey. Best to look at maps online to find the closest entry point and parking location convenient to you; as the park does cross over a lot of streets. In the distance, you will be able to enjoy the view of Mt. Lemmon and the rest of the Santa Catalina mountain range as it turns different hues of pink, red, orange, brown depending on the time of day you come. Sunrise in the summer months and sunset in the winter are great times to go in order to stay comfortable temperature wise. The trail was an almost daily staple in our lives when we lived here and walked the dogs along the trail or cycled and ran with friends. Even returning, while driving through town, we couldn't help but stop and take a stroll down memory lane by revisiting this lovely gem in Tucson.

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    Rillito River Park - Mountain View from path

    Mountain View from path

    Rillito River Park - Bat Information

    Bat Information

    Rillito River Park - Scenery

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    Scenery

    Rio Vista Natural Resources Park

    Rio Vista Natural Resources Park

    4.2(9 reviews)
    7.8 miPrince Tucson

    Tucked away in the northern area of Tucson we found this beautiful memorial labyrinth. With…read morebenches, natural resources and regular care it's the perfect place for some tranquil meditation and contemplation. The drone footage was definitely necessary to capture the true size of this stunning landmark. There is a trail entrance on Cactus Blvd. with plenty of off street parking if the labyrinth is your destination. Although we didn't walk the entire trail, it's the perfect leisurely path for groups as they are wide and even. There's plenty to see from natural plants, critters and education. It's very well maintained and clean with benches to relax on and shade to cool off in.

    What a very peaceful, beautiful park. Came with friends to walk the labyrinth. The surrounding area…read moreis so beautiful. It's hard to believe it's in the center of the city. If you just want a place to come and meditate, walk on the labyrinth, trail or sit on a bench and enjoy the Mountain View, this is a beautiful preserved peaceful park almost in the center of Tucson. I am unsure of the history of this place but labyrinth are a spiritual experience just to come and meditate as you walk around the earth to the center to find answers to questions you might be in life. Come and experience for yourself.

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    Rio Vista Natural Resources Park - The labyrinth

    The labyrinth

    Rio Vista Natural Resources Park - Labyrinth

    Labyrinth

    Rio Vista Natural Resources Park - Located right off the south side path between Campbell and country club

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    Located right off the south side path between Campbell and country club

    Garden of Gethsemane

    Garden of Gethsemane

    4.8(6 reviews)
    12.3 miMenlo Park

    Scratched, time-worn religious sculptures stand within the shade of the Congress Street Bridge,…read moreforming a lovely, peaceful sculpture garden. Quite miraculously, they've survived decades of floods, droughts, and vandalism. They exist because during World War I, a man named Felix Lucero lay seriously injured on a battlefield in France. Wounded and in agony, he proposed a deal with God: If he survived, he'd use his natural skills as a sculptor to create religious statues. After returning home from the war, Lucero set about making good on his word. In the late 1930s, he lived in Tucson, Arizona, in a shack beneath a bridge. From there, he began creating beautiful works of art. While in Tucson, Lucero spent years crafting detailed statues of religious figures out of sand and debris from the Santa Cruz River, which he then slathered in a protective coat of plaster. He created iconic Biblical scenes, including the Last Supper, Joseph and Mary, and Jesus on the crucifix. Though Lucero died in 1951, his work is still standing--which is amazing, considering the statues weren't built from lasting materials and have faced frequent vandalism over the years. Many are damaged, but they still stand tall. Dedicated locals have worked to salvage and repair the sculptures after each vandalism incident, and in the 1980s moved them to form this sculpture garden near the very bridge Lucero once lived beneath.

    Really cool place! I've never seen anything like it. Lovely to reflect on the life of Jesus here…read moreand see amazing sculpture art.

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    Garden of Gethsemane
    Garden of Gethsemane
    Garden of Gethsemane

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    Sabino Canyon - parks - Updated May 2026

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