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Tucson, AZ

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Sweetwater Wetlands

4.6 (27 reviews)

SWEETWATER WETLANDS · YELP ASSISTANT

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Egrit!
Kim L.

I can't believe this is 2 miles from my house and I've never been here! This was a nice half mile loop around the water with lookouts where you can sit down on a bench and enjoy! It's run by the City of Tucson water department, and open from dawn to dusk. We saw egrets, ducks, turtles, and even a coyote! We brought the binoculars and really enjoyed relaxing here this morning!

Talisa M.

Be careful not to play with the water! It's recycled. Stunning space to walk around and a haven for bird watchers. Plenty of ponds to stroll around with ramadas and walking ways for closer views. Right now there are several birds but mostly ducks.

Bathroom facilities
W G.

Magical place to visit that is accessible to the City of Tucson and UAZ campus. It is a wetland with a well maintained trail that is accessible. It has facilities and parking. The wetlands - being 2 small bodies of water and surrounding vegetation- attract waterfowl, birds, hummingbirds, hawks, lizards, insects and bobcats. The loop around the wetlands is about .6 miles. Very peaceful.

We saw 2
Marshall G.

This was a nice surprise for us. To walk a Milevloop at sunrise and see bird life. It's guided by the Audubon Society at no charge. Our guide ,Alex, was very well versed in bird life we discovered. Today, Over 50 bird types and 2 resident bobcats. This is a large holding pond for reclaimed effluent. So in the loop are also valves and piping and actuators. But it is planted with trees, palms,cattails and brush. He had extra binoculars for those that came without. Put your phone on mute, many times you need silence. So, shhhhhh.. To hear as well as see bird life go quiet. Our guide had done this walk over 200 times This year with visitors. He actually knew hiding places we could look. Great way to try something new.

Snowy Egret
Genevieve M.

Truly a gem in the desert ... a beautiful nature preserve in the city. Despite the sound of highway traffic, you are surrounded by greenery and water that is a haven for local and migratory birds/ fowl. Using reclaimed water this area provides an oasis of diverse biodiversity to be enjoyed all year round. No pets- but understandably so in order to preserve the ecosystem. This is one of my new favorite spots for bird watching and leisure strolls.

Chase E.

Absolutely massive bodies of water captured into complex lake settings, coves, marshes and super wide waterways. Perfect for "Birders" , January is peak bird season for activity and migratory purposes allowing some amazing photos for this post, **rare Bird photos, so happy**. This post is important to help spread the word on the importance of water preservation in the desert. Fun details: Free, therapeutic benches to sit and reflect on, bathrooms, educational signs, lots of trees shade, big park great for exercise, birdsong, picnics, art, easy access off the highway. Arizona has the third largest bird diversity in the US! It is also a landlocked state, which is astonishing to think it rivals other states along the oceans coasts.

Bridge leading to the main park
Belle V.

It's a small park and very popular for people who like bird watching. It's amazing that there is a pond like this in the middle of the dessert. We saw different types of birds and some other wildlife while doing our walk around the park.

Kota W.

Nice little walk about. Lots of wild life running around. Lizards, birds, various toads. Ambience was kind of nice

Melissa C.

A great out of the way Park! Of course, the wetlands are the draw here. Once you find it, you'll be glad you came. There are signs for the wetlands once you are close to it, but the area can be confusing if you're not familiar. The parking lot seemed big enough for the number of visitors I saw, which was not very many. I went near the start of the coronavirus 2020 quarantine, which may explain that. The wildlife and bird watching opportunities are pretty impressive. I spotted a number of ducks, turtles and other birds. There's a path all the way around the wetlands, though shade is not abundant. There are a few benches scattered around the park. I took some time to watch the turtles, ducks and other birds and get some photos. The wetlands offer an oasis in the Sonoran desert that can be enjoyed year round!

and the trees...
Holly S.

This hidden gem is about 3 miles from my house, and although I had been here before geocaching...this was the first time I walked the trails. Lots of water.....and ducks, and turtles and LOTS of birds! I brought my binoculars and really enjoyed seeing the bird nests as well as birds happily chirping around them in the trees. Oh...have I mentioned the cat tails! I have never seen so many cat tails in one place. Those bring back memories of my child hood. All in all...for us desert dwellers....this soothing water oasis is well worth the trip. Parking is free...and admission is free. Win win all around.

Mark A.

Right off I-10 and Prince road to the west is bird lovers delight! It an easy walk for young and old, there is a tremendous amount of wildlife fro being so close to town, mostly riparian fowl and songbirds. Every time I go there are plethora of birders with binoculars in hand checking out the pools and identifying all the birds. It is truly one of Tucson's hidden secrets.

A cootie at Sweetwater.
Guy S.

This review follows my many visits to the Sweetwater ponds. HOW TO GET THERE: 1. Bicycle (or walk) (or ride a horse) Peddle the Santa Cruz River path on the east side of the river bed, south from el Camino del Cerro or north from West Grant. This paved path is part of the Tucson Loop and, depending on your stamina, you can access the wetlands from any place along the Loop Path. 2. Car Sweetwater Drive and the adjacent wetlands can be accessed with some navigation from the north or some heroic path finding from the south. From the north, drive south on the I-10 Frontage Road from Camino del Cerro. Look for Sweetwater drive on the right and take it. If you miss it take the next right turn and meander north on the business roads until you get back to Sweetwater. From the south, drive to the end of West Prince Road and turn right at the T. Meander north through the business roads until you hit Sweetwater Drive, then turn left. BEST TIMES TO VISIT: 1. Anytime. 2. Spring and fall for the flora. 3. Sunrise and sunset are the best times to see the abundant fauna.

Dr Tim L L.

What a great resource for just watching wildlife and enjoying nature. Really well laid out and maintained with large cement walkways. Amazing to see the plants grow massive and tall from drinking down and cleaning the poop water of Tucson. Shows what plants here can do with water and nitrogen. It is fun to sit in the shade and enjoy all the bird calls and activities of this wetlands area. Great bathrooms and 2 large parking lots that are paved. On a Sunday stroll I only saw 3 other people. I saw a lot of birds and ducks, watched the turtles frolic in the water, along with lots of flying beasties. Nice flat sidewalks. Access for wheel chair handicapped. Fun for all ages. Bring water, a hat, comfy walking shoes, spotting scope and .....enjoy.

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6 days ago

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2 months ago

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4 months ago

We love Sweetwater Wetlands! Amazing spot for birding, great walking trails, really just a beautiful spot

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Review Highlights - Sweetwater Wetlands

“Perfect for "Birders" , January is peak bird season for activity and migratory purposes allowing some amazing photos for this post, **rare Bird photos, so happy**.”

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Picacho Peak State Park - Hunter trail

Picacho Peak State Park

4.6(87 reviews)
40.9 mi

An amazing hike! Start early, bring gloves, lunch/snacks, and water!…read more My friends and I hiked to the peak via the Sunset trail, taking the loop back down the Hunter trail (7.1 mi). The first part of the hike is very easy, just out in the open. Though, once you start climbing you are climbing! The gardening gloves we brought helped us feel more secure, so that we didn't lose our grip. Honestly, the pictures made it look more scary than doing it, but if you are afraid of heights do take caution. The cables felt very secure and I felt safe the whole time. The top is very rewarding! There are a lot of bees though, so I wouldn't recommend hanging out there too long. We ended up having our lunch at on of the campsite benches in the shade at the end of the Hunter trail, which was very nice. The last part of the hike is walking on the road, but we didn't mind it after the steep and rocky decline. The bathrooms in the park are incredibly nice for a state park and there were also water bottle fillers. This was a great hike and the Park is also very well-maintained!

I checked out Picacho Peak State Park, not to be confused with Pikachu, on a Saturday afternoon…read more Located between Phoenix and Tuscon, Picacho was a hike unlike any I've done before. After arriving, you have to pay a $10 entrance fee per person to hike (a bit annoying for a state park but o well). You're given a pamphlet about the park and then it's time for what you came for. We did Hunter's Trail and there was a good amount of parking close to the start of the trail. It's a difficult trail on Alltrails and for good reason. There are parts of the hike where it's so narrow that only one person can go through at the time. There are other parts of the hike where there are steep inclines. And not only that. You'll have to climb using the cables that have been attached to the rock formations. Pro tip: bring gloves. That also means you have to be careful on the way down as you're going down on a decline. Which will be hard on your knees. It's all worth it though, because once you climb the mountain, you'll have breathtaking views of the park. And you'll be so high up that you can see both Tucson and Phoenix in the distance. All in all, if you go at a decent pace, the hike will take you 3-4 hours. There's at least one other trail. And you can also camp in the state park. Last but not least, there's a little museum in the visitor's center. And plenty of facilities. You'll get quite the workout!

Photos
Picacho Peak State Park - Going up

Going up

Picacho Peak State Park - Looking down

Looking down

Picacho Peak State Park

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Bear Canyon Trail

Bear Canyon Trail

4.8(10 reviews)
12.8 mi

I was in the area to hike Seven Falls which is a trail you can get off off Bear Canyon Trail. It…read moreis in in the Sabino Canyon Recreational Center and parking was $5 bucks. For Seven Falls you can start off right from the parking and work your way up to the fails or you can get tickets and a ride the tram up for 4 miles, if you take the tram, you are still hiking 8 miles so don't feel like you're not getting your distance in if that's your thing. I recommend doing the Seven Falls hike either in the early spring if the creeks aren't flowing to high or the fall, most of the hike is not shaded, but you do like 7 creek crossings and do get wet , so plan on wearing waterproof shoes. This was an Arizona bucket list hike for me so I really enjoyed it. The Seven Falls are worth it! Come early to get a parking spot . Distance (with tram ride) 8.2 Miles, but I am sure the .2 depends on where you park, elevation gain about 900ft, difficulty moderate, you don't have to scale rocks or scramble, you can easily climb. Amenities are at the center, and it's real flushing toilets. No, you can't bring your dog on this.

Great 17 mile loop trial in Sabino Canyon in Tucson. Bear Canyon is located in the Sabino Canyon…read moreRecreation Area of the Coronado National Forest. The trail starts at the recreation center where either you can walk to the trailhead or take a shuttle for a fee. There is another smaller parking area off of Bear Canyon Road that you can access the trailhead from that isn't in the recreation area. Once parked, you follow an easy rocky wash to the recreation area. Accessing the trail from this parking lot makes the hike a little shorter. But finding a spot to park can be difficult because the lot only holds about 15 cars. Attractions you can visit in Bear Canyon are Seven Falls and Thimble Peak. The rest of this review is for the Seven Falls Trail portion of the Bear Canyon Loop Trail. This hike reminded me of the West Fork Trail in Northern AZ but with less shade. There is a restroom at the Bear Canyon overlook picnic area. The Seven Falls trail is 8 miles out-and-back and has seven water crossings along the way. I was able to walk across the rocks, but plan on getting your feet wet (or bring water shoes). There are lots of Saguaro and Prickly Pear Cactus along this rocky path. After the crossings, there is an incline and then downhill portion until you get to the base of the falls. The waterfall cascades down a rock face and is gorgeous. This hike is really popular and gets crowded during the middle of the day and weekends. I really enjoyed hiking it. The best way to enjoy this hike and avoid lots of people is to start early. And as always when you hike in Arizona, bring water and sunscreen.

Photos
Bear Canyon Trail - Small Waterfall on Seven Falls Trail

Small Waterfall on Seven Falls Trail

Bear Canyon Trail
Bear Canyon Trail - Gorgeous hike

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Gorgeous hike

Kartchner Caverns State Park

Kartchner Caverns State Park

4.5(327 reviews)
49.8 mi

Highly recommend you take a cavern tour…read more Pre-order tickets online. They sell out! Choose either the Rotunda or the Big Room tour. Same price, different part of the cavern. Note: the Big Room tour is unavailable in summer while the bat pups are learning to fly. It reopens sometime in October omce they migrate south for the winter. Price of parking is included with your tour. A brief pre-tour huddle happens just outside the museum before hopping on the tram for a ride to the entrance. Early morning tours = cool temperatures for this outdoor part of your visit. Come early and view the video in their auditorium which plays on the hour and half hour. Explore their museum area at your leisure. Enjoy the hardens and trails. The gift shop was closed during our visit as they switch vendors. Public restrooms on front and back of buildings were clean, with water fountains and bottle filling stations nearby. Leave *all* your belongings in your vehicle or rent a locker for four quarters each. No coats, bags, cell phones, cameras, back lacks, sunglasses, etc. in the caverns. Picnic tables in the shade in the garden area. Caverns are wheelchair accesible with handicap parking spots by the entrance and a wheelchair lift onto the tram.

As all the reviews say, this is a must see attraction. They…read morestate that it is the most accessible State Park however it is not. Though there are no stairs, the sidewalks inside the cave are not accessible. It is mostly uphill with steep inclines and declines. You would need to be strong to push yourself or be pushed in a wheelchair inside the caves. There were also parts where my wheelchair would not fit through due to narrow paths and hairpin turns. I needed to walk a few steps to get through. I would say the Kartchner Caverns are not accessible, but stair-less.

Photos
Kartchner Caverns State Park - Auditorium

Auditorium

Kartchner Caverns State Park
Kartchner Caverns State Park

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Catalina State Park - Plume thistle, I believe.

Catalina State Park

4.5(142 reviews)
12.6 mi

Came here on a night walk early June. The park is well maintained and the guides were amazing. We…read moredid ice breakers to start and really enjoyed that each guide has their own expertise. We learned about the unique wildlife, rock formations, insects and constellations! I highly recommend.

I went here for a night walk in June and had an amazing time with friends! The Rangers were so…read moreknowledgeable and friendly. I thought it was pretty cool the way they reflected pictures onto the ground of the animals they discussed. They taught us not just about the animals of the desert, but also about the rock formations, and constellations as well . They did an introduction before we set out on the trail and an icebreaker, which I also thought was a cool little activity to help us all feel more comfortable. I would definitely do this again, and recommend it for anyone who's never done it. This would be a great activity to bring an out-of-town friend on. FYI- the hell when you first start, the trail is pretty steep.. I was huffing and puffing a bit lol. If you have any knee injuries or struggle with steep land, you might want to sit this one out. The rest of the trail is flat after however the hill is needed to start and end the trail (it probably took like 1-2 minutes to scale it). Also to find the area where the hike starts, you'll want to drive all the way through the park until you get to the parking lot on the left. For some reason, I thought it would be pretty close to when you enter the park, however, it is a little drive.

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Catalina State Park - Camp site A-8, Catalina State Park, Az May 27, 2023

Camp site A-8, Catalina State Park, Az May 27, 2023

Catalina State Park - Alamo Loop wildflowers

Alamo Loop wildflowers

Catalina State Park - Catalina State Park May 27, 2023

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Catalina State Park May 27, 2023

Honeybee Canyon Loop Trail

Honeybee Canyon Loop Trail

4.7(15 reviews)
12.7 mi

I love walking/hiking this area it is so close and convenient to me. It is very clean and easy to…read morewalk some spots I wander off the trail and make my own way because I am familiar with area. So much beauty and nature out here to see and enlighten all the senses. If you want to go for an easy walk/hike this is definitely beginner friendly. There are picnic areas with shade and bathrooms with running water available. Go take the family or go alone.. Enjoy God's creation so much natural beauty here!

Honeybee Canyon Loop Trail. Oro Valley, AZ. Late Nov, 2025. We wanted to do an easy morning hike,…read moreand the Honeybee Canyon Park was close to our resort. This family-friendly park offers about three miles of hiking trails, and we decided to do the Honeybee Canyon Loop Trail. Being mostly flat, most of the trails are rated "easy", but there are a few short areas where the slope is a bit steep and you need to ascend/descend on slippery sand or gravel. Entrance to the park and parking are free; there are about 20 parking spaces. Per my AllTrails app, we walked about 1.6 miles on a route that included the rock dam, but turned back without completing the loop as it was starting to get hot, there was limited shade in the desert, and, most importantly, there's limited signage on the trail (or anywhere in the park for that matter) so we kept going off-trail. This would've been a 5-star review if the signage was better to keep us on trail.

Photos
Honeybee Canyon Loop Trail
Honeybee Canyon Loop Trail
Honeybee Canyon Loop Trail

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Sweetwater Wetlands - hiking - Updated November 2026

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