Hoping to learn more about different nature areas nearby? You’ve come to the right place! Tucson is home to a diverse set of nature areas, many close to other landmarks in the area.
We are preparing this page for an automatic tagging system. While we await that feature, “TAGS” at the end of each site description lists key features of that site. The table below shows the types of tags.
If a site is within 10 miles of a Pima campus or the UA, the approximate distance will be noted.
If you have questions or suggestions for this webpage, we’d like to hear from you. Just write to stuart@sustainabletucson.org.
DISCLAIMER: We have tried our best to make our list and resource checklist exhaustive, but it is still helpful to do your own research if you’re looking for a specific feature. For example, only certain trails in nature areas are ADA accessible. If a nature area is “tagged” to include a certain feature, that means that there is at least one part of the area that meets that criterion.
| Locations Within 10 Miles | Trail Types | Activity Spaces | Other Features |
| PCC Desert Vista | Biking | Naturally Occurring Water | ADA Accessible |
| PCC Downtown | Dog-Friendly | Playfields | Campgrounds |
| PCC East | Equestrian | Picnic Tables | Dog Park Area |
| PCC Northwest | Hiking | Playground | Historic Structures/Sites |
| PCC West | Walking | Pool/Water Features | Interpretive Displays |
| UArizona | Sports Areas | Urban/City Park |
This park is part of a historic site in the Tanque Verde Valley: the Agua Caliente Ranch! The park is home to three ponds borne from a natural spring, and is a beautiful area to walk and have an outdoor picnic. The Friends of Agua Caliente hosts regular events to showcase the area’s history, wildlife, and unique features.
TAGS: historic structures/sites; naturally occurring water; picnic tables; walking trails
A series of trails in the Maeveen Behan Desert Sanctuary, a swing set, a dog park, and several sporting areas (batting cages, lighted baseball field, lighted basketball court, soccer fields, lighted softball fields) are all activities to enjoy at this park.
Close to PCC Northwest (~4 miles)
TAGS: biking trails; dog park area; equestrian trails; hiking trails; PCC Northwest; picnic tables; playground; sports areas; walking trails
An expansive, open space park with over five miles of walking paths. And a great place to enjoy a relaxing outdoor picnic!
TAGS: picnic tables; walking trails
You can choose from eight different trails in this park that sits at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Interested readers can see and learn about native plants and birds at this park with its interpretive signage. People interested in camping, hiking, biking, or horse riding would find plenty to do at this natural area! Pay $3 by person or $7 by vehicle to enter.
Close to PCC Northwest (~ 9 miles)
TAGS: biking trails; campgrounds; dog-friendly trails; equestrian trails; hiking trails; historic structures/sites; interpretive displays; naturally occurring water; PCC Northwest; picnic tables; walking trails
Looking for a change of scenery? Check out Mount Lemmon, a mixed conifer forest part of Coronado National Forest! The Mt Lemmon Day Use area is near the top and offers shaded picnic tables, interpretive signage, beautiful views, and access to trails. Access this area with an $8 daily pass per vehicle, or $10 for a week. The Mt. Lemmon Trail offers many options for walking and hiking.
TAGS: dog-friendly trails; interpretive displays; hiking trails; picnic tables; walking trails
A perk of this park is that it’s accessible from fairly populated, urban areas, such as from Speedway Boulevard and N Players Club Drive. With four miles of trails and picturesque views of saguaros and the Tucson Mountains, this is a great, dog-friendly place to hike, to mountain bike, and to run!
Close to PCC West (~2 miles), PCC Downtown (~5 miles), and UArizona (~6 miles)
TAGS: biking trails; dog-friendly trails; hiking trails; PCC Downtown; PCC West; UArizona; walking trails
Come explore an accessible natural area at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains! For much of the year, visitors can hike to see water in Sabino Creek. Boasting over 30 miles of trails, people enjoy walking, jogging, and hiking, and can bike after 5p. Take a paid open-air shuttle to explore the paved part of the nature area. Be aware that there are fees associated per vehicle to enter Sabino Canyon ($8 daily/$10 weekly).
TAGS: ADA accessible; biking trails; campgrounds; hiking trails; interpretive displays; naturally occurring water; picnic tables; walking trails
In the Rincon Mountain District, explore the east side of Tucson’s very own National Park! This expansive natural area offers 128 miles of trails where people can bike, hike, and ride horses. Camping at Saguaro East is available at six sites; plan ahead, a permit and reservation are needed to camp here! Pay between $15 (per person) and $25 (per vehicle) to access either Saguaro National Park site for up to seven days, or visit the park for free on one of the free national park days! Fourth Graders get free entry to national parks year round.
Close to PCC East (~6 miles)
TAGS: campgrounds; dog-friendly trails; equestrian trails; hiking trails; PCC East; picnic tables; walking trails
In the Tucson Mountain District, explore the west side of Tucson’s very own National Park! This expansive natural area offers 43 miles of trails where people can bike, hike, and ride horses. Pay between $15 (per person) and $25 (per vehicle) to access either Saguaro National Park site for up to seven days, or visit the park for free on one of the free national park days! Fourth Graders get free entry to national parks year round.
Close to PCC Northwest (~7 miles)
TAGS: dog friendly trails; equestrian trails; hiking trails; PCC Northwest; picnic tables; walking trails
Offering 29 miles of trails through the Cochie, Wild Burro, and Ruelas Canyons, people hike, trail run, ride horses, and mountain bike in this beautiful natural area, and it doesn’t stop there! Trails originating in this park continue to expand today southward. Visit here to see stunning natural/geological features, flora, and fauna of this area of the country.
Close to PCC East (~5 miles)
TAGS: biking trails; equestrian trails; hiking trails; interpretive displays; PCC East; walking trails
This is one of the largest natural areas owned by a local government in the U.S., right here in Tucson! With many trailheads to choose from, the Gilbert Ray Campground to use (but plan ahead!), and historic structures to see, there’s always something new to discover here!
Close to PCC West (~5 miles), PCC Downtown (~7 miles), and UArizona (~8 miles)
TAGS: biking trails; campgrounds; equestrian trails; hiking trails; historic structures/sites; interpretive displays; PCC Downtown; PCC West; UArizona; walking trails
A protected research, ecological reservation in the middle of Tucson. Tumamoc Hill has a beautiful, paved walkway rising over 700 feet that leads to a mesa top and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area! Be aware that the road is steep and not open between 7:30a-5:30p Monday through Friday.
Close to PCC West (~1 mile), PCC Downtown (~3 miles), UArizona (~6 miles), and PCC Desert Vista (~8 miles)
TAGS: hiking trails; historic structures/sites; PCC Desert Vista; PCC Downtown; PCC West; UArizona
Winston Reynolds Manzanita District Park
An urban park with many options for outdoor fun! For instance, this park has both a paved and natural path, playgrounds, playfields (e.g., lighted baseball/softball fields), sport areas (e.g., tennis courts, volleyball court, batting cages), a BMX Park, a community pool, and the Warden Family Splash Pad, among other options!
Close to PCC Desert Vista (~4 miles) and UArizona (~10 miles)
TAGS: ADA accessible; biking trails; equestrian trails; PCC Desert Vista; picnic tables; pool/water features; playfields; playground; sports areas; UArizona; urban/city park; walking trails