Trails for Walking, Hiking, Biking, and Riding

The paths and trails of the Santa Cruz Valley have served as crossroads for humankind for more than 12,000 years. These ancient footpaths were traced through the natural landscape, many beginning as game trails, then becoming vital hunting, trade, and migration routes for countless people. Some modern roadways were originally the well-developed transits of Native Americans who studied and navigated the terrain for ongoing safety and simplicity. Today, they serve many purposes. We encourage you to venture where many have roamed before you. Whether it’s along a rugged mountain or an urban environment, here are a few where you can get started…

For detailed information about these trails and recreational allowances, please contact trail agency or visit their website.

NameLocationLength (Miles)FeeDogs allowedBicycles allowedHorses allowed
Agua Caliente ParkTucson2NoDog icon
Borderlands Wildlife PreservePatagonia4.12NoRefer to siteRefer to SiteRefer to Site
Catalina State Park Nature TrailOro Valley1.8YesDog iconBicycle icon
Catalina State Park (All Trails)Oro ValleySee siteYesRefer to siteRefer to SiteRefer to Site
Cienega Creek Natural Preserve-Gabe Zimmerman Davidson Canyon TrailheadVail1.7NoDog icon
Colossal Cave Mountain ParkVail1NoDog iconBicycle iconHorse icon
Danny Lopez ParkTucson1NoDog iconBicycle icon
Empire Ranch Foundation Heritage Discovery TrailSonoita0.5NoDog iconBicycle iconHorse icon
Feliz Paseos ParkTucson2NoDog iconBicycle iconHorse icon
Fort Lowell Park and MuseumTucson1.4YesDog iconBicycle iconHorse icon
Honey Bee Canyon ParkOro Valley3NoDog iconBicycle icon
Iris Dewhirst Pima Canyon TrailheadTucson6NoDog iconBicycle iconHorse icon
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic TrailAlong Santa Cruz River from Nogales to Marana4.1YesDog iconBicycle iconHorse icon
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail - Tumacácori to TubacAlong Santa Cruz River from Tumacácori to Tubac4.1YesDog iconBicycle iconHorse icon
Las Cienegas National Conservation AreaSonoita13NoDog iconBicycle iconHorse icon
Las Lagunas de Anza WetlandsNogales0.3No
Madera Canyon Recreation AreaSanta Rita Mountains5.3YesDog iconBicycle iconHorse icon
Madera Canyon Recreation Area - Nature Trail and Whitehouse Trail11 miles to the entrance of the Madera Canyon Recreation Area3YesDog iconRefer to SiteRefer to Site
Maeveen Behan Desert Sanctuary TrailheadTucson6NoDog iconBicycle icon
Mount Lemmon, Coronado National ForestSanta Catalina Mountains2.1YesDog iconBicycle iconHorse icon
Painted Hills ParkTucson3.5NoDog icon
Panorama Trails at West Lambert Lane ParkOro Valley0.5NoDog iconBicycle icon
Patagonia Lake State ParkPatagonia2YesDog iconBicycle iconHorse icon
Patagonia Lake State Park Birding TrailPatagonia2YesDog icon
Patagonia-Sonoita Creek PreservePatagonia2.5Yes
Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve - Railroad-Pradera-Creek LoopPatagonia2.1Yes
Peña Blanca LakePeña Blanca Canyon1.6NoDog icon
Reid ParkTucson2NoDog iconBicycle icon
Rillito River ParkTucson4NoDog iconBicycle iconHorse icon
Rincon Mountain Wilderness AreaVail19.2NoDog iconHorse icon
Rio Vista Natural Resource ParkTucson2.1NoDog iconBicycle icon
Romero Ruin Trail at Catalina State ParkOro Valley0.7YesDog iconBicycle iconHorse icon
Sabino Canyon Phoneline TrailTucson10.8YesBicycle iconHorse icon
Sabino Canyon Recreational Area TucsonVariousYesBicycle iconHorse icon
Sabino Canyon RoadTucson3.7YesBicycle icon
Saguaro National Park(East) Mica View LoopTucson2YesDog iconBicycle iconHorse icon
Saguaro National Park (West) Sendero Esperanza TrailTucson3YesDog icon
Sentinel Peak ("A" Mountain)Tucson2.4NoDog iconBicycle icon
Sweetwater PreserveTucson15NoDog iconBicycle iconHorse icon
Sweetwater Wetlands ParkTucson1No
Tanque Verde Canyon-Rim Loop TrailTucson2NoDog iconBicycle iconHorse icon
Tohono Chul ParkTucson1.6Yes
Tortolita Mountain ParkMarana29NoDog iconBicycle iconHorse icon
Tucson Mountain ParkTucson2.8YesBicycle icon
Tumacácori National Historical ParkTumacácori1YesDog iconBicycle iconHorse icon
Tumamoc HillTucson1.5No
Turquoise TrailTucson2.4NoDog iconBicycle icon
Vista del Rio Cultural Resource ParkTucson0.3NoDog iconBicycle iconHorse icon
Vistoso Trails Nature PreserveOro Valley6.2NoDog iconBicycle icon