Tucson, Arizona is a fantastic place for hiking since it has five different mountain ranges surrounding the area. If you're planning a trip, it might feel overwhelming because there are so many trails to choose from. If you find yourself thinking Where do I even start? don't worry, because this post covers five amazing trailheads that are located specifically in the west region of Tucson.
Although this post is location specific, the trailheads I'll be sharing today have plenty of hiking options so that you can customize your day hike however you'd like! Let's jump in...
Starting with the trailhead closest to the city center...
1. Tumamoc Hill
Tumamoc Hill is just a fifteen minute drive west from the University of Arizona campus. Since it's located on University property, it's one of the few trails in the area that is open at night. On the way up, you'll pass an astronomy research facility that has been open since 1906.
Key stats
Length: 3.1 miles
Average time to complete: 1 hr, 40 mins
Type of hike: Out & Back
Elevation gain: 3,108 feet
Level of difficulty: Moderate
Dylan and I hiked Tumamoc in August during sunset. The trail can be pretty busy, but the path is wide enough for all the foot traffic. We were also able to see a variety of wildlife on the trail... we saw mule deer and a rattler, so keep your eyes peeled for slithery friends along the way!
The view from the top is absolutely breathtaking - you have direct views over the city, but you can also look out on the Tucson mountain range. You'll also catch a glimpse of Sentinel Peak, also known as the famous "A" mountain in Tucson. It is a paved path that goes up the mountain, so running shoes are perfectly fine for this route. It's very steep, so make sure you bring enough water with you!
2. Greasewood Park
Located near the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Greasewood park is the perfect place to go if you want to walk through the desert landscape. Spanning over 152 acres, this park includes a Wilderness and Nature trail where you can learn about the Sonoran deserts diverse vegetation and wildlife.
This is also a great area for large get-togethers. There are picnic tables, grills, and a water fountain located near the parking lot. There are plenty of trails that you can take around the park, but no matter where you are, you'll get 360 views of the Tucson mountain ranges.
Consider taking the Greasewood Park trail to immerse yourself in the Sonoran landscape!
Key stats:
Length: 2.9 miles
Average time to complete: 1 hr, 3 mins
Type of hike: Loop
Elevation gain: 213 feet
Level of difficulty: Easy
Greasewood park is a great place to go if you want to get in some exercise outside. It's a pretty flat area, so this could be a great spot for trail runners who aren't looking for a ton of elevation gain. I like to visit Greasewood for a nice afternoon stroll during my free time!
3. Painted Hills Park
Painted Hills park starts to give you the sense that you're getting away from the city. Located in between residential neighborhoods and Tucson Mountain Park, this park gives you a taste of hiking in the Tucson mountain range. This trailhead offers a handful of hikes, breathtaking views, and a little bit more seclusion from the city life.
On AllTrails, there are currently seven trails listed in the park. Trails range from one to four miles long, with the option of gaining more elevation from two summits. This is a perfect park for short and moderately easy hiking throughout the day. Most of the hikes are loops, so this park is perfect for those who don't like to see the same thing, twice!
Consider taking one of these hikes...
Monsoon Loop - 1 mile, loop, easy, average time of 23 mins to complete, 104 feet elevation gain.
Recoil Peak via Mosaic Trail - 2.6 miles, out & back, moderately challenging, average time of 1 hr 3 mins to complete, 295 feet elevation gain.
Painted Hills Trails Loop - 3.7 miles, loop, easy, average time of 1 hr 25 mins to complete, 344 feet elevation gain.
If you want to get outside for a few hours to get a little elevation in, this is your park. Feel free to bring your dog, because these trails are dog friendly!
4. Tucson Mountain Park
Tucson Mountain Park is a huge area for hiking. Inside the park you can find the International Wildlife Museum and Old Tucson, giving you plenty to do during your visit. No matter where you are in the park, you'll find plenty of hiking options for all levels of hikers. This park is by far one of my favorite trailheads in West Tucson.
Here are some of our favorites...
Hidden Canyon Bowen Loop Trail - 2 miles, loop, moderately challenging, average time of 57 mins to complete, 354 feet elevation gain.
Bobcat Ridge & Starr Pass Trail Loop - 4.1 miles, loop, moderately challenging, average time of 1 hr 55 mins to complete, 715 feet elevation gain.
David Yetman Trail - 11.9 miles, out & back, moderately challenging, average time of 4 hrs 47 mins to complete, 1,328 feet elevation gain.
Tucson Mountain park also offers plenty of scenic drives along the way if you want to soak up the views on the road. Towards the east entrance, there is a designated area for outside gatherings. There you can find outdoor restrooms, picnic tables, grills, and even hiking trails! Dylan and I brought our Thanksgiving meal with us to one of these picnic spots, and we couldn't have enjoyed ourselves more!
5. Saguaro National Park (West)
Many people aren't aware that Saguaro National Park is actually split into two locations - the east side and the west side. Saguaro National Park West is located just north of Tucson Mountain Park, so you can actually access it from the same road. Keep in mind that since it's a national park, you'll need to pay an entrance fee of $25 to access the trailhead.
Saguaro National Park is a desert hikers dream. You'll be surrounded by the infamous saguaro cactus wherever you go with an abundance of trails at your disposal (over 165 miles worth). Keep in mind that the west side of the national park is great for day hikes - backpacking and camping isn't allowed on this side.
Some of the most popular trails are...
Wild Dog Trail - 1.9 miles, out & back, easy, average time of 45 mins to complete, 187 feet elevation gain.
Gould Mine Loop - 2.3 miles, moderately challenging, loop, average time of 1 hr 4 mins to complete, 380 feet elevation gain.
Sendero Esperanza Trail - 5 miles, out & back, moderately challenging, average time of 2 hrs 31 mins to complete, 1,040 feet elevation gain.
Like Tucson Mountain park, you can take the Bajada scenic drive if you want to see the park from your car! It's unpaved, so make sure your car is up for the dirt road!
There you have it! Five amazing trailheads in west Tucson that offer awesome day hikes. In these areas alone, there is so much variety of what types of hikes are available to you!
Happy trail(head)s from West Tucson!
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