I spent two months hiking around Tucson, Ajo, Bisbee, and the little mountain towns nearby. I came home with cactus spines in my socks, a camera full of sun, and a happy heart.
Those two months became the backbone of my honest, dusty, sunburned review of southern Arizona trails, for anyone who wants the long version.
Was it perfect? Nope. But it felt real.
First, the feel of it
The desert looks tough, but it’s kind. Mornings smell like creosote after rain. Saguaros stand like old grandpas, quiet but proud. The sky goes wide, and it stays that way. You think you’re ready for the heat, and then the heat laughs.
I learned fast to start before sunrise. I also learned that “dry heat” still cooks you.
My favorite trails and the stuff that actually happened
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Saguaro National Park West — Valley View Overlook
I walked this one at sunset. It’s short and gentle, with a payoff that hits. The light on the arms of the saguaros felt like stage lights. I carried a tiny headlamp back; jackrabbits darted like kids late to dinner. -
Sabino Canyon — Seven Falls
This is the “famous” Tucson hike. When the creek runs, it’s magic. You get seven little waterfalls and smooth granite. I slipped once and sat right down in the water. Felt silly. Worth it. Note: it’s crowded on weekends, and the shuttle noise kind of breaks the mood. Bring sandals if your feet hate wet shoes.
If you’re as waterfall-obsessed as I am, my trail notes on splashing through multiple Arizona cascades live over here. -
Mount Wrightson — Old Baldy Trail, Madera Canyon
Tough climb. Big gain. The air turns cool and piney near the top. I started at 5:30 a.m. and still sweated like crazy. A hawk circled over me near the saddle. At the summit, I could see clear into Mexico. My calves barked for two days. Snow can linger in winter—microspikes helped in March. -
Chiricahua National Monument — Echo Canyon Loop
Hoodoos everywhere. It looks like a stone city that forgot people. I heard Mexican jays, bright and bossy. I also saw a coati by the picnic area, tail up like a little flag. The loop is moderate, and shade shows up right when you need it. Bring a wind layer; it can gust out of nowhere. -
Catalina State Park — Romero Pools
Granite slides, cool pockets of water, and bees that loved my orange drink mix. The climb is steady; the return is hot. I dunked my hat and wore it soaking. Ten out of ten for that trick. Parking fills fast. -
Finger Rock or Blackett’s Ridge (Tucson)
Steep, rocky, and no nonsense. Views punch you in the face (in a nice way). I hit Finger Rock at 5 a.m. with a headlamp. Quads burned; mood soared. Watch for loose rock on the way down. -
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument — Bull Pasture/Estes Canyon
Remote but gorgeous. The cacti look like a crowd at a festival. Border checkpoints are part of the day here; the rangers were kind and firm. I carried 3 liters and used almost all of it. Sunshirt saved me. -
Superstition Mountains — Flatiron via Siphon Draw
Brutal scramble up slickrock and scree, but the view over the Valley is chef’s-kiss. If you’re tempted, check out my honest take on wandering the Superstitions before you commit to the quad-fest.
You know what? I thought Saguaro East might be better because it’s “mountain-y.” Then I fell for Saguaro West at sunset. So I was wrong—and also right. Both sides shine. West for glow. East for big days.
For a deeper dive into route details, seasonal tips, and downloadable GPX files, check out Arizona Hiking Trails—it’s my go-to vault when I’m planning the next dusty adventure.
The good stuff I didn’t expect
- Monsoon mornings smell like a clean garage after rain.
- Tiny lizards sprint across the trail like wind-up toys.
- The silence isn’t empty. It hums.
Also, Tucson has Sonoran hot dogs. After a hot hike, I went to El Güero Canelo and ate one in my car with the AC blasting. It felt like a small life win. Eegee’s frozen drinks? Perfect post-hike sugar bomb.
The hard stuff (and how I dealt)
- Heat: It’s real. I carried 2 to 3 liters, plus electrolytes (Nuun or LMNT). If I didn’t drink, I got cranky and slow.
- Sun: My Outdoor Research Echo Hoody and a wide-brim Sunday Afternoons hat kept me from frying. Sunscreen still mattered.
- Cholla: Those spines hook like Velcro. I carried tweezers and a fine-tooth comb. I did pull spines from my sock on the trail. It stung, then was fine.
- Crowds: Sabino and Romero get busy. Early start = better day.
- Border vibes: South of Ajo and near the border, I saw Border Patrol trucks and a helicopter once. I stayed on marked trails, told someone my plan, and kept it simple. No drama.
- Fees and passes: Saguaro and Organ Pipe have entry fees. Catalina has a day pass. The America the Beautiful pass covered most stops.
Gear that worked for me (and what didn’t)
- Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat for long days; soft and grippy. Altra Lone Peak for wide toe days. I got a tiny blister on my right heel in the Speedgoats on Mount Wrightson, so I taped it next time.
- Pack: Osprey Tempest 20. Light, not floppy.
- Water: 2.5L HydraPak bladder plus a soft flask for mix. Bladder hose froze? No. But it did taste like plastic once; a baking soda rinse fixed it.
- Poles: Black Diamond Distance Z. Great on steep descent. But they snag cholla if you’re clumsy. I learned fast to keep tips high near cactus.
- Socks: Darn Tough micro crews. I used gaiters on sandy trails to keep the grit out.
- Energy and recovery: On back-to-back big-mileage days (think Finger Rock at dawn followed by Romero Pools the next morning) I tried a clean-label endurance chew called Snap X—here’s the link if you want the full breakdown: Snap X — the product page details the ingredient list, user reviews, and timing tips for getting steady energy without the late-day crash.
- Little kit: Tweezers, small comb, headlamp, salty snacks (Fritos, baby!). Paper map, because cell bars lie.
When to go
- Best: November to March. Cool, bright, and friendly.
- Tricky: April to June—hot, dry, windy.
- Monsoon: July to September—stormy afternoons and stunning skies. Watch for flash floods in canyons. Trails can close after big rain.
Quick picks if you’re short on time
- One sunset: Valley View Overlook (Saguaro West)
- One classic: Seven Falls (Sabino)
- One workout: Finger Rock
- One wow: Echo Canyon (Chiricahua)
- One big peak: Mount Wrightson
Safety and small notes I’d tell a friend
- Drink more water than you think. If you stop sweating, that’s not a flex; that’s a problem.
- Rattlesnakes sun on trails. I gave them room and waited. We both left fine.
- Dogs can struggle with heat and cactus. Booties help, but some trails don’t allow dogs.
- Pack out orange peels. The desert takes forever to break things down.
- Check trail reports. AllTrails is helpful, but I still like the park boards and ranger notes.
Who will love it
- Beginners: Valley View, Desert Discovery loops, and short nature trails feel kind and clear.
- Weekend grinders: Romero Pools, Blackett’s, and long loops in Saguaro East.
- Peak chasers: Mount Wrightson, Miller Peak near Sierra Vista. Long days; big legs.
My verdict (and one wish)
I give hiking in southern Arizona a 9 out of 10. The light, the silence, the weird beauty—it got under my skin in the best way. I’d only change two things: a bit more shade and better signs at a couple of tricky junctions near Sabino.
Would I go back? Yes. I’d bring extra water, start in the dark, and end with a Sonoran dog. Honestly, that