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Red Hills Visitor Center
10m · Admission ticket not included
This visitor center is a wealth of information about the west side of Saguaro National Park, the TMD. There are also good restrooms, a museum, activities, a gift shop, and a theatre.
Entry to Saguaro National Park is $25 per vehicle.
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Desert Discovery Nature Trail
30m
An interpretive trail near the park entrance that is paved, flat, and easy for strollers or wheelchairs. The 0.4 mile loop may have flowers and birds, as well as reptiles.
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Valley View Overlook Trail
15m
A 0.8 mile trail that leads to an impressive overlook above a large expanse of virgin Sonoran desert, with mountains in the background.
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30m
A placid picnic spot with vault toilets and nice desert views.
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1h 30m
This trail offers a stunning route to reach Mt. Wassen, the highest point of the TMD. Along the way one can see saguaros and other desert plants, as well as possibly wildlife as well, reptiles, birds, and possibly mammals, like jackrabbits and javalinas, or even mountain lions.
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35m
Stunning Hohokam culture petroglyphs with a backdrop of desert and mountains behind.
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2h
Nice 4 mile loop hike that summits Brown Mountain, a lower hill that's just outside Saguaro National Park.
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15m
A stunning scenic overlook of vast desert, with parking and stone structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
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5m · Admission ticket not included
This lovely overlook gives a sweeping vista of the Sonoran desert plain, Tucson, and the mountains beyond.
Entry to Mt. Lemmon is $8 per vehicle.
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5m
A pretty canyon that makes for a nice view, especially pretty when there’s water down in the creekbed.
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1h
Hike down along an often-dry river and look for ancient grinding holes left by the Hohokam culture, used for turning acorns into flour.
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5m
Take in great views of nearby Thimble Peak as well as view a rushing cascade of waterfalls on the opposite side of the ravine, though they are dry much of the year. Good spot to see wildlife, too.
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30m
Wait for sunset or just marvel at the beauty of the landscape below you.
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5m
Hoodoos are strange, often otherworldly shapes caused by erosion of wind and rain. The drive has lots of them so they deserve their own pullout, don’t you think?
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1h
Here you can hike to Barnam Rock and the further Leopold Point, catching great views of the San Pedro valley below.
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5m
Useful and informative visitor center with bathrooms.
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5m
This peaceful spot was recently ravaged by wildfires. You can view the mountains far across the valley amid charred trunks of trees.
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5m
Find a picnic table and enjoy a relaxing bite amid tall pines, with chirping birds and views of the San Pedro valley far, far below.
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1h
Visit here if you've got some spare time (and some spare skis)!
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1h
What this tiny hamlet lacks in size, it makes up for in heart: Grab tasty fudge, enjoy a giant, freshly made cookie, have a sit-down dinner, or find a nice trail to hike. It’s all here in quiet Summerhaven.
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3h
Stop here to find a place to sit, eat, and enjoy nature.
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30m
Get in some good views and some good camping here.
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5m
This massive arch is surprisingly easy to miss as you zip up the highway, but it’s worth the brief stop, and certainly the biggest arch you’ll see on the tour, though there are a few small ones tucked here and there among the other hoodoos.
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5m
This stop offers grand views of the valley and some interesting interpretive signs that detail how this vast area came to be.
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Bug Springs Trail
30m
A fun hike for folks who want one last chance to get out of the car and onto a trail for a while.
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5m
Get in some good camping! Open from October to April, and there are restrooms.
