Another amazing drive through National Park. With the…read moreshutdown we were surprised to be able to drive thru. Just the drive was open. Desert beauty... huge cactuses and the variety of plants. Worth every minute that we were able to walk around the open areas. Saw no wildlife but plenty of footprints and scat. Will be back to be able to access more areas in the future.

In any season but winter, I'd advise visiting early in the day to avoid the heat…read more We drove about 3o minutes from our hotel in Tucson to visit Saguaro NP. We stopped first at the visitors' center. We had a park pass, but otherwise here was where we'd have paid our fee. We checked in with the help desk to ask about short hikes. I admire the rangers for probably answering the same question a hundred times a day, 5 days a week. There is a loop road within a mile or two of the VC. It is unpaved, but it has 2 nice short hikes along the way. However, you should note: while 80% of the loop is 2-way traffic, the other 20% is NOT! Hence, unless you want to do more than a single pass around the loop, you should enter at the end nearest the VC and proceed CCW around the loop to the other end. We did 2 hikes here. The Signal Hill trail is on the side of the loop furthest from the VC. The Valley View trail is on the leg closer to the VC (but after the point where the road becomes 1-way). The Signal Hill trail is short. It descends from the parking lot down to a wash and then up around a hill. At the base you can see some rocks displaying petroglyphs. When you get to the top, you are quite close to several rocks with large carvings (spiral circles, etc.). There was adequate parking divided into a lower and upper lot. It may get crowded at other times, but when we visited (early) there were spots available. The Valley View trail is a bit longer but is mostly level. It winds through cactuses for a while until it ends at a point which overlooks the land to the west. You get a huge vista from this point, though on the day we went there was a lot of dust in the air which cut down on the view. Parking here was limited, but people just parked along the (1-way) road after the lot filled up. That could add a bit of extra hiking. Neither of these hikes is that strenuous. We spent a bit over 2 hours here, but it would have been a bit shorter if we'd started the loop at the correct end.

I love Gates Pass. There is such a nice energy here. I didn't get to hike too much, but the views…read morefor sunset are amazing. I have great memories visiting with my dad and coworkers. I will definitely be back to visit. The desert has such a special place in my heart and gates pass is definitely a great place to stop and take it all in.

Visited Gates Pass in Tucson, AZ and specifically the Gates Pass Scenic Lookout for sunset and it…read morewas breathtaking! As you look around, there are 360 views of different colors and hues illuminating the sky, and making for a spectacular sunset! There is plenty of parking and if you hike up maybe .2 miles you can get to the top of the mountain where the views are even better! Coming up here on a weekday, it wasn't too busy and you can get wonderful, Instagram worthy, unobstructed photos! There are lots of hiking trails and walking paths all around which is also a huge plus! I am obsessed with this spot and can't wait to visit again! Highly recommend to visitors and locals near and far!

I booked the ladder tour for my husband and I for his birthday. Adam was our tour guide. We had a…read moregreat time! I am claustrophobic and let Adam know and he was very understanding and encouraging. He definitely helped me feel at ease and I was able to finish the entire tour. Adam is very passionate about caving and it really shows. We've been in multiple caves and on tours so I wasn't sure if this would be anything special. It absolutely was and I was pleasantly surprised. There were a few activities we got to do that I haven't ever experienced before like playing "drums" on stalactites and "painting" on the wall with a flashlight. We learned a lot about the history of the cave and heard some interesting and fun stories. We also got to explore a little bit on our own here and there off to the sides of the path which my husband really enjoyed. The ladder part is at the end and it was a lot of fun and almost like an obstacle course. We had a great time here and I'm really glad we came!

Fun tour of cave with some good history. Good that the cost supports back the park. Our guide was…read morevery knowledgeable and friendly. The path is very accessible so it isn't hard to walk. The lighting is great showing off great cave features and photos to take. Just no flash Although cool, I would say I've been to nicer caves, but if this is your first cave visit it is probably worth it. Enjoy!

Empire Ranch (located within Las Cienegas Conservation Area) is a direct look into early life of a…read morerancher in Arizona. The buildings with the displays from the early era are informative and interesting. You can almost feel what it was like to live on the Ranch. The area is beautiful with trails and wildlife to view especially birders.

Nice old place to see and it's not that far from Tucson only about 1hr drive. Something to do on a…read morelazy Saturday afternoon. Free entrance and pets are allowed. We will definitely see this place again!

It is a state park, about $10 for a day visit. It is about 45 minutes or so south of Tucson, but…read moremostly freeway until you get off on the road that leads to the entrance. There are plenty of trails for all skill levels, and some are partially paved, concrete walkways, etc. Plenty of signage and you can check all trails for skill level, elevation gain, etc. Plenty of lots so plenty of parking, and there are some nice covered picnic areas as well. Great views of the area, surrounding mountains, etc. We saw at least 8 deer all huddled by each other, birds, small animals, etc. Check out my pics for some of the highlights.

First time visiting and it won't be my last! Between some beautiful hiking opportunities, bird…read morewatching fin, picnicking or a getaway .. you are in the midst of beautiful Mother Nature! Since it is at a higher elevation, you have increased biodiversity of plants and animals and the temperature can be a good10-15 degree difference from the desert floor. I got to see some amazing birds there... and it's a known birding paradise!! There is a privately run lodge, B&B, and camping options plus a nearby lodge run by US Forest Service if you want a getaway. There hasn't been much rain and so the creek beds were dry... but I hear when there is water .. it's a whole other ecosystem with a mini waterfalls included. The picnic spaces are through out the park and several accessible by wheelchair. The park is excellently maintained with good signage (thanks to the world of many dedicated federal employees of Interior/ forest services who have cared in protecting and maintaining the land for us to enjoy). Looking forward to exploring this area even more!

We recently decided to take our little ones to Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and it completely…read moreexceeded our expectations. This is so much more than a museum, it is an immersive experience that beautifully combines a zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, natural history museum, and desert conservation center all in one breathtaking setting. The entire property is thoughtfully designed around the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert, making every pathway feel peaceful, educational, and incredibly scenic. One of our favorite areas was the aquarium exhibit, which was fascinating for both adults and children alike. The cave and earth science areas were equally impressive and felt like stepping into another world, with beautifully designed underground spaces, glowing formations, and engaging exhibits that kept the kids completely captivated. The hummingbird aviary was absolutely magical -- seeing the hummingbirds fly so closely around us was something we will never forget. It was such a peaceful and unique experience, and you can truly appreciate how special these tiny creatures are. We also loved how family-friendly everything was. The entire museum felt very stroller accessible, which made exploring with little ones so much easier and more enjoyable. There are multiple restroom areas and convenient water refill stations throughout the grounds, which was incredibly helpful in the Arizona heat. Every trail and exhibit felt well maintained, spacious, and easy to navigate at our own pace. What impressed us most was how interactive and engaging the entire experience felt. Everywhere we turned there was beautiful wildlife, desert plants, educational exhibits, and something exciting for the kids to discover. It truly encourages an appreciation for nature and the incredible ecosystem of the Sonoran Desert. We honestly did not even finish seeing the entire museum in one visit because there is just so much to explore, and that alone makes us excited to come back again. This is easily one of the most unique and memorable family experiences in Arizona, and we are already looking forward to returning for another visit.

I had visited in 2015, and now that my young children are 8 and almost 10, thought it would be a…read morenice time to return. While there have been some updates... I am disappointed at the cost to essentially walk around the desert. No mountain lions, no cats, we saw one owl and one magpie, several reptiles, a couple of wolves, goats. I paid over $77 for me and 2 kids. With a veteran discount... The grill signed stated they were open, but the doors were locked. The other restaurant was closed as well. The kids splash area was dried up. Which looks like it could have been fun, even if it was geared toward 5 and under. We did not attempt the stingray area, as I did not see anyone at the ticket booth... yes, after over $77, this is an extra cost. We did like the pack rat kids indoor play area, and the mineral/cave area.

Don't tell anyone, but the best part of the incomparable Loop trail is in Oro Valley, not in…read moreTucson. Pick up the Loop OV spur on Rancho Vistoso blvd just east of the Big Wash (if you hit Innovation Park Dr you've missed it) and ride down the best hill in Tucson to Tangerine. The views of Pusch Ridge at sunrise are incomparable. Then continue for miles of beautiful off-road trail along the CDO wash until you go beneath I10. From there you can go north to Marana, or south to pick up the Rillito or continue south along the Santa Cruz. The OV Loop trails are pretty much all I ride on anymore. You get seriously spoiled not having to worry about getting hit by a car.

The paved path around Tucson is a real gem for cyclists, walkers, jogger and roller bladers. A few…read moreyears ago I decided I was going to walk the Loop in sections. It took me over two years (two falls and winters) to finish it. There are free parking areas every few miles for easy out-and-back walks. My very first section was the section east of the Tucson Mall. I walked it with my GSD Sadie while in the area and turned around at Campbell Avenue. The path was busy with all kinds of recreationalists, but it also had a large population of homeless people under the bridges. I don't have a particular favorite part. Each section is different. The Rillito River Park has several nice parking areas and water stations and lovely art statues. The parks are lighted at night. The Pantano Wash is more quiet. The section just to the east of the Air Force base is secluded. That is were I was followed by javelina. The ugliest section is the industrial section along the Julian Wash. The wash is full of trash and homeless encampments The section along the Santa Cruz wash that gets close to town is nice as there are places to eat nearby, with benches to rest. I walked a short section again yesterday near the Tucson Mall and noticed at least two walking police teams. The Rillito Wash was trashed again, and the section east of the mall had no trash cans, so people just threw their trash along the wash. Tucson maintains the actual path and will post construction or closures on the Loop's Facebook page.

I went with my brother, his wife and sister on Saturday 4/11/26. It was a amazing experience…read more The only problem was our tour guide. Her name was Marsha. My brother has a hard time walking. I was talking to another guide and a man that works there. They said they could take us in the van. Which was perfect. Marsha made such a big deal out of us riding in van, that it was interrupting her tour. She made 3 or more comments to the group of people about him being in the van. It made my brother feel self conscious and bad. The guy that drove us told us not to worry about her. But the observatory is great. Thank you Mary Jo Faber

"Mars 'aint the kind of place to raise your kids." But, Kitt Peak National Observatory is the kind…read moreof place you want to take someone who is a kid at heart to. (*I know, I know...I just broke the rule about not finishing a sentence with a preposition, and it sounded a bit awkward. My bad. I'll try to write more-gooder from now on.) Captain's Log: Star date May 1st, 2026. The entire crew of the Star ship, "Wait for the Western Wind*" thoroughly enjoyed the experience. (*That's is the name that I christened to the van that we rented) We have now returned safely to home base, and our journey of exploration can only be described as a success. All mission-objectives have been achieved...the goals of having fun, joining together for a little family camaraderie, and fulfilling a quest for knowledge were all clearly met. Sadly, I must report that I did fail at one of the mission's intended targets...that being: my finding a way to work-in a joke about the 7th planet from the G2V star located in the Arm of Orion, in the "Via Lactea" (latin for Milky Way) galaxy. As I get older, I have found that discretion, indeed, is the better part of valor. So, when our guide (Sam--who was wonderful) asked the group that she was leading if there was anything that we hoped to see that night, I pulled my hand back down quickly... realizing, at that moment, that a joke about "Uranus" would most-likely, "land" like the 1967 Apollo 1 tragedy. The carbon-based humanoid life forms that inhabit the rocky crevices of I'oligam Du'ag possess advanced intelligence. As they spoke about the numerous telescopes, history of the area, and shared their deep knowledge of the wonders of space, they all exhibited kindness and patience, as well as a passionate enthusiasm for the work being done there. I also observed, on a number of well-timed occasions, that they were prone to "launching" some corny paternal-space-exploration humor. The one about being careful to not put Saturn in a bathtub--because it might leave a ring...(Ha!) that one would cause a, "super-nova of laughter" from here to Andromeda (M31): "Ground control to Major Tom". Here are two bits of advice to fellow travelers who might choose to boldly go where no human (in your family) has gone before (to the Kitt Peak Observatory)... Dress warmly and maybe bring a blanket. It was a balmy day in Tucson, but at 6,880 ft up, you will find yourself beneath the night sky of the exposed high desert and quick drops in temperatures happen as the Jackson Pollack-painted sky comes to light. Secondly, don't be like the guy who, as the night was wrapping up, got into his car, turned on his car lights, and pulled away from the presentation prematurely. What a, "back side of a black hole" move! There are easy-to-follow guidelines that have been set up to protect the experiments from white lights. If we all show a little cooperation, we all succeed. That kind of behavior is not to be tolerated, so we all agreed that the laser-guided missile launch that followed was completely justified. (I'm kidding!--we just watched as he drove away and his tail lights disappeared on the horizon--wondering to ourselves, "What kind of parents raise a person like that?") I will now close by putting our experience into a, summarized "capsule": "It was was a 'blast'!" The night indeed, was very memorable and enjoyable-- on many levels. And, I am glad that we signed on for the mission. So...fellow Earth beings, Take your protein pills and put your helmet on (Ten) Ground Control (Nine) to Major Tom (Eight, seven) (Six) Commencing (Five) countdown, engines on (Four, three, two) Check ignition (One) and may God's love (Lift off) be with you Oh, one final shout out. Back in the late 1950's, the Tohono O'odham Nation, (meaning "Desert People,") graciously allowed for the construction and use of the observatory on one of their most-treasured and sacred mountains. This should be acknowledged and respectfully appreciated as one travels there.

It's a very pretty drive to go up there when the waterfall is running you can't follow it up to the…read moretop but I will not go up there scared of heights but it's a nice slow drive-in the back area just to check it out before you go up the mountain

A beautiful place to drive to and see Mother nature's wonders. There are trails that you can hike…read moreand get away to one of the quietest places you will ever find and be surrounded by amazing beauty. It does not matter what time of year you visit there is always something to see. Birds, animals, plants and cactus no matter where you look. If you visit Sierra Vista do not miss this Canyon. It is just a short drive out of town.