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    Sweetwater Preserve

    4.9 (14 reviews)

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    Barrel cactus
    Steve S.

    This is a wonderful place to take a hike. Bicycles and horses are also welcome. We hiked 3 miles here today, it's well marked and not heavily used. Note the damage to the saguaro cactus, it appears as though a fire ravaged this area maybe 50 years ago based on the only young saguaros being 4 feet tall or so.

    Barrel of fun!
    Roger M.

    Sweetwater sweet trail system for hike or mountain bike. I am sweating spinning solo so sweetly! Hardpack sand & decomposed granite. All 13.7 miles singletracks per my GPS are fast rolling, up-down, curvaceous, and total elevation gain 700 feet. Have a blast spinning over rock hoppers, bunny bouncing and suspension popping pop-pop-pop along the way. Some sections are "quasi" technical. Desert flora and fauna so sweet and lush with Palo Verde, Ocotillo, Prickly Pear cactus, Creosote, lots and lots of giant Saguaro cactii, jojoba and Mesquite. Watch out, a jumping Cholla may hitch a ride on your fanny, arm or leg---ouch, those spines so hard to pull out. In and out of washes surrounded by the presence of mountains, blue skies, warm sunshine and fresh air---I bet you wish you were here with me. It is an Intermediate level ride at best but so sweet surely---Sweewater preserve! All you need is water and/or fat tires or trail shoes. Horses and dogs ok. I even saw hikers with 2 huge goats. Well designed park with lots of intersecting loops of varying distances throughout. Big parking lot.

    Millions of memories can be made here. Just pick one.
    Robyn Y.

    What can I say Sweetwater Preserve? It's truly my fault that I didn't find you earlier. Getting that off my chest and in the open, I can sincerely say that if you love being outdoors and are active, Sweetwater Preserve is the place for you. Hiking? Walking? Mountain biking? There is something that can be had for everyone and millions of memories that can be made. Before we made the trip, we looked up best trails in Tucson to walk our dog. We learned that the trail is pet friendly (don't forget the doggie bags for waste as there isn't any supplied and something to carry it in- there aren't trash cans) and people friendly too. There are plenty of trails that you can choose to walk which are all connected with a series of networking. Another great perk of Sweetwater? There are signs posted throughout so you won't worry about getting lost, even if it is your first or one hundredth time. People on the path are friendly and considerate too. We encountered many people walking their dogs and on mountain bikes. When we heard the bike coming we moved to the side and allowed them to pass. Not one person passed and didn't say hi or thank you- the people are just as wonderful as the views. We try as a family to make memories and this was a trail that my 11 and 8 year old could join us on and they loved it. Plenty of places to stop for shade and the most amazing views.

    Josie R.

    Great hiking moderate trail. There are a variety of paths for those that want to challenge themselves or those that want to take an easier path. Beautiful scenery everywhere you hike. Bicycles and even pups are welcome. There were barely any bugs either. Just a lovely time! But go early to avoid the HEAT!!! The earlier the better.

    Saguaros for days
    Isabella J.

    The Sweetwater Preserve is nestled among several parks on the west side of town. It's a popular pick for mountain bikers but is also great for trail walks and horseback riding. Dogs (on a leash) are welcome here too! I had no idea the preserve is over 700 acres until I stopped to read the informational signs. Pretty cool! As far as trail walking/hiking goes- I didn't find the terrain to be very challenging. But a mountain biker might have a different opinion in that- given that the trails are narrow, single track. So my assessment of the trails is for hikers/walkers. Anyway- there are various trails Interconnect- so you can connect to other trails that all loop around back to the parking lot, which is great. The entire loop is just over 7 miles. The trails start right off of the parking lot. Whiles there are signs along the way, the trails are not clearly marked. So make sure to stop and looks at the signs from time to time to make sure you're headed in the right direction. This is a great outdoor park. It's not too remote and the trails are clearly marked. Open dawn until dusk. Of course the ideal time of year to enjoy the desert is late fall through spring. Always bring plenty of water!

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    Ask the Community - Sweetwater Preserve

    Review Highlights - Sweetwater Preserve

    The trails are clearly defined, there are a few points with maps, and signage to let you know what trail loop you're on.

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    Bicycle Ranch - Tucson - Getting fitted for my first ever ride - Steven is super knowledgeable and helped this newbie understand all the things!

    Bicycle Ranch - Tucson

    4.5(56 reviews)
    7.9 mi
    $$

    Cycling newbie here! I came to Bicycle Ranch on Oracle to be fit for a bike through Uphill Into the…read moreWind to ride in my first El Tour, charity ride, and had an absolutely awesome first-timer experience! I figured I would also pick up a helmet and shorts while there, but ended up getting so much more thanks to Steven, who went above and beyond! He took the time to properly fit me for my very first bike and walked me through everything I needed to know -- from how to ride more efficiently, to ways to practice, how the gears and tires worked, and even how to clip in (which felt intimidating at first, but he made it approachable and easy to understand). His knowledge and patience really made me feel confident and excited to start riding! He helped me find the perfect helmet and guided me through the uncharted territory of buying cycling shorts - the shop has a great selection of both (and literally every other thing you might need to ride). They also have a nice selection of nutrition and he gave me tips on how to fuel for race day which was super appreciated. Everyone who came through the door was greeted and all seemed to know each other which was a great sign of a strong community. The prices are a bit higher than what I'd seen on Amazon, but the products were far superior in quality and so in my opinion, totally justified. One customer I chatted with mentioned that when you shop there, the service is better than anywhere else, and so based on my experience you get what you pay for so the investment is well worth it. Also, shoutout to their resident shop dog Miska -- total sweetheart and an unexpected highlight of the visit The store has a great selection, welcoming vibe, and an incredibly supportive team. Highly recommend for anyone getting started or leveling up their cycling game!

    What a wonderful experience! The staff is great, including their dog. They listened to my concerns…read moreand made adjustments as necessary. I bought a new Cannondale EVO 3 and they made custom component changes for me charging only the cost difference between what I wanted and what they removed from the standard configuration. The fitting is perfect as well. No more numb hands, and no more saddle pain. They're now my first pick for bike shops.

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    Bicycle Ranch - Tucson
    Bicycle Ranch - Tucson
    Bicycle Ranch - Tucson

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    Tucson Endurance Performance Center - Cervelo Caledonia from Tucson Endurance.

    Tucson Endurance Performance Center

    4.3(15 reviews)
    14.8 mi

    The selection is excellent and the staff have always been very helpful. I've spent too much time…read morelooking at bikes and gear here and the staff has always been gracious and helpful. They also support local athletics. Tucson endurance performance is our go to place for our sports nutrition and tri/swim/bike needs

    Took my rear wheel in to get the hub body changed out out of personal perference for a nice…read morefreewheel and more engagement. Dropped it off on a Friday during my lunch with the freehub of my choice and was told they would need to measure spokes and would go from there as far as how long it would take to finish. Called the following Thursday to see how it was going as I haven't been riding because I don't have a spare wheel and they hadn't even looked at it. Almost a full week... the following day they looked at it and had to order spokes which is fine but knowing it took almost a whole week to look at the wheel just to find out it'll take a few more days for spokes to come in sucked. (Meanwhile i have still been without a wheel this entire time and have been riding indoors but that's very different then being on the bike you want to ride!) it's now been two weeks since I initially dropped it off and still have not gotten a call about it being done. I had to go and call them once again to check on it, spokes came in the following Wednesday, called the next day and was told it's not done yet but I'll get a call when it is. It's now Friday evening two days after the spokes arrive and nothing... point being if you are interested in upgrading your bike and love having things done in a timely manner don't come here. They did however lend me a wheel to use in the meantime which is deserving of an extra star.. otherwise barely a 1 star. My main issues... 1- took almost a whole week to even look at the wheel I dropped off. (Just a wheel to measure spokes) 2- seems like there is no rush to get the item done and not considering how long the customer is out a main component on a bike they may love to ride. 3- no initiative to communicate. Had to call multiple times just to understand what point in the job my wheel was in.

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    Tucson Endurance Performance Center - I bought my Lizard Skins bag from Tucson Endurance.

    I bought my Lizard Skins bag from Tucson Endurance.

    Tucson Endurance Performance Center - We have the bike you are looking for!

    We have the bike you are looking for!

    Tucson Endurance Performance Center - Front door

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    Front door

    Campfire Cycling

    Campfire Cycling

    3.6(17 reviews)
    7.6 mi
    $$$$

    Campfire Cycling was absolutely invaluable to my successful trip to Tucson. I shipped my bike to…read morethe shop and it arrived w/ some damage. Toby was incredibly helpful in detailing the damage to the bike and then installed the part in such a timely manner that I was able to pick up my perfectly tuned bike upon my arrival. Their pricing for putting my bike together and then breaking it down and packing it for the trip back was super reasonable. He didn't even charge me for installing the replacement part! And he packed my bike way better than I, which meant that my bike arrived home in perfect condition. I highly recommend this shop and I will definitely be using their awesome services in the future. Toby and his crew are the best!!

    I absolutely love Campfire Cycling! Their specialty is bike camping, but they'll work on any kind…read moreof bike. I took my city commuter bike there and am so happy. My bike is 10+ years old and well loved, and needed a bunch of work done. I took it to another local shop first and they gave me an estimate of over $500 to fix it. Their recommendation? Throw out this bike and get a new one. Is this a thing?, I asked myself, and perhaps the mechanic too. So I reassured my bike that everything was going to be ok and took it home. At the recommendation of a friend, I took my sweet bike to Campfire instead. Total repairs? Under $200, and when they didn't have a part they needed, they recommended I visit Bicas instead of spending a ton of money (and time) to get it shipped. Repair completely finished within a day. Hooray Campfire! You rock.

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    Campfire Cycling - Sign out front

    Sign out front

    Campfire Cycling
    Campfire Cycling

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    Tucson Endurance Performance Center

    Tucson Endurance Performance Center

    4.7(22 reviews)
    7.6 mi
    $$$

    A Masterclass in Bike Building: Ask for Holly!…read more I recently had the pleasure of working with Holly at Tucson Endurance Bike Shop East to build up a new racing bicycle, and I cannot recommend her highly enough. If you are looking to invest in a high-performance machine, Holly is the person you need in your corner. Her knowledge of the current landscape of racing bicycles is not just extensive; it is incredibly nuanced and intricate. In a market flooded with new integration standards, aerodynamics claims, and geometry tweaks, Holly acted as an expert guide. She didn't just recite spec sheets--she explained the subtle engineering differences between frames and how specific component choices would impact the actual "ride feel" and handling during a race. She helped me navigate complex decisions regarding gear ratios and wheel depths with a level of technical depth that only comes from a true expert. Beyond her technical wizardry, Holly's communication skills are exceptional. Building a custom bike can sometimes feel overwhelming with timelines and compatibility checks, but Holly made the entire process seamless. She was proactive with updates, incredibly responsive to my (many) questions, and always made me feel like my build was a priority. She even went step further and gave my updates as to where the bike was in the shipping process which raised my excitement for the ride. What stood out most, however, was the overall ease of working with her. She combines professionalism with a genuine warmth that makes the shopping experience fun rather than transactional. She listened to exactly what I needed as an athlete and delivered a final build that exceeds my expectations. Thank you, Holly, and the team at Tucson Endurance Bike Shop East. If you want a sales experience that matches the quality of a pro-level bike, go see Holly!

    Great experience purchasing a new high-end set of pedals and pair of shoes at Tucson Endurance…read morePerformance Center East. Staff asked all the right questions and delivered outstanding service. Highly recommended.

    Photos
    Tucson Endurance Performance Center - 54 cm cervelo' ultegra

    54 cm cervelo' ultegra

    Tucson Endurance Performance Center - Olympians train here in their off season!! Go Sarah True

    Olympians train here in their off season!! Go Sarah True

    Tucson Endurance Performance Center - Angle changes colour blue / turquoise / purple

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    Angle changes colour blue / turquoise / purple

    Catalina State Park - Plume thistle, I believe.

    Catalina State Park

    4.5(142 reviews)
    15.4 mi

    Came here on a night walk early June. The park is well maintained and the guides were amazing. We…read moredid ice breakers to start and really enjoyed that each guide has their own expertise. We learned about the unique wildlife, rock formations, insects and constellations! I highly recommend.

    I went here for a night walk in June and had an amazing time with friends! The Rangers were so…read moreknowledgeable and friendly. I thought it was pretty cool the way they reflected pictures onto the ground of the animals they discussed. They taught us not just about the animals of the desert, but also about the rock formations, and constellations as well . They did an introduction before we set out on the trail and an icebreaker, which I also thought was a cool little activity to help us all feel more comfortable. I would definitely do this again, and recommend it for anyone who's never done it. This would be a great activity to bring an out-of-town friend on. FYI- the hell when you first start, the trail is pretty steep.. I was huffing and puffing a bit lol. If you have any knee injuries or struggle with steep land, you might want to sit this one out. The rest of the trail is flat after however the hill is needed to start and end the trail (it probably took like 1-2 minutes to scale it). Also to find the area where the hike starts, you'll want to drive all the way through the park until you get to the parking lot on the left. For some reason, I thought it would be pretty close to when you enter the park, however, it is a little drive.

    Photos
    Catalina State Park - Camp site A-8, Catalina State Park, Az May 27, 2023

    Camp site A-8, Catalina State Park, Az May 27, 2023

    Catalina State Park - Alamo Loop wildflowers

    Alamo Loop wildflowers

    Catalina State Park - Catalina State Park May 27, 2023

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    Catalina State Park May 27, 2023

    Sweetwater Preserve - hiking - Updated September 2026

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