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The saguaro-covered foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson harbor countless scenic ravines but two of the prettiest are Sabino Canyon and Bear Canyon, ten miles northeast of the city center. Both feature a stream that forms seasonal pools and waterfalls, steep-sided slopes bearing many cacti and other Sonoran desert plants, with rocky peaks rising high above. Of the two, Sabino is more developed and more visited, having a paved road running 3.8 miles up the lower section, along which are various picnic sites, trailheads and viewpoints. Another paved road reaches the mouth of Bear Canyon then a trail continues upstream, and although the landscape in both is similar, Sabino Canyon receives more water so is generally a greener, cooler place, as the streamway is more shaded, and the pools persist longer; in midsummer, both canyons are dry. When wet, however, Bear Canyon has the single most impressive feature, Seven Falls, where the waters cascade down a steep ravine creating an enchanting sequence of waterfalls and pools.
Access and Facilities: Both ravines are part of the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, a very popular if rather commercial and domesticated place. To get there from interstate 10 requires quite a lengthy drive right across town, aiming for the north-south Sabino Canyon Road which crosses the usually dry Tanque Verde Wash and then a range of low hills before reaching the large parking area for the canyons. This is located at the edge of an upmarket residential area, with houses nestled in the surrounding hills right up to the park fence, yet all this urban land is still quite densely covered in bushes and cacti. Since 1978 private vehicles have been prohibited on the roads to Sabino or Bear Canyons; instead visitors may travel by tram, bicycle, horseback or on foot. Parking (2007) is $5 per vehicle, while tours on the tram are charged at $7.50/$3 for adults/children for Sabino Canyon, or $3/$1 for Bear Canyon. Next to the carpark are a visitor center, bookshop, vending machines, (free) drinking water supply, and many people - this is often quite a crowded location, especially popular with local residents who come for jogging and cycling. For them, a yearly pass is available for $20, and all fees are good for other nearby sites in the Coronado National Forest including all those along the road to the summit of Mount Lemmon.
Sabino Canyon: Trams leave the visitor center every 30 minutes for the journey into Sabino Canyon, stopping at nine places along the way. The full trip takes about 45 minutes, crosses the creek nine times on sturdy stone bridges, and is made to the accompaniment of narration from a tour guide, who gives details of the local wildlife, plant life, geology and history. The trams are certainly the most popular way to visit, though many prefer to walk or cycle. Of the various paths in the area, one starts next to the carpark - the short, self-guided Desert Nature Trail - which has informative notices about local plants and animals. Others are found along the Sabino Canyon Road; the Phoneline Trail (#27) is the most popular, starting 1.4 miles from the visitor center by climbing up the south side of the canyon then following it for several miles, before descending to the far end of the road. It intersects the Sabino Canyon Trail (#23), a continuation route further east into the mountains. Another shorter route, the Sabino Lake Trail (#30), leads to a reservoir that is good for bird watching.
Bear Canyon: Bear Canyon and the Seven Falls can be explored by a relatively easy 5 mile round trip hike (or 8.5 miles if starting from the visitor center), a walk that in season is one of the most scenic in all Arizona.
Trail description - Seven Falls and Bear Canyon.
Satellite Photo/Map: View above the Sabino Canyon visitor center:
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Sabino Canyon - More Information
Bear Canyon - 2.5 mile hike to the Seven Falls
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Sabino Canyon - Similar Places
Kaiser Spring Canyon - beautiful desert canyon north of Wickenburg
Fish Creek - watery canyon in the Superstition Mountains near Phoenix
Tonto Creek - permanent desert stream with deep pools and waterfalls
Bill Williams River - remote waterway in the mountains east of Lake Havasu
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Hotels: Tucson has a wide selection of hotels within a few miles of Sabino Canyon.
One of the closest places is Comfort Suites at Sabino Canyon at 7007 E Tanque Verde Road, beside the intersection with Sabino Canyon Road, 4.5 miles south of the visitor center - in a mostly residential area though next to several fast food restaurants and a small shopping center. The hotel is built around 4 small but elegant courtyards containing mature gardens, with an outdoor pool/hot tub at one side, and caters for long stay guests or those just needing extra space; room facilities include a microwave, refrigerator and cable TV. The two main free amenities are full breakfast every day and a cocktail reception Monday to Thursday.
Check rates for the Comfort Suites at Sabino Canyon
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