Sabino Canyon, located on the northeastern edge of Tucson as part of Coronado National Forest, is one of the city’s most popular hiking destinations. This comes as no surprise given the canyon’s diverse hiking opportunities, convenient location, and gorgeous scenery, not to mention the spectacular views of Tucson’s sunsets. It is a must see for both Tucson tourists and locals!
The parking lot and entrance to the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area is located at Sunrise & Sabino Canyon in northeast Tucson. The address is 5700 N Sabino Canyon Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750.
The recreation area is open 24 hours a day, although camping is not permitted. Visitor Center hours are 8:00am to 4:30pm daily.
Current admission fees:
Dress for the weather. We recommend comfortable hiking shoes/boots, a hat, light layers, sunscreen (lots of it), and sunglasses.
Bring plenty of water, snacks or lunch, a camera/phone, and extra sunscreen.
Visitors will want to bring .5 to 1 liter of water for every hour they will be out. A good rule to follow is to always bring 2 liters of water and adjust up as needed.
Absolutely not.
There are many water fountains throughout the canyon. Note the locations below:
Yes. There are a total of 12 restrooms throughout the canyon. The Visitor's Center also has a Family Restroom with a changing table.
Sabino Canyon is one of the most well-known and popular hiking spots in Tucson. If you prefer to hike without crowds, arrive early on a weekday morning.
October through April is the ideal hiking season in Tucson due to cooler temperatures. If you are looking to get wet, though, late summer is the time for you.
Depending on the time of year, you may see saguaro cacti, palo verde trees, mesquite trees, barrel cacti, rattlesnakes, javelina, jackrabbits, roadrunners, mountain lions, lizards, and hummingbirds!
Yes, mountain lions have been seen at Sabino Canyon. Arizona Game and Fish states that, since 1988, there have been six mountain lion attacks in Arizona, but none have been fatal. Find out What to Do if You See A Mountain Lion.
The Sabino Canyon Crawler is operated by Regional Partnering Center. Shuttles leave on the hour during slow season and half-hour during busy season. With both shuttles, you can hop on and off at any of the nine stops along the route.
There are two shuttle routes available:
Sabino Canyon is an hour-long, narrated ride with nine stops. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children under 12. The Sabino Canyon Shuttle departs from the Visitors Center every 30 minutes between 9:00am and 4:00pm.
Bear Canyon is a non-narrated, two-mile ride with three stops. The final stop is the trailhead to Seven Falls. Tickets for $8 for adults, $5 for children under 12. The Bear Canyon Shuttle departs from the Visitors Center every 30 minutes between 9:15am and 4:15pm.
Sabino Canyon has two parking areas, both off of Sabino Canyon Road.
The main parking lot affords access to the Visitor’s Center, bathrooms, and the shuttles.
The overflow parking lot is located around a quarter of a mile north of the main parking lot at the end of a short road. This road begins as asphalt, but then transitions to dirt so be careful of the dust if you have just washed your car! The overflow lot is open seasonally from mid-October through late April.
One of the best things about Sabino Canyon is the great variety of trails it has access to!
Upper Sabino Canyon Road: If you are planning on hiking with small children, jogging, or cycling, the road into Upper Sabino Canyon may be the trail for you. This trail is an out-and-back, 7.5-mile-long paved road with an elevation gain of 807 feet. The shuttle does run along this road until around 4:30pm every day so be sure to keep an eye on your kids, but the shuttle ($) can also give you a lift back to the entrance if you need it.
Bear Canyon Trail (leading to Seven Falls): This 9-mile trail is easily one of the most heavily trafficked trails in Tucson, with an elevation gain of 1105 feet. Seven Falls is considered a "moderate to difficult" hike. The out-and-back trail features breathtaking views and a series of seven waterfalls. The trailhead is south of the Visitor’s Center, not on the road that leads to Upper Sabino Canyon. Also of note: This trail crosses a creek seven times and may be inaccessible after storms and during wet times of the year.
The Phoneline Trail (#27) is four miles in length and rated as moderate. It is a rocky narrow trail on steep slopes and contours the east side of Sabino Canyon. The trail can be accessed at the lower ends from Shuttle Stop #1 in Upper Sabino Canyon or east of Shuttle Stop #2 in Lower Sabino Canyon. Signs are present at both trailheads. The hike will be uphill with an elevation gain from 2,800 feet to 3,060 feet above sea level. The upper end of the trail can be accessed at Shuttle Stop #9 in Upper Sabino Canyon. From there, the hike will be downhill. This hike is not recommended for people who have a fear of heights. It is exposed, without shaded areas, and hikers should dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, and carry plenty of drinking water.
Blackett’s Ridge Trail (#48) is a 1.6 mile trail rated as difficult. It is a one-way, dead-end trail with a steep climb from 2,800 feet to 4,400 feet and contains sharp switchbacks. It can be accessed by taking the Phoneline Trail (#27) from east of Shuttle Stop #2 in Lower Sabino Canyon for 0.6 miles, then taking the Blackett’s Ridge Trail to the right. Signs mark the trailhead and trails.
Sabino Dam: If you have little ones with you but would still love to splash in some water, the Dam is a great option for you. The whole hike is 2-3 miles! Easy to navigate with small kids in tow! You can push a jogging stroller for most (or all) of this hike.
Remember that Sabino Canyon is home to many smaller trails that branch off of in many directions so don't be intimidated if you just want to go on a quick adventure. With water, snacks, and a hat, you should be set for fun!
A hike at Sabino Canyon can really be as long or as short as you want to make it.
Longer hikes, such as Seven Falls, may take most of the day, but there are plentiful other opportunities for quick hikes, bikes, and runs. IF you take the shuttle to and from the trailhead, the hike to Seven Falls is 9 miles roundtrip. If you do not take the shuttle and hike from the entrance, plan for 13 miles roundtrip.
There is frequently water in the winter (on account of snow run-off from Mt. Lemmon) and after significant rain storms. The creeks especially flow during monsoon season. Water does cover the trail in some areas, so be prepared to get your feet wet.
Biking is permitted (and is a popular activity) at Sabino Canyon, but note that there are some restrictions.
No. Camping is not permitted in Sabino Canyon.
Yes. Food is permitted and there are several enjoyable spots to stop for lunch. As with all federal lands, hiking trails, and state/national reserves, be sure to stow away all your trash in your bag or pocket until it can be properly disposed of. Remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints.
No. There are vending machines with snacks outside the Visitors Center.
Try one of the following restaurants, which are within a 6-mile radius of Sabino Canyon:
All ages!
Yes. Many of the paths are paved. For longer hikes or hikes off the beaten path, a baby carrier would be a better option.
Yes. Visitors can inquire at the Visitor Center for details.
Pets are not allowed in Sabino Canyon. Service Animals, as defined by The Americans with Disabilities Act, are authorized.
Two group sites may be rented for group gatherings. Picnic sites in the canyon can accommodate very small groups. Any group exceeding 74 people requires a Special Use Permit.
Sabino Canyon does not have its own social media accounts, but you can follow Coronado National Forest on Facebook and Twitter. Use hashtag #SabinoCanyon and you're sure to find other fans of this gorgeous hiking destination.
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The below links will also likely be of interest:
Have fun at Sabino Canyon!
